In the second round match, we welcome Kumamoto to our home at National.

　Sec. 22 of the league is being held. This is the first time this season that Japan National Stadium will be our home, and we will face Roasso Kumamoto. In the previous match against Gifu, we achieved a resounding victory. We have accumulated points without losing for 10 consecutive matches, which has put us in first place. However, the top four teams are in a tight race, separated by just 2 points. Due to changes in the league schedule, we will enter the second round of matches starting this week, but we want to focus on the upcoming battle and think only about accumulating more points.

　Kumamoto is currently in 5th place. They have not lost in the last 6 matches, but the last 3 matches have all ended in draws, so they have not been able to secure a win. However, while their total goals are not high at 15, their attacks targeting FW Thales are sharp. The key point in defense will be how to suppress their momentum with pressure from the front line, as experienced in the away match on June 12.

　On the other hand, Kumamoto's total goals conceded is 11, which is the second lowest after Tokyo, and the focus will be on breaking down their solid defense. In the away match, they narrowly won with a goal from Roberto CESAR, but Coach Okuma stated, "There were chances, but I have a strong impression that we were held off by the coordination between midfielder Edmilson and goalkeeper Minami, as well as their individual abilities." They want to further enhance their passing in the midfield against Kumamoto's well-structured defense and create space by shaking them left and right and back and forth.

　Tokyo will face the match with the same lineup as before, as Tokunaga, who was injured in the last match, is not in serious condition. Kumamoto will have tall defender Cho Seong-jin starting for the first time since May 14. With forwards Nagasawa and Fabio as a two-top, they will likely aim to fully utilize their height. Although the humidity returned during the day after a few cool days, a refreshing breeze occasionally blew in the evening as the match started at 18:34 with Tokyo's kickoff.

Tokyo Take On Kumamoto At The National Stadium

FC Tokyo made their first visit to the National Stadium this year to face Roasso Kumamoto in the 22nd game of the season. The comfortable 4-0 win over Gifu in the last outing saw Tokyo extend their unbeaten run to ten games and leap to the top of the standings. Four teams were jostling for position within two points of the leaders, however. Due to the rearranged schedule, the fixture was the second meeting between the sides this season, a game Tokyo needed to win to retain their place at the top.
Opponents Kumamoto lay in 5th place at kick-off. The side was unbeaten in six but had struggled to finish off opponents in drawing the last three games. Despite not being a high-scoring team with only 15 goals so far, the attack, led by lanky striker Nagasawa, was sharp and to what extent Tokyo could blunt their forward pressing would be key to victory. The visitors also possessed the second-best defensive record, behind Tokyo, having conceded only 11 goals and prising open that miserly defense would be the focal point of the match.
Tokyo had ground out a narrow victory in the reverse fixture on June 12th, thanks to a Roberto Cesar goal, a game that prompted Tokyo manager Okuma to comment, "Although we had chances, the connection between defensive midfielder Edmilson and goalkeeper Minami, together with the high level of individual ability, left me with the strong impression that they had kept us out." In order to pull the tight Kumamoto defense out of position to create space, Tokyo would need to further enhance the quality of their midfield passing.
The leg injury Tokunaga suffered in the previous game had healed, allowing Tokyo to name an unchanged team. For Kumamoto, towering defender Cho made his first appearance since May 14th, while the selection of equally tall strikers Nagasawa and Fabio indicated the visitors' tactical intentions.
Following several days of cool and refreshing weather, Sunday afternoon saw the return of sultry humidity, but an occasional breeze was blowing through the stadium as Tokyo kicked off shortly after 6:30 pm.

Despite missing a chance in front of Kumamoto's defense, they took the lead just before the end of the first half.

　At the start, Kumamoto showed an aggressive attitude and launched a robust attack. However, Tokyo DF calmly withstood the pressure and quickly took control of the ball to establish their rhythm. In the 3rd minute, starting with Tanabe's long shot, in the 7th minute, they connected from their own half, with Kajiwara passing to the left flank where Roberto CESAR dribbled inside and took a forceful shot between the defenders. In the 10th minute, CESAR broke free in front of the goal to meet Hanyu's pass, creating a decisive opportunity, but the shot went wide...

　They continued to pass the ball quickly and create chances. In the 20th minute, they launched a counterattack, with Hanyu dribbling forward and taking a shot from just outside the left area. In the 37th minute, Tanabe evaded an opponent with a strong dribble from his own half, moving forward with Cezaar and Hanyu. They initiated a dynamic counterattack, with Cezaar running down the left side, bringing the ball into the area and unleashing a powerful shot. However, both attempts were thwarted by a great save from Kumamoto's goalkeeper Minami, and they struggled to shake the net for a while.

　However, in the 43rd minute, they launched a counterattack, and Hanyu delivered a precise right cross into the area. Although Cesar, who ran into the area first, couldn't take a shot due to a collision with the defender, the ball reached Tanizawa, who followed from behind, only to be fouled and brought down from behind. As a result of this play, Kumamoto's midfielder Nezume received a red card and was sent off. Tokyo converted the penalty kick gained from this into a goal by Cesar, finally taking the lead! They went into halftime with a one-goal advantage.

Kumamoto Frustrate Profligate Tokyo Until Game-changing Incident

Kumamoto came out fighting from the kick off, throwing men forward into attack. The Tokyo defence held firm and the side quickly slipped into a passing rhythm. In the 3rd minute, Tanabe let fly with a thumping volley, while in the 7th minute, Cesar barged inside from the left and cracked a low drive to the near post. In the 10th minute, Cesar raced down the inside-right channel, stroked the ball infield to Hanyu and burst through the Kumamoto defence to meet Hanyu's clipped return pass. With Minami sprinting out to narrow the angle, Cesar shot low across the Kumamoto keeper but also wide of the far post.
Tokyo maintained the high tempo passing and continued to create chances. Hanyu raced half the length of the field on a fast break in the 20th minute and attempted to curl a looping shot beyond Minami while another lightning-fast counter attack in the 37th minute ended with Cesar hammering a low drive on target; on both occasions, the Kumamoto goalkeeper produced superb saves to deny Tokyo the opening goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 43rd minute. Tokyo countered and from the right wing, Hanyu took careful aim before crossing towards Cesar as the striker burst into the Kumamoto area. Cesar and a defender jockeyed for the ball which evaded them both, falling in front of Yazawa as the midfielder raced forward in support. Yazawa seemed certain to score until he was flattened from behind by a clumsy challenge; the perpetrator, Kumamoto midfielder Nejime, was sent off and Tokyo awarded a penalty. Cesar wrong-footed Minami from the spot and Tokyo took a 1-0 lead into half time.

A torrent of goals! Lucas also scored his first goal, leading to a 5-goal victory.

　In the second half against Kumamoto, who were at a numerical disadvantage, Tokyo took advantage of opportunity after opportunity, resulting in a goal rush. In the 48th minute, continuing play while avoiding an offside, Tanabe passed to Cesar, and Konno, who advanced up the right side, delivered a right cross. Hanyu in front of the goal connected with it and scored with his left foot!

　Kumamoto made two substitutions in the 55th minute. With forwards Matsuhashi and Nagasawa forming a two-top, and Harada and Fabio as double defensive midfielders, Edmilson was moved back to defense, creating a formation close to a three-back with defenders Yano and Fukuo. After Tokyo extended their lead, there were moments when their attack slowed down without forcing it too much, but they switched gears at key points. In the 67th minute, they accelerated during an attack, initiated play from the right side, and Tanizawa, who received a pass in the center of the area, earned another penalty kick. Tanizawa himself converted it, extending the lead to three goals.

　In the 72nd minute, Lucas came on for Hanyu! Without easing up on the attack, just after in the 73rd minute, Tokunaga received a sideways pass from Tanabe, dribbled forward, and unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the right area that pierced the top right corner of the goal, marking Tokunaga's second consecutive goal.

　In the 76th minute, Mukuahara was brought in to replace Tokunaga, and in the 85th minute, Yanagira, making his debut, was put in as left back to replace Nakamura. Although there was a change in the DF line, Kumamoto's counterattack was shut out. Then, in the 87th minute, Lucas, who came on as a substitute, broke through the gap between the opposing defenders, received a lob pass from Kajiyama, and calmly slotted it in with the outside of his right foot after a skillful trap, scoring a goal! This was Lucas's first goal since his return, securing a decisive point and achieving a comfortable victory with a total of 5 goals for the first time this season.

　[Player Comments] {Taniyama} "As a team, our balance between offense and defense is good, and our objectives are clear, so I think everyone can move easily. I am conscious of getting into the goal area, and that was beneficial in the situation where we earned a penalty kick. I entered the match with focus and have been able to enjoy playing. I asked to take the penalty kick myself. Moving forward, I want to be able to score during the flow of the game as well. I want to cherish this momentum, continue winning, and keep pushing forward at the top of the league."

　"Lucas" "I was able to score in my second match back. I wanted to score myself, and I felt everyone's support and expectations, so I am very happy that I was able to score early on. However, my first goal after returning is already over. Our goal is to return to J1. I want to work hard to contribute to that. The next match will be a difficult away game, and there are challenges in being at the top. But I want to continue playing the attacking football we are currently working on and keep winning."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "We were active from the first half, and we were able to win the ball in high positions as a starting point for our attacks, which we maintained for 90 minutes. However, it was a situation where we wouldn't know what would happen if the first half had ended 0-0 or if the opponent had been reduced to 10 men. It's not about who... but as a team, we need to enhance our decisiveness and play dangerously for the opponent. Lucas showed a good example, but I want the younger players to learn composure in crucial moments. I also want to develop the ability to score from the first half. Today's victory is at National, and we will prepare well for each match ahead."

　(Is the team's preparation going as planned so far?) With ongoing injuries to forwards and no substitutes available, Cesar has adapted to Japanese football. He has shown an unexpected ability to learn about defense and the tenacity of opposing defenders. Recently, he has started to make clever moves, such as cutting to the left when pressured on the right, making it harder for opponents to read his dribbling. Additionally, the stabilization of the team lineup has been a significant factor. Tanabe has gained confidence, and his growth is accelerating. There have been moments where he has exceeded expectations in both offense and defense. The acceleration of young talent is creating competition within the team, while veteran Hanyu is also putting in effort, resulting in a synergistic effect. Currently, a healthy competition and unity are developing well. I hope everyone continues to strive for further acceleration.

　(About Lucas) As he plays more matches, he will get used to the fast pace of Japan, and his game sense will return. There are still parts he hasn't fully adapted to, but being able to stop the ball and score in that situation is a strong point. I want to inject that into the team and make it work together.

　[Summary of Coach Takagi's Press Conference] "I thought this would be the most difficult game of the season, but it exceeded my expectations. The players and supporters worked very hard, but against an opponent that was already tough with 11 players, it was difficult to control the game with one player less. It was impossible to steer the game in the direction we aimed for. I believe both teams have improved since our last match, but in terms of quality, we still have a long way to go. We want to train diligently to raise our quality."

　I think the referee made fair decisions. I believe it was a consolation for us, but after the match, I was told, 'You played a very good game.' Until the end, the players fought hard. (What specific qualities do you want to improve?) Stopping and kicking. Also, when the opponent approaches, how much distance becomes pressure... there is so much to say.

Lucas' First Goal On Return Completes Second-half Rout

The hosts exploited their numerical advantage ruthlessly as the second half unfolded. In the 48th minute Tokyo moved the ball quickly via Tanabe and Cesar to Konno, overlapping down the right. Konno crossed and Hanyu darted between two defenders to slam the ball high past Minami and double the lead.
In response the visitors made a double substitution in the 55th minute and altered their formation; Matsuhashi and Nagasawa played as twin strikers, Harada and Fabio as defensive midfielders while Edmilson dropped back into a three-man defence. With a two-goal cushion and a man advantage Tokyo had no need to maintain the high tempo and slowed the pace down somewhat, suddenly speeding up when an opening presented itself. In the 67th minute they quickened the tempo, moved the ball down the right and then played it infield to meet Yazawa's run into the Kumamoto area. Yazawa's pace took him away from a defender and a desperate late challenge earned Tokyo another penalty. Yazawa took the spot kick himself, blasting the ball high into the net beyond Minami to stretch the lead to three.
Lucas replaced Hanyu in the 72nd minute. Tokyo continued to push forward and were rewarded with a fourth goal in the 73rd minute as Tanabe played a quick free kick sideways to Tokunaga who dribbled forward unchallenged to the edge of the Kumamoto area before unleashing a fierce drive that fizzed past Minami at his near post. Flush from scoring in two consecutive games Tokunaga was shortly replaced by Mukuhara, while Nagira made his first team debut in the 85th minute as substitute for Nakamura at right back. Despite the changes the Tokyo defence dealt comfortably with the Kumamoto attack. In the 87th minute Kajiyama spotted Lucas' forward run and chipped a delicate pass over the Kumamoto defence; Lucas took the ball down with a sublime first touch and then coolly flicked it past Minami with the outside of his right boot. Lucas' first goal since rejoining the club was the icing on the cake of a decisive 5-0 scoreline.


Players' comments 
Yazawa 
"The team balance is good both front and back, we fully understand our roles and it's easy to move, I think. I was aiming to get into positions in front of goal and earning the penalty was a result of that. We were very focused from the start and enjoyed the game. I asked to be allowed to take the penalty and I want to be able to score from open play in the future. It's important we keep this momentum going and maintain our position at the top of the table". 

Lucas 
"I was able to score in my second game back at the club. I wanted to score for myself but I'm really happy that I could repay everyone's support and live up to their expectations by scoring so soon. However, scoring that first goal is done with now and our aim is to get back into J1. I want to do my best to achieve that. We're away in what looks like being a tough game next and then there's the difficulty of keeping hold of first place but we want to keep on winning with the kind of attacking football we're playing right now".

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Our movement was good from the start and we managed to achieve our aim of winning the ball high up the field for the whole 90 minutes. However, if the first half had finished 0-0 and our opponents hadn't had a man sent off the outcome could have been very different. We have to improve the finishing of the team as a whole and carry more of a threat to our opponents. Lucas sets a great example and I want the younger players to learn from his coolness at the decisive moments. We need to add the power to score goals in the first half of games as well. Now we have to put today's game aside and prepare as best as we can for the next match.
Am I satisfied with the team's development so far? We've suffered injuries to our strikers but now Roberto Cesar has become used to Japanese football. In defense and in terms of the tenacity of opposing defenses he's shown a much faster aptitude to learn than we expected. He's become able to shift his positioning from right to left and his dribbling has become harder for opponents to read. Also, having a settled team has been very important. Tanabe is growing in confidence and his development is really accelerating. The improvement of the younger players creates competition within the team and draws performances from the senior players like Hanyu. There's a kind of synergy at work that creates team unity from that competition. We want everyone to contribute to that acceleration.
Regarding Lucas, as the games mount up he's getting used to the speed of Japanese football again and his sense of the game is coming back. He's not there completely yet but he showed his strengths today with the way he trapped the ball and then finished it off. We want to integrate that into the team".

Roasso Kumamoto manager Takuya Takagi
"We thought it would be the most difficult game of the season but it exceeded our expectations. The players and supporters did their best but even with eleven men against such opposition it was going to be tough, never mind playing with a man short. We controlled even less of the game than we had envisaged. It was impossible to do what we had wanted. I think both teams have improved since we last played each other but we're still lacking in quality in many areas. We want to work harder in training to improve our ability. I thought the referee today was very fair. Maybe it was meant to comfort us but after the match he said we had played a good game. The team fought very hard until the final whistle.
In particular what do I think we need to improve? Stopping and kicking. Also, what kind of distance is needed to put pressure on an opponent when they approach. I can't really give a full explanation".