Cover the absence of injured players with fresh strength and achieve victory at home

　On May 22 (Sunday), we will face Shonan Bellmare in Sec. 13 as the 7th match of the league. In the match against Kusatsu, we took the lead with a penalty kick but suffered a painful comeback loss. At the same time, Takamatsu has left the team. The team's struggles continue with a series of injuries. However, the team is not looking down; they are coming together, including fresh talent, to cover for each other and try to overcome this difficult situation. Due to the absence of players like Hirayama and Takamatsu, we have slightly changed our approach as a team, focusing on defense from the front line and practicing connecting passes to create opportunities.

　Shonan, currently in 4th place with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. They have scored only 2 goals in their last 3 matches, indicating that their attacking power is not particularly high, but they are fighting with a balanced approach. Especially with MF Ajier as the playmaker, utilizing the two forwards, FW Maki as the target man and the energetic FW Takayama, they have started to gain momentum, scoring from a forward push by holding MF Nagaki in the last match. On the other hand, they have conceded only 2 goals, which gives them confidence that they can secure a win in low-scoring matches. To break through this, they want to seize the rhythm from the start of the match and connect it to the first goal.

　Tokyo saw Tanabe starting for the first time this season as a left midfielder. Roberto CESAR also returned to the starting lineup for the first time in three matches. Nakamura played as the left back, with Tokunaga and Kajiyama forming a double pivot, Suzuki on the right side, and Hanyu in the attacking midfield role. The weather suddenly changed in the afternoon, with heavy rain falling intermittently at Ajinomoto. The match started with Tokyo's kickoff at 16:04.

Injury-hit Tokyo Call On Fresh Legs

Shonan Bellmare were the visitors to Ajinomoto Stadium for the 7th game of the year, in what should have been the 13th fixture. In the previous outing, against Thespa Kusatsu, Tokyo had been hit by the double blow of losing an early lead and slumping to defeat, while striker Takamatsu suffered a fractured tibia and would be out of action for at least three months. Although the injuries continued to mount there was no reason for the side to be downhearted as fresh reinforcements were called into the squad. Missing the height of Takamatsu and Hirayama in attack, Tokyo were forced to alter their approach with emphasis on pressing from the front and a short passing game in training.
Opponents Shonan sat in 4th place in the league at kick off with a W3 D2 L1 record. With only 2 goals scored in their previous three games the side was far from prolific but had begun to develop a team balance centered on midfield game-maker Adiel, the hold-up play of striker Maki and the hard-running of fellow forward Takayama. Defensive midfielder Nagaki had chipped in with a goal in their last outing as the team showed signs of finding some momentum in J2. Defensive solidity had been the key to success so far with only two goals conceded, so it was vital that Tokyo begin strongly and score first.
Tanabe made his first start of the season on the left of midfield while Roberto Cesar returned for the first time in three games. Nakamura appeared at left back, Tokunaga and Kajiyama teamed up in central midfield, Suzuki played on the right and Hanyu slotted in behind Cesar in the withdrawn striker position.
The hot, summery conditions of the morning gave way to a storm front that brought torrential rain and a fierce wind. Tokyo kicked off shortly after 4pm.

Lightning fast! Roberto CESAR scores the opening goal!!

　The match started with action. In the first minute, Mori took the lead and passed forward to Tanabe, who sent a pass to Roberto CESAR, breaking through. The cross was cleared once, but Kajiyama followed up on the rebound and won a throw-in. Receiving the right throw from Tanabe, Mukuhara was sent forward, and Kajiyama turned and brought the ball forward into the center of the area. Free, Roberto CESAR connected with a left-footed shot directly into the bottom left of the goal! With CESAR's lightning-fast first goal, they took the lead.

　After that, they pressed from the front to regain possession, connected passes to find their rhythm, and approached the Shonan goal. In the 8th minute, Suzuki chased down to the right flank and intercepted a clearance from the opposing DF. From there, Mukuhara sent the ball to the center, and Hanyu took a well-aimed shot from distance. It flew just inside the upper right corner but was thwarted by the goalkeeper's save. In the 22nd minute, Cesar used his right foot, and in the 25th minute, Tanabe passed to Kajiyama, who had broken forward. Kajiyama evaded the challenge from the opposing DF and took a shot.

　On the other hand, in the 15th minute, FW Takayama entered the area for Shonan, but Morishige's sliding tackle resulted in a corner kick. From this corner kick, DF Usui took a shot, but it was blocked by Tokyo's DF. In the 38th minute, they faced a counterattack, and from the rebound, DF Ishigami took a shot, but Gonda made the save. While keeping things under control without any danger, they also created attacking shapes with intentional movements from Hanyu, Tanabe, and Suzuki. However, they were unable to score an additional goal due to saves from Shonan's GK, ending the first half at 1-0.

Cesar Bags First For Tokyo In Lightning Start

The game burst into life in the very first minute. Morishige brought the ball out of defence, Tanabe picked out Cesar unmarked on the right and the Brazilian curled a challenging cross into the Shonan penalty area. The visitors cleared the ball out for a throw in but then failed to mark up correctly, allowing Tanabe to find Mukuhara. Mukuhara took the ball on and slipped it inside to Kajiyama who turned past a defender, burst into the penalty area and cut the ball back to Cesar, alone and in acres of space. Cesar struck the ball first-time, low and hard, and although Nishibe made faint contact with his fingertips he was unable to prevent it nestling inside the far post. Cesar's first goal for the club had given Tokyo the lead with less than a minute on the clock. 
Tokyo continued to press hard from the front, settled into a passing rhythm and threatened the Shonan goal. In the 8th.minute Suzuki chased a long ball down the right channel then pressured a defender into losing possession. Mukuhara played the ball infield to Hanyu who unleashed a thunderous drive that was headed for the top corner until a fine fingertip save from Nishibe turned the ball around the post. In the 22nd.minute Cesar cut inside from the left and drew a save with a right-footed shot while Tanabe picked out Kajiyama with a neat through ball in the 25th. Kajiyama evaded a defender and shot but was unable to beat Nishibe. 
Shonan threatened briefly in the 15th.minute through forward Takayama's burst into the Tokyo area until Morishige's sliding tackle took the ball out for a corner. Defender Usui shot from the edge of the penalty area but the home defence blocked his effort away. The visitors countered in the 38th.minute, defender Ishigami drawing a good save from Gonda with a raking drive. Following that moment of danger Tanabe, Hanyu and Suzuki showed great fluidity of movement in attack but Tokyo were unable to find the net again and the first half finished 1-0. 

Missed the chance for an additional goal, resulting in a draw against Shonan's resilience...

　In the second half, Shonan attempted to regroup and came out strong at the beginning. In the 47th minute, right back Usui advanced with a dribble and passed to FW Maki, who took a direct shot. In the 59th minute, from a ball dropped by FW Maki, left midfielder Sakamoto took a shot aimed at the goal, but Gonda made a one-handed save to avert the crisis. They maintained a solid defense against Shonan's momentum and did not allow them to find their rhythm.

　However, in the 65th minute, Shonan substituted their two forwards and brought in fresh players to the front line. Tokyo also brought in Tanizawa in place of Tanabe in the 72nd minute. However, the accuracy of the last play was lacking, and the game remained back and forth. In the 78th minute, with chances for both sides, Shonan connected passes into Tokyo's territory. A sharp cross was sent from right back Usui, and at just the right moment, FW Nakamura jumped in... and scored with a header to equalize.

　In the 79th minute, Otake was brought in to replace Hanyu. They attempted to launch a robust attack aiming for a comeback, but they couldn't capitalize on the corner kick opportunity they earned in the closing stages. In the 87th minute, they pushed into Shonan's territory thanks to Kajiwara's playmaking ability, and Suzuki aimed for a mid-range shot just outside the area, but it went wide to the left. They circulated the ball and initiated purposeful attacks, but ultimately couldn't score an additional goal. The match ended in a draw at home.

　【Player Comments】《Roberto CESAR》"(About the goal) The pitch was slippery, so I aimed for a controlled shot. I have always wanted to contribute with goals, so I am happy about that, but my main goal is victory. Therefore, I am disappointed with the draw. I want to score and work hard for the win." 《Tanabe》"I wanted to contribute without putting too much pressure on myself and play like I usually do. I think I was able to create rhythm from the passes, but I still have issues and reflections regarding the shots and final passes after moving up front. I need to practice more. I want to raise our awareness for shooting and enhance our common understanding to make decisive plays."

　【Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference】 "There have been a series of injuries among midfield and forward players, leading to some trial and error in our direction. However, with Cesar's condition improving, I believe we have clarified the direction we want to take. The team continues to show patience, but there have also been many positive aspects. We need to organize our thinking regarding conceding goals, including player substitutions. We can create chances, but we need to be able to finish them. I want to pursue both individual decisiveness and what we can create as a team. (Regarding Tanabe's use) This was one key point today. There were signs that we could expect an added boost, and the transition in defense was quick. That is a significant gain. Moving forward, we need to consider how to integrate him into the team appropriately. He is young in age, but I hope he approaches this with the mindset of becoming a central figure."

　(What is the reason for not converting chances?) The quality of crosses and the way players get into position are becoming clearer. We need to improve on precision, numbers, and quality in that area, and I think patience is necessary. (Is the rainy pitch advantageous?) Many players have that type, but the stamina to carry through and the number of passes behind decreased as the game progressed. It became just about moving the ball, and unlike in the early stages when Hanyu, Cesar, and Tatsuya were connecting in space, it slowed down, and there were moments of being satisfied with just holding the ball. I felt we need to consider the stamina to maintain that rhythm of soccer to score the second goal for 90 minutes and the substitutions needed.

　【Summary of Coach Hoshikawa's Press Conference】 "It was an away game, but many supporters gathered and continued to support us even after we fell behind. I am grateful to the supporters. FC Tokyo has been known to score from throw-ins, which is characteristic of them. When we tried to suppress that, it backfired, and that was my mistake. However, after taking the lead, Tokyo may have played more safely. I want to commend the fact that we were able to compete evenly at that point. In the second half, we maintained our momentum and had the drive to push forward. In the rain, we were able to win the even balls, and I think it was a good game. I would have liked to turn it around if possible, but Tokyo is a high-quality team in terms of their members, so I will take the draw as a positive. For us, the one point we earned today is valuable."

Tokyo Rue Missed Chances As Shonan Grab Equaliser

The visitors regrouped at half time and fought back strongly as the second half opened. In the 47th minute right back Usui raced forward and set up Maki for a shooting opportunity, while Sakamoto drew a superb one-handed save from Gonda in the 59th minute after Maki neatly knocked the ball down into his path. Tokyo defended solidly against the newly resurgent visitors but were struggling to regain their rhythm.
Shonan replaced their front pair in the 65th minute while Tokyo responded by sending on Yazawa for Tanabe in the 72nd. The home side failed to find any accuracy with the final ball and the game ebbed and flowed until the 78th minute when the visitors constructed a passing move down the right. Right back Usui curled a tempting cross into the Tokyo area where substitute Nakamura flung himself between two defenders to power a header past Gonda and tie the score.
Otake replaced Hanyu in the 79th minute as Tokyo sought to add weight to the front line in the search for another goal. Tokyo failed to take advantage of a late corner and Suzuki lashed a low drive narrowly wide following good work from Kajiyama in the 87th minute. The home side moved the ball around with intent but the Shonan defence remained impervious and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.


Players' comments 
Roberto Cesar 
"The pitch was very slippy so when the ball came to me I was focusing on controlling the shot. I had wanted to contribute with goals so I'm happy but winning is the most important thing. It's disappointing that we could only draw the game. I want to score goals that win games for us in the future". 

Tanabe
"I didn't want to get too worked up and just wanted to contribute by playing my usual game. I thought we created a rhythm through our passing but the issues of shooting and the accuracy of the final ball still remain. We have to practice more, particularly shooting, and I have to work harder to improve my understanding of how to create decisive openings with my teammates."

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma 
"We've lost midfielders and forwards to injury one after another so it's been a case of trial and error to find the right direction to take. However, Cesar has regained his fitness and I think we showed the direction we should be moving in today. The team showed great tenacity again and we can take a lot of positives from the game. The goal we conceded shows we have to organize our approach, including the use of substitutions. We made several chances again but didn't put them away. We have to search for a way to improve our finishing, both individually and collectively. 
Tanabe's performance was an important point today. He showed promise for the future and the way we quickly switched over from defence to attack bodes well. It's a question of how to fit him into the team from now on. He's still young but I believe he's going to become a central player. 
Why can't we convert our chances? Well, I think we saw the direction we should be taking in the quality of our crossing and the way we got players forward today. We need to improve our quality and we need to persevere, I think. 
Was the wet pitch to our advantage? We have several players who favour those conditions but we lack some physical strength and didn't play enough passes behind their defence. We passed the ball around a lot and that was satisfying but were a little slow in getting forward into space. We have to think about how to maintain that rhythm for 90 minutes, considering the players stamina and the substitutions, as we aim to score a second goal".


Shonan Bellmare manager Sorimachi
"I'd like to thank our fans for making the trip to support the team today and for the great boost they gave us after we fell behind. Scoring from throw-ins is one of FC Tokyo's specialities so we had wanted to restrict them but it didn't work and I have to accept the blame for that. After they took the lead they played it safe I felt, and the game was fairly even. We didn't let up in the second half, kept pushing forward, won a lot of the ball and played a good game. We had wanted to get the winner but Tokyo is a top quality team with top quality players so finishing the game on level terms is a good result. This is an important point for us."