The league matches have resumed! We want to start the five-game series with a victory and build momentum.

　After achieving six consecutive wins in official matches with a calm game strategy, the Emperor's Cup is now over, and the league matches resume. As we enter Sec. 31, we will face Fagiano Okayama at Ajinomoto. There are 10 league matches left. As we enter the final phase, this match marks the beginning of five consecutive matches. With a short interval between games, losing rhythm can make it difficult to recover. Therefore, this is a crucial match to secure a victory in the first game of the consecutive matches and gain further momentum.

　Okayama, currently in 17th place with 31 points, has not won in the last four league matches. However, in the Emperor's Cup, they defeated Thespa Kusatsu in extra time and advanced to the 3rd Round. With a formation of 3-4-2-1, their organized defense and quick movements after targeting the front line can be considered significant strengths. The unity of all players is evident, and while they struggled with their determination in the away match in the first half, against Okayama, the pressing in the front line and midfield did not work, leading to vulnerabilities that could cause difficulties.

　As always, depending on the situation, I want to differentiate between aggressively going for the ball and solidly forming a block to defend, so as not to let the opponent take control. FW Thiago, who is a scoring source for Okayama, and DF Stoyanov, who is a key defender, will be absent. Additionally, MF Kan will start on the bench. Tokyo has returned to the team with Konno and Gonda, who played in the Japan national team's World Cup qualifiers, and they will be in the starting lineup. Above all, it is a home game. We aim to surpass Okayama not only in individual plays on both offense and defense but also in spirit and fighting attitude, striving for victory.

　Clear skies at Ajinomoto. Under strong sunlight, the heat was also felt as the match started at 1:04 PM with Okayama's kickoff.

Tokyo Aim To Start Demanding Run With Home Win

Following a break for the Emperor's Cup the J.League returned with the visit of Fagiano Okayama to Ajinomoto Stadium. The Cup win over FC Kagoshima last weekend marked six straight victories for Tokyo, and with the side facing a tough schedule of five games in two weeks a win over lowly Okayama was seen as vital to maintain the momentum as the final push for promotion began. 
The visitors lay in 17th place in the league with 31 points. The side had failed to register a win in four games but had managed an extra-time victory over Kusatsu in the Emperor's Cup. The preferred line up was a defensive 3-4-2-1, with an emphasis on hitting the forwards with long balls and engaging support at pace from midfield. Tokyo had struggled against this approach in the first half of the reverse fixture earlier in the season and would need to maintain strong pressure from the front and in midfield, while taking care not to leave themselves exposed at the back. 
As usual, Tokyo would need to respond to the game situation, to win the ball cleanly and defend in blocks, and not to cede the initiative. The home cause was boosted by the absence of Okayama's top scorer Thiago, along with defensive lynch-pin Stoyanov. Defensive midfielder Kim started on the bench. Gonda and Konno had returned unscathed from duty with the Japan national team and went straight into the Tokyo starting eleven. A forceful, commanding performance was required to dispatch the visitors and set the tone for the demanding stretch of fixtures to come. 
Torrential overnight rain had given way to brilliant sunshine by the time Okayama kicked off shortly after 1pm in hot and humid conditions. 

Starting with Morishige's opening goal, Takahashi and Kajiyama added more points to widen the lead

　From the beginning, they dominated the ball with dynamic play and launched an attack. In the 3rd minute, Tanabe shot after a drop from Kajiyama to Lucas as he entered the left area. In the following 4th minute, Hanyu received a pass from Tanizawa, who dribbled up the right side, and took a carefully aimed shot after turning, but it went just slightly to the left. In the 9th minute, Hanyu advanced to the right front line and earned a right corner kick from a cross. In the 10th minute, the corner kick taken by Tanizawa grazed the opponent's defender and spilled into the area, but Morishige confidently kicked it in with his right foot, scoring the opening goal.

　Without easing their attacking efforts, they boldly aimed for a second goal, but in the 13th minute, Tokunaga, who overlapped, had his shot from the right area blocked by the goalkeeper. In the 17th minute, Tanabe persistently connected on the left front, and Taniyama, positioned in front of the goal, headed the cross but it went over the bar. As the time continued without scoring, in the 28th minute, Okayama's left MF Kobayashi took a looping shot from the side. The ball that Gonda let go hit the bar. In the rebound, Okayama's MF Sawaguchi was there to shoot from close range, but Gonda made a remarkable save with his reaction!

　After overcoming a crisis, in the 35th minute, Tokunaga's cross set up Mukuara on the opposite side, who brought the ball to a shot. This was cleared by the DF, but Takahashi, who followed up on the loose ball, elegantly turned past the opposing DF and scored with his right foot! The attack expanded wide from both full-backs, securing an additional goal. In the 41st minute of the latter stages, after a pass exchange between Hanyu and Tanabe on the left side, Hanyu delivered a floated pass into the area. Kajiyama ran into the goal area to meet it, evaded the opposing DF with his first touch, and scored with his left foot! They widened the lead and headed into the second half.

Morishige Opens The Scoring In Dynamic First Half

Tokyo made a lively start to the game, controlled the ball and were soon on the attack. In the 3rd.minute Kajiyama chipped the ball forward, Lucas knocked it down and Tanabe registered the first shot on target. A minute later Yazawa dribbled down the right flank before moving the ball infield to Hanyu. A slick half-turn took Hanyu past a defender and his spooned shot from just outside the area flew narrowly wide of the far post with Mago, the Okayama goalkeeper, scrambling to cover. Hanyu was again in the thick of the action in the 9th.minute, pushing forward into the right channel and earning a corner after his cross was cleared behind. Yazawa stroked the ball into the middle where it cleared the ruck of players rushing in at the near post; Morishige, unmarked on the six-yard line, thrust out a leg and directed the ball past Mago to give Tokyo an early lead. 
Tokyo continued to press forward. In the 13th.minute Tokunaga raced down the right, cut inside and unleashed a firm low drive that Mago tipped around the post at full stretch. Yazawa spurned another chance in the 17th.minute, heading over the bar from an unmarked position six yards out after Tanabe's battling run and fine cross from the left. The home side nearly paid for their profligacy in the 28th.minute when Okayama midfielder Kobayashi suddenly produced a deft lob from the left side of the Tokyo penalty area. The ball sailed over Gonda, struck the bar and rebounded kindly into the path of onrushing midfielder Sawaguchi. Sawaguchi struck first time at point blank range but Gonda was equal to the task, showing lightning-fast reactions to beat the ball away. 
Following that narrow escape, Tokyo continued to forge ahead. In the 35th.minute Tokunaga crossed, a defender cleared the ball out and Mukuhara lashed it goalwards from the left. Again a defender blocked the ball away. Takahashi used his strength and speed to reach the loose ball ahead of an Okayama player, then produced a sublime turn to create some room before swiveling and driving a low shot beyond Mago and into the far corner of the net. Both side backs had been involved in a sweeping move that earned Tokyo a two-goal cushion. As half time approached Tokyo extended their lead to three with another expertly taken goal. Tanabe and Hanyu exchanged passes down the left before the latter spotted Kajiyama's run towards the Okayama penalty area and chipped the ball forward. Kajiyama took the ball down neatly with the inside of his right boot, shifting it across his body and throwing a defender off balance in one deft movement before rifling the ball hard and low across Mago and into the corner. Tokyo entered the half time break with a comfortable 3-0 lead. 

Despite struggling against Okayama's purposeful soccer, we achieved our first league six consecutive wins of the season!

　In the early stages of the second half, a decisive moment was created. In the 53rd minute, Mukuara intercepted the ball in his own half. After exchanging passes and receiving a return, he advanced into the opponent's territory with a dribble and sent a final pass to Tanabe, who was free and following up. Tanabe relaxed and took a carefully aimed shot, but the ball grazed the crossbar and went out... They missed a crucial chance. In the 58th minute, Ishikawa was brought in to replace Hanyu. Tanizawa took the center position as they aimed for a fourth goal.

　However, they were unable to create effective chances. In the 59th minute, Okayama's left-side MF Seno was persistent near the goal line, and after a drop from left MF Kobayashi, a shot was taken by the holding midfielder Chiaki, which allowed Okayama to gain some rhythm. Therefore, in the 67th minute, Sakata was brought in for Tanabe, and in the 71st minute, Roberto CESAR was substituted for Lucas. They tried to utilize the speed in the front line, but perhaps due to the heat, the lines stretched out, and they often ended up with isolated attacks instead of continuous ones.

　In the 72nd minute, from a free kick, Ishikawa delivered a short and sharp left cross. Konno at the far post headed it just past the post, hitting the side netting. Conversely, Okayama started to connect passes and advanced into the goal area more frequently. In the 83rd minute, Okayama's MF Sengoku made a through pass into the right area. MF Sawaguchi made a run and was about to shoot from close range, but Gonda made a quick dive to save it with his body.

　Unable to clear Okayama's free kick even in stoppage time, a quick reaction shot was taken by midfielder Sawaguchi in the area, but Gonda made the save and the time was up. The league has achieved its first six consecutive wins this season with five matches in a row without conceding a goal.

　[Player Comments] {Takahashi} "(Regarding the goal) I was conscious of aiming for the loose ball. The opponent's reaction was quick, so I turned to take the opposite direction and focused on striking quickly below the knee. Scoring the second goal helped us maintain our rhythm longer, so I think it was good."

　"Morishige" "As a DF, the first priority is to prevent goals. However, if we can score from set pieces, it becomes easier. It was good that we were able to score there."

　Kajiyama: "(Regarding the goal) When Hanyu turned to face forward, the opponent was closing in. There was a similar scene in the Emperor's Cup, and that image stayed with me, so I ran up to the goal. A good pass came, and I was able to skillfully evade the opponent with my first touch and take the shot."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Okayama can become a five-top during attacks and a five-back during defense. Their style of play has not changed from before. There were some moments of marking errors and situations where we allowed the opponent to take advantage, but in the first half, we were able to play the soccer we aimed for. The starting players did well, but in the second half, despite the opponent showing signs of fatigue and space opening up, we were unable to play good soccer. We need to reflect on that. When it becomes 3-0, I understand that the mindset can shift to defense. However, if we allow the opponent to create chances from our mistakes or fail to establish rhythm, we won't improve. There were many such scenes in the second half. Not every match will go as smoothly as today, so we need to thoroughly consider player combinations and also work on reducing unnecessary mistakes in practice.

　(About Okayama) There were instructions to make big switches and to take space between the DF. In response, we also made sure to be careful not to allow switches. The intention to break through with bold attacks while taking space between the DF was conveyed, starting from orthodox switches. As expected, when we allowed them to be free in the second half, they created decisive moments. We want to continue to improve together in the future.

　[Summary of Coach Kageyama's Press Conference] "Every team will face a tough schedule with five consecutive matches starting today. In the first game, we are up against FC Tokyo, who are currently at the top in terms of ability, results, and performance in J2, and we talked about approaching this as challengers. I have to admit that there was indeed a difference in strength reflected in the result. However, regarding the goals conceded, I believe there were also aspects of our own mistakes. Of course, there were other decisive moments created, but there were goals that could have been prevented. Even though we had two players against one opponent, we couldn't stop them. In those areas, it is possible to stop them through communication and perseverance. I want the players themselves to be able to refine the finer details."

　Although we conceded three goals in the first half, we fought hard against FC Tokyo in the second half. Creating several chances is a positive aspect. Although time is limited, I want to focus on improving both individually and as a team with each match, and fight hard for the remainder of the season. Especially since we can play three consecutive matches at home with strong supporters, I want to achieve good results there.

Tokyo Hold Off Gritty Okayama To Earn Sixth Straight Win

The home side began the second half as they had finished the first. In the 53rd minute Mukuhara intercepted the ball in midfield, exchanged passes and strode forward before laying it off to Tanabe, following up behind. Tanabe picked his spot but saw his carefully aimed shot clip the crossbar. Ishikawa replaced Hanyu in the 58th minute, with Yazawa switching to a more central position in the midfield three.
Even so, Tokyo struggled to create clear cut chances. In the 59th minute Okayama left-sided midfielder Usui took the ball to the Tokyo byline and cut it back for Kobayashi to knock down and create a shooting chance for defensive midfielder Chiaki. The visitors began to find a rhythm, prompting Tokyo to replace Tanabe with Sakata and Lucas with Roberto Cesar. Using their speed in attack was the intention but the heat began to take its toll, causing the side to lose its shape and attacks to peter out.
In the 72nd minute Ishikawa struck a fast, wickedly curling cross to the far post where Konno came in behind the last defender and got his head to the ball but was only able to direct it into the side netting. Okayama drew closer to the Tokyo goal and threatened in the 83rd minute as midfielder Sengoku played a pass through the Tokyo defence to Sawaguchi. Gonda was quickly off his line to block Sawaguchi's point-blank shot with his body.
Gonda pulled off his third superb save of the game in additional time as the Tokyo defence failed to clear a free kick and the loose ball fell to Sawaguchi. The final whistle blew moments later. Tokyo had earned their fifth consecutive clean sheet and their sixth consecutive win.


Players' comments 
Takahashi 
"I was looking to take advantage of loose balls. The opposition player was fast so I took the ball the other way, pulled it back quickly and shot. It was the second goal and came at a good time when our rhythm was getting stretched so I was pleased." 

Morishige
"As a defender the most important thing is keeping a clean sheet. However, if we can score from set plays it makes the game a whole lot easier. It was great that we scored from that position".

Kajiyama
"For the goal, when Hanyu had the ball and was moving forward I had a defender sticking to me. Exactly the same thing happened in the Emperor's Cup last week so the image was still fresh in my mind. I made the run forward, Hanyu played a great ball and I got a good first touch to take it away from the defender, then slotted it into the corner".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma 
"When Okayama attack they push five men forward and when they defend they put five at the back. They haven't changed that system at all. On occasions we lost our marking and they nearly made us pay but in general we achieved the kind of game we intended in the first half. The players who started the game did well but in the second half when our opponents began to tire we weren't able to take advantage of the space that created or play particularly well. That's something we have to think about. I understand that when you're 3-0 up you start to think a little more defensively. Even so, our own mistakes led to chances for the opposition and if we can't create our own rhythm then we won't improve. I had that impression a lot in the second half. Games don't always go as smoothly as today's so we need some consistency from the groupings of players selected. We also need to work harder in training to reduce the number of unneccessary mistakes. 
The Okayama bench was telling the team to change the play from side to side and to get between our defenders. We were trying to stop them from switching the play from wing to wing. We told the players to try orthodox side changes, to attack boldly and open them up by splitting their defence. Even so, they still created clear cut chances. We have to continue to learn from here on".

Okayama manager Kageyama 
"From today there are five games in two weeks and that's a tough schedule for any side. Having to play the first match of that stretch away to the best team in the league is a challenge and that's how I told the team to approach the fixture, as challengers. Looking at the result though, we have no choice but to concede the difference in quality of the two sides. Regarding the goals we conceded, you could say they were inevitable but we also made mistakes. They created other good openings as well but the goals were defendable. We had two of our players against one of theirs but we still couldn't stop them. Maybe it's possible to stop them with more grit and better communication. I want the players to think this through in details for themselves. 
Although we let in three in the first half we put in a tenacious performance in the second. That's a positive, as is the number of chances we created. There's no time between games now for details but we want the players and team to give it their best to develope as far as they can from now to the end of the season. We have three home games coming up in front of our very vocal supporters and hope to produce good results in those matches".