A crucial match to prepare for the busy summer schedule

　In the 18th round of the league, we will face Mito Hollyhock away. We achieved our first consecutive victory in the previous round, but we will have three matches, including two away games, until next weekend. It will be a tough schedule and we want to make a good start for the summer. Coach Okuma says, "In order to score more goals, we need accuracy and we want to increase the depth of our attack. We also want to create numerical advantages, including the attacking runs of our fullbacks."

　Mito, on the other hand, is currently in 11th place with 4 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses. In the 14th round against Tosu, they suffered a big defeat of 0-5, but since then, they have had 2 wins and 1 draw in their last 3 matches. Under the guidance of new coach Tetsunori Hashitani, young players have emerged and the team has a strong sense of unity. They play in a 4-4-2 formation, with a solid defensive block and quick transitions between offense and defense, making them a speedy attacking team.

　Tokyo, with no changes to the starting lineup, will face Lins in place of U-22 Japan national team's Gonda, who played in the previous match. Additionally, Suzuki returns from injury to bolster the attacking lineup. They will need to aggressively challenge and "do their best" against Mito, as sitting back and defending will lead to a difficult match. They will need to shut down Mito's wing attacks with strong defense, create rhythm by avoiding pressure, and capitalize on opportunities.

　Shioda aims to "take control of the game and make Mito uncomfortable by constantly changing the pace of attack and defense. It will be a tough game, but we want to take the lead and push the opponent into a situation they don't like without being overwhelmed by the away atmosphere." The match started at 4:04 PM with Mito's kickoff at K's denki Stadium Mito.

Tokyo Aim To Start Summer Schedule With Win

For the 18th. game of the season Tokyo made the short trip north to take on Mito Hollyhock. After posting consecutive wins for the first time this year Tokyo faced two away games in four days, followed by a home game on the Saturday, and were keen to begin the demanding summer schedule with another victory. Manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "In order to score a second goal we need greater accuracy and to increase the number of players pushing forward in attack. Including the sidebacks pushing up we have to create situations where we outnumber the opposition".
Mito lay in 11th. place at kick off with a W4 D4 L3 record. The side suffered a crushing 5-0 home defeat to Tosu in the 14th. game but bounced back to be undefeated in three, with two wins and a draw. First-year boss Tetsuji Hashiratani promoted younger players and his faith had been rewarded by some fine performances. The team favoured a 4-4-2 formation, defended stoutly in blocks and broke at great pace.
Tokyo were unchanged from the previous week with Shiota continuing in goal. Suzuki returned from injury to take a place on the bench, thus increasing Tokyo's options in attack. The visitors would need to preempt Mito's youthful exuberance, deny them time and space, particularly along the flanks, evade their pressure and then find a rhythm.
Shiota commented, "If the match developes into an end-to-end free-for-all that will allow Mito to control the pace. It looks like being a hard game; we've got to overcome the away atmosphere, seize the initiative and hit them where it hurts. We want them to feel that chasing the ball is grinding them down".
The home side kicked off shortly after 4pm at K's Denki Stadium.

Intense back and forth between offense and defense, scoreless at halftime

　In the poor pitch conditions, we started off safely and then pushed forward by aiming for the opponent's back and gradually tried to grasp the rhythm by connecting passes. We looked for chances from the sides and in the 18th minute, Kajiyama used his ball control skills in front of the area and timed it perfectly to send a through pass to Roberto CESAR running into the area from the left, but the GK caught it.

　At 25 minutes, Tanizawa persisted and passed to Tokunaga who ran up on the right. From Tokunaga's right cross, Cesar skillfully turned around in the center of the area and tried to aim for the goal, but the opposing DF blocked it. On the other hand, Mito also quickly switched between offense and defense, collected the ball on the front line, and attacked mainly through MF Koike on the right side. At 28 minutes, they picked up the second ball from a long pass and Koike took it all the way to a shot.

　In the 34th minute, Tokyo's Thales made a low and fast cross from the right side, but Lins, who ran in near the goal, missed the shot to the right. In the 35th minute, Cesar received a long feed from Imakano on the left side and attempted a dribble shot, but it went wide. After that, there were scenes where Mito created chances from short counters, and the game became intense with a back and forth between offense and defense. However, they were able to defend well and ended the first half with a scoreless tie.

Intense First Half Ends Scoreless

At first Tokyo adopted a risk-free approach due to the poor condition of the pitch, then began to slowly force the hosts back by attempting to break in behind their defence as they found a passing rhythm. In the 18th.minute Kajiyama held the ball up just outside the MF penalty area before slipping it through towards Cesar as the Brazilian made a darting run into the area on the left. Homma, the MF keeper, was alert to the danger and beat Cesar to the ball.
Yazawa battled hard to retain possession in the 25th. minute before setting Tokunaga free down the right; Tokunaga crossed, Cesar showed his technique in bringing the ball down, turning and shooting only for a defender to block his effort away. MF showed their pace on the break and managed to hold the ball up in attack, with right winger Koike their main threat. Koike pounced on a loose ball following a long clearance in the 28th.minute and fired an attempt on goal.
In the 35th.minute Cesar collected a long ball from Konno on the left, cut inside and let fly. As half time approached MF threatened on short counter attacks as possession changed frequently at a vehement pace but the Tokyo defence maintained its concentration and the whistle blew on a scoreless first half.

Despite struggling against Mito's tenacity, we managed to secure 3 points.

　The game quickly picked up in the second half. In the 54th minute, Hanyu was fouled while competing for a long ball, earning a free kick in the opponent's territory at a distance of about 25m. Nakamura took the kick and Mori Shige scored a spectacular goal with his right foot! This direct free kick marked his first goal of the season and gave the team the lead. In the 59th minute, Nakamura dribbled into the left area and was fouled, resulting in a penalty kick. Kajiyama calmly scored the much-awaited second goal.

　However, in the 65th minute, Tokyo committed a foul in the area against Mito's left back, Hosaki, who was pushing forward. This resulted in a penalty kick for Mito. Mito's DF Hosaki took the penalty kick, which was initially saved by Shioda, but then followed up and scored. In the 71st minute, Ishikawa was substituted in for Tanabe. Shortly after, Mito's DF Okada received his second yellow card of the day and was sent off. With a numerical advantage, Tokyo controlled the ball and took the lead.

　In the 79th minute, Kajiyama passed the ball in the midfield, created space, and passed it to Ishikawa at the perfect timing. Ishikawa used his speed to cut in and scored with his right foot into the side net!! Ishikawa also scored his first goal of the season and got the third goal. Mito, who never gave up, scored again in the 89th minute with a middle shot by MF Murata, bringing the score to 3-2. However, they did not allow any more goals. They struggled but managed to win 3-2, achieving their first three consecutive wins of the season.

　【Player Comments】《Morishige》"(About the goal scored from a free kick) Yuu gave me a foul in a good position, so I didn't want to miss this chance. I told Hokuto from the beginning, 'I'll take it', and Hokuto pretended to take it, but that was a nuisance... (laughs). But he became a good decoy and I was able to score, so I thanked him properly. This season, I have no pain in my legs and my condition is good. I've been practicing free kicks all the time, so I think it was good that I was able to produce results in the game. As for the goal conceded, it was taken away while we were passing the ball in a low position. If we had passed it a little further forward, we could have prevented it. We want to discuss that."

　《Ishikawa》"The goal was exactly how I had imagined it. I had confidence that I could score if I got into that position. The angle wasn't great, but I could see the path, so I swung my foot without hesitation. Today, I was thinking about receiving the ball inside, but I decided to stay wide while considering the overall balance and the opponent. I was aiming to time my run into the middle. If I went in too early, there wouldn't be any space, so I thought I would go in at the perfect moment. I went in with the determination and responsibility to shoot or score and finish the game. I was able to shoot with a great feeling."

　Recently, we have been unable to score additional points and there have been many nerve-wracking developments. Today, it ended up being the same... but we were able to score a third goal and that can be considered a plus. However, we need to reflect on how we ended the game. We were full of energy when we came on as substitutes, but we were unable to kick the ball behind and create time. We want to use this reflection to take one step forward at a time."

　[Summary of Coach Ookuma's Press Conference] "In the first half, we were not used to the pitch and had a lot of touches and a slow rhythm. In the second half, we were able to gain a numerical advantage and the ball was moving very well. We may have been a little panicked after conceding a penalty and ultimately conceding a self-destructive goal, so there may have been some carelessness and reflection. In terms of fighting with 18 players, it is reassuring for the future that the substitute players did specific tasks. We will examine the good and bad points of the team here, prepare our condition, and fight carefully in each game in the tight schedule that will continue from now on."

　[Summary of Mito - Tetsuji HASHIRATANI's press conference] "We were able to play the soccer we were aiming for in the first half, as we had a good understanding of FC Tokyo's individual skills and passing. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal and had a player sent off. Despite the red card, the players were able to keep running and even managed to score a goal, making it 3-2. It's a shame that we lost, but I think there was a clear difference in strength. However, in terms of giving it our all and playing to our full potential, I think the players did well. We will work on getting our condition ready for the next game against Verdy."

Tokyo Hold Off Late Surge To Earn The Points

The game exploded into life in the 54th minute. Hanyu was fouled as he jumped for a long ball some 25 meters from goal. Nakamura dummied the resulting free kick and Morishige stroked a sumptuous right-footed strike over the wall and past Homma to give Tokyo the lead. Five minutes later Tokyo doubled their lead as Nakamura went down under a heavy challenge inside the Mito area and Kajiyama coolly dispatched the penalty.
Mito gained a toehold in the game in the 65th minute as Takahashi was judged to have fouled Hozaki as the side back burst into the Tokyo area. Hozaki himself took the penalty, which Shiota stopped with a flying one-handed save, but the Tokyo keeper was helpless as Hozaki bundled the loose ball over the line. Tokyo responded by replacing Tanabe with Ishikawa, then received a boost as Mito defender Okada earned a second yellow card and was dismissed. Tokyo made their man advantage count by dominating possession and playing the ball around.
In the 79th minute Kajiyama split the Mito defence wide open with a superbly weighted through ball that met Ishikawa's darting run perfectly. Ishikawa raced clear, cut inside and drove a right-footed shot across Homma and into the side netting. Ishikawa's first goal of the season had restored Tokyo's two-goal lead. Mito battled tenaciously and pulled a goal back in the 89th minute as midfielder Murata thumped a fierce drive past Shiota from the edge of the area. That was the end of the scoring as Tokyo held off Mito's late surge to earn a hard-fought 3-2 victory and extend the winning streak to three games.


Players' comments
Takahashi
"Hanyu won the free kick in a great position and we were determined not to waste it. I told Hokuto (Nakamura) I was going to take the free kick and he kind of got in the way but it was a great dummy. After it went in I thanked him properly of course. My leg is pain-free this season and I feel in good condition. I practice free kicks endlessly in training so I'm delighted to make a contribution to us getting a result. The goals we conceded happened because we were passing the ball around too deeply and we lost possession. If we play slightly further forward we won't put ourselves in that position. It's something we have to talk about".

Ishikawa
"The goal came in a way that I've always visualized and if I get the ball in that position I feel confident I can put it away. The angle was tight but I could see exactly where to put the ball and I didn't hesitate, I just hit it. Today I was concentrating on sticking to the wing and making a move inside at the right time. I had to bide my time as coming inside too far would have denied me space to run into. I was ready to take the ball on and finish the move with an attempt on goal or a goal itself. I put a lot of emotion into the shot. We've struggled to score a second goal recently and that's resulted in some nervy endings to games. Today's game finished the same way but at least we scored three and that has to be seen as a plus. We scored a third goal but we have to look at the way we finished the game; we substitutes are fresh but can't seem to take the ball behind the opposition's defense and hold it up. We want to reflect on that then utilize it in the next game as we take one step forward at a time".

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"It took us a while to get used to the pitch in the first half so we were taking too many touches and couldn't settle into a rhythm. In the second half when we gained the numerical superiority we moved the ball around exceptionally well and that was very pleasing. After they scored the penalty we became a little flustered and then gave away another goal at the end through our negligence. If you consider that the team consists of 18 players then it's reassuring that the substitutes can make tangible contributions to the game. Once again we have to look at what we're doing right, what's lacking in the team and how we can raise our condition at the same time. We have to treat each game carefully as it comes in this tight schedule".


Mito Hollyhock manager Tetsuji Hashiratani
"To some extent we understood the quality of Tokyo's individual players and their passing ability and were able to play our own game in the first half. Unfortunately we then conceded and had a player sent off. Even though we were down to ten men the team never stopped working and we managed to pull it back to 3-2. Losing today is just one of those things, I think. Of course there is a difference in quality but our lads gave it their all today and played well, I felt. We now have to go off and prepare the team for the Verdy game on Wednesday evening".