A crucial match where we want to secure 3 points even away from home and extend our winning streak.

　In the 25th round of the league, we will face Tochigi SC away. In the previous round against Kusatsu, Roberto CESAR scored a penalty kick and we secured a 1-0 victory with a stable defense until the end. Coach Ohkuma looks back on the game, saying "We couldn't score the second goal." We didn't give the opponent any chances until the end and created many scoring opportunities, but we couldn't finish them. However, he also said, "We want to maintain the good parts and make up for the parts that are lacking." The team's direction is set, and now we just need to improve the quality and accuracy of each play one by one.

　Tokyo, on the other hand, has been making a leap from last season's 10th place and is currently in 4th place with 37 points. Their ace FW Ricardo Lobo, who is tied for 4th place in the J2 scoring rankings, will return from suspension in the previous match. In addition, caution must be taken against the speed of new addition FW Sabia, who joined this summer. As Hanyu says, "Their front line is strong, so we want to cut off their supply," it is important to continue dominating the ball in the opponent's half and using the entire pitch to create space against Tochigi, who excels in short counterattacks from a solid defense.

　Tokyo, Lucas will start in place of Roberto CESAR, who injured his foot during practice. Newly acquired Sakata also made it to the bench. Coach Okuma said, "I want the players who come in later to do specific tasks like scoring and assisting," and it is necessary for players like Ishikawa, Suzuki, and Sakata to demonstrate their strengths and activate the attack, and play with a clear focus on results.

　Furthermore, even if Tochigi takes the lead, they have a high scoring ability, so they want to actively aim for a second goal to decide the game. Konno said, "Scoring a second goal is an eternal challenge for any team in any world. But we always want to pursue it," and in order to gain an advantage in the rematch in two weeks and further grow as a team, they want to extend their winning streak by earning 3 points. The match started at 18:03 with Tochigi's kickoff at the chilly Tochigi Green Stadium, where light rain was falling.

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 defence 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 from mistakes

　Tochigi immediately pressed Takahashi and Kajiyama's double volante after the game, trying to shut down Tokyo's passing game. However, Tokyo continued to connect short passes in the center of the pitch and then expand to the sides. They tried to stick to their own style of soccer, even in the poor pitch conditions. But in the 11th minute, Takahashi was dispossessed by Tochigi MF Paulinho, and ultimately gave up a goal to FW Sabia, giving up the first goal.

　Due to early conceding, Tokyo calmly turns to counterattack. In the 20th minute, Tanizawa skillfully avoids the opponent and passes to Hayu, who was left in the front line. He dribbles up and passes to Tanabe, who came up the right side. However, the opponent's defense was quick and he couldn't take a shot. In the 32nd minute, Tanizawa receives a vertical pass from Konno, turns forward with a one-touch, and quickly takes a shot, but it goes wide to the left of the goal.

　While Tochigi is holding their ground in front of the goal, Tokyo is trying to break through with multiple attackers, but they can't break through the solid defense. In the 34th minute, Lucas heads the ball to Hayu, who returns it for a shot, but it is blocked by the opposing GK. Additionally, Morishige overlaps and breaks through the left side, aiming for the goal with his right foot, but once again, it is saved by the GK. They were able to hold onto the ball and create scoring opportunities, but they ended the first half trailing behind 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, they were only able to score one point in stoppage time... It was a frustrating defeat.

　In the second half, Tokyo further intensified their attack. In the 54th minute, Tanabe entered the left area with a series of precise passes and passed to Lucas in the center. However, the opponent's defender blocked his left-footed shot. In the 56th minute, Takahashi perfectly headed Tanizawa's right corner kick, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. After that, coach Okuma made several attacking changes. In the 61st minute, Ishikawa replaced Hayashi, and in the 74th minute, Suzuki replaced Takahashi. They repeatedly brought the ball to the goal, creating scoring opportunities, but were unable to find the back of the net.

　In the 78th minute, a direct free kick from the center, about 30m out. Nakamura takes a shot with no spin, but the ball is caught by the GK. As Tokyo completely takes control of the rhythm and pushes forward, in the 79th minute, they are caught off guard and Tochigi MF Mizunuma, who came on as a substitute, scores with his left foot, adding another goal. With no choice but to attack, Tokyo brings the ball deep into the left side in the 85th minute. Nakamura receives a cross from Lucas and takes a shot with his right foot, aiming for the left corner, but it is saved by the GK's fine save.

　In the 89th minute, Ishikawa dribbled into the center and took a middle shot with his left foot. Although he managed to catch the opponent's goalkeeper off guard, he was saved by a great one-handed save. In the final moments, Suzuki scored his first goal of the season after a short pass, but it was not enough to turn the tide. Despite taking 22 shots, far more than the opponent's 8, Tokyo suffered their 4th loss of the season.

　【Player Comments】《Thales》"The first goal was our own mistake. But we need to have the ability to turn around these kinds of games, and that's something we need to work on. We want to continue to improve our precision in the final moments. We were conscious of playing our own style of football, but we couldn't score. The pitch wasn't great, but we need to be able to play our game no matter the circumstances. We know there will be teams like today's opponent who will come at us with counter attacks, so we need to be aware of taking care of those situations, pressing back, and winning second balls. We want to continue to focus on these things in the future."

　"Suzuki" "(Looking back at the goal) When Naokun took the shot, I aimed for the GK's deflection and repositioned myself. It came directly to me and I was able to react well. From the bench, I was thinking about how to create a shooting opportunity in a tight space. The coach told me to be aware of the space on the side, and I think I was able to cleverly pull out the ball. We will use today's frustration to win the next game against Tochigi and get 3 points for sure."

　[Coach Oikuma's Press Conference Summary] "I don't think the overall performance, including the first half, was bad. In a game like this where the outcome is at stake, we have to go for goals even if it means sacrificing our balance. I believe that not being able to withstand the opponent's second goal was a factor in not being able to equalize or turn the game around. The fact that the new players kept fighting until the end and scored a goal will lead to the next game, and we must take this positive aspect with us. On the other hand, the goal we conceded in the first half due to our own mistakes was self-destructive. We need to reflect on these and use them to prepare for future games. As we prepare for the next game, it is important to review both the good and bad aspects and take each game one at a time."

　[Tochigi Matsuda Coach's Press Conference Summary] "First and foremost, winning against FC Tokyo at home was 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 pushed back, I think the players made good decisions in each situation. In the end, I think the strength of our determination led to the result, and I think they fought well as challengers. It was a goal in each half, but it makes a big difference whether or not the goal is scored at that time, and it becomes difficult to continue working hard. However, the players were encouraged by scoring one goal in the first half. Although it felt like our determination was fading in the second half, we were able to push through and score a second goal before it did. In that sense, I think both the first and second goals were scored at a good time."

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 centre. 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 armour 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 positioned myself to take advantage of a save by the goalkeeper. I was happy to be able to react quickly. Watching from the bench, it was clear that there was no space, so I was thinking about how to get the ball into shooting positions. The manager told me to focus on the space on the flanks, and I thought we moved the ball cleverly. We will use today's disappointment as motivation when we face Tochigi again next month, and we will aim for 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".