Nabisco Quarterfinal Round, the first match where we want to demonstrate our overall strength and take the lead

　The Nabisco Quarterfinal Round Game 1 is held, facing Oita Trinita at home. To advance to the Semifinal Round, the total number of wins from Games 1 and 2, followed by goal difference, will be considered. Therefore, in this match, we aim not only for victory but also to widen the goal difference. However, if the goal difference is the same, the number of away goals will also matter, so "1-0 is a better condition than 2-1," says Coach Jofuku. Thus, today's primary theme will be "not conceding any goals."

　However, due to Konno's suspension from the previous match against Chiba, he will not be participating. Considering the consecutive matches, this week we will approach the game with a fresh lineup. The defense line will have Tokunaga on the left side back and Mukuhara on the right. The center backs will be Shigenobu and Yoshimoto, pairing for the first time since the match against Kyoto on March 30. The midfield will consist of Asari and Kajiyama. Ishikawa and Kurizawa will serve on the sides, and the forwards will be Taira SHIGE and Akamine, forming a two-top for the first time this season. Coach Jofuku stated, "I selected the members to win against Oita," and is fully prepared for the match.

　Oita, on the other hand, will play in a unique manner on June 25 for Sec. 11, making this their third consecutive match. Still, they have the fewest total goals conceded in the league with 12. In the previous match against Kobe, they secured a victory by holding onto the single goal scored from a set piece. With their first-ever advancement to the Nabisco knockout stage, they will approach this match with strong determination. Notably, FW Weslley, who was absent during their earlier encounter in the first half of the league, is maintaining good form. He effectively holds the ball up front, allowing MF Kanazaki and MF Suzuki on the flanks to aggressively push forward. With a distinctive attacking lineup, it is essential to be cautious of their breakthroughs from the midfield. At the same time, the key will be how well they can exploit space to break down Oita's solid defense.

　A clear day with a refreshing breeze at Ajinomoto. The crucial match that cannot be lost in order to advance to the Semifinal Round started at exactly 19:00 with Oita's kickoff.

Although they allowed the first goal, they equalized just before the end of the first half with Ishikawa's first goal of the season!

　In the first minute, Akamine started on the left side and passed to Hirayama in the center. Seeing an opening, Hirayama aimed for the goal but struck straight at the Oita goalkeeper. They aggressively took shots at the start, but afterward, both teams played cautiously, resulting in a back-and-forth development. In the fifth minute, Mukuara advanced, exchanged a one-two with Ishikawa, broke free, and delivered a cross, but it was cut off by the defense and turned into a throw-in. In the tenth minute, Kajiyama, who had moved up the right side, passed into the area. Kurisawa, who ran in, sent a backward pass, and Mukuara, who moved into the center, aimed for the goal but had the ball spilled as the defense closed in. Tokyo maintained a solid defensive line and tried to create chances starting from the right side with Ishikawa and Mukuara, but they couldn't capitalize on their attacks.

　In the 20th minute, Oita's MF Kinasaki, who drifted to the left side, made a through pass into the area. Left MF Suzuki ran in to meet it, but Shigeno slid in to cut it off just a step ahead. However, in the 28th minute, Oita's FW Weslley received a ground pass from DF Fukaya, who advanced up the right side, in front of the goal. Shigeno managed to cut it, but the ball floated above him. He tried to handle it with a header, but the loose ball was snatched by Oita's FW Maeda, who quickly took a shot while losing his balance. The ball was sucked into the upper left corner of the goal, allowing the opening goal that we desperately wanted to avoid...

　However, even so, they calmly launched a counterattack, and in the 39th minute, Mukuahara's early cross found Hirayama, who made a high header, but it lacked the angle and was caught by the opposing goalkeeper. After the 40th minute, they repeatedly threatened Oita's goal from set pieces, but Kajiyama and Hirayama's direct shots were defended. However, in stoppage time of the first half, from Kurizawa's hold, Asari sent a vertical pass to Kajiyama in the center, who trapped it once and then sent a direct through pass to Hirayama on the left. At just the right moment, Ishikawa broke free and scored! It was Ishikawa's first goal of the season, equalizing just before the end of the first half.

Unable to grasp the rhythm, conceding the second goal, a tough defeat...

　In the second half, aiming for a comeback, Fujiyama was brought in to replace Shigeno. Right from the start, Mukuara advanced high up the pitch, drawing in the opposing DF and delivering a cross from just outside the area. A perfect ball was sent to Taira SHIGE in the center, but his powerful header went straight to the goalkeeper. In the 46th minute, Taira SHIGE took a shot following Fujiyama's advance. In the 47th minute, Taira SHIGE moved up the center and passed to Akamine, who was free in the left area. Kurizawa, who had made a run from the second line, connected with a clever play to shake the net, but unfortunately, it was ruled offside... They created a big chance but couldn't convert it.

　In the 53rd minute, Emerson was brought in to replace Ishikawa. In the 58th minute, Kurizawa feigned going left from the center and made a through pass to the left area. Akamine skillfully evaded the opposing DF with his control and sent the ball to the center from near the goal line, but it was caught by the GK. They tried to create chances with speedy passing, but Oita, who was pushed back during this period, attempted to counterattack with an aggressive defense that exploited the gaps behind Tokyo's DF. In the 63rd minute, Oita substituted Takamatsu for FW Maeda. Shortly after, Tokyo brought in Cabore for Hirayama. They boldly aimed for a second goal, but could not find their rhythm at this point.

　In the 67th minute, Kajiyama in the center made a long through pass into the left area. Emerson, who broke through, fiercely caught up and skillfully turned past the opposing DF, but the final pass was cut off by the DF. In the 69th minute, Emerson, who dribbled up from the left, sent a through pass into the area, and Cabore ran in from the right, but the ball was too long. During the attempt to connect passes, they were dispossessed by Oita and faced difficulties with long balls. After the 70th minute, FW Weslley ran onto a pass from the right by Oita and the ball spilled loosely just in front of Tokyo's goal, but Shiota managed to take it. In the 71st minute, they suffered a counterattack from Oita after clearing Tokunaga's left cross. Yoshimoto was evaded by FW Weslley, who came up from the left, and a shot was taken from the area, but Shiota made the save, escaping to a corner kick.

　Immediately after, while attacking, the ball was taken away, and from a right cross by Oita MF Edmilson, FW Takamatsu shot in front of the goal. It was a decisive chance but went over the bar. They faced a series of crises and the situation became chaotic. Then, in the 83rd minute, Emerson tried to pick up a loose ball in midfield, but the Oita DF took it away and made a long feed. Fujiyama cleared it once, but it was passed back to Oita MF Edmilson, and MF Suzuki made a vertical pass. MF Kanazaki on the right side dribbled in and passed behind Fujiyama, who had jumped out to intercept. Neither Tokunaga nor Kurisawa, who had come back to cover, could catch up with MF Edmilson, leading to the loss of the second goal.

　Nevertheless, they did not give up and sent in a cross in the final moments, but it was deflected by Oita's solid defense, leading to the time-up. Unable to fully capitalize on the rhythm they had grasped, the first match of the quarterfinal round ended in a painful defeat.

　【Player Comments】《Ishikawa》"It was difficult to find the rhythm. There was an overall vague atmosphere, and we couldn't fix that. We conceded goals during that time, so it was a disappointing match with challenges remaining both personally and for the team. While trying to bring out my strengths and characteristics and value the team's concept, I also tried to contribute to the match build-up, but balancing that was difficult. I was fully motivated, but I think I couldn't execute what we practiced against Oita's style. We needed to move the ball more. (Regarding the injury) I bruised my right calf and thigh. I don't know the details, but there is some pain. However, we must not lose sight of what we need to do. We will return to basics and start from scratch. The league matches will start soon, and competition in Kodaira continues. I want to make the most of the few chances I get." 《Yoshimoto》"Since it was a home game, I wanted to win without conceding, but the result is very frustrating. I approached the match focused on the result, but I couldn't meet the coach's expectations. In the first half, we couldn't press strongly against the opponent's two forwards, and they created chances there. In the second half, we pressed strongly against the two forwards. Also, my challenge is still the connecting play. Recently, I was able to do it in practice and friendly matches, but if I can't do it in official matches, it means nothing, and I think that's my true ability. I want to be able to deliver results in official matches."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "Despite it being a weekday, many fans came to support us. We wanted to win and approach the second match with momentum, but we couldn't, which is very disappointing. In the first half, the enthusiasm of the new members sometimes backfired, and there were moments when the ball didn't stick to their feet. Our defense was also lax, leading to conceding a goal, but we recovered midway. It was good that we managed to equalize just before the end of the first half, and I think the start of the second half was not bad either. We controlled the game for a long time, and although there were mistakes, we tried to play the style of football we aim for to some extent. Considering the players' condition and the fact that the J-League match is in two days, we challenged today's lineup as a catalyst. However, the players who came on later did not function well. I wanted them to regain form, but the fact that they couldn't get into the rhythm is also my responsibility for making such selections. In the five minutes just before conceding the second goal, fewer players repositioned themselves and appeared in the forward line. Including the passers, there were easy mistakes. When such things continue, it becomes a typical example of how the football we try to play turns into a risk. I also reflect on being caught out when a direct shot was taken, but in those five minutes leading up to that, there were several easy mistakes that each player must reflect on. Without improving accuracy, it becomes a risk. It was a moment that made us realize that easy mistakes can strangle ourselves."

　[Summary of Oita Coach CHAMUSCA's Press Conference] "Today's match was definitely evenly matched, and it was a tough battle throughout. In terms of content, our efforts were reflected in the result. I believe that our constant focus on taking control of the game led to this outcome. There wasn't much space in the first half, but after entering the second half, we were able to take control of the game and effectively use the space in the flow of the match. One reason the content was evenly matched is that, for example, in the second half we moved dynamically to create chances and were able to convert that into results. On the other hand, Tokyo showed great movement and dynamism in the first half. Tokyo was superior in the first half, and we were superior in the second half. Overall, I think it was a game where both sides continued to fight evenly throughout the first and second halves. There are two reasons why we were able to take control in the second half. One is that Tokyo dropped back to defend against our attacks and did not apply much pressure during our build-up. This made it easier for us to push forward. The other reason is the determination we had when coming into this stadium to get a result at all costs. Our desire to aim higher in the Nabisco Cup led to today's victory."