Securely convert chances and snatch points away!

　In Sec. 16 of the league, we will face Kashima Antlers away. We lost to Urawa in the previous match and have yet to secure a victory in the three matches since the league resumed. We are in a difficult situation without being able to convert results, but with consecutive matches against G Osaka and Kyoto coming up, this match is crucial to break the negative trend. The players are also focused on switching their mindset, stating that "it's important not to dwell on it" as they prepare for the game.

　Kashima, while conceding the top position to Urawa by a point, has a total of 27 goals scored and 13 goals conceded, both of which are the best numbers so far. Additionally, since their defeat to Tokyo on June 30 last season, they have boasted an incredible strength at home, remaining unbeaten in 23 matches (including league, Nabisco, Emperor's Cup, and ACL) for nearly a year. Particularly in attack, the two forwards, Marquinhos and Tashiro, possess shooting power and height, with high finishing ability. Moreover, midfielders Ogasawara, Nozawa, and Motoyama create scoring opportunities by exploiting space with their excellent ball retention, making it possible to score from anywhere.

　Tokyo, although Kajiyama temporarily left the team for the Olympic representative, has rejoined energetically. The starting members have changed the DF line from the previous match. Makuhara is used as the right SB, and Tokunaga as the left SB. Coach Jofuku states, "What is required now is results rather than content. For that, both technical and tactical aspects, as well as a certain level of grit and toughness = a strong mindset on the pitch are necessary." Additionally, Nagatomo has returned from injury. He himself vows, "Having not been able to contribute to the team until now, if I can play in the Kashima match, I want to perform in a way that leads to victory."

　Tokunaga also said, "In the match against Urawa, we needed to be more creative in our attack. We had fewer shots, so we focused on correcting that in practice. I want to actively challenge with powerful play on both offense and defense." If we can increase our possession through tenacious defense, use the space on the sides to create openings, and draw out Kashima's central defenders, we should be able to create decisive moments. We want to face Kashima, who are skilled at managing matches, without fear and seize victory by converting our chances. The match started at 19:04 with a kickoff from Tokyo at the foggy Kashima Soccer Stadium.

A closely contested battle ended in a scoreless draw in the first half

　From the start of the first half, Kashima dominated possession of the ball. In the 6th minute, forward Marquinhos and in the 8th minute, midfielder Ogasawara both took shots, but missed the target. Tokyo gradually adjusted to the flow of the game, starting to pick up second balls and create chances. In the 14th minute, central player Kajiyama passed to Emerson with a floated ball to the front line. Hirayama trapped the ball in front of the goal, turned around, and shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. In the 19th minute, a switch of play from the left with Tokunaga to Kajiyama to Emerson. The ball was crossed to the right side to Mukuhara. Hirayama contested for the loose ball, which Tokunaga seized and shot, but it was cut off by a defender. The loose ball was then taken by Kajiyama, who aimed for the goal with a mid-range shot, but it went over the bar.

　Kashima's MF Ogasawara becomes the starting point for building the attack. In the 23rd minute, MF Ogasawara passes to MF Motoyama, who draws the DF in the center, and although the pass goes to FW Marquinhos in the left area, Mukuhara blocks it with his body to escape danger. In the 26th minute, Emerson runs up the right side and crosses in front of the goal. Kajiyama was also closing in, but from the loose ball of Kashima's DF, Cabore gets into shooting position. However, the quickly approaching Kashima DF cuts it off, leading to a counterattack. A right cross is sent to DF Uchida, but Shiota catches it.

　After 30 minutes, the back-and-forth battle continues. In the 34th minute, Tokyo launched a counterattack, with Cabore breaking behind the DF, turning towards the center from the left corner of the area, and taking a shot from distance. It was on target, but the opposing GK caught it. In the 36th minute, Kashima's DF Iwamasa made a long feed to the left flank, switching to the right area, where FW Marquinhos attempted an overhead kick but was fouled. In the 39th minute, Tokunaga surged down the left side, bringing the ball into the area and delivering a floated cross. Hayakawa controlled it with his chest and attempted a volley as he turned, but it went over the bar.

　After that, Tokyo used Mukuahara and Tokunaga on both sides as starting points, while Kashima had forward Marquinhos as their starting point. Both teams created chances but were unable to score. The match went into halftime with a scoreless draw.

Cabore scores the opening goal, but we lose with 4 goals conceded.

　In the second half, Tokyo brought in Nagatomo as a left back and Tokunaga on the right. In the early stages, they struggled against Kashima's quick start and counterattacks, but thanks to Shiota's good saves, they managed to defend with concentration. In the 58th minute, Tokunaga's throw-in was returned by Hanyu, and Tokunaga delivered a cross. Cabore's header spilled in front of Hirayama in the right area, and Hirayama shot from close range. Although it was initially saved by the goalkeeper, they connected the passes again, and Cabore kicked it in to take the lead.

　However, just after that, in the 61st minute, Kashima brought on FW Kuroki and MF Danilo. Tokyo was unable to catch their fresh movements and gradually found themselves being pushed back. Then, in the 62nd minute, starting from a pass by MF Danilo, FW Kuroki set up FW Marquinhos, who scored and equalized. With the momentum from the equalizer, Kashima gained confidence. Tokyo also aimed for a second goal, seizing a chance from DF Nagatomo's side attack, but could not get a shot off. As both teams continued to exchange counterattacks, Tokyo lost possession of the ball frequently, and their line began to stretch.

　In the 74th minute, Ohtake was brought on for Hanyu. Although they tried to bring the flow back to Tokyo, they could not stop Kashima's rhythm. In the 77th minute, from a counterattack, FW Marquinhos broke through on the left side, and a ground cross was met by MF Motoyama, allowing them to take the lead. Immediately after, in the 78th minute, Akamine was brought on for Hirayama as Tokyo aimed to counterattack, but Kashima firmly established a block with their MF and DF to defend and aimed for counterattacks. Then in the 86th minute, FW Kuroki scored, and in the 89th minute, from a set piece, MF Danilo scored, resulting in four goals conceded. Tokyo maintained an attacking posture until the end and launched attacks, but the match ended with the time up. Following the previous match against Urawa, they suffered consecutive losses in the league.

　【Player Comments】《Nagato》"I had the feeling that we should go for the goal, but we became too aggressive and got hit by a counter. I wanted to change the flow after coming on, but I couldn't fulfill that role, which is frustrating. When I came on, I wanted to defend well and push forward in attack, but... I didn't feel any discomfort in my legs. Many supporters came today, but since the next match is at home, we definitely want to win. To do that, we first need to fix our defense. If we lose the one-on-one battles in front of us, the team won't win either. I reflect on that." 《Mikihara》"I think we were able to play our football in the first half, but... After taking the lead, we wanted to build momentum. However, we pushed forward, which opened up the midfield, and I think we allowed Kashima's FW Marquinhos to face forward. We conceded four goals and suffered consecutive losses, but we can't let ourselves get down here. Regardless of whether I play or not, I want to keep the energy up in practice."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "Despite the team not securing any wins and playing away, so many fans came to support us, and I truly feel sorry that we couldn't give them a good experience. Regarding the match, in the first half, we managed to suppress the opponent's strengths and aimed to challenge the second half decisively. I believe this was not far from what we originally planned. Until we scored one goal, I recognize that our performance was not that bad, but conceding four goals after that is the difference between us and Kashima, and we must fully accept that. From now on, we need to properly evaluate ourselves and connect that to our future efforts. (Regarding two consecutive losses against top teams, what is the difference in strength?) In today's match, the key difference was that Kashima was more effective upfront as a starting point. Specifically, their two forwards dropped back into a zone where they could face forward and then accelerate. In contrast, we faced forward one zone further back, so it was difficult to break through their block and run past them. The area where we could face forward was in the midfield zone, not where the top players dropped back. Of course, our formation changes somewhat when trying to score, but the quality of drawing the ball out and the skill to face forward with precision, like Kashima showed today, creates a situation where the second line confidently makes forward runs. I recognize the difference in impact as the difference in how well the ball is controlled and settled in those key areas."

　[Kashima - Coach Oswaldo OLIVEIRA's Press Conference Summary] "(How do you evaluate the players' performance?) I think it was a very good performance. Certainly, the fact that we couldn't score in the first half may have caused some frustration among everyone. However, I personally believe the players fulfilled their tactical roles and functions properly. Of course, we must acknowledge the opponent's strength and tactics, and I felt they were working hard to neutralize our strengths. At halftime, I told the players not to rush and to thoroughly focus on their targets, and that goals would naturally come if they did so. I believe that actually happened on the pitch. (What instructions did you give when you substituted two players simultaneously in the 61st minute?) It was right after conceding a goal, and the opponent was using a defensive strategy, so I thought it would probably be difficult to break them down. Also, the players on the pitch until then had been giving their all in terms of ideas and running, so the decision to send out two different players was to try to find a way to break through using their unique qualities. I'm glad that worked out well. (How do you feel about becoming the leader?) I strongly wanted to reclaim the top spot quickly. We were first until Sec. 5, and if the schedule had been the same as other teams, we might have stayed at the top all along. There was a break, which allowed injured players to recover and players to regain their condition. If we can compete under the same conditions, I think the last few matches have proven that we can show such a high level of performance. However, the hardest part starts now. I think anyone can become the leader, but maintaining that position is difficult, and that's what we want to do. Many teams have the ability to be number one, so we must overcome them. We want to cherish team spirit, attack as a unit, defend as a unit, and work together to earn points. I believe the players will also work hard with that mindset."