A match where we want to take 3 points away and extend our winning streak

　In Sec. 25 of the league, we will face Tochigi SC away. In the previous match against Kusatsu, Roberto CESAR scored a penalty, and with stable defense until the end, we achieved a 1-0 shutout victory. Coach Okuma reflected on the match, saying, "We couldn't convert two chances into goals." Although we did not allow the opponent to create chances until the end and created many scoring opportunities ourselves, we were unable to finish them. However, he stated, "While maintaining the good aspects, we want to address the areas where we are lacking," indicating that the team's direction is set, and now it is just a matter of improving the quality and precision of each play.

　Tochigi, currently in 4th place with 37 points, continues to rise from last season's 10th place. Ace FW Ricardo Lobo, tied for 4th in the J2 scoring rankings, returns from suspension in the previous match. Additionally, caution is needed against the speed of newly joined FW Sabiya this summer. Hanyu states, "The front line is strong, so we want to cut off supply to them," emphasizing the importance of controlling the ball in the opponent's territory while creating space by using the entire pitch against Tochigi, who excel in short counterattacks from a solid defense.

　Tokyo's Lucas will start in place of Roberto CESAR, who injured his foot during practice. Additionally, newly joined Sakata has made it to the bench. Coach Okuma stated, "I want the players who come in later to do specific jobs like scoring or assisting," emphasizing the need for players like Ishikawa, Suzuki, and Sakata to showcase their strengths and invigorate the attack, while being mindful of achieving results.

　Furthermore, even if Tochigi takes the lead, they boast a high scoring ability, so they want to actively aim for a second goal to secure the game. Konno stated, "Scoring a second goal is an eternal challenge for any team in any category around the world. But we always want to pursue that." To further the team's growth and to gain an advantage in the rematch two weeks later, they want to earn 3 points and extend their winning streak. The match started at 18:03 with Tochigi's kickoff at Tochigi Green Stadium, where light rain fell and it was chilly.

Tokyo Aim To Extend Winning Streak

FC Tokyo made the short trip north to Tochigi for the 25th game of the season. A Roberto Cesar penalty and a solid defensive display lifted Tokyo to victory over Kusatsu in the previous outing, the only blemish on an assured display being the failure to score a second goal despite a plethora of promising opportunities. Manager Kiyoshi Okuma lamented the misses but hoped that the positive aspects of the team's current football would compensate for what was lacking, namely improved accuracy and quality in the final third.
Opponents Tochigi lay in 4th place at kick off with 37 points, a marked improvement on their 10th place finish last season. Ace striker Ricardo Lobo, joint 4th in the J2 goal rankings, returned from suspension while Tokyo would need to guard against the speed of summer acquisition Sabia. Hanyu commented, "That's a powerful front line and to isolate them we need to cut the lines of supply." To deal with Tochigi's game of tight defense and short counter attacks, Tokyo would need to control the ball in the opposition half and use the full width of the pitch.
Roberto Cesar had picked up a knock in training and was replaced by Lucas, with new signing Sakata on the bench. Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "I want the players who enter the game later to make a concrete contribution with assists and goals," meaning Ishikawa, Suzuki, and Sakata would be expected to produce immediately and contribute to winning the game. Given the ability of the Tochigi strike force, a single goal might not be enough for Tokyo and a second goal could be crucial. "No matter what the level and no matter where in the world, going for a second goal when you're one up is the eternal question I think. We're always going to go for it though," commented Konno. A win for Tokyo would mark a further growth in the team, keep the side at the top of the table, and constitute an advantage for when the teams face off again in two weeks' time.
The blazing heat of high summer had been swept away by the torrential rains that blanketed the country in recent days and Tochigi kicked off shortly after 6pm on a wet and unseasonably cool evening.

Create chances by connecting passes, but allow a lead due to a mistake that results in a goal.

　Tochigi applied pressure on the double pivot of Takahashi and Kajiyama immediately after the match, trying to disrupt Tokyo's passing game. Nevertheless, they connected short passes carefully in the center of the pitch and then spread the play to the sides. They aimed to maintain their style of football that they had built up so far, even in poor pitch conditions. However, in the 11th minute, Takahashi lost the ball to Tochigi midfielder PAULINHO, which ultimately led to a goal by forward Sabiya, giving away the opening goal.

　However, due to an early goal conceded, Tokyo calmly shifted to counterattack. In the 20th minute, Tanizawa skillfully evaded the opponent and passed to Hanyu, who was positioned up front. He advanced with a dribble and made a final pass to Tanabe, who was charging up the right side. However, the opposing defender closed in quickly, preventing a shot. In the 32nd minute, Tanizawa received a vertical pass from Konno, turned with a single touch, and immediately took a shot, but it went wide to the left of the goal.

　While Tochigi solidifies their defense in front of the goal, Tokyo tries to allocate more players to the attack to break through, but they cannot break down the determined defense. In the 34th minute, Lucas heads the ball down to Hanyu, who receives the return pass and takes a shot, but is blocked by the opposing GK. Furthermore, Morishige overlaps, breaks through on the left side, and aims for the goal with his right foot, but once again faces a great save from the GK. They maintained possession and created scoring opportunities, but ended the first half still trailing Tochigi.

Tokyo Create But Fall Behind

The hosts began by applying pressure on the Tokyo defensive midfield pairing of Takahashi and Kajiyama, preventing the duo from playing the ball around. Nevertheless, Tokyo looked to break the deadlock through short passes and moving the ball out to the flanks. Despite the poor condition of the pitch, Tokyo stuck to the type of game that had stood them in good stead thus far but were undone in the 11th minute when Tochigi midfielder Paulinho robbed Takahashi and forward Sabia finished the move off by beating Shiota to put his side ahead.
Despite the early setback, Tokyo remained calm and set about organizing a fight back. In the 20th minute, Yazawa shrugged off an opponent and played the ball forward to Hanyu in the front line. Hanyu dribbled forward then played the ball out to Tanabe on his right but solid defending prevented the young Tokyo midfielder from finding room to shoot. In the 32nd minute, Konno hoisted a long ball forward, Yazawa took it down neatly and shot in one swift movement but failed to hit the target.
Tokyo pushed men forward in an attempt to split the Tochigi defense but the hosts remained solid at the back. In the 34th minute, Lucas nodded the ball down to Hanyu, received it back and then shot, drawing a save from Takeda in the Tochigi goal. Morishige, overlapping down the left, hammered a right-footed attempt on goal but Takeda was equal to the challenge once again. Although Tokyo enjoyed considerable possession and created chances, it was Tochigi that led at half time.

Despite launching a fierce attack until the end, we only managed to score one goal in stoppage time... it was a frustrating defeat.

　In the second half, Tokyo intensified their offensive. In the 54th minute, Tanabe advanced into the left area with precise passes, passing to Lucas in the center. He attempted to strike with his left foot, but the opposing defender blocked it. In the 56th minute, Takahashi perfectly connected with a right corner kick from Tanizawa with his head, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. After that, Coach Okuma played his attacking cards one after another. In the 61st minute, Ishikawa came on for Hanyu, and in the 74th minute, Suzuki was brought in for Takahashi. They repeatedly carried the ball to the goal area and created scoring opportunities, but they couldn't shake the net.

　In the 78th minute, a direct free kick from about 30 meters in the center. Nakamura aims directly with a knuckleball, but the ball is caught by the goalkeeper. As Tokyo completely finds their rhythm and pushes forward, in the 79th minute, they are caught off guard for a moment, and substitute Tochigi MF Mizunuma scores with his left foot, adding another goal. With no choice but to attack, in the 85th minute, Nakamura on the left side brings the ball deep, receives a pass back from Lucas, and aims for the left net with his right foot, but this too is met with a fine save from the goalkeeper.

　In the 89th minute, Ishikawa dribbled into the center and took a mid-range shot with his left foot. He caught the opposing goalkeeper off guard, but it was saved well with the right foot. Just before the end, Suzuki, who was free in front of the goal after connecting short passes, scored his first goal of the season, but that was the end of the counterattack. Tokyo, despite taking 22 shots, far exceeding the opponent's 8, suffered their fourth defeat of the season.

　[Player Comments] {Tanizawa} "The first goal was from our mistake. However, we need to develop the ability to turn around games like this, and that is a challenge for us. I want to refine our precision in the end. We were conscious of playing the style of football we want to play before focusing on the opponent, but not being able to score within that was the problem. The pitch cannot be said to be good, but we must be able to play our game in any situation. I believe there will be teams that will thoroughly aim for counterattacks like today, and I want to continue to focus on counter care, pressing back, and picking up second balls properly in the future."

　"(Reflecting on the goal) When Nao-kun took the shot, I repositioned myself to aim for the goalkeeper's deflection, and it came directly to me. I was glad I could react well. Watching from the bench, I was thinking about how to create a shooting opportunity despite the lack of space. The coach told me to be aware of the space on the sides, and I think I was able to cleverly draw out the ball. I will channel today's frustration into the next Tochigi match and definitely aim for three points."

　[Coach Okuma's Press Conference Summary] "I think the content was not bad, including the first half. In a match like this, where the stakes are high, we need to go for goals even if it means losing our balance. I believe that not being able to withstand the opponent's second goal was a factor that prevented us from equalizing or taking the lead. I think the fact that the new players did not give up and scored until the end will lead to future success, and we must take back these positive aspects. On the other hand, the situation where we conceded a goal due to our own mistakes in the first half was a self-destructive goal. I felt that we need to take these lessons back and apply them to future matches. As we prepare for the next game, I think it is important to review both the good and the bad and approach each match one at a time."

　[Summary of Coach Matsuda's Press Conference] "First of all, winning at home against FC Tokyo is the most important thing. The players showed discipline and expressed what the team is trying to do. In that sense, I think it was a happy victory. Although there were times when we were under pressure, I believe the players made good decisions in each situation. Ultimately, the strength of our mentality leads to results, and I think we fought well as challengers. We scored one goal in the first half and one in the second, but scoring at that timing makes a big difference, and it becomes harder to maintain hard work. However, scoring one goal in the first half gave the players courage. Although there was a feeling of losing momentum in the second half, the desire to win prevailed because we had scored in the first half, allowing us to push through. And we were able to score the second goal before losing that momentum. In that sense, I think both the first and second goals came at good times."

Late Goal Scant Consolation In Disappointing Loss

Tokyo increased the pressure even further in the second half. In the 54th minute, a neat passing move saw Tanabe dart into the Tochigi area on the left and square the ball to Lucas in the center. Lucas shot left-footed but a defender blocked his effort away. In the 56th minute, Takahashi met Yazawa's corner with a thumping header that flew straight at Takeda. Tokyo made attacking substitutions as the half wore on, replacing Hanyu with Ishikawa in the 61st minute and Takahashi with Suzuki in the 74th. The visitors pushed forward relentlessly but failed to take any of their chances.
Tokyo won a free kick some 30m from goal in the 78th minute; Nakamura stepped up and lashed a fierce non-spinning effort that flew straight at Takeda. The visitors were firmly in the ascendancy but Tochigi substitute Mizunuma exploited a chink in their defensive armor in the 79th minute, converting past Shiota to double his side's lead. With attack the only option, Tokyo continued to push forward, Nakamura drawing a fine save from Takeda with a fierce shot in the 85th minute after good work from Lucas.
In the 89th minute, Ishikawa dribbled forward, cut inside and shot left-footed across the goal. Takeda stuck out a boot and made yet another goal-denying save. Tokyo finally made the breakthrough in the 5th minute of injury time, Suzuki converting his first of the season following a decisive short-passing move, but it was too little too late. Tokyo had outshot Tochigi by 22 to 8 but suffered their 4th loss of the season.


Players' comments
Yazawa
"The first goal came from our mistake. We need to have the ability to come back though and that's an issue. We want the accuracy with the final ball to penetrate the opposition. We were able to impose ourselves on the opposition but not being able to score remains a problem. It's true that the pitch was in a poor condition but we have to be able to play whatever the circumstances. Since we're going to be facing many more teams who play a purely counter attacking game we have to focus more on pressing back and winning the second balls."

Suzuki
"Nao (Ishikawa) shot and I took up a position to take advantage of a save by the keeper. I was pleased to be able to react quickly. Watching from the bench it was clear there was no space so I was thinking about how to get the ball into shooting positions. The manager told me to concentrate on the space down the flanks and I thought we manoeuvred the ball cleverly. We'll use today's disappointment as an incentive when we play Tochigi again next month and we'll take the three points".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma

"I thought the performance wasn't too bad overall. In games like these you have to go for goal even if it means upsetting the balance of the side. Not being able to prevent them from scoring a second goal was the difference between us drawing or even winning the game. We have to take something positive from the game and that was the way the fresh players fought to the bitter end and managed to get on the scoresheet. On the other hand, the goal we conceded in the first half came from a ruinous mistake on our part. That's also something to take away and bear in mind as we prepare for the next match. I think it's important to take each game as it comes, improving both the good and bad points."

Tochigi SC manager Matsuda
"Beating a team like FC Tokyo at home is the best. The team played with great discipline and showed everything we've been trying to do in the performance. In that sense it's a very pleasing win. We were under pressure at certain times but the win is the result of the players making the correct decisions in every situation. We maintained the will to win right to the end and played a good game I felt. We scored one in each half and it was the timing of the goals as well as the fact that we actually scored them that made the biggest difference, together with the way they continued to work hard. Scoring in the first half really brought out the courage of the team. It seemed we might be losing our nerve at times in the second half but that first-half goal gave us the spirit to win and allowed us to overcome our nerves and persevere. Then we managed to score the second goal. We scored both goals at crucial times, I felt".