Overcoming the challenging away game, aiming for consecutive victories

　In Sec. 28 of the league, we will face Ehime FC away. In the previous match against Kyoto, we achieved a resounding victory with a total of 6 goals, including a hat-trick from Lucas. We want to carry this momentum forward, but currently, we are struggling with two consecutive away game losses. However, Coach Okuma stated, "It may be influenced by the unfamiliar stadium and pitch, but above all, we need to fight tenaciously, even if it gets messy. Even if the opponent has studied us, we want to show changes as a team. We want to fight hard in the remaining 14 matches and win."

　Ehime, currently in 10th place with 34 points, has been a challenge as seen in the first half of the season at home in Komazawa. Their strengths include pressing from the front, dynamic runs, and quick passing. Additionally, with the addition of DF Ohno and the return of FW Fukuda from injury, their gameplay has stabilized, remaining unbeaten in the last six matches since the defeat against Mito on July 31. It is essential to be cautious of FW Fukuda's hold-up play, the height advantage in attacks starting from FW Jojimaru, and the decisive dribbling of MF Saito.

　Tokyo is without Gonda for the U-22 Japan national team activities. The starting lineup will remain unchanged from the previous match. In attack, they have recently been able to create chances starting with Lucas. Furthermore, Coach Okuma stated about the full-backs, "If we can go beyond the defensive line and players without hesitation even when the opponent pulls back, the probability of breaking through will increase. If that happens, it will lead to another step up and boost confidence." Therefore, side attacks are expected to be a crucial key in this match.

　Hanyu said, "I think the team's foundation has been shaped in terms of ball movement and positioning. Moving forward, I want to focus on breaking down defenses in the attacking third, while also excelling in physical battles and maintaining a fighting spirit to accumulate points reliably." It seems the team is also feeling a sense of evolution. This match will be an opportunity to shake off the negative perception of away games and secure three points along with further confidence. The match started at 18:04 in Tokyo at Ningineer Stadium after the rain.

Tokyo Take Aim At Awkward Ehime

For the 28th game of the season Tokyo traveled to Ehime on the southern island of Shikoku. Buoyed by Lucas' hat trick in the 6-1 demolition of Kyoto in the previous outing, the side was looking to erase memories of two consecutive losses in the most recent away games. Manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "It's our first visit to the stadium and we're obviously not used to the pitch so what we need is a gritty and tenacious display. Even though we'll have been analysed by the opposition we need to show variety in our play. We want to keep it tight and win the remaining 14 games."
Opponents Ehime lay in 10th place with 34 points at kick off. In the reverse fixture, played at Komazawa earlier in the season, Ehime had caused Tokyo various problems with their pressing from the front, dynamic bursts forward and neat passing game. The side had been strengthened since then by the acquisition of defender Ono and the return from injury of striker Fukuda, and was unbeaten in six games since a loss to Mito on July 31st. The team had a steady, stable approach with the hold-up play of Fukuda and the height of Josimar the main threat, ably supported by the deft dribbling of midfielder Saito.
Tokyo were missing goalkeeper Gonda due to Japan U-22 commitments but were otherwise unchanged. In attack, with Lucas as the chief instigator, the side had begun to create chances again. Regarding the role of the sidebacks, the manager commented, "Even if the opposition sit deeply we can increase our chances of opening them up by getting behind their defence. If we can achieve that then it will take us up to the next level and increase the confidence of the team." Dominating the flanks was seen as vital in deciding the outcome of the game.
Hanyu commented, "With the way we move the ball and our positioning I feel the basics of the team are there. After that, we need to focus on pulling our opponents apart in the final third, outrunning them and being more aggressive in our approach to the ball; if we can manage those things then the points will pile up." Tokyo entered a tricky away fixture against an awkward opponent aiming to see the team evolve further and to earn what would be a morale-boosting win.
The rain had abated as the visitors kicked off shortly after 6pm on a warm evening in the Ninjineer Stadium.

Tanabe and Konno score! Leading by 2 goals at halftime

　In the first half, we struggled with the pitch, which had puddles due to the rain. In the 9th minute, Ehime's forward, Jojimaru, hit the post, and left midfielder Saito broke through the center with a dribble. Unable to stop this, he took a decisive shot from inside the area. However, the ball grazed the bottom of the left post and went out of play. After escaping a major crisis, Tokyo gradually started connecting passes and moving the ball forward, creating opportunities by targeting Lucas up front and beginning to find their rhythm.

　In the 28th minute, Tanizawa received a pass on the right side, skillfully turned past the opposing defender, and connected with Lucas, who was free on the outside. Lucas's early cross went past Hayu in front of the goal and flowed into the left area, but Tanabe, who timed his run perfectly from the far side, calmly slotted it into the goal. Tanabe, who also scored in the home match against Ehime, opened the scoring.

　In the latter part of the first half, Ehime launched a vigorous attack in their counterattack, but they were held back without losing focus, led by goalkeeper Shiota. On the other hand, Ehime's left-back Maeno received his second yellow card for a foul on Tanizawa in the 45th minute and was sent off. From the resulting free kick, Konno scored his first goal of the season with a diving header during stoppage time, extending the lead as they headed into the second half.

Tanabe and Konno Give Tokyo First Half Lead

The heavy rain prior to kick off had left puddles on the field, causing problems for both sides in the opening minutes. In the 9th minute Ehime forward Josimar held the ball up and midfielder Saito made a run from deep before unleashing a drive that beat Shiota, then struck the left post before rebounding to safety. Following that lucky escape Tokyo slowly began to connect their passes and fashion a rhythm as Lucas was brought into the game more.
The game had reached the 28-minute mark when Yazawa collected a pass on the right, neatly turned a defender and found Lucas unmarked on his outside. Lucas drove an early cross into the danger area, the ball evaded Hanyu's lunge in the centre but Tanabe popped up with superb timing at the far post to finish coolly. Tanabe, scorer of Tokyo's goal in the reverse fixture, had given Tokyo the lead.
Ehime exerted increasing pressure as the clock wound down on the first half but the Tokyo defence, with Shiota in command, maintained its concentration. In the 45th minute Ehime defender Maeno fouled Yazawa, received his second yellow card of the game and was sent off. From the resulting free kick Konno buried a diving header past Kawakita for his first goal of the season and doubled Tokyo's lead at halftime.

Without easing their offensive efforts, they scored a total of 5 goals and achieved consecutive victories.

　In the second half, Tokyo maintained control against Ehime, who were at a numerical disadvantage. In the 52nd minute, Kajiyama stole the ball from Ehime's defensive midfielder in the opponent's half. Although Tanizawa's loop shot from the through pass hit the bar and didn't go in, Lucas picked up the rebound and connected again in Ehime's half. Hanyu in the center passed to Tanizawa on the left front, ran onto the loose ball, and despite losing his balance, scored near the post to extend the lead.

　In the 60th minute, Sakata was brought in to replace Tanabe, who injured his left shoulder. In the 71st minute, Tanizawa's left corner kick flowed to the opposite side, but Takahashi chased it down and connected, and a cross from Hanyu hit the hand of Ehime FW Kan, resulting in a penalty kick. Lucas calmly converted it. In the 73rd minute, Uesato was brought in to replace Kajiyama. Even after scoring four goals, they did not ease their attacking efforts, and while precisely circulating the ball, Tanizawa received it in front of the defense, becoming the starting point for a wave of attacks.

　In the 84th minute, Tokunaga dribbled up the right side and delivered a shot-like cross in front of the goal. Substituted player Nagasato slid in from the far side to score a GOAL!! He scored his first goal in Tokyo, and the match ended with a score of 5 to 0. GK Shiota, who was worried about playing due to an ankle injury sustained in practice before the match, showed stable defense, leading to a smooth game and securing 3 points away for the first time in three matches, while achieving a consecutive win with a large number of goals.

　[Player Comments] {Konno} "It was a difficult pitch condition in the rain, but aside from the early scare, we weren't attacked that much. Although Ehime had a player sent off, we still maintained an attacking mindset until the end without focusing on defense. It was good that we were able to keep attacking until the end. The goal came when the opponent was already one player down, so I jumped in boldly. Tanizawa also delivered a great ball. We hadn't been scoring for a while, but when it happens, it really happens... that's my impression (laughs)"

　"Nagari" said, "I had a strong desire to score a goal in Tokyo, so I'm glad I was able to do it today. I came on when we had a lead, but everyone had an attacking mindset. I think it makes sense to finish strong rather than just let it end there, especially as we look forward to the next match. The goal came in a familiar way. It's close to a 'gotsuan', but being there is also part of my strength. Being in a position to score and being able to utilize that characteristic to net my first goal was really great."

　[Director Okuma's Press Conference Summary] "In the second half, we had a numerical advantage, and since the opponent didn't press us much from the front, we aimed for the third goal while keeping possession. Using the flanks to attack was something the team intended to do, but we struggled to create good opportunities from the outside due to the number of players in front of the goal and the timing. As expected, the opponent's defensive midfielder was solid, but I think we gained momentum by scoring from a cross. Additionally, we scored from a free kick just before the end of the match, which was a good timing. If the first half had ended 1-0, the outcome of the match could have been uncertain. We hadn't been scoring much from set pieces, so scoring from one will boost the team's confidence moving forward. We want to switch gears and approach each match as a team one by one."

　[Summary of Ehime - Ivica BARBARIC's Press Conference] "Regarding the match, the second half was completely collapsed, so if I were to analyze, it would be the first half. In the first half, against a strong team like FC Tokyo, we overall retreated too much. Especially the approach of the midfield line. We made an approach once, but when it shifted, it stopped there. Also, everyone bit on that approach, and the opponent either switched positions in one move or got past us. This created space, allowing the opponent to take many shots. We conceded the first goal due to lax defense. Then defender Maeno was sent off, and at that point, we were down to 10 men, and further conceded a second goal. The difference in quality was evident from the start, and being one player down against a strong team like FC Tokyo, I think the match was basically over at that point. FC Tokyo played very good football. I congratulate them. One very regrettable thing is that I feel very sorry for our fans who came in bad weather."

Tokyo Run Riot To Earn Consecutive Wins

With a man advantage Tokyo dominated the second half from first to last. In the 52nd minute Kajiyama stripped the ball from an Ehime midfielder inside his own half and stroked a through pass to Yazawa; Yazawa's lob beat Kawakita but struck the crossbar and bounced back into play. Lucas pounced on the ball and kept the attack moving, finding Hanyu in a central position. Hanyu's attempt to play in Yazawa on the left ran loose, allowing him to beat Kawakita at his near post and extend Tokyo's lead to three.
In the 60th minute Tanabe left the field suffering from a shoulder injury and was replaced by Sakata. In the 71st minute Tokyo won a corner on the left and Yazawa's effort reached Takahashi on the opposite side of the field. Takahashi found Hanyu who crossed and Ehime's substitute Kim handled the ball, gifting Tokyo a penalty. Lucas dispatched the spot kick with alacrity for his fourth goal in two games. Kajiyama then made way for Uesato in the 73rd minute. Despite being 4-0 ahead and having an extra outfield player, Tokyo continued to press forward, passing the ball around in defence before finding Yazawa who then led the charge upfield.
In the 84th minute Tokunaga raced forward down the right and drove a fierce low cross into the Ehime area. At the far post substitute Nagasato slid in to force the ball over the line for the first goal of his Tokyo career and the fifth of the evening. Despite sustaining a neck injury in the warm-up and being doubtful for the game, Shiota was rock-solid in the Tokyo goal as the defence dealt comfortably with the Ehime threat. The final whistle blew on a resounding 5-0 win, the first away victory for three games, that marked another three points in the bag.


Players' comments 
Konno 
"The pitch was very difficult from the start but even so, apart from that one early chance, they didn't really threaten us at all. Even though Ehime had a player sent off we didn't think about playing defensively and continued to attack until the final whistle. For the goal, Ehime had already had the player sent off and when Yazawa put a great ball in I just threw myself at it. I hadn't scored for a long time but when they go in, they go in!" 

Nagasato
"I really wanted to get my first goal for Tokyo quickly so I'm delighted that I got one today. We were already well ahead when I went on but even so we were still attacking. It's much better than simply running down the clock and gives us something to focus on for the next game. The goal was a kind of speciality of mine; although it was close to a tap-in getting into that position is my forte. It's very satisfying to score my first goal for the club like that."


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"In the second half we had a man advantage and since they didn't come out to win the ball we aimed to pass it around while we looked for a third goal. It was our intention to use the flanks but we couldn't really get the numbers in front of goal or the timing quite right and so didn't really create much from wide positions. As we had expected the Ehime defensive midfielders were strong so scoring from a horizontal pass gave the team a real lift, I felt. Then we scored again from the free kick just before half time, which was perfect timing. If there had just been a single goal in it at half time you never know what's going to happen. We don't seem to score many from set plays so getting one today will be a good confidence boost. We want to continue taking each game as it comes".

Ehime FC manager Barbaric
"Well, we collapsed in the second half so we should analyse the first period. Basically, we played far too deeply against a strong side like FC Tokyo, particularly in our approach to the midfield line. We lost our shape moving forward and then stopped; it made it easy for them to change positions or get past us, allowing them space to shoot in. Lukewarm defending cost us the first goal. Then Maeno got sent off and they scored from the resulting free kick. When you're two down against a good team like Tokyo and playing with only ten men it's always going to be difficult. Tokyo played extremely good football today. I feel disappointed for our fans who turned up in the terrible weather and would like to apologize to them"