Break through Kyoto's defense and achieve victory for the first time in 5 league matches!

　In Sec. 18 of the league, we will face Kyoto SANGA F.C. away. In the previous match against G Osaka, we earned 1 point and avoided a third consecutive loss, but we have not won since the league resumed. This match, being the first of the second half, is crucial for us to compete in the upper ranks going forward. Based on the gains and confidence from the G Osaka match, we want to seize our first victory in the league after five matches, even though it is an away game.

　Kyoto, currently in 11th place, has recently added FW FERNANDEZ and DF Mizumoto during the break, and they are in good form with no losses in the last three matches. Coach Jofuku also analyzed, "The new players have become the core of the team, enhancing both offense and defense." Starting from a solid defense centered around Mizumoto, they launch precise counterattacks, and particularly, FW Yanagisawa at the forefront excels in both quickness and quality of movement, scoring in three consecutive matches. Additionally, they have players with unique characteristics like FW Hayashi on the bench, and Shiota warns, "The variety of our battles is increasing."

　Tokyo has no changes to the starting lineup from the last match. Ishikawa, who is maintaining good form, said, "We probably won't be able to target the space behind the DF as much as in the G Osaka match. Still, I want to keep moving, find space, and create chances. I always want to be aware of moving after making a pass, and differentiate between plays that initiate action and those that connect. I also want to value the coordination with the full-backs." The key point will be how well we can break down Kyoto's compact defense. With no space behind the DF and strong players like MF Shijikurei in the center line, we want to create numerical superiority on the sides to make our moves.

　Coach Jofuku declared, "We haven't won in the last few matches and there is a sense of fatigue. However, both teams are equally affected by the heat, and it's about how we can execute what we need to do within that context. We will turn the players' desire for victory into strength and fight with a strong focus on winning." Aiming for victory with Tokyo's style of football, which moves the ball and players, without being outpaced by Kyoto's quick movements. The match started at 19:04 with Tokyo's kickoff in the humid Nishikyogoku.

With Shiota's great saves, the first half ended with both teams scoreless.

　From the early stages, they launched an attack starting from the sides as planned. Just after the start, there was a chance created from Ishikawa to Kajiyama's run, but it did not reach Cabore. In the 5th minute, Ishikawa, who ran into the area from a drop by Hayama to Cabore, took a shot. It was saved by the opposing goalkeeper and resulted in a corner kick. In the 6th minute, Tokunaga initiated a play on the left side, sending a final pass to Cabore in the center, but it was cleared. Although the game progressed at Tokyo's pace, there were few decisive moments, and gradually losing the ball while attacking led to sharp counterattacks from Kyoto.

　In the 23rd minute, from a long ball by Kyoto, MF Shijikurei passed to FW Yanagisawa who headed it down in the Tokyo area, and FW FERNANDEZ made a fierce dribble. He took a shot from inside the right area, but it went over the bar, escaping a crisis. In the 26th minute, left back Kakuta dribbled up the center and passed to the free FW FERNANDEZ in the left area. The shot was deflected by Shiota's punch. Tokyo also seized opportunities from counterattacks, earning several corners, but all lacked precision in the kicks, preventing continued attacks.

　In the 30th minute, Tokyo launched a counterattack, with Nagatomo dribbling up the center and breaking through to the right flank in a combination play with Ishikawa. Cabore at the near post connected with a header from a cross near the sideline, but the shot went wide of the goal. After that, Kyoto's forward Fernandinho created a scoring opportunity starting from Yanagisawa. In the 39th minute, Kyoto's midfielder Sato took a shot from inside the area, but Shiota made the save. In the closing stages, thanks to Shiota's excellent saves, they held on and ended the first half at 0-0.

Akamine's last-minute equalizing goal brings the match to a draw

　In the second half, Tokyo changed the positions of Nagatomo and Tokunaga. They allowed Ishikawa to focus on playing on the side and aimed for the goal in a wide formation. However, in the 50th minute, Kyoto FW FERNANDEZ persistently attacked on Tokyo's right side and ultimately delivered a cross. Although they managed to escape this with a corner kick, from the left corner taken by FW FERNANDEZ, DF Mizumoto scored with a precise header, allowing the first goal. After that, with Kyoto gaining momentum from the first goal, Tokyo spent a lot of time on the defensive and could not initiate attacks.

　Then, in the 63rd minute, Asari was replaced by Otake and Emerson was brought in for Ishikawa. With Hanyu moving to the center, they aimed to counterattack by calmly playing their own style of football. Gradually regaining composure, they completely controlled the ball. However, they struggled to break down Kyoto's solid defense, which was set up to hold back, and could not get a shot off. In the 77th minute, Akamine was brought in for Cabore, launching a fierce attack, but in the 83rd minute, Otake picked up a clearance mistake from the opposing defender on the left side and crossed in front of the goal. Akamine headed the ball, but it went wide of the target.

　In the 84th minute, Ohtake cut into the right area, drawing in the defender to pass to Emerson in the center. His sharp shot from distance unfortunately hit the crossbar. Just when it seemed the match would end this way, Hirayama was fouled outside the left area during stoppage time, earning a free kick. Emerson took the last chance free kick, and the ball grazed the hand of the Kyoto goalkeeper before going to the far side, where Akamine headed it into the goal just before the goal line. The match ended shortly after this goal. The spirit of not giving up until the end finally paid off, bringing the tough away battle to a draw.

　【Player Comments】<Akamine> "(Regarding my participation) I felt we were able to keep possession, but there were too few shots. I decided to take bold shots, so it was good to score at the end. I was able to react quickly to the loose ball. However, if we had scored during the flow of the game earlier... Kyoto defended solidly and launched counterattacks, but their defensive line was surprisingly high. So I was aware of the chance to exploit the space behind their line. I have been coming on as a substitute often lately, but I believe that if I produce results, it will lead to the next step for both myself and the team. The team has been improving in maintaining possession. If we take more shots, chances will increase, so I want to actively aim for that. Next time, for the fans as well, I want to work hard to secure 3 points." <Emerson> "It was a tough match. I expected it to be difficult away, but losing the first goal made the situation even tougher. However, I think the fact that everyone never gave up led to earning 1 point. When I played, I aimed to contribute to the team. For the free kick, I believed it would go in and kicked the ball toward the goal. I'm glad Shingo finished it well. Of course, we wanted to win, but I want to think positively about securing a draw away at the end. (You haven't won recently?) I think it's even more important to work hard in practice and for the team to build confidence."

[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "Right now, Kyoto is a very good form team, and we entered the match taking great care of their driving forces, defender Shijikurei and forward Fernandinho, as well as Yanagisawa. Regarding the opponent's slow attacks, they did not create many dangerous situations, but I think we caused trouble when we lost the ball badly and were caught on a counterattack. Also, in set plays like corners, the difference in kick accuracy was evident. The opponent's kicks were precise and created many potential chances, but as you saw, ours were not. Skills do not change overnight, but this is a point we must seriously accept. It feels like we strangled ourselves. As for our attack, I think we stuck to what we intended to do. While reflecting on how we lost the ball badly and caused danger, I want to appreciate the fact that we tried to see it through. It was very good that we managed to equalize at the end, but I want to connect this point earned without wasting it, thanks to everyone not giving up and persevering. (In the second half, you switched the positions of Nagatomo and Tokunaga?) There are several reasons, but one was that we struggled with forward Watanabe Taigo's dribbling in the first half. Also, Ishikawa made some mistakes when moving inside several times, but he is a player who can show his strengths better when positioned wide. To let him focus on his preferred role, we wanted to bring Hanyu from the opposite side inside. And regarding who to use outside, the intention was to use Nagatomo, who has good stamina."

[Summary of Kyoto Coach Kato's Press Conference] "After winning against Kashima, the top team in the league, last match, I thought we must not become complacent anywhere, so I told the players to show their best concentration in the first 10 minutes today. However, right after kickoff, there was a scene where the ball crossed in front of the goal after being broken down from the right side, and I think there was a slight lack of concentration or nervousness at the start. From around the 15th minute, we regained our rhythm. Compared to the matches against Kashima Antlers and Verdy, when the ball went to our side backs, the opponent pressed us quickly, so our ball connection was unstable. We couldn’t keep the ball on the side backs and then move it forward into the opponent’s half like before. The opponent has studied us, and at halftime, I told the team that sometimes the ball won’t be stable, and the opponent is not always connecting the ball comfortably either. For the second half, we strengthened the midfield a bit and created a block on the side of defender Nakatani, who was being exploited in the first half, to prevent the side from being broken down. In the end, we conceded from a set piece, and although we had studied the opponent’s methods thoroughly, there was a part where we were caught out. There was a mistake where the GK rushed out and couldn’t touch the ball, but overall, I think the team did well throughout the 90 minutes. Taking even one point like this is very difficult, and I want to use this point as momentum for the second half of the season."