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 in 11th place with 25 points. They have gone unbeaten in the last three matches before the break, and particularly in the last match, they scored three goals to secure a victory against Kyoto, indicating an upward trend in form. They have many players with high individual abilities, with FW Watanabe holding the ball at the front line, and their side attacks and counters are quite powerful. Additionally, there are many players like MF Hyodo who can come off the bench and 'switch on' the game, and if they are allowed to play easily, it can become difficult for the opponents. On the other hand, during this break, DF Nakazawa has returned from injury, and the defense boasts one of the most stable performances in the J League. Tokyo had no goals in the match against Hiroshima, and in the previous match against Kawasaki, they only managed one goal from Ishikawa, failing to score additional points, so this match will be crucial in figuring out how to break down Yokohama M's strong and tall defense.

　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 demonstrate even more concentration than usual in the match. I valued the sense of distance with those around me and constantly communicated with each other. I think I did well in terms of spacing with the opponent, contact plays, and challenge & cover. Not only did the center-backs support each other well, but everyone around us also provided great support and help. I felt that what I am 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 I was very eager to win, so I am disappointed with the draw. I cannot be 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 into the defensive line. I wanted to regain the flow, but I thought it would be tough if we conceded a goal first, so I considered it a point to endure. In that sense, I think we were able to fight with concentration. In attack, we tried to connect passes and move the ball to extend our possession time, but the opponent's defense was solid, making it a difficult match in both halves."

　【Summary of Coach Jofuku's Press Conference】 "We hadn't won two matches before the break, so it was crucial for us to win today to stay competitive in the upper ranks. The players stepped onto the pitch with that mindset. The starting lineup had been stable for a while, but this week we were forced to make changes. I believe the players who came in did their best. As a team, we tried to bring out their strengths. Even with changes in the lineup, our approach remains the same: creating our own time from the defensive line, observing the opponent's pressure, supplying the ball to the front line, and then switching gears. However, I didn't expect things to go as smoothly as before with four new players. It's not just about those four; what's most important is for each player to showcase their characteristics on the pitch. It's also crucial to cover for each other, including in defense, but the fact remains that we couldn't finish in the first half. We had too little time on the ball, chased the opponent's ball too much, and became a bit fatigued, which affected our finishing power. The lack of clarity in ideas stems from the total connection, including from the defensive line. We need to raise our level, including backup. While it's disappointing to end up with just one point, it's because we managed to keep the opponent's score to zero. In that sense, I want to commend the players for their desire to earn points. However, this point means nothing unless we win next time. We want to channel all our strength into achieving victory. I'm sorry we couldn't present you with three points, but I hope you will watch us next time. We have no intention of ending our summer comeback. I sincerely ask for your passionate support again."

　[Yokohama FM Coach Kimura's Press Conference Summary] "After a two-week break in the league, I gave the players four days off. We 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. At the start of the first half, our defense from the front line was good, and the transition between offense and defense was quick. However, we overcomplicated our attacks and missed opportunities to shoot, so we made adjustments at halftime. I also told them to take long-range shots at the start of the second half. However, in the second half, we lacked aggression and imagination once we entered the attacking zone, although we were focused defensively. What concerned me the most was that while attacking, it’s inevitable to lose the ball at times, but there were moments when we left players like Hirayama and Suzuki, who came on as substitutes, free and conceded counterattacks. That needs to be corrected. In terms of offense, finishing with a shot or earning a corner kick is good, but of course, scoring a goal is the best. If we can execute our plays, we can start from the beginning again, so I emphasize that we must execute. Still, due to Tokyo's solid defense, there were parts we couldn't execute. Improving those aspects in just two days of training is tough, but I want to raise their awareness."