Hirayama marks his first goal of the season! Focused on closing the match with a resounding victory

　At the start of the second half, Tokunaga's right throw-in was connected by Cabore with a heel pass, and Hirayama, who received it near the right area, took a precise shot. This beautifully found the top left corner of the goal! Hirayama finally marked his first goal of the season, extending the lead to three points.

　However, Kashiwa brought in FW França and Popo in the 51st minute. This led to Kashiwa's counterattack. In the 58th minute, Kashiwa's left MF Suganuma broke into the area. He was in a shooting position, but Tokyo's DF blocked it. The loose ball was picked up, and FW Popo's powerful shot from the right area hit the post... In the 65th minute, Kashiwa FW Lee's breakthrough was stopped by a foul from Kajiyama, giving a free kick almost from the center of Tokyo's half. However, FW Popo's direct shot aimed at the goal went over the bar. Tokyo's defense remained focused, with Gonda and Konno at the center, suppressing Kashiwa's counterattack and not allowing them to gain rhythm.

　In the 68th minute, Tanabe was substituted for Hanyu, in the 71st minute, Akamine was substituted for Cabore, and in the 79th minute, Suzuki was brought in for Hirayama. While maintaining composure and connecting passes, Suzuki and Akamine accelerated towards the goal when they saw an opportunity. In the 81st minute, from the right side, Yonemoto, Tanabe → Suzuki initiated a play into the area, and Akamine in the center dropped the ball to Tanabe, who ran inside to receive the return, but the timing was slightly off, and he couldn't receive it.

　In the 86th minute, Kajiyama, Ishikawa, and Bruno passed the ball around, and seeing an opportunity, Suzuki switched on and accelerated. He connected with Nagatomo, who made a fierce overlap, and Akamine dove in near the goal to meet a cross from a deep position, but was closed down by the defender, and the ball went out of play. Although they couldn't score the fourth goal, they controlled the game throughout in their own time, leading to the final whistle. Despite being away, they achieved a convincing victory in their first match after the restart.

　【Player Comments】<Hirayama> "(It's my first goal of the season) There were several chances from the first half today, so I definitely wanted to score in the second half. I'm glad I scored early. I think it was the result of taking a bold shot. Also, today the defense line and defensive midfielders connected the ball and brought it forward. With less burden on the build-up, I felt I had to aim for the goal myself. I was finally able to score, and I think it was the result of playing our style of football." <Cabore> "There have been many chances to score before, but I lacked precision and couldn't finish. I'm glad I was finally able to score today. (About the goal) Hirayama is strong and good at holding the ball, and we had an agreement that when he gets the ball, I would move up to support. That combination created today's goal. The partnership between the two forwards is improving day by day, but not only the two of us, the whole team is in a good condition. Everyone is fighting with the spirit to do their best for the team."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "Although we are in a difficult position in the league matches, we were able to advance through the group stage of the Nabisco Cup with good momentum. The beginning of this season was tough, but we felt that this was the pain of growth, and we are gradually shedding our old skin to reach the next level. We did not want to break that momentum, and the team has been working with the motto of escaping the difficult situation and making this summer a 'summer of counterattack.' It was good to achieve results there, and despite it being an away night game, many fans came to support us, and we were able to celebrate together. In terms of content, while keeping in mind Kashiwa's strong points, the key was how well we could play the style of football we aim for this season, which is 'a style centered on ourselves.' Kashiwa's tough defense is one of the best in the league. How much we can break through that will be an indicator for us moving forward. Within that, we were able to create chances roughly matching the goal difference. I think we could have scored more goals, but I am satisfied with the 3-0 score. Also, until now, how we ended games was an issue, and there were many times when we were flustered like at the end of the first half today. Although we controlled the midfield for longer periods, the way we ended the match was a bit sloppy. Today, I think we were able to spend the final moments extending our own time and going for the goal if there was another chance. I believe this was the result of maintaining balance and paying attention to defensive positioning, so I want to firmly imprint this way of closing a game in my mind and connect it to the next one."

　[Summary of Coach Takahashi's Press Conference at Kashiwa] "I feel sorry for the fans who expected a comeback from here after we failed to get results. Today's game plan was to keep a clean sheet in the first half and to pressure the opponent's defense by making MF Suganuma and Ota run in attack. However, we conceded a goal on the counterattack, which we were most cautious about. Furthermore, the two forwards Cabore and Hirayama were used skillfully by the opponent, and we were broken down by a momentary gap, conceding an additional goal. From the end of the first half, we gradually started to create attacking chances, but we conceded a goal immediately after the second half began. We were just about to decide when to bring on FW Franca and Popo... so that third goal was very painful. FW Franca and Popo are not yet in condition to play for the full 90 minutes, and we wanted to compete in a better state... However, there is no point in looking down after this defeat, and Kashiwa Reysol will not die. We want to keep going with a strong spirit and be ready to fight in the next match against Iwata."