Bisco Quarterfinal Round, break through Oita's goal and win by more than 2 goals

　In the Nabisco Cup quarterfinals, we will face Oita Trinita away. In the first match held at home at Ajinomoto, we lost 1 to 2, so to advance to the Semifinal Round, we must win by at least 2 goals. A league match is scheduled just three days later, but first, we want to focus on this match and fight with all our strength. If the score is 2 to 1, it will go to extra time (⇒ penalty shootout), so our strategy will change depending on the situation. The tactical battle between both benches will also be a match not to be missed.

　Oita, on the other hand, has been in good form, remaining unbeaten in their last six league matches. Especially at home, they have recorded 7 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the league, along with 2 wins and 1 draw in the Nabisco Cup. Since Sec. 8 on April 26, they have not lost, demonstrating overwhelming strength. To fill the absence of injured FW Takamatsu, FW Morishima joined the team in July. MF Takahashi has also made a full recovery, aiming to increase their scoring power, while their solid defense based on a strong three-back system remains intact.

　Tokyo employed Moniwa and Fujiyama as center-backs, with Kanazawa in the left back position. Coach Jofuku pointed out three key points: to break through Oita's solid defense and score more than two goals, it is necessary to move the ball in midfield, to generate ideas with a shared awareness in the attacking area, and to have a gritty approach that pushes physically. Against the opponent's three-back formation, they want to create opportunities through passing in midfield, utilizing the fluid positioning of Emerson and Hanyu, and taking advantage of Cabore's speed and Akamine's runs.

　Also, "whether losing 1-on-1 or 1-on-2, the result is the same (Coach Jofuku)," so we must take risks and make moves. Unifying everyone's intentions and aggressively taking action is the condition for victory. We want to boldly challenge difficult opponents and use this as a trigger for the 'Counterattack of August.' The match started at 19:00 with Oita's kickoff at the Kyushu Oil Dome, where there was no wind and high humidity.

Cabore scored the opening goal, but the match was tied by halftime.

　Tokyo suddenly seizes the opportunity. In the 3rd minute, from a cross by Hanyu that flowed to the right side, Emerson sends a lobbed pass aiming behind the opponent's DF. This grazes the opponent's DF and spills forward, where Cabore utilizes his speed to run in and shoot. The bouncing ball goes over the opponent's GK's head and is sucked into the net for a goal. They took the lead early on.

　Without panicking, they continued to aim for the second goal while maintaining balance in both offense and defense. In the 16th minute, Tokunaga initiated a dribble and sent a through pass into the area, but it did not reach Cabore. In the 19th minute, Emerson, who was slightly withdrawn in midfield, delivered a through pass to the central front. Akamine made a run from the right, but the ball was just a bit too long and could not be reached. In the 23rd minute, they earned a free kick just outside the left area, but Tokunaga's kick was blocked by the wall. Although they created chances, they continued to struggle with coordination and precision at the final moments, failing to convert into a finish.

　Then, conversely, in the 40th minute, a sharp early cross from Oita's left MF Suzuki was met with a header from MF Edmilson, resulting in a goal. The defense, which had held up well until then, was caught off guard and allowed the equalizer. Tokyo, however, did not give up and continued to attack. In stoppage time, they launched a counterattack, with Emerson sprinting up the right side to deliver a cross. Akamine was blocked near the goal, and the ball reached a free Hanyu in the left area. It was a decisive moment, but his jumping volley missed the mark and was caught by the goalkeeper. In the end, the first half concluded with a score of 1 to 1.

Despite launching a fierce attack, we were unable to break through the opponent's defense and were eliminated in the Quarterfinal Round.

　Tokyo aggressively attacks from the start of the second half. In the 55th minute, Emerson is fouled and earns a free kick just outside the right area, but the cross is cleared by the defense. In the 56th minute, Cabore breaks through and earns a right corner kick, and from the short corner, Tokunaga's cross is headed by Akamine but goes wide of the goal. In the 58th minute, Hanyu sends a long through ball into the right area. Tokunaga runs a long distance to catch up, but his cross is cut off, resulting in a right corner kick. Emerson kicks to the far post, but no one can connect.

　In the 63rd minute, Hirayama was brought in for Kanazawa, shifting Konno to left back and placing Hanyu in the center. In the 67th minute, they faced a wave of attacks from Oita in front of the area, but they defended tenaciously to escape the crisis and launched a counterattack. When Cabore picked up the ball near the halfway line, he accelerated rapidly up the left side, carried it into the area, and took a shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, resulting in a corner kick. Oita also countered, with midfielder Kanazaki unleashing a sharp shot from distance, threatening the Tokyo goal, but Shiota made the save to prevent a goal. In the 73rd and 78th minutes, Tokyo brought in Kawaguchi and Ishikawa for Cabore and Asari, betting on victory.

　Despite connecting passes and launching repeated fierce attacks, all shooting opportunities were thwarted by Oita's resolute defense, which remained focused. In the 84th minute, from a quick throw-in by Ishikawa, Hanyu connected in the center, and the ball reached Akamine in the left area, whose shot after turning hit the post... Hayama rushed in for the rebound but missed the timing and swung and missed. In the closing stages, they earned several set plays, with everyone, including Shiota, pushing forward, closing in on the Oita goal, but shots from Moniwa and Hayama also went wide. Unable to capitalize on their chances, the match ended in a draw, resulting in elimination in the quarterfinals based on the total points from the two matches.

　【Player Comments】<Shiota> "The result of fighting with all our might was a 1-1 draw. I think we showed an attitude of moving forward. We managed to score early, but after being caught up to a tie, the mood turned unpleasant. However, even after conceding one goal, we should have made it 2-1. Defensively, since many players pushed forward, the backline became thin, but they marked well and did their best... Due to the heat, I think our attacks were delayed by one or two beats. We could have been more creative with set plays as well. I went up during the corner kick because before the match, I was told that if we desperately needed a goal, it was okay to go up, so I did so with strong determination. It would have been better if I had calmly scored, but I couldn't, which is disappointing. Of course, I wanted to advance to the Semifinal Round, but the league starts soon. It is precisely in tough situations like this that team unity is more necessary. Since we will continue to face top teams, we must prepare to earn 3 points in those matches." <Kanazawa> "Today, I balanced the side back position. My aim was to drop back slightly to draw the opponent in and enable side changes. There were moments I could hold the ball, but finishing remains an issue. The opponent also solidified the center, so it was difficult... Today's gains are almost none. Given the conditions, we couldn't clear them. It all comes down to the result. But there's no point in looking down. I have no choice but to channel this feeling into the league matches."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "First, I want to commend Oita for advancing. This is their first time reaching the best four, and it was a match full of spirit worthy of that achievement. We accept that. In today's match, regardless of conceding goals, we were in a situation where we had to score two goals. Goals don't come from situations where we don't have the ball, so we focused on defense by trying to quickly take the ball from the opponent. The conceding goal scene happened because we had little time holding the ball and ended up kicking it away. However, I want to praise the players' mindset to go for the second goal in the second half, and they attacked without giving up until the end. (There are two days between this and the Nagoya match?) I told the players to have the best cooldown heading into Saturday. Our Nabisco Cup run is over, so from now on we have to focus on the league. Today's defensive shape was not bad, and the attack was good as well. We want to maintain today's form as we head into the league matches."

　[Summary of Oita CHAMUSCA Coach's Press Conference] "Although we did not win based on today's match result alone, I believe it is a victory in the sense that we advanced to the best 4 by drawing. I am proud of the efforts of all the players. Today was not an easy opponent. We conceded a goal right at the start, but even in such a difficult situation, we managed to secure a draw. We stayed focused until the end and had a valuable battle for us. (What was the game plan for the second half?) Since Cabore made runs behind the defenders, I told the players to mark him closely. Also, near the penalty area, there were situations where players stuck too close to the opponent's movements, leaving space open. By assigning forward Maeda to mark the opponent's defensive midfielder, our defensive midfielders did not have to chase the opponent's midfielders. This allowed us to cover that space and stabilize our defense, which was the instruction I gave. (How do you evaluate the defense that kept the opponent to one goal?) We were able to properly pass marking duties and respond to the opponent's diverse movements. When Hirayama came in, the opponent increased crosses from the left side, but midfielder Takahashi marked Hirayama. He is strong in heading and contributed defensively. Also, I think we had some luck on our side today. In these short-term knockout matches, the team that has luck on their side tends to advance. In fact, from the energy born from our unity, the moment Akamine's shot hit the post and bounced out, I was convinced of this."