National will be our home, and we want to start the three-game series off to a good start.

　The 29th round of the league will be held. National Stadium will be the home ground, facing Yokohama FC. In the last 2 matches, we have won with a large number of goals. In particular, we have been able to score goals in various patterns, including set pieces, making it difficult for the opponent to focus on our play. This will be our first match against Yokohama FC this season, but we do not want to break this momentum as we head into a 3-match streak starting from this round.

　In this round, Pred midfielder Shioda, who injured his left ankle in the Ehime match, will be absent to take care of himself. Gonda, who played in the Olympic qualifiers on the 21st, joined the team for a short time, but he has mentally and physically prepared himself and will start for the first time in 16 games since June 12th. The field players will face their third consecutive match with the same lineup.

　Yokohama FC, on the other hand, is currently in 15th place with 30 points. In the previous match against Verdy, they suffered a heavy defeat, but head coach Ohkuma says, "They have many good players, especially in the attacking line, so we need to be cautious." FW Nishida is out due to injury, but FW Miura and MF Fujita will start this match. FW França will also be on the bench. We need to be careful of their counter attacks and prevent them from easily bringing the ball to our front line.

　In attack, we want to be aware of depth in addition to side attacks, and add even more variety from second row runs. In order to start the three consecutive games from today on a good note, we want to take the lead and secure 3 points in this match. Under the refreshing clear weather, the match started at 3:04 PM with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Tokyo Looking For Good Start To Busy Week

Yokohama FC were the visitors to the National Stadium in Tokyo for the 29th game of the season. Tokyo were on a roll, earning high-scoring wins in two consecutive games with the goals coming from a variety of patterns including set plays, as the side also became increasingly difficult for the opposition to pin down. The visit of Yokohama was the first game in a stretch of three fixtures in a week and the team was keen to maintain the momentum with another win.
Shiota had suffered an ankle injury in the victory over Ehime and was rested, giving Gonda, fresh from his exertions with the Japan Olympic Team, his first start in 16 games. The side was otherwise unchanged for the third consecutive game.
Opponents Yokohama FC sat in 15th place with 30 points at kick off. Although the team had recently suffered a crushing 7-2 defeat by Tokyo Verdy, Tokyo manager Okuma issued a warning, "They have a lot of good players we will need to be on our guard against, particularly in attack". Striker Nishida was injured, his place taken by the evergreen Miura, with midfielder Yoshihito Fujita also starting, while forward Franca was on the bench. Tokyo would need to be aware of the visitors' threat on the counter attack and prevent them from moving the ball forward into dangerous areas.
Going forward, Tokyo would need to make use of the flanks and runs from midfield as they attempted to further increase the variety in attack. A bright start and dominant performance was called for, with the opening goal of great importance, as the side aimed to begin a challenging week in the best possible way by taking all three points.
The home side got the ball rolling shortly after 3pm on a sunny and fresh autumn afternoon.

Kajiyama takes advantage of the set piece opportunity and scores first!

　Both teams showed a cautious start, and the early stages were a close match. However, in the 7th minute, Lucas started on the left side, and Tanabe → Mokuhara, who overlapped, brought the ball inside and crossed it on the ground. Hayu flew into the near post and earned a corner kick. From this left corner kick, Imakawa changed sides and earned another corner kick from Kajiyama's shot in the right area. In the 8th minute, Kajiyama powerfully headed in Tanizawa's right corner kick, scoring the opening goal early in the game.

　After taking the lead, we quickly switched to an attacking style to take advantage of Yokohama FC's counterattacks. In the 25th minute, we allowed Yokohama FC's fullbacks to push forward, and left back Miyazaki crossed the ball to FW Kaio at the far post. There was a scramble in front of the goal, but we were able to defend it well. In the 26th minute, we launched a counterattack from Tanizawa's pass, and Tanabe ran onto a through ball from Hayashi, creating a great chance. However, the opponent's goalkeeper was able to come out just in time and stop it.

　28 minutes, Tokunaga's long-range shot hit the bar. In the 30th minute, Lucas created a chance from Hayu's through pass. In the 34th minute, Taniyama took a shot from a counter attack. In the 36th minute, Tokunaga on the right passed to Kajiyama, who then passed to Tanabe in the center. Takahashi, who was on the left, received the ball and attempted a shot, but the GK caught it without much force. However, they were unable to convert any of these chances into goals. The first half ended with a one-point difference.

Set Play Goal Gives Tokyo Early Lead

Both sides made a cautious start, battling hard to gain the ascendancy. In the 7th minute, Lucas engineered a move down the left with Tanabe playing the ball forward to the overlapping Mukuhara, who crossed low into the Yokohama penalty area. Hanyu flung himself at the ball at the near post, earning a corner. Konno moved the ball across the field to Kajiyama on the right and his resulting shot earned another corner, this time on the right. Yazawa stroked the ball in and Kajiyama rose to power a header past Yokohama goalkeeper Seki at the near post. Tokyo had a vital early lead.
With the visitors behind and forced to push forward, Tokyo looked to pick them off with fast-paced breaks. Yokohama attacked in the 25th minute, sideback Miyazaki playing a deep cross beyond the far post that striker Kaio knocked back into the danger area. The ball bobbled around prompting a melee, but the Tokyo defence remained calm and cleared the danger, instigating a counter attack. Hanyu played a through ball for Tanabe to run on to and for an instant the young midfielder was away, until Seki sprinted off his line to clear the danger.
In the 28th minute, Tokunaga pushed forward and unleashed a thunderous drive that left Seki clawing at thin air. The ball smacked the underside of the bar, struck the goalkeeper in the back and dribbled wide of the post. Another through ball from Hanyu allowed Lucas to create a chance in the 30th minute while Yazawa finished off a counter attack in the 34th minute with a shot on goal. In the 36th minute, Tokunaga and Kajiyama combined down the right and Tanabe, dropping deeper to collect the ball, played a vertical pass up to Lucas. Lucas knocked the ball down and Takahashi shot but the effort lacked enough power to trouble Seki. Despite their attacking intent and the number of chances created, Tokyo led by a single goal at half time.

Hanyu's true essence! Scored 2 goals with smart plays, leaving Yokohama FC behind.

　In the second half, in the 51st minute, Kajiyama's negative pass on the left front line was met by Tanihara with a direct shot, but the shot missed the top left corner, missing a great chance to add another goal. The flow of the game was back and forth. Yokohama FC made two substitutions in the 59th minute. With the entry of FW França, they tried to change the rhythm. In the 61st minute, Tokyo also substituted Ishikawa for Tanabe. This brought some movement to the game.

　In the 64th minute, Yokohama FC's FW Kaiho made a through pass to MF Nozaki, who came on as a substitute. Nozaki made a decisive shot, but it grazed the post and was saved by Konda, resulting in a corner kick. Just after escaping this dangerous situation in the 66th minute, Kajiyama passed to Ishikawa, who was running on the right side. Ishikawa brought the ball inside and timed his pass to the center. Receiving the pass, Hanyu calmly controlled the ball and evaded the opposing defender before taking a shot with his right foot. His well-aimed shot was sucked into the left side of the goal, securing the second goal!

　In the 68th minute, Kajiyama steals the ball from Yokohama FC's FW França in their own territory and launches a counterattack. From there, Hayabusa hands the ball off to Kajiyama and dashes towards the front line. Lucas receives Kajiyama's lob pass with one touch, and Hayabusa, who had run up the right side, shoots with speed and scores! With a sharp pass work, Hayabusa scores two consecutive goals that can be said to be his specialty, and extends the lead.

　In the 74th minute, Sakata replaced Hayu, and in the 80th minute, Uesato was replaced by Tanizawa as a defensive midfielder. Kajiyama aimed for an additional goal with a formation that pushed up one line. Despite the speedy development, they were unable to score a fourth goal. In the final stages, there were moments where persistent Yokohama FC created scoring opportunities, but they were also helped by mistakes and were able to shut out the counterattack. They won 3-0 at home at the National Stadium, securing first place in the rankings once again.

　【Player Comments】《Hanyu》"(About my second goal) It may have gone too well, but I was able to shoot as I intended. I'm very happy. The third goal was a result of the third player's movement, running to the goal and taking it. However, it was also thanks to Lucas and Nao who connected before that. I want to express my gratitude for carefully breaking through and connecting to me. After taking the lead today, we decided to let Yokohama FC have the ball to a certain extent. As a team, I think our decision-making was good when our pressing didn't work. Above all, I think it was good that we were able to communicate and unify our intentions on the pitch when we got into the opponent's rhythm."

　"Kajiyama" "It was my first goal from a CK, but I am happy that the team was able to win. As for the content, in the beginning, both teams were cautious. Yokohama FC kicked to FW Kaique and Shoya Fujita, but we also tried to pick up the second ball using a slightly longer ball, and it became a "battle" between us. At halftime, we were instructed to "carry the ball forward a little faster if we take it away", and we were conscious of that in the second half. I think that the aim became even clearer when Ishikawa entered the game. When Yokohama FC/FW Fransa was on the field, we were only leading by one point, so I felt a little uneasy, but I was thinking about not being beaten on defense. I thought it would be okay if we held on closely, so I tried to take good care of it. It was good that we were able to score from a counterattack there."

　[Coach Oikuma's Press Conference Summary] "Yokohama FC had a high level of concentration from the first half, but our crosses and set plays have improved and we were able to score from there. Even after that, the opponent's concentration was not easily broken, but we were able to hold on and that led to the second half. In that sense, it is important for all of us to be involved in both offense and defense, to create numerical advantages by passing the ball and to take advantage of the opponent's weaknesses. We felt that it was a very important game to express those things firmly and continue to fight in the remaining matches. We want to focus on each game, one step at a time, without thinking about the future. (Why was player Tanihara substituted?) He had cramps in his leg. It's not an injury issue."

　[Yokohama FC Manager Kishino's Press Conference Summary] "We started today's game with the belief that the first goal would have a big impact. However, we conceded a goal in the 8th minute. When FC Tokyo takes the lead, they can play with ease. That's what happened. We were able to end the first half with a score of 0-1, but we had to take a chance at some point. At that time, we couldn't catch the opponent in the same way twice, and we couldn't defend in the crucial moments. We were cautious, but there was a difference in strength. I don't think it was a game where we couldn't compete at all. We lacked confidence and courage, and we didn't move the ball at a fast pace. We want to increase the tempo and move towards the ball more. In the previous match, we conceded 7 goals, and today we conceded 3 goals, for a total of 10 goals in 2 matches. I feel sorry for the supporters, but the players did their best to show a different form from the previous match. We have another match in 2 days, so we want to motivate ourselves and prepare well to win and share the joy with the supporters."

Sparkling Hanyu Double Seals The Win

In the 51st minute, Kajiyama sprinted down the left and cut the ball back to Yazawa whose first time shot sailed over the bar. Tokyo had failed to take a golden opportunity to double the lead and the game then ebbed and flowed. Yokohama made a double substitution in the 59th minute, with veteran forward Franca attempting to alter the rhythm of their attacking play. Tokyo responded by replacing Tanabe with Ishikawa and the substitution proved to be an inspired one.
The home side enjoyed a lucky escape in the 64th minute as substitute Nozaki ran onto a through ball from Kaio and hit the post with his shot, Gonda scrambling back to force the loose ball over the goal line for a corner. Tokyo took full advantage of that piece of good fortune in the 66th minute. Kajiyama moved the ball forward to Ishikawa on the right and the substitute cut inside, timing his pass across the face of the Yokohama area to perfection. Hanyu took a touch, sidestepped a defender and produced a superb, arcing right-footed shot that cleared Seki's despairing dive and nestled inside the left side netting.
Two minutes later, Kajiyama dispossessed Franca inside the Tokyo half and launched a counter attack. Hanyu returned the ball to Kajiyama and sprinted forward as the latter chipped a pass up to Lucas; Lucas played a delicate cushioned lay off into Hanyu's path as he raced into the penalty area and smashed the ball low across Seki into the far corner. A sublime passing move had allowed Hanyu to show his true value to the team with two stunning goals in only two minutes.
Hanyu left the field to thunderous applause in the 74th minute, replaced by striker Sakata. In the 80th minute, Uesato replaced Yazawa and moved into a defensive midfield position. Kajiyama played further forward as Tokyo went in search of a fourth goal with some high-speed attacking play. Yokohama fought fiercely to the bitter end and fashioned a few openings but poor finishing denied them a consolation goal. The final whistle blew on a 3-0 win that propelled Tokyo back to the top of the table.

Players' comments

Hanyu
"For our second goal I felt that I'd gone too far but the shot went in just as I'd visualised and I was very pleased. I was the third person in the move that led to the third goal and my running got me into the area to meet the ball but it was Lucas' and Nao's interplay that created it. They opened up our opponents' defence beautifully and I'm very grateful. After we took the lead we decided it was fine to let Yokohama have the ball to some extent which was a good decision as it prevented us from being drawn into pressing from the front. Being able to discuss things on the pitch during games when our opponents have found a rhythm united our purpose, I think".


Kajiyama
"That's the first goal I've ever scored from a corner so I'm really pleased that we won. As for the performance, both teams started fairly cautiously. They were hoisting the ball up to Kaio and Yoshi Fujita and we responded by playing long balls and hoping to pick up the second balls. At half time we were told to move the ball forward a little faster. That was in our minds in the second half and after Ishikawa came on we were able to achieve it, I felt. When Yokohama's Franca went on there was still only a goal in it and the atmosphere was a little uncomfortable so I felt that defence was the most important thing and stuck close to him. That led to the counter attack from which we scored our second goal which was very pleasing".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Yokohama started off concentrating well and it was thanks to the improvement in the quality of our crosses and set plays that we were able to take the lead. After that we couldn't really break their resolve so we had to be patient and that paved the way for the second half. Our concept is that all players are engaged in defense and attack, that we move the ball around until we have a numerical superiority and then find a chink in our opponents defense. We displayed that very clearly today. It's important now that we continue to fight in the games that remain, not getting ahead of ourselves but taking each game on its own merits as it comes.
What was behind Yazawa's substitution? He had cramp. It wasn't an injury".

Yokohama FC manager Kishino
"We thought about how important the first goal would be in today's game as we started. Unfortunately we conceded after just 8 minutes. The goal gave Tokyo breathing space and so it proved. We somehow kept the score to 1-0 at half time which meant we had to go for it at some point in the second half. When we did they caught us out twice with similar moves as we failed to protect ourselves where we should have. They were moves we were on our guard against. There was a difference in ability but it wasn't a game in which we failed to cross swords with the opposition, I felt. With a bit more confidence and bravery, and moving the ball at a higher tempo we could have made something more of the game. We let in seven in the last game and three again today for a total of ten goals in two matches. I feel sympathy for our supporters, although the players did do their best to avoid another display like the last one. We now have only two days to prepare for the next game where we aim to give the fans something to cheer about".