Aiming for consecutive victories with the momentum from the previous match

　In the 12th round of the league, we will face Zaspa Kusatsu away. In the previous round, we grabbed our first goal and 3 points since the opening match with Hayabusa's goal. We will use this victory as a momentum and aim for consecutive wins. Coach Okuma looks back on the Toyama match and says, "It's not about not being able to aim because the opponent is pulling back and there is no space behind, but we need to come up with ideas to attack the narrow spaces. We also want to utilize movements such as having Tanizawa and Hayabusa create a cushion in the middle, rather than just relying on the sides."

　Kusatsu, on the other hand, finished 12th in last season's J2 with 14 wins, 6 draws, and 16 losses. This season, they have already suffered 2 wins and 3 losses, so they will surely come out aggressively for a victory at home today. They will utilize the attacking power and height of FW Rafinha, and MF Kumabayashi and others in the midfield will also make daring runs. There will also be shots from MF Matsushita in the middle range, as he will try to take on the "orthodox (Coach Okuma)". In particular, MF Alex, who came on as a substitute in the preseason match, has a lot of energy and finishing ability, so he should be closely watched.

　Tokyo will face the match with a lineup that includes Tanihara instead of Nakamura from the previous match. With the goal from the previous match as a starting point, the team's common understanding has begun to emerge in terms of supporting and breaking through the solid defense and attacking the space between defenders. The key will be how to turn this into goals. With the strength of the defense centered around Konno and Morishige, the team has been able to maintain it, but they still want to score some goals.

　Takahashi aims to "not only play the role of closing the game by scoring first, but also to take advantage of opportunities and go for a second goal." If he can keep up the pressure, the game should become easier to control. Step by step, we want to solve our challenges and grab the victory. The game started at 4:05 PM in Tokyo at Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma.

Tokyo Aim To Retain Impetus

FC Tokyo traveled north to take on Thespa Kusatsu in the 12th game of the season, buoyed by Hanyu's late goal that earned a much-needed win in the previous outing. Looking back at the Okayama game, Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "When teams sit as deeply as they did there's no room to exploit behind the defense so we have to use our wits to create openings through the narrowest of spaces. We shouldn't be drawn to just one flank either but, for example, use Yazawa or Hanyu as a cushion in a central position".
Opponents Kusatsu finished 12th in J2 in 2010 with a W14 D6 L16 record. The side had won 2 and lost 3 so far this year and were expected to provide stern resistance at home. Tall, pacy striker Rafinha carried the attacking threat, supported by midfielders Kumabayashi and Matsushita, the latter possessing a powerful shot from medium range. During a pre-season match between the two teams, the hard-running and skillful finishing of midfielder Alex impressed and he was also one for Tokyo to guard against.
For the visitors, Yazawa replaced Nakamura in the only change from the team that started against Okayama. The manner of the winning goal in that match showed how Tokyo were beginning to develop ways to unlock massed defenses and creating openings would once again be the key issue. The Tokyo defense, led by Konno and Morishige, had been largely impermeable thus far so adding goals to solidity at the back was the next step.
Defender Takahashi commented, "If we can get our noses in front, I don't want to just shut the game down but go for a second goal," as Tokyo sought to resolve the issues facing them step by step, earning a win at the same time.
Tokyo kicked off shortly after 4pm on a fresh and sunny afternoon.

Kajiyama scores a penalty kick, but is immediately caught up and the first half ends in a draw.

　In the early stages, Kashima was pushed back by the momentum of the game. Taking advantage of the intense defense, FW Rafinha and Alex's top two speed and strength, they pressed into the Tokyo camp. In response, there was also an influence of the wind, and Tokyo struggled with mistakes in their feeds. However, they calmly responded and gradually began to launch quick attacks. In the 15th minute, Tokunaga was fouled and they earned a free kick in the opponent's camp right from the center circle. Uesato took a direct shot, but it hit just above the bar.

　At 28 minutes, Kajiyama in the area dropped a pass from Muhara and Suzuki followed up, but was tripped in the area and got a PK. Kajiyama calmly took it and scored the opening goal. However, just after that at 31 minutes, Kusatsu FW Rafinha stole the ball and passed it to MF Kumabayashi in the center. From there, a through pass was sent behind Tokyo DF and Rafinha broke through, scoring a shot into the goal. The lead was short-lived as they were quickly caught up to and tied.

　After that, although the ball was carried forward, the attack ended in a single shot and no scoring opportunities were created as time passed. In the 41st minute, Tokunaga followed up with a cross from the right side. Takamatsu from the far side headed the ball while being marked by the Kashima DF, but the ball went outside the frame as the formation collapsed. Towards the end of the first half, Uesato's powerful shot from the right side was saved by the goalkeeper and Takamatsu was unable to follow up on the rebound. The match was carried over to the second half.

Tokyo Enjoy Brief Lead Through Kajiyama's Penalty

The hosts flew at Tokyo straight from the kick off, with Rafinha and Alex using their speed and strength to pen the visitors back inside their own half. The swirling wind and some inaccurate passing didn't help matters but Tokyo held firm under the early onslaught and slowly began to play their way into the game. A foul on Tokunaga earned Tokyo a free kick some 35 meters from goal in the 15th minute; Uesato hammered the ball goalwards and saw it fly narrowly over the bar.
In the 28th minute Tokyo earned a penalty as Suzuki tumbled under a clumsy challenge having collected Kajiyama's knock down from Morishige's long ball upfield. Kajiyama comfortably dispatched the ball past Kita, in the Kusatsu goal, to give Tokyo the lead. However, that lead lasted a mere three minutes. In the 31st minute Rafinha stole the ball in midfield and slipped it to Kumabayashi, then sprinted forward to receive the return and slot it past Gonda.
Tokyo continued to bring the ball forward but struggled to create any clear openings. In the 41st minute Tokunaga shadowed Mukuhara's run down the right and curled an early cross to the far post where Takamatsu, under pressure from a defender, headed wide as he lost his balance. Deep into added time Uesato unleashed a fierce drive from the right that Kita parried away and Takamatsu was unable to reach the loose ball. The first half finished 1-1.

Despite launching a fierce attack after allowing a comeback, we were unable to score and suffered a defeat until the end.

　They start attacking from the beginning of the second half. In the 47th minute, Suzuki brings the ball in from the right side and takes a shot. In the 50th minute, Taniyama picks up a clearance and dribbles up to take a shot from outside the box, but it goes straight to the goalkeeper. In the 53rd minute, Roberto CESAR is subbed in and Kajiyama takes on the role of defensive midfielder in an attempt to take the lead. However, in the 57th minute, from a pass by Roberto CESAR, Takamatsu momentarily becomes free in the box and attempts a volley, but collides with a defender. This results in an injury and he is forced to be substituted.

　In the 59th minute, Hayashi moved to the right MF position. Roberto CESAR and Suzuki formed a 2-top formation. In the second half, they held onto the ball and spent a lot of time advancing into the Kusatsu territory. However, in the 66th minute, Kusatsu's right MF Goto passed to the overlapping right side back Furukawa, who then passed to the center FW Rafinha for a goal... They conceded a second goal from a sharp counterattack. From there, Morishige moved up one line and Nakamura was also substituted in. They launched a thick attack from the midfield and sides.

　In the final stage, Morishige moved up to the front line and launched a power play. In the 89th minute, Tanizawa in the area passed to Kajiyama on the left, who was free, and then to Roberto CESAR. However, the shot crossed in front of the goal and Morishige on the far side couldn't finish it. In stoppage time, Konda also moved up and aimed for the equalizer on a set piece. However, despite launching a fierce attack, they were unable to shake the net until the end. They scored the first goal, but were unable to add another in the flow of the game, resulting in a painful defeat.

　【Player Comments】《Kajiyama》"I tried to move forward and aim for the back as a FW. However, for that reason, I think there was a gap between the midfield. Kusatsu was completely kicking and our press didn't work against it... Kusatsu chose to play with the wind in the first half. I thought they were going to bet on the second half, but the ball stopped and (the two top players were chasing) and a shape was formed. It feels like they used the wind intentionally. It feels like they hit their target."

　It would have been better if it could have been a little more compact. I wanted to attack the opponent's back and also wanted the side half to break through vertically. When Kazu had the ball, there was a distance and I felt like the pass from there wouldn't reach... It was difficult. (Did you feel like you could go right after scoring a PK?) We conceded a goal right away, so I don't think we were able to overcome it.

　《Abe》"I think the goal we conceded right after taking the lead was the worst. We lost our rhythm at a time when we could have gained momentum. The opponent probably felt like they could catch up and that's the most regrettable part. Throughout the season, we will definitely concede goals and there will be times when we concede due to mistakes or irregular circumstances. That's why it's important not to be shaken and avoid conceding a second goal."

　Takamatsu got injured and lost height in the front line, making it difficult to break through... Regarding crosses, precision is important, but we also want to improve our shared thinking. Do we send the ball high to the far side, or send a fast ball to the near side for someone to jump in? We need to work on these aspects."

　[Coach Oikuma's press conference summary] "It's unfortunate that we conceded at a very bad time, and the second goal was perfectly broken down from the right side. There were also some accidents, but we couldn't finish and our accuracy in the final breakdown and shots. We couldn't break down the opponent who was pulling back, so we ended up conceding that kind of goal when we went out. (What about the wind?) I think there is some unfamiliarity, but that's mutual. However, I think we were able to find our rhythm in the last 20 minutes while connecting, but there were still mistakes due to the unfamiliar wind, but that's not an excuse."

　(What was the effect of putting Morishige in the front line?) The opponent seemed to dislike it, and we were able to get close to scoring, so I think it was effective. It wasn't perfect in an unfamiliar position, but I could feel the intention to use my own strength and get involved in scoring."

　[Kusatsu Vice Island Coach's Press Conference Summary] "Home game against FC Tokyo after 2 consecutive losses. An opponent that we couldn't have wished for, and a timing that we couldn't have wished for. Today's 3 points were a victory that we desperately wanted. The players worked really hard and were able to connect the results by properly following tactical discipline. The next game is really important for us. We want to prepare so that it doesn't end with just one game, and we can continue."

　(What is tactical discipline?) Although I cannot say everything, we have conceded goals in stoppage time in the last two matches and dropped points. It is common to concede goals in the most physically demanding moments, but we wanted to break this trend and enter the middle period of the match with enough physical energy.)

Late Surge Comes Up Short

Tokyo began the second half on the front foot. In the 47th minute, Suzuki dribbled down the right, cut inside, and shot. Three minutes later, Yazawa let fly from just outside the Kusatsu area, drawing a save from Kita. Tokyo made a change in the 53rd minute, with Roberto Cesar replacing Uesato and Kajiyama dropping back into midfield. In the 57th minute, Cesar picked out Takamatsu inside the Kusatsu area with a pass that momentarily left the Tokyo striker free and unmarked. Takamatsu trapped the ball on his chest and attempted a volley, but was quickly closed down by a defender. Takamatsu was injured in the exchange and forced to leave the field.
Hanyu came on, taking Yazawa's place on the left, while Cesar partnered Suzuki in attack. Tokyo enjoyed the lion's share of possession and played largely in the Kusatsu half, but the hosts struck against the run of play in the 66th minute. Right-sided midfielder Goto moved the ball on to overlapping side back Kobayashi, who cut it back to Rafinha inside the Tokyo area. Rafinha finished past Gonda to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match. Tokyo responded by moving Morishige forward and sending on Nakamura to bolster the midfield and the flanks.
As the clock ticked down, Tokyo pushed Morishige into the front line and launched the ball forward in a bid to salvage the game. In the 89th minute, Yazawa and Kajiyama combined to set up Cesar inside the area, but the striker screwed his shot across goal where Morishige narrowly failed to make contact at the far post. Deep in added time, Gonda made his way forward to lend his height to the attack at a set play, but Tokyo failed to find the net and the game finished 1-2. Although Tokyo had taken the lead, the inability to muster a second goal when in command of the game ultimately led to a painful defeat.

Player's comments
Kajiyama
"Playing as a FW I was trying to get behind their DF but that resulted in me being too far from our MF and leaving space. Kusatsu were clearing the ball firmly and that prevented our pressing game from being effective. They chose to play into the wind in the first half which meant that in the second, when we were hitting the ball up to our FWs, the wind was slowing the passes up. They used the wind very skillfully I felt. I think that if we could have kept a more compact shape it would have been better. I was trying to get behind their DF yet when I managed to escape the side half I felt I was too far away to hit anyone with a pass.
Did I feel optimistic when we scored? We soon conceded though and I don't think we got over it".

Abe
"Conceding so soon after we scored hurt us the most today, I think. We should have been looking to push on but instead we lost our rhythm. After they equalised perhaps we felt that they were going to turn us over and that's the most disappointing aspect of today's game. During the season you're always going to make mistakes and concede goals but you have to rally and make sure you don't concede again.
After Takamatsu went off injured we lacked height up front and it was difficult to find a way to break the deadlock. We need accuracy on our crosses but also an understanding of where to put the ball; does it go high to the far post or harder to the near post for a player diving in. That understanding is something we need to work on".

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"The first goal we conceded at the worst possible time and the second came from a complete collapse on our right side. It's very disappointing but that's what can happen if you don't put your chances away when you're on top against a team that defends deeply.
Did the wind play a part? You could say we don't have experience of it but the conditions were the same for both teams. We found our rhythm again in the last 20 minutes and the wind did interfere with some of our passing but you can't say that's the reason we lost the game.
What about Morishige playing in the forward line? He gave our opponents a lot of trouble and came near to scoring so I think it was effective. He obviously doesn't have much experience of playing there but I felt he used his attributes to good advantage".

Thespa Kusatsu manager Soejima
"We lost two straight games and then had to host FC Tokyo. It was the worst possible opponent at the worst possible time. We wanted the three points today more than anything in the world and thanks to hard work and tactical discipline we managed to achieve it. This makes the next game extremely important for us. We don't want it to end here so we want to prepare well to retain the momentum from today.
What kind of tactical discipline? Well, I don't want to go into too much detail but in our last two games we conceded goals in added time. Conceding goals due to a lack of stamina is the hardest part of the game and we wanted to end that. We wanted to get through the middle period of the match with plenty in reserve".