I want to make a good start to the three consecutive matches at National home.

　The league's Sec. 29 is being held. Hosting Yokohama FC at the Japan National Stadium. The team has won the last two matches with a large number of goals. In particular, they have been able to score in various patterns, including set plays, making it difficult for the opponent to focus on any one strategy. This is the first match against Yokohama FC this season, but they do not want to lose this momentum heading into the three consecutive matches starting from this round.

　In this match, Shiota, who injured his left ankle in the Ehime game, will be absent to take precautions. Gonda joined the team late after playing in the Olympic qualifiers on the 21st, but he has mentally and physically switched gears and will start for the first time in 16 matches since June 12. The field players will face the match with the same lineup for the third consecutive game.

　Yokohama FC, currently in 15th place with 30 points, suffered a heavy defeat in the last match against Verdy. Coach Okuma stated, "There are many good players, and we need to be particularly cautious of their attacking line." Forward Nishida has left the team due to injury, but this match will see Forward Miura and MF Fujita in the starting lineup. Forward Franca is also on the bench. We want to take care of the counterattacks and prevent them from easily advancing to the front line.

　In addition to side attacks, we want to be aware of depth in our offense and increase our variety through second-line breakthroughs. To get a good start in the three consecutive matches starting today, we want to take the lead with the first goal, seize control, and definitely accumulate three points. Under the refreshingly clear weather, the match started at 15:04 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. 

Take advantage of the set piece opportunity, and Kajiwara scores first!

　Both teams showed a cautious start, resulting in a tightly contested opening phase. However, in the 7th minute, Lucas became the starting point on the left side, Tanabe passed to Mukuhara who overlapped and brought the ball inside, delivering a low cross. Hanyu dove in at the near post to earn a corner kick. From this left corner kick, Konno switched the play, and Kajiyama's shot from the right area resulted in another corner kick. In the 8th minute, Tanizawa took the right corner kick, and Kajiyama at the near post connected with a powerful header to score a goal! They took the lead early in the match.

　After taking the lead, they launched a quick counterattack against Yokohama FC, exploiting gaps in their defense. In the 25th minute, they allowed both full-backs of Yokohama FC to advance, and a cross from left-back Miyazaki was headed back by forward Kaio at the far post, resulting in a scramble in front of the goal. However, they managed to defend it with focus. In the 26th minute, they initiated a counterattack starting from Tanizawa, with Hanyu making a through pass to Tanabe, creating a great opportunity, but the opposing goalkeeper came out just a bit too early and managed to stop it.

　In the 28th minute, Tokunaga's long-range shot hit the bar. In the 30th minute, Lucas created a chance from Hanyu's through pass. In the 34th minute, Tanizawa took a shot from a counterattack. In the 36th minute, the ball moved from the right through Tokunaga to Kajiyama, then to Tanabe who received it and passed vertically to Lucas in the center. Takahashi, who had drifted to the left, received the drop and aimed for the goal, but the shot lacked power and was caught by the goalkeeper. None of these opportunities could be converted into goals. The teams went into halftime with a one-goal 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! Scoring 2 goals with smart play, pulling away from Yokohama FC

　In the second half, in the 51st minute, Kajiyama moved up on the left flank and Tsuchiya made a direct shot, but the shot went over the top left, missing a great opportunity for an additional goal, leading to a back-and-forth flow. Yokohama FC made two substitutions in the 59th minute. With the entry of FW Franca, they aimed to regain their rhythm. Tokyo also brought in Ishikawa for Tanabe in the 61st minute. This brought some action to the match.

　In the 64th minute, a through pass from Yokohama FC's forward Kaio to substitute midfielder Nozaki led to a decisive shot, but Gonda saved it by grazing the post, resulting in a corner kick. Immediately after escaping this danger, in the 66th minute, a pass from Kajiyama to Ishikawa running on the right front line. Ishikawa brought the ball inside and, timing his move, passed it to the center. Receiving this, Hanyu calmly trapped the ball, evaded the opposing defender by a step, and struck with his right foot. The precise shot was absorbed into the left side of the goal, securing the second point!

　In the 68th minute, Kajiyama intercepted the ball from Yokohama FC's forward Franca in his own half and initiated a counterattack. From there, Hayu passed to Kajiyama and dashed forward. Kajiyama delivered a lobbed pass, which Lucas controlled with one touch, and Hayu, sprinting up the right side, struck a powerful shot into the net! With sharp passing work, Hayu scored a goal that showcased his true abilities, quickly adding a second goal and extending the lead.

　In the 74th minute, Sakata replaced Hanyu, and in the 80th minute, Uesato was brought in as a defensive midfielder in place of Tanizawa. The formation aimed for an additional goal with Kajiyama moving up a line. Despite the speedy developments, they could not secure a fourth goal. In the closing stages, there were moments when the resilient Yokohama FC created scoring opportunities, but they were helped by mistakes and managed to shut down the counterattack. They won 3-0 at home National Stadium, confirming their position back at the top.

　[Player Comments] {Hanyu} "(Regarding my second goal) I felt like it went too well, but I was able to shoot as I aimed. I'm very pleased. The third goal came from the movement of the third player running into the box. However, it was a result of Lucas and Nao connecting before that. I want to express my gratitude for the careful build-up that allowed me to get involved. After taking the lead today, I decided it was okay to let Yokohama FC have the ball to some extent. As a team, I think our judgment when the press didn't work from the front was also good. Above all, I believe it was great that we could discuss and unify our intentions on the pitch when the opponent's rhythm took over."

　"Kajiyama" "It's my first goal from a corner kick, but I'm happy that the team was able to win. In terms of content, both sides were cautious at the beginning. Yokohama FC had FW Kaique and Sho Fujita taking shots, but we also tried to use some longer balls to pick up the second balls, and that became a bit of a back-and-forth. At halftime, we were instructed to 'move the ball forward a little faster once we win it,' and we focused on that in the second half. When Ishikawa came in, I think that aim became even clearer. When Yokohama FC's FW Franca was on the field, we only had a one-goal lead, so I felt a bit uneasy, but I prioritized not getting scored on in defense. I thought it would be fine as long as we kept close, so I tried to take good care of that. It was good that we were able to score from a counterattack after that."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Yokohama FC's concentration was high from the first half, but our quality of crosses and set plays improved, allowing us to score from there. Even though the opponent's concentration didn't wane much afterward, our ability to endure that led to the second half. In that sense, it was very important to express our concept of everyone being involved in both offense and defense, creating numerical advantages by circulating the ball, and exploiting the opponent's weaknesses. I felt that it was crucial to firmly express those aspects and fight through the remaining matches. Without thinking too far ahead, I want to focus on each match, step by step, and concentrate on the next one as well. (What about Taniyama's substitution?) He cramped up. It’s not an injury issue."

　[Summary of Yokohama FC Coach Kishino's Press Conference] "We started today's game believing that scoring the first goal would be very important. However, we conceded a goal within 8 minutes. When FC Tokyo scored first, they gained confidence. That’s how it turned out. We managed to keep the first half at 0-1, but we had to take a chance at some point. At that moment, we failed to fully catch the opponent twice in similar situations, and ultimately failed to defend where we had to. It was a formation we had been cautious about. I think there was a difference in strength, but it wasn’t a match we couldn’t compete in at all. Perhaps we lacked more confidence and courage to move the ball at a faster tempo. We want to improve moving the ball more smoothly and approaching the ball more aggressively. We conceded 7 goals in the previous match and 3 goals today, totaling 10 goals in 2 matches. I feel sorry for our supporters, but the players worked hard to show a different approach from the last game. With only two days between matches, we will motivate ourselves again, prepare thoroughly, aim for victory, and celebrate together with our 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 defence and attack, that we move the ball around until we have a numerical superiority and then find a chink in our opponents' defence. 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."