Aiming to stop the losing streak away despite bad conditions

　In Sec. 23 of the league, we will face Kashiwa Reysol away. In the last match, we suffered a frustrating comeback loss, with the second goal feeling far away. Nevertheless, there are aspects where we gained confidence in the process leading to the finish. Coach Jofuku also mentioned, "There is the pain of not being able to finish and the frustration of not winning, but the number of chances we create as a team has been increasing. We have also found some light." This match will be crucial to connect that effort to goals, and we want to earn 3 points away to stop the losing streak.

　Based on that response, we decided to approach the match without changing the system from the previous game. We also remained cautious of Kashiwa's side attacks, utilizing Fujiyama as the left-back. Ohtake, who has returned from injury, made the bench for the first time since the match against Yokohama FM on July 26.

　Kashiwa is currently in 7th place with 32 points. In the last five matches, they have recorded 3 draws and 2 losses, failing to secure wins in closely contested games. However, their speedy attacks, pressing from the front and initiating plays from the sides, remain intact. This match will see midfielder Alex suspended. Additionally, forward Lee will also miss the game due to injury, putting them in a tough situation. Nevertheless, their sharp counters capitalize on any weaknesses of the opponent. Finding a way to break through their intense pressing will be a key point.

　In the attack, both sides seem to hold the key, but Kashiwa's central DF is solid, so they want to utilize Cabore's speed to draw out the center backs. At the same time, it will be important to prevent Kashiwa's FW Franca and FW Popo, who can make a significant impact with their tough defense, from easily facing forward.

　However, the Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium was hit by heavy rain, and the pitch was in a puddle state. Although the intensity of the rain weakened just before the match, under the bad conditions, Coach Jofuku reiterated that "we must play soccer suited to the pitch conditions," and the match started with Kashiwa's kickoff at 19:04.

Struggling to control each other, a safe battle

　In the early stages, both teams struggled with control as large splashes of water rose from running and the ball rolling. In that context, they fought safely against each other, leading to a series of long kicks. In the 3rd minute, Hanyu brought the ball into the area from the side and earned a left corner kick, but the corner was cleared. In the 5th minute, Kashiwa's MF Ota broke through behind Tokyo's defense with a long ball from his own half, but the ball landed and stopped in the area. He turned and took a shot, but it lacked power, and Shiota caught it easily. Still, there was a possibility that 'something could happen' if a shot was taken, and in the 6th minute, Kajiyama advanced and took a mid-range shot. However, it was blocked by the GK's save.

　In the 12th minute, after earning a free kick on the right side of the opponent's half, Sahara quickly restarted the play. He sent the ball to Cabore just in front of the left area, and Cabore feinted past the opposing DF to take a shot. However, it was blocked and resulted in a corner kick. In the 20th minute, starting with Emerson, the ball was advanced forward, and Akamine sent a lob pass behind the Kashiwa DF, where Kajiyama made a run, but the Kashiwa GK came out to catch it. In the 25th minute, it was Konno in the center to Cabore on the left, then back to Konno, and finally to Kajiyama who spread it to the right, but Hayabusa's quick ground cross was cleared.

　In the 30th minute, Emerson's sharp right cross reached Cabore at the far post. However, he couldn't make the shot, and it deflected off a defender, but Akamine couldn't capitalize on it either. In the 37th minute, they earned a free kick from the center of the opponent's half, and Kajiyama sent it to the goal area, but it was cleared, leading to a counterattack by Kashiwa. FW Franca surged forward with a fierce dribble and sent a through pass to MF Suganuma, who ran into the area from the left, but Nagatomo caught up first and cleared it. In the 44th minute, both teams exchanged long balls and clearances, but in the end, Kashiwa initiated an early cross from the right by MF Ota, where left MF Suganuma jumped in and headed the ball, but it went over the bar.

　Kashiwa initiated an attack with FW Franca as the starting point, making a run behind FW Popo, while Tokyo moved the ball with Emerson at the center, looking for opportunities, but both teams remained focused in defense. The match went into halftime at 0-0.

Akamine strikes with his right foot! Successfully defends a precious goal, achieving victory for the first time in three matches.

　In the second half, the water recedes, and the ball starts to roll. Just after the start of the second half, in the 46th minute, Akamine sent a through pass into the area, which was cleared once, but Hayu picked up the loose ball and connected it to Konno, who cut back the opponent on the left flank and sent a cross. Cabore jumped in but just missed it. In the 47th minute, Emerson aggressively pressed the opposing defender to win the ball, creating a big chance, but he couldn't take the shot before the goalkeeper quickly rushed out...

　Even so, as they connected passes and started to find their rhythm, in the 53rd minute, after a quick series of passes, Konno passed to Emerson, who turned his opponent in the right area and got free! They created a great scoring opportunity, but the shot taken from close range went wide... In the 58th minute, Kashiwa's right back Kurakawa broke into the right area, but Tokyo's DF covered well and closed in, causing the shot to go across the goal. In the 63rd minute, Nagatomo passed to Cabore, who sent a low cross from the right, and Hanyu slid in but was contested by the DF and couldn't get a shot off.

　In the 65th minute, Kashiwa's right back Kurakawa attempted a soft right cross that Nagatomo tried to control, but it was picked up by Kashiwa forward Franca, who took a shot. It was a moment of concern, but the ball went high over the bar. In the 72nd minute, they circulated the ball to increase their attacking numbers, and from just outside the area, Cabore passed to Emerson, who connected with Akamine. Akamine, without hesitation, struck with his right foot from just outside the left side of the area, and the ball curled into the net after grazing the opponent, scoring! This was Akamine's seventh goal of the league, giving them the opening goal!!

　After that, Kashiwa launched a sharp counterattack, and the fast-paced transition between offense and defense continued. In the 73rd minute, Ishikawa was brought on for Hanyu, and in the 77th minute, Hirayama was substituted for Cabore. In the following 84th minute, Asari came on for Emerson. By utilizing substitutions, Kashiwa was not allowed to gain momentum. They defended the goal scored by Akamine and stopped the losing streak. This victory against Kashiwa in the league was their first since May 9, 2004, and their first at Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium since November 29, 2003.

　【Player Comments】<Akamine> "Although the match was played under difficult conditions for both teams, I'm glad we were able to win with good content. In the first half, the ball stopped frequently, so we couldn't connect passes and had to kick it forward. It wasn't our style of football, but I focused only on moving forward without taking risks, and instead of receiving the wedge pass, I aimed behind the defense. In the second half, Kashiwa's midfield started to open up a bit, and by connecting passes there, I think we found our rhythm. (The goal) I was able to receive a free pass and immediately took the shot. My awareness for shooting has always been high. Although we hadn't won despite good performances recently, I'm happy that my goal today contributed to the 3 points. The next game is at home, so we definitely want to win." <Kajiyama> "In the second half, we were able to attack with good balance. We picked up second balls, and either Konno or I moved forward while the other maintained balance, and that coordination worked well. From there, we created a base on the side, stretched the opponent wide... that was exactly our plan. Then the center opened up, and today everyone moved well and we were able to connect passes. The challenge remains the 'second goal.' However, in the match against Verdy, we rushed and made mistakes that cost us, but today we didn't rush, circulated the ball carefully, and created chances. I think we played a match focused on winning."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "Recently, we've had tough results, our ranking has dropped, and we're falling behind the top group. Today, we absolutely needed 3 points. The players approached the game with strong determination, but first, I want to thank the fans who cheered for us even in the rain during these difficult times. Today, our team's long-standing aim remained unchanged: to stay compact while pressing to win the ball and to be strong against the opponent's feet. From there, we aimed to value possession of our own ball. However, since the pitch was slippery due to the rain, we accepted that things might be a bit rough at first. We recognized that once the rain stopped and the pitch condition improved, we would be able to connect passes better. So, while neutralizing the opponent's strengths, we tried to use the flanks as a starting point. In the early second half, we had scoring chances, and although we regret not converting them, I believe creating many such chances is important. Kashiwa's counterattacks are sharp, and today they created several dangerous situations. It was important to respond firmly to those counters and, even before that, to launch precise attacks ourselves to avoid being counterattacked. The players fought without losing concentration, but we also have things to learn from their counterattacks. (What was the reason for keeping a clean sheet?) One reason was keeping the line compact and not allowing Kashiwa's forward Franca to get into good positions or face forward. We maintained compactness not only between the center backs but also in relation to the defensive midfielders, enabling tough defense. Also, while the ball was sometimes lost when expanding to the sides, it was rarely lost in the center. However, these were things we had felt confident about in recent matches, so today was not particularly special."

　[Summary of Coach Ishizaki's Press Conference] "It rained quite a bit, and we tried to play football suited to the conditions of the pitch. In the first half, there were puddles on the field, and neither team had any real chances. In the second half, the water receded, but we couldn't create any chances or get any shots off. We need to play a bit more calmly; we rushed and made mistakes. I think that reflects the current state of the team. Despite that, midfielder Yamane has returned from a long injury. With him back in midfield, we might find a bit more composure. We will have a break for about two weeks, so I want to reassess the team's approach and fighting style before the next match."