Aim for 3 points away without hesitation

　In Sec. 28 of the league, we face Shimizu S-Pulse. In the previous match against Niigata, we played aggressively and created many scoring chances, maintaining Tokyo's pace throughout, but conceded a goal from a free kick and managed to equalize with a penalty kick, ending in a draw. Still, the attacking power has definitely increased, and there was a strong sense of team unity aiming for victory. While steadily addressing our issues step by step, we want to face the upcoming matches against top teams without hesitation and continue to accumulate points.Shimizu currently sits 6th with 45 points. In the five matches since September, they have drawn three and lost two, unable to secure wins, but they achieved a convincing victory in the last match and seem to be regaining momentum. This match, defender Hiraoka is suspended, but forward Okazaki returns from injury and is included in the squad. There is no doubt they are a tough opponent. Special caution is needed against Shimizu's FW Jönsson as a focal point, with FW Fujimoto and Edamura skillfully positioning themselves between the defense lines. Also, MF Ono and FW Fujimoto have highly accurate kicks, so we want to prevent them from advancing near the goal as much as possible and try to regain possession early.For Tokyo, this match remains difficult with Tokunaga and Ricardinho suspended, but on the other hand, Yonemoto returns to the starting lineup for his first official match this season. Coach Okuma said, "Yonemoto has not played a single match this season, so we must not have excessive expectations. Also, we need to carefully decide when he uses his ability to press and when the team should endure and defend patiently." However, he trusts Yonemoto, saying, "His ability to challenge for the ball in midfield is outstanding."Hanyu said, "So far, matches against teams close in ranking have been difficult because the 'calculation of points' always comes first. From now on, I want to take a positive, challenger spirit and surprise the top teams." Yonemoto also said, "I have no psychological disadvantage against Shimizu." In the first half of this season's league, including the Nabisco Cup, all matches ended in draws, but we want to apply quick pressure to prevent Shimizu from showing their strengths and seize the narrow decisive moments. The match kicked off at 13:04 at Outsourcing Stadium Nihondaira with Shimizu starting.

Hirayama's header explodes! Leading into halftime

　Due to the approaching typhoon, the wind and rain intensified, but the field had good drainage and no puddles. Under these conditions, both teams took an aggressive stance as the match began. In the 7th minute, Morishige dove in with his head at Ishikawa's right corner kick but couldn't finish. Ishikawa crossed again, but it was cleared, leading to a counterattack. Shimizu's forward Fujimoto dribbled up the right flank, but Yonemoto and Hanyu desperately tracked back to block. Especially Yonemoto, making his first appearance this season, applied pressure to steal the ball, connected passes, and advanced toward Shimizu's goal. Meanwhile, Shimizu also showed high accuracy in counterattacks, quickly moving the ball upfield, resulting in a tense and continuous battle. On the slippery pitch, both sides made small mistakes, but in the 31st minute, Hanyu pressured the opposing defender on the left side, stole the ball, and earned a corner kick from the cross. Ishikawa took this left corner kick, and Hirayama, positioned behind Morishige in the center, timed a perfect header to score! From Hanyu's fearless defense, Hirayama capitalized on the set-piece opportunity to take the lead. However, Shimizu, trailing, launched a vigorous attack, and just before halftime, Shimizu midfielder Ono passed directly to forward Fujimoto near the area. This allowed forward Edamura to break free and take a decisive shot, but Gonda saved it. Then from a corner kick, Shimizu defender Ota shot an overhead kick from close range inside the area. This was also a critical chance, but Gonda made a one-handed save! Despite these dangerous moments, Gonda's consecutive great saves held firm, maintaining a one-goal lead going into the second half.

Oguro scored an additional goal, and they defended against Shimizu's counterattack with a total effort to secure victory!

　The second half also saw a back-and-forth battle with both sides attacking, but Tokyo maintained defensive concentration and did not allow Shimizu to gain rhythm. In the 58th minute, Tokyo won the ball in their own half and passed from Yonemoto to forward Ohkuro. They launched a quick attack, and Hirayama dribbled after receiving a layoff. From the right side, Mukuhara and Ishikawa surged forward, creating what seemed like a big chance, but the pass did not connect. Then, in the 65th minute, Kajiyama switched play to the left side, and Hirayama, who received the ball, carried it to the goal line and sent a grounded cross. Ohkuro firmly pushed in the loose ball from the opponent’s DF in front of the goal, scoring an additional goal!!Shimizu did not give up and immediately made a substitution in the 66th minute, replacing MF Ono with FW Okazaki, launching a counterattack using the substitution. In the 78th minute, Shimizu’s recently substituted FW Omae penetrated the area, and Nakamura and Morishige were beaten, resulting in a goal. Then, in the 81st minute, Shimizu’s passing play allowed a run behind Tokyo’s DF, but Morishige covered with a desperate sliding tackle and escaped with a throw-in. As Shimizu rode the momentum of their comeback mood, Tokyo brought on Matsushita and Shigematsu late in the game. The match developed into a counterattack scenario from tough defense.In the 88th minute, Shigematsu’s direct free kick slipped from Shimizu’s GK’s hands and went behind, but it was ruled no goal. Although Tokyo could not extend their lead with a third goal, they brought on Kim Young-gun for Hirayama during stoppage time, enforcing intense pressing and ball retention from the front. Shimizu’s FW Fujimoto’s powerful volley near the end went off target. Both teams put their bodies on the line, covered for each other, and in an all-out battle, Tokyo repelled Shimizu’s counterattack and secured a valuable 3 points away.Player CommentsYonemoto: “I’m glad we got 3 points, which was good for the team, and personally, I’m happy to win in my comeback match. I had very strong feelings about this game. If we lost, I would lose my position, so I stood on the pitch with strong determination. We had to get at least 1 point, so we started the game focusing on not conceding. I tried to play as usual with the same mindset as last year. We had a good start, and Sota scored. Overall, I think the game went well.Personally, I was able to show my strength in winning the ball several times, but I got tired toward the end. Even if I won the ball, there were many moments when we lost it afterward. If we calmly connect the play there, we can launch more precise counters. I strongly feel I can do more, and I want to improve my condition by giving 100% in training. I was also happy with the supporters’ cheers, and even in bad weather away, they came to watch, so I was determined to perform. The “Sha” celebration is usually done by the scorer, but I was honored to do it.Ohkuro: “Regarding the goal, Sota sent a good ball between the GK and DF. The ball bounced off the opponent’s DF, so I just had to finish it. Despite being away, the supporters cheered passionately, and the defenders, Kon-chan and Morige, defended solidly. I feel everyone’s feelings rode on that ball and rolled in. I always position myself just on the offside line, trying to get into places the opponent dislikes, and I think that caused the opponent’s mistake.The pitch condition was good but slippery, and Shimizu’s pressure was quick, so it was difficult. I made some mistakes personally, but I played with the mindset of ‘just need one goal.’ When we led and the opponent pushed forward, there was space behind Shimizu. If we exploited that, we could have broken them down more. I have a positive image, but I made many personal mistakes, so I want to finish those chances properly. Recently, good balls have come from Mukuhara, so I want to score in that way soon.”Coach Kiyoshi OKUMA’s Press Conference Summary“I think the players worked hard. Both individually and as a team, we prepared well, and although results hadn’t come, today we got a result. It’s important to have confidence now, and I’m really glad we got the result. However, the situation where we can’t relax hasn’t changed at all. Since my appointment, I’ve told the team to treat every remaining match like the first game, and we will continue with that mindset, united as one with strong cohesion.(You controlled the game until late, right?) Calmly judging, I think Yonemoto’s wide defensive coverage that prevented the opponent’s rhythm was effective. Also, although he’s not skillful, by bravely receiving the ball, he creates a synergistic effect for the team’s attacking control. Not only Yonemoto but also Hanyu and others bravely receiving the ball allowed us to control the attack, not just defense. Especially in the first half, we controlled the game almost entirely. If we can play like that for 90 minutes, the chance of losing will definitely decrease, so we want to extend that time going forward.”Shimizu Coach Masaru HASEGAWA’s Press Conference Summary“I appreciate the supporters who gave passionate cheers despite the typhoon. It’s really frustrating not to have won at home, and we want to continue playing games where we can win at home in the remaining six matches. In today’s game, I think the ball started moving very well after conceding one goal. Before conceding, partly due to the pitch condition, we couldn’t circulate the ball enough to break down the block. After conceding, we had to go for a goal, so the ball moved a lot, and we created chances. It was painful to concede the first goal from a set piece, but afterward, we created many chances and just couldn’t finish one more. I think that difference led to the result. The next match is away against C Osaka, and with six matches left, we couldn’t accumulate wins in the last six matches last year, so this season we want to finish well and prepare properly for the week ahead.”