Learn from the previous match and aim for consecutive wins!

　In Sec. 10 of the league, we will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous match against Omiya, we allowed two goals from set pieces, and although we won narrowly with only Ishikawa's hat trick as our score, we created several scoring opportunities through aggressive defense, and the overall movement of the team was not bad. Coach Jofuku also mentioned, "I think the content of the Omiya match was not bad. However, we need to reflect on our approach that allowed the opponent to take control without understanding the situation, learn from it, and apply it to our future matches."

　Hiroshima is currently in 10th place with 11 points. They spent last season in J2, but their precise passing, bold midfield runs, and the speed of forward Hisashi Sato have been developed over time. This season, they seem to be struggling with injuries, including goalkeeper Hiroki Morisaki, but their team play is well established. As coach Hiroshi JOFUKU aims to "not let them showcase their strengths," they want to start the match with proactive defense against Hiroshima, which focuses on possession, and create rhythm by winning the ball in a good shape.

　Tokyo's Kondo returns to the starting lineup in place of Cabore, who injured his left knee. Kondo said, "I believe I will be used to score goals. However, before that, I want to mark the defensive midfielder who is the starting point of the opponent's passing play. If we can win the ball high up the pitch from good defense, it can lead to chances, and I also want to boldly aim for the space behind the defense." The key point against Hiroshima, who play in a formation close to 3-4-3, will be whether we can take control on the sides and create opportunities. We want to capitalize on the movements of the in-form Ishikawa and Hanyu to exploit space, win the battles on the flanks from both full-backs' advances, and initiate our attacks.

　Nagato expressed confidence, saying, "I am looking forward to the one-on-one battle with MF Mikic, who has breakthrough ability. It excites me more when they actively challenge rather than escaping through passing work. It is rewarding." Additionally, Gonda stated, "In the match against Omiya, we were a bit chaotic. If we had communicated better, we could have had a slightly easier game. I will definitely make use of that reflection." Since winning would bring our head-to-head record back to even, it is an important game. Although there is fatigue from consecutive matches, we aim for victory with passionate soccer! The match started at 19:04 with a kickoff from Tokyo at Hiroshima Big Arch, which was under rainy conditions.

Although showing an even match, they allowed a lead going into the second half

　Tokyo countered the opponent's characteristic passing game by applying pressure with a compact formation, quickly transitioning to counterattacks after regaining possession. In the 6th minute, Kajiyama spread the ball to the right side. Tokunaga sent it forward with a header, and Ishikawa delivered a cross. Kajiyama regained the ball from a defensive deflection and moved it forward. They created consecutive chances, but in the end, the Hiroshima defense cut it off. In the 9th minute, Ishikawa crossed from the left side. Kondo connected with a header at the far post, and Tokunaga, who had advanced, boldly aimed for a long shot, but it went well wide.

　In the 10th minute, Ishikawa boldly attacked in the opponent's territory and was brought down, causing the ball to spill. Akamine quickly picked it up and took a powerful shot from distance. The goalkeeper made a save, resulting in a right corner kick. In the 17th minute, a pass was sent to MF Hattori, who surged up the left side, causing the Tokyo DF to be pulled left and right. MF Hattori sent a ground pass to the center, where FW Sato and MF Takahagi rushed in but just missed connecting. Both teams showcased their strengths, leading to an exciting back-and-forth, but in the 22nd minute, after a forward run by Hiroshima DF Stoyanov, a cross was delivered to MF Mikic, who found MF Takahagi free to score with a header, allowing the first goal.

　Without getting discouraged, Tokyo continued to fight and in the 26th minute, Nagatomo's cross was connected by Akamine in the center, and Kajiyama, who had surged forward from the back, feinted to cut past the opposing defender just outside the area and took a powerful shot. It was blocked, and the loose ball was dropped by Kondo → Kajiyama struck the net again, but there was an offside before that... Conversely, in the 38th minute, they were hit by a counterattack, and Hiroshima's midfielder Kashiwagi took a decisive shot, but Gonda made a save with his body. They went into halftime allowing a one-goal lead.

Created chances but could not break through the opponent's solid defense and lost the match

　As the second half began, Hiroshima tightened their defense and aimed for quick counterattacks. In the 51st minute, Hanyu passed to Kajiwara who aimed for a long shot, but it went wide. Following that, Suzuki was brought on to replace Kondo. In the 55th minute, Nagatomo advanced and delivered a cross from deep. In the center, Hanyu was blocked, allowing the ball to slip through to Akamine, who attempted a volley but sent it over the bar. In the 61st minute, Akamine intercepted a pass from the Hiroshima defense line and charged forward with a dribble. He aimed for a shot from a distance, but it went wide...

　While actively attacking, the team struggled with the accuracy of their plays on the slippery pitch. Additionally, crosses from the sides were often deflected, making it difficult to create decisive chances. In the 63rd minute, Hirayama was brought on for Yonemoto, with Hanyu dropping back to a defensive midfield position and Suzuki moving to the left side. Then in the 65th minute, a left cross was dropped by Hirayama in the area, and Ishikawa's shot was pulled into the goal, but Hirayama's play was called a foul, resulting in no goal. In the 68th minute, Ishikawa broke free from a through pass from Hanyu, dribbled into the area, and took a shot. However, he was unable to score due to a great save by the goalkeeper.

　In the 74th minute, Hiroshima launched a quick attack, and from the combination play between MF Kashiwagi and MF Aoyama, FW Sato scored a goal. With no choice but to attack, Tokyo had a shot from Suzuki just outside the area in the 80th minute. Hirayama seized the rebound from the DF block and entered the area. He took a shot but couldn't finish, and the GK caught it. In the 89th minute, Akamine rushed in on a cross from Bruno QUADROS and attempted a volley, but it missed the target. As stoppage time began, Hirayama connected with Suzuki, and finally, Kajiyama took a shot from distance. It deflected off a DF, changing the angle, but the GK caught it. In the end, despite Tokyo's performance not being bad, they lacked precision in their play and lost without scoring for the first time this season against Hiroshima, who capitalized on their chances.

　【Player Comments】《Kajiama》"I may have been too focused on using the sides as a starting point. We made it difficult for ourselves by not connecting more in the center. Hiroshima was good at moving the ball, but we conceded goals due to counterattacks and fell apart. It didn't feel like we were completely outplayed... The main issue is how we can finish when we have the ball. I believe we can do it." 《Akamine》"I don't think we were attacked that many times... Ultimately, I feel responsible for not scoring. We had chances, and not being able to convert them is a point of reflection. However, since we have consecutive matches, we need to switch our mindset quickly. We are creating chances, so I want to get in shape and make sure we can finish. It's disappointing for the fans who came all the way to support us, but we will do our best to secure three points next time."

　[Summary of Coach Jofuku's Press Conference] "It is very disappointing to lose without scoring a single goal. Our game plan was to aggressively go for the ball and play the style of football we are aiming for this year, and we wanted to maximize our potential to secure three points. The attack from DF Stoyanov, which we were most wary of, was used to create width, and that was the shape we were cautious about. Probably the first ball that entered the penalty area was created intentionally by Sanfrecce, and it is very regrettable that we were caught off guard despite being aware of it. However, I do not know our current ranking, but overall, I believe that if we continue to play the style of football we are aiming for, we can achieve a certain level of success. The current ranking is due to my shortcomings, and I believe the players should continue this style of football. If we keep playing this way, I honestly think the results in the league will reflect that, and results will definitely follow."

　[Summary of the press conference with Hiroshima coach Zoran PETROVIC] "Every match is difficult, and I think today was a tough game as well. I felt we played very good football in the first half. We took the lead 1-0 and had chances to score additional goals, but we couldn't finish and ended the first half that way. It was very important to win today's match, especially since we had been giving away goals in recent games, but we proved that we are a team with good defense, as we did not concede any such goals today. I believe it is not easy to score against our defense in a broken play. In the second half, we scored when we had the chance, and when the opponent brought in player Hirayama, we responded by bringing in Morita and handled their long balls calmly. There were some physically challenging moments in the second half, but I think it was a game we deserved to win."