Repaying the debt from the first half of the season, aiming for further consecutive wins at Ajinomoto

　The postponed Sec. 5 will be held. We will face Giravanz Kitakyushu at home at Ajinomoto. In the previous match, Hanyu scored two goals, leading to a convincing 3-0 victory. As a team, we have marked a total of 14 goals in the last three matches, demonstrating stable gameplay. However, since it takes time to score additional goals after taking the lead, it will be crucial to find a way to create a 2-0 situation to secure the victory. We want to maintain our running awareness and connect our first goal and additional goals through a solid defense and offense.

　Kita Kyushu, currently in 8th place with 37 points, has not won in the last 7 matches, with 4 draws and 3 losses. However, Coach Okuma warns, "We are sticking to our own style. They connect their passes well, and in the attacking third, they are decisive and pose a threat."

　Especially in the first half of the match, we struggled against the pressing from Kitakyushu's front line, conceding a goal due to being exploited from direct play. After that, we were unable to break down their compact defense and suffered a defeat. Gonda stated, "Kitakyushu thoroughly analyzes their opponents and initiates plays that are uncomfortable for them. Above all, in terms of unity and team cohesion, they are among the best in the league." Therefore, in this match, it will be important to respond resiliently to Kitakyushu's style of play while being able to outmaneuver them in various situations.

　It seems that the ability to make adjustments according to the situation will be tested, but this is a match where we want to assert a more aggressive stance at home and achieve revenge for the first half of the season. As night fell, the coolness increased at Ajinomoto. The match started at 19:04 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Tokyo Aim To Extend Winning Streak At Home

Giravanz Kitakyushu were the visitors to Ajinomoto Stadium for a fixture that should have been the fifth of the season. In the previous outing a Hanyu double had earned Tokyo a 3-0 victory, raising the goals scored total to 14 in three games, and showing further proof of the stable approach the side had developed. However, the time taken between scoring the first and second goals confirmed that a two-goal cushion was vital as quickly as possible to ensure the win. The team needed to maintain its awareness of running, allow no gaps for the opposition to exploit, score the first goal and then double the lead. 
Kitakyushu lay in 8th place with 37 points at kick off. Despite the side being winless in seven games, having drawn four and lost three, Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma issued a warning, saying, "They're sticking with their playing style. They pass the ball around neatly, are explosive in the final third and carry a real threat." In the reverse fixture earlier in the season Tokyo struggled in the face of the hosts' heavy pressing from the front, then conceded from a fast, direct break in the second half and failed to break down the deep-lying defence in a 1-0 loss. Gonda commented, "We've thoroughly analysed the Kitakyushu team and know what to do to cause them trouble. More than anything it's their strength as a team and their consistency that makes them one of the best in the league." Tokyo would need to surpass Kitakyushu in every department to gain revenge for that earlier defeat; an aggressive, attacking display with the capability to respond to changing circumstances within the game was vital. 
Tokyo kicked off shortly after 7pm on a cool autumn evening. 

Struggled against Kitakyushu, unable to capitalize on opportunities

　In the early stages, both teams tried to break through with their attacking football, applying pressure on each other and not allowing the opponent any freedom. In the 4th minute, Morishige's feed hit Takahashi, leading to a counterattack from Kitakyushu. FW Ikemoto had a shot from the right area that was saved by Gonda, resulting in a corner kick. After escaping the danger, Tokyo gradually began to take control of the game.

　However, they struggled against Kitakyushu's ball recovery and targeted defense, and it was difficult to create any decisive chances. In the 19th minute, Morishige sent a ground pass to the right front line, which slipped past the opposing DF's sliding tackle and reached Tokunaga. Tokunaga advanced and delivered a cross, which Lucas headed but went over the bar. In the 28th minute, Taneba's pass allowed Tanizawa to enter the area, but he was contested by the DF and couldn't take a shot.

　In the 35th minute, Lucas cleared a left corner kick from Kitakyushu. Kajiyama passed to Hayu, who initiated a dynamic counterattack, passing back to Kajiyama to Tanizawa in the right area. However, there was no angle for a shot, leading to a last pass to the center. But just before it reached Kajiyama in the center, it was cleared by Mukuara... Although they pushed forward, they couldn't create a decisive chance against Kitakyushu's concentrated defense. The match went into halftime scoreless.

Kitakyushu Ask Questions As Tokyo Fire Blanks

The opening exchanges were tight, with neither side able to break the deadlock. In the 4th minute Morishige's through ball bounced off Takahashi, allowing Kitakyushu to counterattack. Ikemoto played in fellow striker Oshima on the right of the Tokyo penalty area and Gonda produced a fine save to divert a low drive narrowly wide of the far post. Following that close escape Tokyo slowly began to assert themselves.
However, the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances in the face of the visitors’ pressure on the ball and well-organized defense. In the 19th minute Morishige pushed forward and stroked a pass out to the right wing where a defender mistimed his attempted sliding interception, gifting Tokunaga a chance to run in behind the Kitakyushu defense. Tokunaga crossed towards the penalty spot where Lucas made a solid connection but directed his header over the bar. Yazawa ran on to Tanabe's through ball inside the Kitakyushu area in the 28th minute but tight marking prevented him from getting a shot on goal.
In the 35th minute Lucas cleared a Kitakyushu corner from the left, allowing Tokyo to counterattack. Yazawa received the ball from Kajiyama and set off down the right wing but was forced wide and into no position to shoot. Yazawa cut the ball back into the middle where once again the Kitakyushu defense reached it before the onrushing Kajiyama and Mukuhara. Despite Tokyo's forward momentum and endeavor the first half finished scoreless.

Pulling away from Kitakyushu with goals from Mukuahara and Lucas, achieving four consecutive wins!

　In the 47th minute of the second half, Kajiyama showcased his strength near the right area and goal line. After keeping possession, his backward pass was initially intercepted by an opponent, but Tanizawa picked up the loose ball in the right area and sent a long ground pass to the center. This did not reach Lucas, who was positioned just in front of the area, and went behind him, but Mukuhara, who ran in to follow up, struck with his right foot. The ball grazed the defender and found the bottom left corner of the goal!! Mukuhara scored the opening goal with a decisive long-range shot.

　After that, Kitakyushu made substitutions, bringing in attackers one after another. They launched powerful attacks and intensified their defense, causing Tokyo to lose their rhythm at times. However, remaining calm in response, Tokyo also brought in Ishikawa for Tanabe in the 69th minute, aiming for an additional goal.

　In the 75th minute, while connecting passes and pushing the team forward, Morishige moved to the right front line. Ishikawa dribbled into the right area after a one-two with Hanyu on the inside, connecting with Tanizawa in front of the central area. Tanizawa unexpectedly delivered a superb through pass to Lucas in front of the goal with the sole of his foot. Lucas's precise shot slipped past the goalkeeper and found the net, scoring the second goal! With a flowing direct play, they pulled away from Kitakyushu and shut down their subsequent counterattacks. It was a tough match, but they managed to keep a clean sheet for three consecutive games and achieved their fourth straight win.

　[Player Comments] {Maku Hara} "(About the goal) I tried to take a controlled shot. It might have been a lucky goal, but it was tough in the first half, so I think I was able to contribute to the team. However, I am not satisfied with anything other than the goal. There is still a lot to improve in our attack. Especially in the first half, the opponent had one forward and overloaded the midfield, which made it difficult as the space was closed down. But now, if we can keep a clean sheet, I feel that our attacking players will score goals, and I can fight with that mindset."

　"Taniyama" "Although we ended the first half without scoring, there was no sense of urgency. It was important to win by the end of the 90 minutes. That was my mindset, and during halftime, everyone was saying, 'Let's stay calm and fight.' Regarding the second goal, I checked Ruukon's movement and position before receiving the ball. I made sure to pass carefully to avoid being offside."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Kitakyushu gave the impression of a tight and aggressive defense, more in the shape of 4-1-4-1 rather than 4-5-1, closing down spaces. In the first half today, we couldn't break through that. The decisiveness in shooting, the courage to take one more step in dribbling, and the emotional aspect were lacking. Regarding the match, the bold shot by Mukuhara at the start of the second half was very significant. However, in the first half, we managed to defend well as a team while enduring the opponent's counterattacks. I want to continue that defense while becoming more proactive from the first half in each match we play."

　(What adjustments for the second half?) Lucas was perfectly targeted, and although Hanyu was in space, he couldn't get behind due to the pressure. So instead of just going, I told him to come back in from the offside line and create two points of attack in the front line. Hanyu played faithfully, creating space and relieving the pressure, allowing the passer to be free. This also enabled us to attack the sides.

　[Summary of Coach Miura's Press Conference in Kitakyushu] "There were scenes of mistakes and missed passes that made me want to cover my eyes, but there were also plays that showed a very big heart. I believe we did what we could against FC Tokyo, which has solid strength and is on par with J1 in terms of stadium, players, and training facilities. Conceding a goal at the start of the second half made the match very difficult. However, we found opportunities to equalize. Compared to before we conceded, we were able to create more attacking time without looking down, skillfully exploiting the psychology that FC Tokyo likely possesses, which is one of the signs of our growth."

　Even in the remaining 15 minutes, the players coming on were of Japan national team caliber like Ishikawa, and Tokyo had ideas for precision in the final moments and the last pass. The way to utilize the front line and the vital area, as well as how to break through behind the final line, are areas we must also be able to do in the future. While fighting well, we must acknowledge the high precision of FC Tokyo. In the last three matches, the results have not followed, but I believe that being able to fight firmly against teams in the promotion zone while considering both the immediate upcoming matches and the long-term development of the team is important. The precision of individual players still has many embarrassing plays for a professional, but we must continue to grow step by step while facing embarrassment. Today, I want to overlook the bad points and focus on their good points to connect to the future.

Mukuhara and Lucas' Goals Kill Off Kitakyushu

The game burst into life in the 47th minute. Kajiyama showed his strength by dribbling to the Kitakyushu byline on the right, then attempted to cut the ball back into the middle. It struck a defender and fell to Yazawa, who made the same pass, aiming for Lucas on the edge of the penalty box. A defender's close attentions prevented Lucas from making contact and the ball rolled through towards Mukuhara, some 25 yards from goal. Mukuhara struck a low, first-time drive that Sato, in the visitors' goal, seemed to have covered until it clipped a defender's leg and beat the wrong-footed keeper on his right side. Mukuhara's alertness and sharp reactions had given Tokyo a precious lead.
Kitakyushu responded by making attacking substitutions and tightening their defence, preventing Tokyo from utilising the momentum gained by taking the lead. The side retained its composure though, then replaced Tanabe with Ishikawa in the 69th minute to inject some pace into the search for a second goal.
In the 75th minute Tokyo pressed forward with Morishige playing the ball down the right flank to Ishikawa. Ishikawa cut inside, played a neat one-two with Hanyu that took out a defender, then slid the ball across the face of the penalty area to Yazawa. Yazawa produced a delicate through ball with the sole of his right boot that was as deft as it was unexpected and bypassed the entire Kitakyushu defence line at a stroke, leaving Lucas with the ball at his feet and only Sato to beat. Lucas passed the ball into the corner of the goal with Sato stranded and a sublime team goal had given Tokyo the two-goal cushion they sought. The home side failed to add to their tally in the time that remained, the final whistle blowing on a hard-fought and well-earned 2-0 win, the fourth in a row and the third consecutive clean sheet.


Players' comments 
Mukuhara 
"I tried to keep the shot down. Perhaps it was a bit of a lucky goal but the first half was hard work so maybe it was a reward for the team. Apart from the goal I wasn't satisfied with my performance. I've still got some way to go in my attacking play. Particularly in the first half the opposition played with a single striker, packed the midfield and we struggled to find space. With the way we're playing right now though, if we can keep a clean sheet then the attack can find ways to score". 

Yazawa
"Even though the first half ended 0-0, we weren't getting impatient. If we've won after 90 minutes then that's fine. That's how we see it and at half time the general comment was to keep calm. For our second goal, I was keeping an eye on Lucas' position and movement before the ball was played to me. I played the pass trying to keep him onside".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"I had the impression that Kitakyushu play a system closer to 4-1-4-1 than 4-5-1, close down space and are proactive in defense. We couldn't open them up in the first half today. We seemed to be lacking a little courage to take on shooting opportunities or take an extra step forward in a dribble. In terms of the result, Mukuhara's shot going in at the start of the second half was very important. However, we defended very well today and I hope we can continue with that, then be a little more assertive going forward.
What did we change for the second half? They were firmly targeting Lucas and although Hanyu found some space their pressing was heavy and we couldn't get behind the defense. We told them to stop trying only that and to step back behind the offside line. Hanyu worked diligently, we found some space which relieved the pressure and allowed the player in possession time to make his pass. We had more joy with that than trying to work the wings."

Giravanz Kitakyushu manager Miura 
"We made some mistakes that were so bad I could hardly bear to look but at the same time we played with a lot of heart. Everything about FC Tokyo is J1 level: the team, the players, the stadium, the training facilities and against that I felt we did what we are capable of doing at the moment. Conceding so early in the second half made the game very difficult for us. Even so, we did create the chances to have earned an equaliser. If you compare the teams until the time we conceded then we have no reason to be downhearted as we created chances against a team with such a strong mentality as Tokyo, and that's sign of the development of the team. 
In the final 15 minutes Tokyo were able to bring on a player of National Team quality in Ishikawa and were able to produce accuracy and ideas in the final pass. Their forwards and the way they play in the vital areas, the ability to open up a defence: these are the things we should be aiming for ourselves. Even though we played a good game, we have to recognize the quality of FC Tokyo. We haven't got the results in the last three games and have to look at the next fixture with a short-term view, while at the same time taking a long-term view of the team's growth. In those circumstances I think we can take a lot of positives for the future from the way we played against one of the sides challenging for promotion. We have to take the individual improvement and the elimination of embarrassing mistakes step by step. We can gloss over the worst parts today and focus on the good ones for the sake of the future".