We want to take 3 points with a stronger sense of unity and motivation from the team.

　In the 26th round of the league, we will face Kataller Toyama away. Following the Tochigi match, we will face back-to-back away matches. In the previous round, we were unable to score at crucial moments and lost 2 points due to Tochigi's intense press, resulting in a bitter defeat. However, we were able to retaliate with Suzuki's determined goal towards the end, and it was not a performance to be disappointed about. We hope for even more team unity and determination, and aim to take 3 points away in this match.

　Toyama is currently in 19th place with 4 wins, 6 losses, and 11 draws. In the previous match, they put intense pressure on Chiba and managed to secure a draw. In addition, DF Fukuda joined the team in July, strengthening their defense and set piece plays. MF Hirade, who was on loan from Tokyo, will not be playing in the second half of the season. And FW Kusaguchi is injured and will be leaving the team. As a result, FW Kurobe will lead the attack, with MF Asahi and Onishi playing as two shadows, and Nishino and Soyon Dokku on the wings in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

　Tokyo will start with Suzuki as the top striker in place of the suspended Tanizawa due to accumulated warnings. Lucas will play as an attacking midfielder and Hayabusa will be placed as the right midfielder. It is important to not lose the ball and to connect passes securely in order to counter the opponent's intense press. Furthermore, the key will be how well the attacking line can create coordinated plays. It will be crucial for Suzuki to make runs behind the defense, and for Hayabusa and Tanabe to not be forced to defend on the sides. We want to switch positions fluidly in order to achieve this.

　Ishikawa said, "It's important to create the team's rhythm with speed, but it's also important to adapt to the situation. I want to focus on various movements, not just side breakthroughs, but also receiving in the center and letting the fullbacks move up." He also hopes to be a game-changing presence in case the game becomes a stalemate. It's an important match where they want to overcome any accidents such as injuries or suspensions as a team, take the victory, and gain momentum. The game started at 6:04 PM in Tokyo at Toyama Stadium.

United Team Aims To Dig Deep For The Win

FC Tokyo made the long trip to Toyama to take on Kataller in the 26th game of the season, the second away fixture in a week. In the previous outing Tokyo had been pressured into ceding possession and conceded twice in a disappointing loss to Tochigi; Suzuki's last gasp goal was some consolation and the overall performance wasn't poor enough to engender panic. The side was united and determined to bounce back to take the three points.
Opponents Toyama lay in 19th place at kick off with a W4 D6 L11 record. The side, boosted by the July recruitment of defender Fukuda who had added some stability to the back line and threat from set plays, had produced a fierce pressing display to grind out a draw with Chiba in their previous game. Hiraide, on loan from Tokyo, was ineligible and striker Kokeguchi was ruled out through injury. That left Kurobe playing as lone striker, supported by midfielders Asahi and Onishi in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Yazawa's suspension meant a start for Suzuki as Tokyo's main striker, with Lucas lying deeper and Hanyu playing on the right of midfield. Tokyo would need to connect their passes and retain possession to deny their hosts chances on the counter attack. Suzuki was expected to exploit the available space behind the Toyama defence while Tanabe and Hanyu would need to provide defensive cover on the flanks as Tokyo sought a performance of fluid movement and decisive interplay.
Ishikawa commented, "Of course I'm aiming to use my pace to create a rhythm for the team but responding to the dictates of the game is important as well. Not only attacking down the wings but also receiving the ball in more central positions and bringing the side backs into the game are some of the things I'm aiming to do". Much was also expected of Ishikawa's ability to change the flow of games stuck in a stalemate. Despite the various injuries and suspensions the Tokyo team was united and determined to overcome the absences by fighting hard for the points.
Tokyo kicked off shortly after 6pm on a cloudy, warm evening on the Japan Sea coast.

Unable to grasp the rhythm of the attack, trailing by one point at the end of the first half.

　In the beginning, Suzuki and Hanyu tried to lower the DF line and create a chance by breaking through the opponent's defense. In the 5th minute, Hanyu dribbled past the opponent's DF on the left side and took a shot from Nakamura's clear ball. However, this shot missed the goal and Toyama gradually struggled against the pressure from the opponent. In the 13th minute, starting from Nakamura on the left side, Hanyu and Suzuki exchanged passes and Lucas took a shot from the middle, but it resulted in a corner kick.

　At 17 minutes, Lucas → Tokunaga on the right side crossed between the opponent's GK and DF. Hanyu jumped out and tried to hit it with his foot, but couldn't finish it... As they continued to fight for possession while trying to move forward, Tokyo couldn't find their rhythm as time passed. Then, at 34 minutes, Toyama connected from their own half and FW Kurobe hit MF Onishi to the front line. MF Onishi sent a through pass aiming between Tokyo's DF, allowing FW Kurobe to break through. Tokunaga chased after him, but he was able to score a skillful ground shot and conceded the first goal...

　Tokyo, who wanted to counterattack, couldn't grasp the rhythm in front of the opponent's tough press. However, towards the end when the opponent's pace slowed down, Tokyo started to connect passes, but they couldn't quite switch on. In stoppage time, Lucas in the center dropped a cross from Tokunaga, and Tanabe in front of the area took a left-footed shot, but... it was blocked by the left post. They couldn't bring it to a tie and ended the first half.

Tokyo Struggle With Rhythm, Fall Behind

In the opening minutes Tokyo forced the Toyama defensive line deeper as Suzuki and Hanyu both attempted to exploit the available space. In the 5th minute, Hanyu latched onto Nakamura's clearance, darted past a defender, and took a shot. Hanyu's effort went wide and from that point on, Toyama slowly began to restrict Tokyo with some fierce pressing. In the 13th minute, Nakamura started a move that saw Hanyu and Suzuki exchange passes before a Lucas drive from mid-range earned a corner.
In the 17th minute, Lucas found Tokunaga pushing forward down the right and his cross neatly split the Toyama defense and goalkeeper, but narrowly missed Hanyu's flying lunge. Despite their attacking intentions, neither side was able to retain possession for long and amid the flurry, Tokyo struggled to find a rhythm. Then, in the 34th minute, Toyama broke forward from their own half and midfielder Onishi rolled a pass through to striker Kurobe; despite the attention of Tokunaga, Kurobe was able to stroke a low shot past Shiota to give his side the lead.
Tokyo attempted to fight back but were stymied by Toyama's pressure on the ball and failed to settle into a rhythm. As half-time approached, Toyama began to run out of steam, allowing Tokyo to string passes together, but the visitors still failed to find a way through. In first-half additional time, Tokunaga crossed from the right, Lucas knocked the ball down, and Tanabe thumped a shot against the post from the edge of the penalty area. The width of the post had denied Tokyo an equalizing goal to take into the half-time break.

Suffer consecutive losses without being able to score until the end

　Substitute Ishikawa in the second half. Hayu changes position to top. While struggling with Toyama's press, the attack gradually gained speed. In the 51st minute, Tokunaga went up the right side and Ishikawa went further inside, surrounded by defenders, but bravely took a shot outside the frame. In the 54th minute, Kajiyama moved up the center and passed to Nao in front of the right area. The shot was aimed well, but the goalkeeper saved it. Hayu and Lucas tried to follow up, but the defense held strong.

　Despite continuing to attack without letting up, Toyama's defensive awareness was high and there were many instances where they couldn't break through even when they brought the ball up to the front line. In the 66th minute, they created an opportunity on the left side and passed it to Lucas in the center. Lucas received the ball while being marked by a defender and quickly turned around to take a jumping volley, but it was saved by the goalkeeper... In the 70th minute, Inano sent a long ball to the front line and Ishikawa broke through on the left side, but he lost his balance and the shot went wide.

　After that, Sakata, who made his first appearance after transferring, was substituted for Hanyu. In the 78th minute, Tanabe brought the ball in from the left and took a shot with speed, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 78th minute, Nagasato, who made his first appearance after Sakata, was substituted. They put pressure on the goal and attacked, but Toyama pulled back and formed a block, strengthening their defense. They were unable to break through until the end... their fifth loss of the season. Thanks to the results of other matches, they barely kept their top spot, but suffered their first consecutive loss.

　【Player Comments】《Imano》"Every opposing team comes at us from the front at first, and if we can't handle it, they keep coming and if we can't do anything about it, they'll pull back. We couldn't score first. I still think we lack strength. After conceding a goal, our passes may have started to connect, but there were fewer instances of us having to redo our positioning due to panic, and there were fewer gentle passes to make it easier for the next player to play. We pushed forward towards the end, but ultimately we couldn't score... Substitutes naturally have energy, but just telling them to 'do their best' isn't enough. We have to utilize their strengths and bring them out. We have to fight as an organized unit."

　"Nakamura" "I want to increase the ways and patterns of build-up. At the beginning of today's game, we couldn't turn around because we were pressed in the center. During the game, I talked with Morige, "We can take off two center backs, so let's go a little further out." I was thinking about going through the space between the side halves or taking the back... But in the end, the opponent was able to man-mark, so it may have looked like the side backs were also marked from the center position. Still, I was able to get the ball, but I couldn't speed up because I was very slow. Even when we can't play our own soccer, we want to increase our variations so that we can fight."

　[Summary of Manager Ooguma's Press Conference] "I don't think the opponent had many chances, but when they score the first goal, they will defend with more players. In that situation, it becomes difficult to break through and create opportunities while passing the ball. I felt that simplicity was necessary in a way. We need to be patient and switch gears, and it's important to do our best from the next game. (Couldn't you steal the ball as you wanted?) The opponent's ball movement was good, but our timing to push forward was slow and there were times when we were a step behind in ball movement."

　Just by changing Hayu's position in the middle and changing the distance between offense and defense, I didn't care so much about taking the ball. At the beginning, I think the distance didn't work well as pointed out now, and the compactness didn't come out. From now on, we need to pursue the threat and fear after scoring. Since the members have changed, I felt that simplicity and ideas are necessary. (Wasn't it our soccer that was not good today rather than the opponent?) Do more without fear. Tatsuya should come back a little more and show his face on the ball side, or aim for the back a little more at the right timing. I think it's important to pull back Tanabe and create a rhythm or create a numerical advantage. As I said earlier, I think we need to build up the threat and simplicity.

　[Toyama・Manager Yasuma's Press Conference Summary] "First of all, I would like to thank everyone who came to the game. It was a great help for us to have your support before facing a strong opponent. We are still a small club in the J-League, but I would be grateful if you could continue to come and support us. I think our players were very proactive in the game. As evidence, FC Tokyo is a team that focuses on connecting passes even on a rough field, as seen in their previous match against Tochigi. By allowing the opponent to choose to kick the ball in the early stages, it was the best proof of our ability. In that situation, we were able to break through and score by moving the ball as we practice every day. I think it was a really good first half."

　Entering the second half, of course there was a difference in strength, so it was time to endure. In that time, for 25 minutes, I think it was good that I was able to hold down the key points while understanding my position and role firmly, without letting the opponent get behind me. As for today's members, they are the players who were forced to play in the game during the period when we couldn't win 10 games, and were asked for tasks from the scene. I am very happy that they were able to play against today's opponent after training hard, and I think it was a boost for the team. I would like to thank the club, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers who created such an atmosphere, and I would like to continue to build on it in the future."

Tokyo Battle To The Bitter End

Ishikawa replaced Suzuki for the second half with Hanyu moving into a central position behind Lucas. Toyama's pressure continued to hamper Tokyo's efforts but the visitors slowly began to inject some extra pace into their attacks. In the 51st.minute Tokunaga pushed forward down the right and found Ishikawa in a central position; Ishikawa twisted and turned, eventually getting off a shot under pressure. In the 54th.minute Kajiyama burst forward down the centre of the pitch before picking out Ishikawa on the right; Ishikawa struck firmly, drawing a save from Iida in the Toyama goal. The ball ran loose but neither Hanyu or Lucas were able to pounce, the Toyama defence eventually clearing the danger.
Tokyo continued to attack yet failed to breach the increasingly resolute Toyama defence. Tokyo constructed a move down the left in the 66th.minute, Tanabe finally playing the ball infield to Lucas. Lucas took the ball down succinctly under pressure from a defender then span and cracked a jumping volley goalwards, drawing a save from Iida. A long ball played out of defence by Konno reached Ishikawa on the left of the Toyama area in the 70th.minute. Ishikawa slipped as he shot, his effort flying wide of the post.
Sakata then made his debut for Tokyo, replacing Hanyu in the 70th.minute. In the 78th.minute Tanabe raced down the left, cut inside and shot, but his drive flew straight at Iida. Nagasato also made his Tokyo debut in the game, as a replacement for Tanabe in the 78th.minute.
Tokyo had strengthened the attack and poured forward in waves but Toyama, with all hands defending in blocks, continued to frustrate the visitors. The final whistle blew on a 1-0 defeat, Tokyo's 5th. of the season and the first back to back losses of the year. Despite the defeat results elsewhere meant that Tokyo retained their place at the top of the table.


Players' comments
Konno
"Whatever the opposition they come at us straight from the off and if we can't mount a response we struggle, or they then defend deeply. We couldn't score the first goal and I feel we're still lacking in power. After we fell behind we were attempting to play the ball around but were impatient which prevented us from correcting our positioning and led to awkward passes being played to people who weren't in a good position to receive the ball. We attacked a lot towards the end of the game but the result shows we failed to score. The substitutes who came on naturally have quality but simply encouraging them to "Fight" isn't enough. We have to make use of their individual strengths in a more systematic approach".


Nakamura
"We need to increase the ways we build up and the variety of our patterns. From the start today we couldn't throw off their pressing in midfield so I told Morishige I'd play wider to put pressure on their centre backs. I was trying to get beyond their side half and then behind the defence. They were man-marking us, from the centre to the side halves. When we got the ball we were too slow and couldn't speed the play up. If we're having trouble executing our game then we need more variations in our play".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"I didn't feel the opposition created all that many chances during the game but now we're in a situation where if they score first they defend in numbers. Although we moved the ball around a lot we couldn't find the means to open them up. I felt we needed to play it more simply. Now we need to be patient and bounce back; doing what needs to be done in the next game is important.
Did we find it difficult to regain possession? Well, the opposition certainly moved the ball around skillfully but I felt the timing of our forward runs was slow and we lost some of the initiative in retaining possession.
During the game we altered Hanyu's positioning and reduced the distance needed to move the ball from defense to attack; I wasn't too concerned about where we actually won the ball. We didn't make the best use of that distance and couldn't create a compact shape out there. We have to increase the threat we carry when we fall a goal behind in the future. The line up is changing so we need to keep it simple and generate more ideas. We have to play without fear. Suzuki could have played a little deeper, could have received the ball in front of the defender and improved the timing of his runs a little more. Tanabe could drop a little deeper to create a rhythm and we could get more bodies forward into attacking positions. Basically, I think we have to keep it simple and carry more of a threat".

Toyama manager Takayoshi Amma
"Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone who came today; they gave us the strength to take on such a strong opponent. I thought the players started the game in an extremely positive manner. One thing about FC Tokyo is that they always try to play a passing game, even on a terrible pitch like the one for the Tochigi game last week. Their constant forward movement forces opponents to boot the ball. Despite that we utilised what we had worked on in training, opened them up and scored. I thought we played very well in the first half.
In the second half there was a difference in strength between the teams and we had to grit our teeth at times. For about 25 minutes the players had to appreciate their positions and their roles within the team and work to plug the gaps at the back and I thought they fulfilled their roles very well. These are the same players we fielded when we failed to win for ten straight games; we trained steadily and learned and, more than anything, I'm pleased with the disciplined performance they produced today, which has surely raised the level of the team. I'd like to thank the club sponsors, the supporters and the volunteers for creating such a special atmosphere today and hope that this will lead to greater things in the next game"