First match against Toyama, let's score and win at the end of the Golden Week consecutive matches!

　On Aug 8 (Sun), the 11th match of the season will be held, concluding the Golden Week consecutive matches. We will face Kataller Toyama for the first time at home. Although we have ended the last three matches without scoring, in the previous match, despite being at a numerical disadvantage early in the second half, we increased our work rate and continued to push towards the goal. We couldn't capitalize on our chances, but we should have gained some confidence from that fight.

　Reflecting on the situation, Coach Okuma stated, "I want to stabilize the midfield so that we can play facing forward as much as possible." At the same time, with the intention of utilizing Kajiwara's power up front and the fact that Roberto CESAR is suspended, Takamatsu was positioned at the forefront this match, with Kajiwara placed closer to the top. The defensive midfielders were Tokunaga and Uesato, who was making his debut, while Suzuki was on the right side and Nakamura on the left, forming a formation close to 4-4-2.

　Toyama, on the other hand, finished last in J2 last season, placing 18th. Although Takayoshi AMMA took charge during the season, it can be said that they were unable to make a turnaround. However, the "AMMA soccer" style is gradually taking hold. This season, despite losing to Tochigi, they currently have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, placing them 9th. Their unique 3-3-3-1 formation features pressing from the front line, the speed of forward Kokeuchi, and quick attacks centered around playmaker Kurobe. In this match, MF Hiraide, who plays a key role in connecting defense and offense in the central midfield, will not be able to participate due to a contract with Tokyo, his loaning club, but Ezoe will be used in the center midfield. Last season's Tokyo player So Yondoku will start as left MF.

　Coach Okuma stated, "The match lasts 90 minutes. Until now, we have been rushing too much in the early stages, leading to self-destruction from mistakes. We need to reduce errors and increase our possession rate, and only then will our attack become fluid." While being cautious of Toyama's counterattacks, we want to calmly seize goals and victories with our own style of football. On the last day of Golden Week, under a climate reminiscent of summer with the highest temperature of the year, the match started at 16:04 with Toyama's kickoff.

Tokyo Face Toyama Aiming To End Golden Week With Win

The final game of the Golden Week holiday period saw Kataller Toyama visit Ajinomoto Stadium for the first ever meeting between the sides. The main talking point was whether Tokyo would fail to score in the three-game stretch or would the improved second-half performance in Wednesday's match, after being reduced to ten men, be a pointer to a brighter future. Tokyo had failed to find the net against Verdy but the increased forward momentum and positive approach shown surely boded well. 
Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "We have to attempt to get forward as much as possible but first we want to be settled in midfield. We also want to use Kajiyama's power up front". Kajiyama started in a withdrawn position slightly behind striker Takamatsu, while Uesato made his debut partnering Tokunaga in central midfield. Suzuki started on the right and Nakamura on the left in a 4-4-2 formation. 
Opponents Toyama had finished 18th and last in J2 in 2010. However, incoming manager Takayoshi Amma's fresh approach was slowly permeating the side and, despite a loss to Tochigi, the team lay in 9th place at kick off with a W2 D1 L1 record. The team lined up in an unusual 3-3-3-1 formation, pressed hard from the front and was noted for the speed of its attacking play. Pacy forward Kokeguchi was the principal threat, ably supported by Kurobe playing off the main striker. Tokyo midfielder Hiraide was on loan at Toyama and had played a key role in linking defence and attack for the team but the terms of his contract prevented him from playing against his parent club and Ezoe took his place. Former Tokyo player Seo Yong Duk appeared in midfield. 
Kiyoshi Okuma cautioned before kick off, "The game is 90 minutes. Recently we've been in too much of a hurry early on and mistakes have cost us. We have to reduce the number of mistakes, increase our time in possession and attack fluidly". He also urged his team to beware of the pace the visitors showed on the counter attack and to maintain their composure. 
The final Sunday of Golden Week brought the warmest weather of the year so far to Tokyo. Toyama kicked off shortly after 4pm on a hot and slightly humid afternoon. 

Starting to grasp the rhythm, but in front of Toyama's quick return...

　Toyama gained momentum at the start. They struggled with the intense pressing from the front line and the quick transitions between offense and defense. In the 5th minute, Toyama's MF Ezoe took a long shot from about 35 meters. In the 8th minute, they quickly moved forward, and a powerful shot was taken by MF Kurobe from outside the left area, but Gonda managed to punch it away.

　However, by enduring where it should endure, Tokyo gradually evaded the press and connected to side attacks. In the 12th minute, Nakamura dribbled in from the left to the center and took a shot. In the 15th minute, Kajiyama quickly reacted to a throw-in from Miku and volleyed with his left foot just outside the area. In the 18th minute, Kajiyama entered the area with a dribble. He passed to Takamatsu on his immediate left, but was surrounded by defenders and couldn't shoot. In the 19th minute, Kajiyama dropped a feed from Morishige, and Miku took a shot.

　However, Toyama's defenders returned quickly, and they couldn't score during this period. After that, they struggled to create any decisive chances. Up to this point, Toyama had 5 shots compared to Tokyo's 3. However, they regained momentum towards the end of the first half, and in the 38th minute, Morishige boldly aimed for a long-range shot. After a save from the goalkeeper, Uezato also took a long shot, but it went over the bar.

　In the 40th minute, Nakamura exchanged a one-two with Morishige, who had advanced to the front line, and connected with Kajiyama just before the left area. Kajiyama entered the area and took a decisive shot after cutting back past the opposing defender, but it was thwarted by a great save from the goalkeeper... The match went into halftime still scoreless.

Tokyo Find Rhythm As Toyama Defend In Depth

Toyama began brightly, pressing hard from the front and swiftly changing from defence to attack. In the 5th minute midfielder Ezoe tried his luck with a drive from 35m and three minutes later Gonda punched away another powerful long-range effort from Kurobe, following some rapid passing interplay by the visitors.
Tokyo withstood the early pressure and slowly began to take control, linking play along the flanks. Nakamura dribbled down the left, cut inside and shot in the 12th minute, while Kajiyama deftly spun past a defender and volleyed narrowly wide from the edge of the Toyama area in the 15th. Kajiyama burst into the visitors' box in the 18th minute and only a timely interception prevented his pass reaching Takamatsu. Kajiyama was involved again moments later, knocking down Morishige's long ball to Mukuhara whose shot flew wide.
The Toyama defence regrouped quickly and after that burst of activity Tokyo found it difficult to create shooting opportunities. In fact, the visitors had outshot Tokyo by 5 to 3. However, as half time approached Tokyo picked up the pace. Morishige unleashed a fierce drive in the 38th minute that drew a scrambling save from Naito, in the Toyama goal. The ball rebounded out to Uesato who smashed it back, but narrowly over the bar.
Tokyo produced the best move of the half in the 40th minute. Nakamura played a neat one-two with Morishige and cut the ball back to Kajiyama on the edge of the Toyama area. Kajiyama neatly side-stepped a defender and drove a low shot towards the bottom corner that drew a full-length, fingertip save from Naito. The first period ended 0-0.

Seize victory with a goal that embodies 'Hanyu's essence'!

　Toyama faced an incident early in the first half when two players were injured and had to be substituted. In the second half, in the 56th minute, Tokyo substituted Tanizawa for Nakamura. Shortly after that, Toyama's defender Ikebata also had to be substituted due to injury, using up all their substitution slots. Perhaps as a result, the team spread out in the second half. Tokyo moved the ball well and pressed forward. In the 66th minute, Kajiwara's pass was dropped by Takamatsu, and Tanizawa ran into the right area, aiming for the goal but hitting straight at the goalkeeper.

　In the 68th minute, Hanyu was brought on for Uezato, directly into the defensive midfield position. In the 69th minute, Konno and Morishige quickly connected in their own half, and Kajiyama made a long cross to the space on the left front. Suzuki received the ball freely and entered a shooting position from near the left corner of the area, but the defender blocked it. In the 72nd minute, the ball was passed from Tanizawa to Suzuki to Kajiyama, and Mukuara crossed parallel to the goal. Abe slid in just at the far post but couldn't connect.

　In the 81st minute, after receiving a left throw-in in the opponent's half, Kajiyama's throw was dropped in front of the left area by Tanizawa, who had his back to the goal. Hanyu, positioned outside, received the ball next to Tanizawa at just the right moment, splitting between the opposing defenders to enter the area. The shot taken with his right foot deflected off the opposing goalkeeper's hand and pierced the net, scoring a goal! From a simple restart, Hanyu's characteristic movement shone through, finally securing the opening goal. It was the first time the net had shaken in 380 minutes since the opening match.

　Taking this opportunity, they overwhelmed the sluggish Toyama and launched a wave attack in front of the goal. In the 83rd minute, Kajiyama smoothly entered from the left flank to find Suzuki free at the far post. However, Suzuki's shot was too powerful... In the 85th minute, a cross from Hanyu to Mukuhara led to Takamatsu's high header. In the 89th minute, Hanyu, from his own half, made a fierce tackle to regain possession, and Kajiyama initiated a counterattack. As Suzuki ran alongside and entered the area, he took a shot but was blocked by the defense. Although they couldn't secure an additional goal, shortly after, Takahashi came on for Suzuki. They effectively closed out the match and reached the final whistle, achieving a victory for the first time since the opening match with a score of 1-0.

　[Player Comment] {Hanyu} "(About the goal scene) I broke through beautifully to the front of the goal. At the moment of the shot, I was focused. At first, I aimed for the right, but instead of aiming for a tough spot to get it in the frame, I changed the course a bit to ensure it went in. The goalkeeper touched it, but I think it was a goal that I pushed in with my determination."

　(Regarding participation) I was asked to make changes in front of the goal. That's why I thought it was necessary to have movements for the third person, when the switch is on, and when the ball seems likely to come into play. Until now, it felt like each person was trying their best to challenge in a certain rhythm. To score from there, I wanted to express that it's important for those around to help. Even at 30 years old, I don't intend to just be a unifying figure for the team. I wanted to show that the number 22 from Tokyo is here.

　"In the first half, there were some easy mistakes, and we couldn't fully become an attacking accent. Even so, I was thinking about being aware of the middle and trying to draw out the opponent's defense. I believed that if we could get it on target, we could create chances. I want to use those reflections for the next time."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Until now, there have been parts where we struggled to break down our opponents, but today we were able to tire them out while moving the ball around, and we had some success with our aim to push forward. However, we could have come up with more concrete ideas around the area and utilized our numerical advantage in certain situations. If we had done that well, I believe we could have created more decisive moments. Hayu's goal was a result of off-the-ball movement. I hope other players can learn from that movement, which is not on the ball, and such movements will be necessary in the future."

　[Summary of Coach Anma's Press Conference in Toyama] "First of all, I want to thank the supporters who came to cheer for us during this holiday weekend and fought alongside us in the away matches. We fought well in the match. I don't intend to boast, and I believe this is our current strength. In the third match of the consecutive games, we ran until we collapsed in the locker room, and we were able to give it our all until the end. I want to continue that. Everyone is aware of the technical shortcomings and is training, so I want to be able to surprise FC Tokyo next time we face them."

Hanyu Shows His Class To Grab Vital Winner

Toyama had been forced into making two substitutions in the first half due to injury and had little leeway left for changes as the second period unfolded. Tokyo replaced Nakamura with Yazawa in the 56th minute, shortly before Toyama's Ikehata picked up a knock and had to leave the field. The changes contributed to the side losing its shape, allowing Tokyo to reassert their control of the game. In the 66th minute Takamatsu knocked down Kajiyama's long ball to Yazawa and continued his run, receiving the ball back and shooting from the edge of the area. The effort flew straight at Naito who held onto the ball. 
In the 68th minute Hanyu replaced Uesato, taking his place in central midfield. In the 69th minute Konno and Morishige upped the passing tempo in their own half before Kajiyama hoisted a long diagonal ball for Suzuki to chase down the left channel. Suzuki latched onto the pass and cracked a fierce drive from the corner of the penalty area that struck a defender and bounded to safety. In the 72nd minute Yazawa, Suzuki and Kajiyama combined smoothly to create a crossing opportunity for Mukuhara. The onrushing Abe flung himself at the ball but failed to make contact at the far post. 
Tokyo won a throw-in inside the Toyama half in the 81st minute and Kajiyama found Yazawa with his back to goal just outside the penalty area. Hanyu began a run on the outside of Yazawa, timed perfectly to collect a delicate heel-kick layoff, then accelerated between two defenders before smashing the ball right-footed across the keeper. Naito got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball nestling inside the far post. Although a simple move from a quick restart, Hanyu showed the quality of his movement and a fine finish to earn Tokyo their first league goal in 380 minutes since the opening game of the year. 
The goal deflated Toyama and lifted Tokyo, who poured forward in waves. Kajiyama drifted inside from the left in the 83rd minute and picked out Suzuki, unmarked on the right, but Suzuki overhit his shot. Hanyu found Mukuhara in the 85th minute, Takamatsu looping a header over the bar from the resulting cross. Hanyu was in the thick of the action again in the 89th minute, battling feverishly to win the ball in midfield before launching a counterattack that ended with a Toyama defender blocking Suzuki's shot from inside the penalty area. Takahashi replaced Suzuki in the closing minutes as Tokyo comfortably ran down the clock to earn a 1-0 win, their first since the opening game of the season. 

Players' comments 
Hanyu 
"For the goal I managed to get myself cleanly through on goal. I was concentrating fully as I hit the ball. At first I thought about going to the right, the more difficult option, but I changed course slightly and hit it across the keeper. He got a glove to the ball but I put a lot of emotion into it and he couldn't keep it out. When I went on I felt we needed some variation in front of goal, some extra movement when the ball was played in low to feet. We were playing with a constant rhythm and everyone was working hard to win the game. I was able to go on and show how important it is to help each other in that kind of situation. 
Even though I'm 30 now I still have a role to play for the team. I wanted to show that Tokyo's Number 22 is still here".


Uesato
"I made a couple of simple mistakes in the first half and couldn't really contribute much in attack. However, I was looking for a chance to get forward and shoot or pull the opposition defenders out of position. I knew that if I could keep the ball on target I would have a chance. These are aspects of my game I want to look at and improve on in the future".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"We've had some trouble breaking down opponents who defend deeply so today our plan was to move the ball around, tire them out and get forward and I think we succeeded to some extent. We showed more invention around the penalty area and dominated in numbers at times. If we can use those elements better then we should be able to create more clear-cut chances. Hanyu's goal came from his movement off the ball. I want the other players to pay close attention because we need more of that kind of movement".


Kataller Toyama manager Takayoshi Amma
"First of all I'd like to show my appreciation of our supporters who followed the team on our two away games during Golden Week. As for the match, I thought we played very well today. I don't want to overstate the case but I thought we showed the current level of our team. This was the third game in a week and the players ran themselves into the ground, fighting to the very end. I want them to continue to play like this. We're aware of our technical limitations and are working on them in training, in the hope that we can give FC Tokyo a really big shock the next time we meet."