League match resumes! A battle that tests overall strength

　After a two-week interval, the J-League resumes. In Sec. 21, we will face Yokohama F.Marinos at home. During the break, the players "balanced their training and relaxed both mentally and physically, while pushing themselves and engraving it in their minds (Coach Jofuku)," effectively using the time for thorough preparation. However, during this period, Nagatomo underwent appendicitis surgery, and Ishikawa is adjusting with a separate menu due to pain in his left foot. Additionally, Bruno QUADROS temporarily left the team and has just returned to Japan. In this match, we will be missing four players, including Kajiyama, who is suspended.

　However, Coach Jofuku emphasized that "it's important to fight as a team, not just to have someone come in for someone else, but to utilize each person's strong points and cover for each other." Center-back Moniwa will start for the first time since April 29. Mukuhara will play as right back, with Tokunaga on the left. In the holding midfield, Kanazawa will be in the starting lineup for the first time since the Nabisco match against Chiba on May 20. The wings will be Hayu and Tanabe. They will approach the match with a formation featuring a two-top of Cabore and Hirayama. Additionally, Nakamura has returned from injury and will be on the bench for the first time since the Nabisco match against Yamagata on June 3.

　Yokohama FM is currently 11th with 25 points. They have remained unbeaten in the three matches before the break, notably securing a 3-goal victory against Kyoto in the previous round, indicating their form is on the rise. With many players possessing high individual skills, forward Watanabe holds the ball up front, and their wing attacks and counterattacks are powerful. Additionally, there are several players like MF Hyodo who can "switch on" when coming off the bench, making it difficult to allow them easy play. Meanwhile, during this break, defender Nakazawa has returned from injury, and the defense boasts one of the most stable records in the J.League. Tokyo failed to score against Hiroshima and managed only one goal by Ishikawa in the previous Kawasaki match, failing to add more goals. Therefore, the key point this match will be how to break down Yokohama M's solid defense, known for its height and strength.

　Coach Jofuku expressed his determination, saying, "Especially in the last match against Yokohama FM, we showed instability towards the end after being pressured. In that sense, how we finish the match is one of the challenges. Even if we have to throw away the term 'Moving football', we want to show our attitude to take all three points." This is an important match as it is the first game after the restart and will measure the overall strength of the team. Although the heat remains, the humidity is low and the breeze is pleasant at Ajinomoto. The match started at 18:33 with Yokohama FM's kickoff.

Yokohama FM takes control of the pace, but we stay focused and keep it in check.

　In the early stages, both teams moved the ball and attacked each other. Tokyo tried to implement their style of play by utilizing Yonemoto's interceptions and Kanazawa's ability to develop plays. However, in the 1st minute, Yonemoto advanced on the right, dropped the ball he received, and Cabore, who followed in the center, took a direct shot from the middle, but it lacked power. In the 12th minute, Yonemoto aggressively pressed around the center line, connecting with Cabore at the front line to earn a corner kick. Hanyu took this corner kick, and Kanazawa at the right corner of the area crossed the ball with his right foot just barely missing the far post, but there was no player to connect, and it went out of bounds.

　In the 20th minute, Hanyu was fouled just left of the area, earning a free kick. Tokunaga aimed directly from about 19-20 meters. However, this went wide, and gradually Yokohama FM's attacks became more active from a back-and-forth situation. The front-line FW Watanabe, the attacking midfielder FW Hayato Hasegawa, left FW Kano, and right FW Yamase moved fluidly, gaining momentum with their dynamic runs. In the 22nd minute, from a pass by FW Watanabe, the defensive midfielder Ogura entered the left area. In the 28th minute, from FW Kano just outside the left area, a floated last pass was sent into the box, but Mukuhara and Tanabe managed to sandwich it and escape to a corner kick.

　In the 29th minute, starting from FW Yamase, FW Kano skillfully passed to the left area, where FW Takumi HASEGAWA made a run unmarked. A decisive chance was created, but Mukuhara quickly slid in to block it. In the 37th minute, a counterattack occurred, with FW Takumi HASEGAWA passing to Yamase, who flowed into the right area to evade the Tokyo defense's mark and unleashed a powerful shot, but it went wide. Tokyo was pushed back and started to retreat, but they maintained their concentration at the back line, keeping the score at 0-0 as they headed into the second half.

Created chances but couldn't finish, resulting in a scoreless draw.

　At the start of the second half, the play was built up from Yokohama FM's midfielder Ogura, with forward Yamase going one-on-one with Tokyo's DF in the left area. A shooting chance was created, but from there, the pass was connected again, and Tokyo cleared it at the final line. After surviving a pinch with tenacious defense, they aimed to regroup, and a rhythm began to emerge in their attack. In the 51st minute, Tokunaga's cross was dropped by Cabore in the area, and Hirayama behind him created a decisive chance for a shot, but it was blocked by the opposing DF. Immediately after, Tokunaga dribbled into the left area and took a shot, threading it between the opposing DFs, but the GK made a save.

　In the 53rd minute, from Gonda's goal kick, Hirayama skillfully blocked the opposing DF and connected with Cabore in the right area. Cabore shot with speed, but it had no angle and hit the side netting. In the 59th minute, Yonemoto passed to Kanazawa, who spread the play to the left. Hanyu caught up and sent a cross from the sideline. Hirayama was there at the far post. Tokunaga, Hanyu, and Cabore were involved in the attack and created chances, but they could not break through the tough defense of Yokohama DF.

　Tokyo tried to press against Yokohama FM, who had begun to lose their momentum, by making substitutions. In the 59th minute, Suzuki was brought on for Tanabe. In the 64th minute, Suzuki quickly advanced and won consecutive corners from a cross. Finally, Kanazawa picked up a clearance from a left corner kick and connected with Suzuki, who delivered a cross just inches from the far post, but no one was able to connect. Yokohama FM also brought on MF Hyodo and FW Sakata in the 65th minute. Movement began to pick up, and in the 71st minute, Yokohama FW Watanabe received a pass and sent a last pass into the left area. Here, right back Tanaka made a run in free space, creating a decisive chance. However, DF Tanaka's shot went over the bar, and it was a moment where they completely could have conceded a goal but were saved by the mistake...

　In the 72nd minute, Ohtake was brought on for Hanyu, and in the 80th minute, Nakamura was brought on for Kanazawa as a defensive midfielder. However, the latter stages turned into a counterattack exchange, leading to a frantic development. In the 84th minute, Ohtake sent a pass into the right area, and Cabore made a run but was flagged offside. In the 88th minute, a powerful counterattack was initiated from Yonemoto's interception, and in stoppage time, Suzuki passed to Cabore, who broke down the side, creating a chance for Hirayama to finish with a cross, but this too was ruled offside. They showed an attacking attitude until the end but could not shake the net. The first match after the league resumed ended in a scoreless draw.

　【Player Comments】《Taira SHIGE》"I tried to fight with more concentration than usual. I valued the distance with those around me and constantly communicated. I think I handled the spacing with the opponent, physical plays, challenge & cover well. Not only between the center backs, but everyone around supported and helped a lot. I personally felt that what I have been doing in Kodaira is not wrong. I want to use that as further motivation."《Kanazawa》"It was good that we kept a clean sheet, but since we strongly wanted to win, the draw is disappointing. I am not satisfied. I also feel that I could have contributed more to the team. In the first half, Yokohama FM took control of the pace. We were pushed back, and the sides were absorbed by the defensive line. We wanted to regain the flow, but if we conceded first here, it would have been tough, so I thought this was the time to endure. In that sense, I think we fought with concentration. In attack, we tried to connect passes and move the ball to keep possession longer, but the opponent's defense was solid, making it a difficult match in both halves."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "We hadn't won the two matches before the break, so today we absolutely wanted to win to keep up with the top teams moving forward. The players took to the pitch with that mindset. Recently, the starting lineup had been consistent, but we were forced to make changes this match. I believe each player who came in did their best. As a team, we tried to bring out their strengths. Even with changes in the lineup, our approach remained the same: building our play from the defensive line, assessing the opponent's pressure, supplying the ball to the front line, and then switching gears. However, with four players changed, I didn't expect things to go exactly as before. This isn't an issue with the four players individually; it's most important that they express their unique qualities on the pitch. Covering each other, including defensively, is also crucial. That said, it's true we couldn't reach the finish in the first half. We had too little possession, chased the opponent's ball, and got a bit worn out, leaving us lacking the strength to finish. Perhaps the inconsistency in ideas relates to the overall connection starting from the defensive line. We need to raise our level, including backups, in that area. The result of earning just one point is disappointing, but that was because we kept a clean sheet. In that sense, I want to commend the players' desire for points. However, this point means nothing unless we win the next match. We want to unite our full strength to secure victory. I'm sorry we couldn't present you with three points today, but please watch our next performance. We have no intention of ending our summer of counterattack. We ask for your passionate support once again."

　[Yokohama FM - Coach Kimura's Press Conference Summary] "There was a two-week league suspension, and the players were given four days off. They approached this summer's three consecutive matches refreshed. In the previous match, we won 3-0 against Kyoto, and we approached this game with that image in mind. The start of the first half saw good defense from the front line and quick transitions between offense and defense. However, in attack, we took too many touches and missed shooting opportunities, so we corrected that at halftime. Also, at the start of the second half, I told them to take more long-range shots. Still, in the second half, the aggressiveness and imagination after entering the attacking zone were lacking. Defensively, they stayed focused. What concerned me most was that while losing possession during attacks is unavoidable, there were moments when players like Hirayama and substitute Suzuki were left free, leading to counterattacks. That needs to be fixed. In attack, finishing with shots or earning corners is good, and of course scoring goals is best, but if they fully commit, they can reset from the starting position, so I keep emphasizing the need to give their all. Even so, partly due to Tokyo's strong defense, there were parts where they couldn't fully commit. Improving that during the two days of training between matches will be tough, but I want to raise their awareness."