A match that challenges the champion team without fear, shaking off the pressure

　In Sec. 32 of the league, we face Nagoya Grampus away. In the previous match against Kawasaki, we suffered a frustrating defeat and remain in 15th place. The point gap with 16th place Kobe has narrowed to just one, continuing a tough situation. However, Coach Okuma and the players vow to face the challenge with strong determination, saying, "If we give up or lose focus here, it’s equivalent to losing from the start. We will fully commit ourselves, feeling the importance of even one point or one goal, and the goal difference." Without looking down, they will shake off the pressure and take on the champion team without hesitation. On the other hand, Nagoya won away against Shonan in the previous match, reaching 66 points and securing their first championship with three matches remaining. This match, right side back Tanaka is suspended. MF Danilson is out due to injury. However, DF Tulio returns, maintaining their stable defense. Offensively, especially with high-quality kickers like FW Tamada and Ogawa, and set-piece goals utilizing the height of FW Kennedy and DF Masukawa, they pose a significant threat. Tokyo will change the system and lineup this match due to Hirayama’s suspension. The formation is 4-2-3-1 with Okubo as the lone striker and Kajiyama playing just behind him. The double defensive midfielders are Yonemoto and Tokunaga, with Mukuhara at right side back, and Ricardinho also starting. Coach Okuma explained about the attacking midfielder position, "Kajiyama receives the ball in uncomfortable areas for the opponent and can buy time. From there, we want him to make decisive plays that threaten the goal." Kajiyama said, "I will focus on securely controlling the ball and playing simply. The pressure will be tough, but since we are closer to the opponent’s territory, there is time to get back on defense, so I want to focus on contributing to scoring as much as possible." How to suppress Nagoya FW Kennedy’s long balls and counterattacks will be key, so Tokyo aims to win the ball from Nagoya’s midfield, connect passes firmly, and take control on the sides. Putting heart and spirit into every play, they will boldly challenge top-ranked Nagoya! The match kicked off at Toyota Stadium at 14:04 with Nagoya starting.

Oguro's looping shot gives the lead! Heading into halftime with a 1-point advantage

　From the start, Nagoya focused the ball on their forward FW Kennedy, while Tokyo also exchanged long balls to utilize Oguro's runs. Among this, Tokyo applied high pressing and created chances through quick transitions. At 22 minutes, from a counterattack, Mukuhara sent the ball into the open space on the right side, and Ishikawa used his speed to catch up, cutting inside to shoot. The shot was blocked, resulting in a corner kick. At 25 minutes, Tokyo won the ball in midfield and passed from Kajiyama to Ricardinho running on the left front. The final cross was slightly back inside, but it did not connect with Ishikawa running from the right or Kajiyama behind, and was intercepted. Then at 27 minutes, from the flow of a corner kick, they connected passes; although Ricardinho lost the ball once, he quickly recovered it. Kajiyama in the center dribbled forward. From here, a vertical pass was dropped by Morishige, who stayed in the area, and Oguro in the right area aimed a lob shot that went over Nagoya GK Narazaki’s fully stretched hand and into the net, scoring a goal!! From the combination of Kajiyama and Morishige, Oguro’s skillful shot gave them the lead. Immediately after, at 35 minutes, Kajiyama quickly reacted to a loose ball from a contest between Oguro and the opposing DF in front of the goal. He broke into the right area and faced the GK one-on-one, but his shot was blocked by a body save. Nagoya also repeatedly sent crosses to their forward FW Kennedy and created chances from the powerful forward runs of DF Tulio. At 41 minutes, Nagoya’s left cross was flicked on by FW Kennedy, and FW Ogawa in the left area shot. Tokyo’s DF blocked with his body, but the ball spilled back to FW Ogawa again. A decisive shot was taken, but Yonemoto came in to cover and cleared the ball right on the goal line. Tokyo held the lead by physically suppressing Nagoya’s attacks and went into the second half.

Maintained focus in defense until the end, allowing no goals and securing a valuable away victory

　From the start of the second half, Nagoya intensified their offense, but Tokyo also launched attacks from counters. At the 51st minute, DF Mitozuru was brought in on the left side, and conversely, Ishikawa used his speed to create chances. At the 56th minute, a middle-range shot hit the opposing DF and resulted in a corner kick. At the 57th minute, after bypassing DF Mitozuru, a cross was sent but cleared. Nagoya made substitutions at the 60th minute, bringing in speedy FW Sugimoto, and at the 68th minute, DF Chiyotanda was introduced, moving DF Tulio to FW, applying pressure up front and launching a fierce attack. In response, Tokyo was pressed for longer periods, but the DF line stayed focused and launched counters from tough defense. At the 69th minute, Nagoya FW Sugimoto broke through and crossed to the far post. FW Kennedy headed it back, but Gonda caught the ball. At the 74th minute, while attacking, possession was lost, and Nagoya FW Sugimoto sprinted down the right side. He connected with a right cross, and FW Tamada took a decisive shot, but Tokyo's DF closed in well, and the ball narrowly missed the target... escaping a crisis. Tokyo also made a substitution at the 75th minute, bringing on Suzuki, who returned for the first time since 9/12. Afterwards, Shigematsu and Maeda were introduced, enforcing pressing and ball retention from the front line. In the final stages, Nagoya gathered the ball up front, while Tokyo launched short counters exploiting gaps. Intense offense and defense continued between the two teams, but Tokyo players kept their bodies on the line and maintained concentration. Even during long stoppage time, led by Kajiyama and the forwards, they created their own time and shut down Nagoya's counterattack. United as one, they protected the single goal scored by Oguro and snatched a valuable 3 points from the champion Nagoya. 【Player Comments】 《Oguro》 "(About the goal) The ball just happened to come in front of me. But shots from that area are my specialty. The goalkeeper's position was vague but in my sight, so I aimed for a lob. I didn’t specifically look at the goal frame. Usually, there aren’t many chances to shoot completely free during a match, so I focus on shooting by feel. I’ve been training my body to remember that feeling during practice. Near the end, I was on the bench thinking, ‘Hold on and finish this!’ (Was there space as a lone striker?) The opposing DF wasn’t that tight, so it was easier in some ways. But today’s victory was something we all earned by working hard. Especially the defenders... Yone cleared the opponent’s shots, Tokunaga desperately followed the attackers, and Kon-chan suppressed FW Kennedy despite the height difference. It was a team effort, so we want to keep fighting like this and win the next two matches as well." 《Mukuhara》 "In the Kawasaki match, I was too focused on marking Vitor and JUNINHO and couldn’t advance from the fullback position. Learning from that, today I wanted to show the team’s strength and my own by pushing forward aggressively. I was cautious about Nagoya’s crosses from the sides and focused on tough defense against them, but I still went forward and thought if I lost the ball, I’d quickly return to defense. Since Oguro was the lone striker, I couldn’t deliver good crosses, so I have many regrets about quality. But I pushed forward, returned to defense, and attacked again, showing my style until the end. I think I was able to play my game. Getting 3 points against the champion team is huge, but this is not the time to celebrate. I believe everyone involved with FC Tokyo—not just the players—most wants a victory at Ajinomoto now. To stay up, we absolutely want to finish the final home game with a win." 【Coach Okuma’s Press Conference Summary】 "Against a strong champion team, the players worked hard in this atmosphere. But if we had been equalized, the outcome would have been uncertain. Until now, we hadn’t managed time well, but being able to use time and go for the second goal was a slight plus for the team. We want to leave today’s victory here, learn from it, and apply what we learned in the next two matches, giving our best. (How about the offensive aspect?) Rika is gradually getting used to Japanese soccer and the team. Whether starting or coming on as a substitute, he changed the game. His presence was significant despite being a sudden starter. His finishing accuracy is improving, but we humbly accept that we only scored one goal and must keep working. Having so many chances today but lacking finishing ability is a big lesson. I believe the forwards will work hard in the remaining two matches. (Have you taken a step closer to staying up?) Honestly, if you think that way, anything can happen. As I said earlier, soccer has many uncertainties, and sometimes we’ve played expecting things to go a certain way. We must stay focused for the next two matches. Since I took over, I’ve said that giving our all in the last two matches is the most important thing." 【Nagoya Coach STOJKOVIC’s Press Conference Summary】 "Today was truly a hard game. But I think both teams played good, competitive soccer. Losing today is not a tragedy. However, I want the players to learn responsible play. I want to sincerely apologize to the fans who came today. (Was motivation difficult after winning the title?) Today wasn’t about motivation but perhaps some fatigue. After the Shonan match, there were interviews and such, which is understandable. I told the players today to show good soccer and go for the win. Of course, it’s not easy, but everything can be summed up by the word responsibility. As champions, this should be done properly. We had many chances, but not converting them was the cause of today’s defeat."