Let's secure a victory away to take the lead in white stars!

　In Sec. 4 of the league, we will face Omiya Ardija on Sunday, heading into an away match. The previous match against C Osaka ended in a scoreless draw, leaving our current record at 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. While we have shown defensive solidity with a total of 1 goal scored and 1 goal conceded in three matches, no one is satisfied with the number of goals. We have been able to press from a high position and aggressively win the ball back, so the challenge will be how to convert those opportunities into goals. To address this, we have been experimenting with many combinations in practice, including an attacking formation with Hirayama, Ricardinho, and Shigematsu in the front line, as well as training with Kim Yong-gun at right back and Nagatomo moving up a line. In this match, Morishige, who was suspended in the previous match, returns to the starting lineup, forming the same defensive line as in Sec. 2. Nakamura and Ishikawa will play as left and right midfielders, respectively, with Akamine and Hirayama forming a two-top attack. Additionally, rookie Shigematsu will be on the bench for the first time as a professional. On the other hand, Omiya had a big win against C Osaka in their opening match, but they have lost consecutive matches against Sendai and Kashima after losing their key forward, FW Rafael. However, Coach Jofuku warned, "FW Ishihara can create opportunities with his individual skill, and when he receives the ball, his attacks and counters are sharp. Everyone works hard on both offense and defense." He continued, "When we try to progress the game with possession, there will likely be several moments where we are countered. If we make mistakes in handling those situations, we must be prepared to concede goals." Therefore, against Omiya's midfield, where MF An Yong-ha serves as a lone defensive midfielder, we want to control the ball as much as possible and aim to take the initiative in the match, but it is important to manage risks as before and maintain concentration in defense. How to break down the defense centered around the absolutely tall DF Mato will be key. Although it is an away game, we absolutely want to secure a victory to take the lead in the standings. The weather is cloudy, and it feels like winter has returned at NACK5 Stadium Omiya, where the match started at 14:01 with Omiya's kickoff.

Omiya has two players sent off... However, they are unable to score.

　In the 9th minute, the game took a significant turn early on. Omiya MF An Yongha received a red card for a foul on Hanyu and was sent off. Tokyo was able to advance the match with a numerical advantage. In the 13th minute, Ishikawa skillfully broke through the opponent's DF line on a counterattack, dribbled forward, and took a shot, but was crowded by a DF, losing momentum, and the ball went straight to the GK. Omiya, now down to ten players, made no substitutions, with FW Ichikawa as the lone striker, FW Ishihara moving to the side half, and MF Kanazawa coming in as a holding midfielder. There was no change in their strategy of maintaining a flat line of four in defense and midfield. In response, Tokyo dominated possession throughout, but could not break through Omiya's solid defense in front of the goal. In the 24th minute, Ishikawa and Hirayama attempted a one-two, but were blocked by Omiya's DF. Hirayama picked up the loose ball again and forcefully struck a powerful shot with his left foot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. In the 26th minute, a wedge pass from the center by Tokunaga reached Hirayama, who received it freely, turned, and took a shot, but it went to the left. Omiya's fierce challenges at the ball troubled Tokyo, and time passed without creating any clear chances. In the 42nd minute, they built up from the DF line, and Konno spread the play to the right side. Mukuara passed to Ishikawa, who delivered a cross. Akamine let it go, and Hanyu ran onto the ball dropped by Nakamura in the area, but his shot hit the opposing DF, missing a crucial opportunity. Just after that, in the 45th minute, Omiya DF Mato made a sliding tackle on Hanyu. This play resulted in a second yellow card for DF Mato, leading to Omiya's second player being sent off that day. The situation became 11 against 9, and the first half concluded.

Konno's long shot explodes! Jumatsu scores his first goal to celebrate his debut match!!

　In place of Hanyu, who was injured just before the end of the first half, Tokyo brought in Young Gwon KIM as a defender at the start of the second half. The defensive line was set up as a three-back with Morishige, Mukuhara, and Young Gwon KIM from the right, while Konno and Nagatomo were moved up to midfield positions, adopting an attacking formation. Just after the start of the second half, in the 46th minute, Nakamura's right cross was received by Hirayama at the far post, who then returned it to the center. Although it was aimed at Akamine, his left-footed shot went high over the goal. In the 55th minute, Nakamura advanced deep down the right side and sent in a cross, which Nagatomo, running in from the far side, headed towards the goal, but both attempts went off target. Despite launching a fierce attack, they were unable to score against Omiya, who fortified their defense and had a goalkeeper making great saves. In response, in the 56th minute, Shigematsu was brought in for Nakamura, marking his professional debut. They increased their attacking numbers in search of a goal. Then, in the 61st minute, this attacking stance finally paid off. Ishikawa's right cross was cleared by the opposing defender, but they regained possession, and Nagatomo on the left side crossed to Young Gwon KIM in the center. It was cleared again, but Konno reacted first and struck a powerful shot directly from outside the area, securing the opening goal! In the 68th minute, Ricardinho came on for Akamine. Even after taking the lead, they continued to press for more goals, creating chances through Ishikawa's dribbling on the right side and using Hirayama as a pivot in the center. In the 71st minute, Shigematsu, targeting behind Omiya's defense, skillfully faked out a defender and delivered a last pass, which Ishikawa connected with directly. However, this was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper. Then, in the 79th minute, Nagatomo broke through on the left side and crossed, and despite a difficult position, Shigematsu perfectly headed it in for a goal! This marked Shigematsu's first goal in his professional debut, adding another point. They continued to push for additional goals, threatening Omiya's goal, but could not secure a third goal. Despite taking 32 shots, they heard the final whistle with a score of 2-0. However, they effectively utilized their numerical advantage to secure all three points, marking their second league victory of the season. 【Player Comments】《Shigematsu》"Playing in front of many spectators was a completely different atmosphere than before, but I tried to go for it. As a forward, I wanted to get involved in scoring in any way possible when I was on the field, and I was only thinking about goals. With the opponent reduced to fewer players, we absolutely had to score, and I believed chances would come. My points for reflection are that I sometimes went too aggressively and aimed for long shots. There were moments to pass, so I want to improve the accuracy of my play and judgment." 《Konno》"In situations of numerical superiority, whether to make a last pass or choose to shoot. If we don't improve our situational judgment, we won't be able to win against higher-ranked teams. I want to focus on that. So far, in four matches, the results have not been satisfactory, and to compete for the championship, the quality of our soccer still needs improvement. I want to practice more and increase our precision as a team to keep winning." 【Coach Jofuku's Press Conference Summary】"It was good to win 2-0. However, conversely, there is also a reflection that we only scored two goals. As a team, when Omiya's players were reduced to nine or eight, we made sure not to give the opponent any scent of a scoring opportunity, absolutely not creating any gaps, not allowing them into the area, and at such times, we must be conscious of keeping the score at zero. It was good that the players maintained their focus, even when it seemed they might lose concentration, and managed to keep a clean sheet. Regarding the attack, if we had scored the second goal earlier, I think we could have played more relaxed. The shape wasn't bad. The opponent had to completely pull back, and Omiya is a team that works hard without anyone slacking off. It is not easy to take decisive shots when the vital area is tightly closed. We were able to create shapes from the sides behind the defensive line, but the second goal was hard to come by. This may have induced some anxiety. However, the players should have learned that just because someone scored, forcing a shot themselves is not effective. Scoring means moving the ball, shaking the opponent, timing it right, and finally choosing the most decisive spot to score, not just forcing a shot without considering other options from outside the area. I hope the players have learned that. Today's three points will gain more meaning if we can earn points again in the next match. I want to prepare well and move on to the next one." 【Omiya Coach CHANG Woe Ryong's Press Conference Summary】"I apologize to the supporters for the consecutive home losses. However, I think there are such matches... In that, I believe the players fought well until the end, which will lead to our next match. Even with nine players, they covered for each other well. Of course, we intended to win today, and I think we both played a good match at the start. But this is soccer..."