Fight aggressively at home and aim for another consecutive victory from here.

　July 17 (Sun), Sec. 21 will be held. We will face FC Gifu at home. In the previous match, we had control but couldn't break through Oita's solid defense, resulting in a scoreless draw. Our winning streak of "5" has stopped, but there is no need to be pessimistic about our performance. In this match, as a home game, we will show a more aggressive attitude and aim for goals and victory, aiming for another winning streak from here. The starting lineup will remain unchanged for the 6th consecutive match. On the other hand, Lucas has been registered in the league and will make his first appearance on the bench.

　Gifu, who they will face, is currently in last place at 20th with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 11 losses. Their total goals scored so far is 11, and total goals conceded is 28, both the worst in the league. However, in the 19th round against Kyoto, they were able to come back from being 2 points behind and secure a victory. Their attitude of never giving up until the end can be considered their weapon. They usually play in a 4-4-2 formation, but in this round, they will face it with a 187cm FW Nishikawa at the front, with FW Shimada as the attacking midfielder, MF Someya on the right, and MF Oshiya on the left in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

　Tokyo has been able to dominate the ball against any opponent lately. This has allowed them to effectively tire out their opponents, but the most important thing is to seize chances with determination. At home, they want to pile on the goals and share the joy with the fans in the stands.

　The sun has started to set, but the Ajinomoto Stadium is still filled with hot winds. The game started at 6:34 PM with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Tokyo Aim To Restart Winning Run At Home

FC Gifu were the visitors to Ajinomoto Stadium for the 21st game of the season. Tokyo's winning run had been stopped at five by Oita Trinita's solid defence in the previous outing but there was no cause for pessimism in what was a dominant performance. Tokyo now had a chance to launch another run with an aggressive display in front of their own fans.
The side was unchanged for the sixth straight game, with the newly registered Lucas taking a place on the bench.
FC Gifu began the game in 20th and last place in the league with a record of W2 D2 L11, having scored 11 and conceded 28, both the worst totals in the league. The side had overcome a two-goal deficit to beat Kyoto 3-2 in the 19th round of games and that tenacity was the team's main strength. Usually employing a 4-4-2 formation, Gifu lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape with 1.87m forward Nishikawa leading the line ahead of Someya on the right, Shimada in the middle and Oshitani on the left.
In recent games Tokyo had controlled the ball, moving it around until the opposition was exhausted. The most important aspect of the game was converting the chances that then accrued and sharing the joy of a win with the home supporters.
Despite the sun having set, Ajinomoto Stadium retained the heat of the day as Tokyo kicked off shortly after 6:30pm.

Tokunaga scores his first goal since 2008 and grabs momentum.

　Gifu took complete control of the game from the beginning and dominated the match. With Hayashi leading the way, their movements and passing in the front line were in sync, and the attacking runs from the fullbacks also contributed to creating many chances.

　At 4 minutes, Takahashi headed a free kick from Tanizawa, but it went over the bar. At 10 minutes, Tokunaga attacked the right side with a dribble, and passed it to Hayabusa in the center with a heel. Tanizawa also pulled the defender, and then connected with Roberto CESAR on the left. They confused the opponent with quick passing, but CESAR couldn't finish it. Then they broke through from the left side, and Tanizawa, who was free behind CESAR, took a decisive shot from the front of the goal, but it was saved by the goalkeeper...

　Despite not being able to take advantage of chances, in the 22nd minute, Tokunaga cut off Gifu's ball on the DF line in their own territory. He passed it to Tanabe on the left and moved up to the front line himself. Tanabe sent a lob pass forward and Tokunaga broke through, dropping the ball with his head and leaving the opposing DF behind as he sprinted through the left area. Despite being off balance, he accurately shot the ball into the goal, scoring the first goal since 2008 for Tokunaga.

　With this, we gained momentum and continued to create chances one after another, but in the 29th minute, a good decision from Hanyu → Tokunaga → Tanabe in the right area, and Cesar's shot from the center went wide. In the 32nd minute, Cesar was blocked by a cross from Tokunaga, and Taniyama in the far area had a chance, but was stopped by the goalkeeper... We couldn't score another goal and ended the first half with a one-point lead.

Tokunaga's First Goal Since 2008 Gives Tokyo First-Half Lead

Tokyo dominated possession from the whistle as the game was played almost entirely in the Gifu half. Hanyu led from the front as Tokyo's movement, supported by forays forward from the side backs, created a stream of chances. In the 4th minute Takahashi rose unchallenged to meet Yazawa's free kick from the right with a thumping header that sailed narrowly over the bar. In the 10th minute Tokunaga dribbled forward down the right, Hanyu moved the ball on with a heel-flick and Yazawa drew defenders towards him before slipping the ball out to Cesar on the left. Cesar was forced wide and failed to muster an attempt on goal but the speed and slickness of the pass-work left the Gifu defence mesmerized. Cesar then tore open the Gifu defence down the left and the ball reached the unmarked Yazawa, following up near the penalty spot. Yazawa shot low and hard but Noda, in the Gifu goal, stuck out a leg to divert the ball to safety. The breakthrough wasn't long in coming, however. In the 22nd minute Tokunaga intercepted a pass and laid the ball off to Tanabe, then continued his run through the midfield. Tanabe hoisted a delicately-judged lob forward, Tokunaga nodded the ball on then outpaced a defender as he burst into the area on the left. Running at full speed Tokunaga lost his balance but managed to clip a volley as he fell that bounded past Noda and into the back of the net. Tokunaga's first goal since 2008 had given Tokyo the lead.
With Tokyo in full flow now the chances continued to come thick and fast. In the 29th minute Hanyu, Tokunaga and Tanabe combined to set up Cesar whose shot flew inches wide of the post, while in the 32nd minute Noda made another superb save to deny Yazawa yet again following good work by Cesar. A second goal failed to materialise and the half ended 1-0.

Tanabe and Cesar score a goal rush! A comfortable victory puts them in first place for the first time this season.

　In the second half, at the 50th minute, Gifu received a quick attack from the left area by MF Oshigai, but Shioda made a save. After gaining rhythm in defense, the home team continued to score one goal after another towards the stands. In the 52nd minute, Tokunaga passed to Hayashi on the right side, and Cesar dribbled up and passed to Tanabe near the penalty arc. Tanabe skillfully controlled the ball after trapping it, turned around and evaded the opposing defender, calmly scoring the second goal.

　After 60 minutes, Tanabe and Taniyama create a big chance, but on the other hand, there is also a scene where they receive a bold counter from Gifu. However, they calmly defend with Shioda at the center, and in the 72nd minute, Tokunaga, who had injured his leg, was substituted for Mokuhara. They continue to control the flow of the game on both offense and defense, and in the 75th minute, from Tanabe's interception in the opponent's half, Roberto CESAR scores a dynamic dribble shot to extend the lead.

　Lucas made his first appearance, replacing Tanabe in the 76th minute. He played as an attacking midfielder, while Hayashi moved to left midfielder, and they continued to push for more goals. In the 80th minute, Cesar was fouled and earned a penalty, which he confidently converted to make it a 4-goal lead. After that, they didn't push too hard, but still looked for opportunities to exploit Gifu's stagnant defense.

　In the 89th minute, Lucas from the opponent's central area felt no pressure and took a shot to test the waters. It hit the front of the GK, but he maintained his aggressiveness until the end and scored 4 goals, the first time since the Kyoto match, leading to a comfortable victory! With a goal difference of +13, they are now tied for first place in the league and have taken the top spot for the first time this season.

　【Player Comments】《Tokunaga》"(The goal) was scored by stealing the ball and running behind. There was space, so I went inside and got a good ball from Tanabe. I'm not used to being in front of the goal, so I was nervous and my posture collapsed, but I just focused on putting it in the frame. In the Oita game, we couldn't score and ended up with a draw, so we talked about our obsession with shooting and choosing more dangerous plays for the opponent. While the team as a whole is focused on scoring, I also wanted to score myself and increase my assists."

　"Roberto CESAR" "Today, since it is a home game, I tried to put all my feelings into it. I think we had a good game and by winning, the team's shape is also improving. (About his own goal) That is what I can call my style. I think I was able to assist Tanabe by making a move to receive the ball and I think I also acted as a decoy. It's not just me, I'm also happy when other players score. Winning as a team is the most important thing. We want to continue fighting together towards victory in the future."

　[Manager Okuma's Press Conference Summary] "There were moments where we were able to break through until we couldn't break through any further in the first half. It's not just about finishing with the word 'finishing power', but it's about individual skills and mental issues. I think it was good that we were able to break through many times, including the second half. Also, it was good that even with the addition of new members, the balance between offense and defense was not disrupted, and a different atmosphere and combination were added to the base we had up until now. However, in the next match, we will face a different team and they will come at us with a different mentality. It is important for us to switch to the next match while building on the positives of the new players and continue to fight one game at a time."

　(About Lucas) This is the first time I have used him in an official match, but he has experience. Soccer is simple, but the most difficult thing is to do it simply. In front of the goal, he easily does that difficulty, that is, simple play. The pass he gave to Otake was a pass that we have never seen before. I want young players to learn from such plays and in the future, it will be said that "Lucas left something for FC Tokyo".

　[Summary of Gifu Kimura's press conference] "We faced a top-level J2 team in front of a large audience and tried to show our strengths. However, we ended up with a complete defeat. We expected to be passed and moved around to some extent, so we tried to patiently take the ball back with a sense of rhythm. However, we couldn't focus on where to take the ball from due to the opponent's skillful ball movement. At halftime, I gave more strict instructions, but in the end, we made mistakes and ended up conceding 3 goals in the second half."

　(What is the cause of the slump?) I think it's because we haven't had any games with zero goals, and our defense has been unstable. Of course, there are also injuries and health issues, but every team has those. We need to have a serious pressure on our opponents, while also organizing our formation. Our front line is lacking in that aspect. Today, we wanted to put more pressure on the opponent's ball coming in from the front line, but we couldn't do that. We were just standing there, stunned by the skillful ball handling of the four FC Tokyo players. We couldn't pass the mark well either. As a result, there were many instances where we allowed the opponent to receive the ball freely. If we don't fix that, it will be difficult to stop the flow of their attacks. I think improving on that will lead to a decrease in goals conceded."

Second Half Goal Rush Takes Tokyo To The Top

Shiota was forced into action in the 50th minute as Gifu launched a fast break, beating away a fierce drive from midfielder Someya at his near post. Following that scare Tokyo tightened their grip on the game again and, attacking the home end, soon had the match under control. In the 52nd minute Hanyu fed Cesar in a central position, the Brazilian dribbled forward and picked out Tanabe on the edge of the penalty area. Tanabe produced a sublime first-touch and turn that left his marker stranded and the young midfielder inside the box with only Noda to beat, which he did with consummate skill, driving the ball into the roof of the net to double the lead.
Both Tanabe and Yazawa missed golden opportunities to stretch the lead further. Gifu then launched a series of counter attacks that briefly threatened the Tokyo goal but Shiota stood firm to deny the visitors a way back into the match. Tokunaga left the field with a leg injury in the 72nd minute, to be replaced by Mukuhara. In the 75th minute Tanabe intercepted a pass in midfield and rolled the ball through to Cesar who sprinted clear of a defender and raced nearly half the length of the field before sliding the ball past Noda with the outside of his right boot.
Lucas then replaced Tanabe in the 76th minute for his first appearance on his return to the club. Hanyu moved to the left while Lucas took up a position as withdrawn second striker behind Cesar. In the 80th minute Cesar went down under a clumsy challenge inside the Gifu area, then picked himself up to dispatch the resulting penalty with aplomb.
Even with the score at 4-0 and the visitors resigned to their fate Tokyo continued to push forward. In the 89th minute Lucas found himself in a pocket of space outside the area and let fly with a thunderous drive that Noda tipped over the bar. The final whistle blew on a resounding win, the first time Tokyo had scored four since the Kyoto game in May. The goal rush boosted Tokyo's differential to a league-tying +13 and lifted the club to the top of the table.


Players' comments
Tokunaga
"For the goal I intercepted the ball and then just kept going behind the defense. The space opened up and Tanabe put a great ball in for me to run on to. I'm not used to being in front of goal so I felt the tension and my balance gave way but I just tried to get the ball between the posts. We failed to score against Oita and talked about how best to make it difficult for the opposition. We want to score as a team effort but of course I want to get my name on the scoresheet and I aim to add some assists as well from now on".

Roberto Cesar
"We were at home today so were determined to put everything we have into the performance. We played a good game, we're racking up the wins and the team is really coming together now. The first goal was very much my kind of goal, as was the assist to Tanabe. We're getting used to each other I think. If I don't score I'm happy for whoever does. The most important thing is that the team wins. We want to continue to work together and carry on winning games".

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"In the first half we opened them up to the point that we couldn't have opened them up any more. The finishing has to be a technical and mental issue. The number of chances we created was very pleasing, as was the way we kept our balance when the new players went on. If we can maintain that base then fresh possibilities open up in terms of combinations. However, next week we'll be playing a different team with a different approach. We can take the pluses from having a fresh player but taking each game as it comes and on its own merit is important.
This is the first time I've had Lucas playing for me in an official game and the experience he has is clear to see. Keeping it simple is the most difficult thing in football, playing uncomplicated football in a simple way in front of goal. Some of the passes that Otake played, for example, we haven't had anything like that here before. I want the younger players to learn as much as they can for the future, so that we can say "This is what Lucas brought to FC Tokyo".


FC Gifu manager Takahiro Kimura
"We were hoping to be able to show the best of our ability in front of a large crowd against a top-level team. Unfortunately we suffered a complete defeat, We had anticipated our opponents' movements and passing and were ready to be patient and then get stuck in to win the ball, but the quality of the way they moved the ball and their skill in possession meant we couldn't find a focal point to press our attack. At half time, I told the team to be more intense, but we made mistakes and conceded three more in the second half.
What's the cause of our current malaise? We can't keep clean sheets and our defensive organization is lacking. We've had injury problems and trouble with players' conditioning, but that's common to all teams. We can't apply enough real pressure from the front. Also, today our marking wasn't tight enough and the exchange of marking duties wasn't good.
Their players were allowed to receive the ball unmarked and on the run too often. If we can't prevent that, then we won't be able to stem the flow of opponents' attacks. If we can improve in that area, then I believe we can reduce the number of goals we concede".