Overcoming accidents, let's seize victory with a united effort!

　After a tough five-match stretch, November arrives with Sec. 34 Shonan Bellmare match taking place. We head away. We have not won in the last three games, leaving some frustration, but even as each team adopts “Tokyo countermeasures,” we have been able to create chances from our own style of play and feel some gains. From here, the last five matches bring promotion pressure, but without rushing, we will make adjustments for the next game one by one and steadily accumulate points. That is everything.From this round, Konno of the Japan national team is absent. Also, Takahashi and Kajiyama are suspended today due to accumulated warnings. Additionally, Tokunaga injured his neck during yesterday’s practice and is forced to miss his first game of the season. Therefore, Shimoda is urgently brought in as a starter for the first time, partnering with Hanyu in the defensive midfield. The center backs are Jade North and Morishige. Nakamura is at right side back, with Ishikawa and Tanabe starting for the first time this season on the midfield sides. The forwards are Lucas and Yanez.On the other side, Shonan currently sits 11th with 45 points. Their chances of promotion may be extremely slim, but their record so far is balanced with 12 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses. In the Sec. 13 match on May 22, Tokyo took the lead but Shonan showed resilience by equalizing in the second half, ending in a draw. This round is Shonan’s home game, and they will likely come aggressively to secure a win.In response, focusing on Hanyu’s balancing movements, we want to calmly assess the situation and aim for victory. The team situation is tough, but this is truly an all-out battle to challenge the “J2 final chapter.” At Hiratsuka Stadium, with light rain and dropping temperatures, the match kicked off at 16:03 with Shonan starting.

Tokyo Call On Squad To Deliver

With the demanding program of five games in two weeks behind them, FC Tokyo traveled to Shonan to take on Bellmare in the first game of November. Despite a lingering frustration at being winless in three and the special approach taken by opponents when playing them, Tokyo were still creating chances with their style of football and had plenty to be positive about. As the season entered the final five-game stretch and the pressure mounted, the key would be to retain composure, focus on each individual game and slowly pick up the points. 
Konno was absent, called up to the Japan National Team, while Takahashi and Kajiyama were suspended. Tokunaga had suffered a neck injury in training the day before the game, forcing him to miss a match for the first time this year. As a result Shimoda made his first-ever start for the club, partnering Hanyu in a double defensive midfielder formation. Jade North lined up alongside Morishige in central defence, with Nakamura at right back, while Ishikawa made his first start of the year with Tanabe in midfield. Lucas and Yazawa were paired in attack. 
Opponents Shonan lay in 11th place at kick off with 45 points from a W12 D9 L12 record. Promotion was probably beyond reach but in the reverse fixture in May the side had put in a gritty performance to equalise Tokyo's early goal and take a point. With home advantage they were expected to take an aggressive approach. 
To counter that threat Tokyo would need to retain their composure while adapting to the state of play. Much was expected of Hanyu in a central role, using his movement to control the team's balance. The side was in straightened circumstances and the squad was needed to take up the challenge as the final chapter of the season began. 
A light rain was falling on a chilly afternoon as Shonan kicked off shortly after 4pm. 

After a back-and-forth battle, the first half ends scoreless.

　From the start, both teams attacked each other, and the game continued with back-and-forth exchanges. At 2 minutes, Tanabe boldly took a middle-range shot. At 7 minutes, Shonan attempted a header from a corner kick, but immediately after, Tokyo also had Morishige jump in with a header from a corner kick. At 12 minutes, Tanabe made a move on the right front line, followed by Nakamura’s right cross. Tanizawa at the goalfront made a perfect header, but it was stopped by the goalkeeper’s save.Both teams launched quick transitions, and from around the 20th minute, counterattacks were exchanged. At 22 minutes, a pass from Tanabe to Hanyu was intercepted, leading to a Shonan counterattack, but MF Aziel’s central breakthrough was stopped by Shimoda, who then launched a swift counterattack from the defensive line. However, from a pass by Lucas who broke through the left front line, Tanizawa calmly controlled the ball near the area, cut back the opposing DF, and took a relaxed shot, but it just went over the bar. At 28 minutes, Ishikawa took a dribbling shot using his speed, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.At 30 minutes, Shonan’s right side allowed DF Kamata to advance, and the opposing FW’s movement to cross inside the area led to a shot, but Mukuhara blocked it with his body and cleared it to a corner kick. At 36 minutes, Tokyo launched a quick attack. Ishikawa in the center switched the play to the right. Tanabe smoothly dribbled past defenders, drew them in the right area, and made a final pass to the center. From there, Ishikawa connected directly to Tanizawa, and finally sent the ball to Mukuhara who had advanced from the far post, but it was cut off with a slight delay.Tokyo showed strength in ball contests and had space and time to circulate the ball, but there were moments when they faced Shonan’s energetic attacks, and they could not fully seize control. Still, with focused defense, they stopped Shonan’s counterattacks and ended the first half scoreless.

See-saw First Half Ends Scoreless

The game began in an open, attacking manner with play shifting from end to end. In the 2nd minute Tanabe tried his luck from middle distance. Shonan won a corner in the 7th minute, directing a header wide, while Tokyo responded by winning a corner of their own moments later, Morishige off target with his header at the other end. Tanabe pushed forward down the right in the 12th minute and laid the ball off to Nakamura, following up in support. Nakamura crossed and Yazawa met the ball with a powerful header that drew a save from Nishibe in the Shonan goal.
The sides exchanged counter attacks from the 20th minute. The home side intercepted a pass from Tanabe to Hanyu, releasing midfielder Adiel who raced straight up the field until stopped by Shimoda, who in turn instigated a counter attack from the Tokyo defence line. Lucas took the ball down the left and picked out Yazawa on the edge of the Shonan area. Yazawa took the ball neatly, turned a defender expertly but then shot narrowly over bar. Ishikawa showed his pace with a dribble and shot in the 28th minute, drawing another save from Nishibe.
Shonan defender Kamata made a bold break down the right in the 30th minute, racing into the Tokyo area before laying the ball off to a forward. Mukuhara flung himself in front of the resulting shot, blocking the ball out for a corner. Tokyo forged a fast-paced break in the 36th minute as Ishikawa took the ball up the middle before finding Tanabe on the right. Tanabe took the ball into the Shonan area and drew a defender towards himself before slipping the ball through to Ishikawa. Ishikawa touched the ball on to Yazawa, who in turn moved it out to Mukuhara on the far side. A defender intervened and the promising move came to nothing.
Tokyo were aggressive in their approach to the ball and enjoyed time and space to play in, yet Shonan's dynamism in attack prevented them from completely gaining control of the game. The Tokyo defence held firm throughout and the first period ended 0-0.

Everyone covers! With ZAGO's two goals, we pull away from Shonan and secure valuable three points.

In the early stages of the second half, they quickly created a play from the right side through the connection between Ishikawa and Nakamura. However, they lacked precision in the final play and did not score. In the 53rd minute, they launched a quick attack, with Ishikawa passing to Lucas, who was free in the left area. However, the timing for the shot was off, and Lucas drew the defender and returned the ball to Ishikawa in the center. But the shot from there was blocked.

　Unable to score here, we were instead pushed back by Shonan. Therefore, in the 60th minute, we brought in Roberto CESAR to replace Tanabe. The substitution strategy to counter with speed proved effective. Shonan also brought in the speedy FW Takayama in the 64th minute and the tall FW Tahara in the 70th minute, but in the 72nd minute, Tanizawa skillfully controlled the ball on the left front and sent a floating pass to the far side. CESAR dove in with his head to score a GOAL!! We took advantage of Shonan's gap and scored the opening goal with a passionate diving header!

　However, immediately after that, Hanyu was judged to have fouled Shonan's midfielder Nagaki as he entered the area, resulting in a penalty kick. In the 75th minute, this was precisely converted by MF Ajiel, bringing the score to a tie... Energized, Shonan increased their attacking depth and applied pressure on the Tokyo goal. In the 79th minute, from a left cross by Shonan's FW Takayama, FW Tahara struck a high header over the Tokyo defense, but it narrowly went to the left, avoiding a crisis.

　It became a hectic development, but even so, Tokyo transitioned quickly from a solid defense to attack. In the 81st minute, Nakamura boldly initiated a play, advancing into the right area with a powerful dribble. He sent a backward final pass to the center. César trapped it with his right foot, turned, and struck a stunning shot with his left foot!

　In the remaining time, including 3 minutes of stoppage time, Tokyo was pushed back by Shonan, and the line started to drop, but they maintained their concentration and defended until the time was up. Tokyo secured their first victory in four matches, pulling away from a persistent Shonan with ZAGO's two goals. Above all, the entire team covered well for the absence of players due to the Japan national team and accidents, earning a valuable 3 points away.

　[Player Comment]《Roberto CESAR》"It was a tough battle, but we were able to overcome it together. Personally, I've had limited playing time lately, and I felt frustrated about that, but I'm happy that I could express that on the pitch with a goal. The second goal wasn't with my dominant foot, so I struck it based on instinct, but I was able to score. I'm really happy to have scored a goal that helped the team."

　"As expected, it was a fierce game, and Shonan came at us with full force. It was a tough match, but we also gave it our all. In the first half, there were moments when we lost out to Shonan, but we made adjustments at halftime, focusing on defending in combination with Morishige, and I believe Shimoda picked up the second balls and controlled them against high balls. Then, with the strength of our attacking line and Cesar, we were able to take the lead. I think we all fought hard for those three points."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Just like during the five consecutive matches, today was also a difficult game that symbolizes this season. Recently, there has been a sense of urgency and a lack of sharing each other's strengths and trust among the players. Each player has their strengths and weaknesses, but it is important to trust each other and be patient with each other's shortcomings. I have always said that a team is not just 11 players, and the fact that we performed well today despite having many new members suggests that our team strength has improved as a result of our struggles. Since I took on the role of coach, I have continuously emphasized the importance of each match, and that has not changed. For the remaining four matches, we will continue to perform well in each game."

　Including the feelings of the rehabilitating players, I want to deepen our trust and fight through the remaining matches. (What specifically is trust?) For example, with ZAGO, there are parts like, 'Why do you lose the ball there? Why don't you defend?' When you get anxious about that, words like 'Why?' come out on the pitch. When we are winning, those voices don't come out, and there is an atmosphere where everyone tries to support ZAGO. However, when feelings of anxiety and the desire to secure promotion quickly arise, those kinds of words mix in. Regarding today, we shared and endured together. It's strange that we hadn't been able to score until now, but ZAGO scored a goal like today, and I wonder if this is also soccer. It was a match where the difficulty and the beauty coexist.

　(What is Ishikawa's evaluation?) I always wanted to start him, but due to his recurring injuries, I had to be patient. It was the same last season, but just when we needed him, Nao was gone. He brings a certain atmosphere and threat to the team. It's a joy that he performed well. Today, he also defended solidly, and his play was worthy of wearing the captain's armband. I want him on the pitch until the end of the season, and I believe he is a valuable player for FC Tokyo.

　[Shonan Coach Hitoshi's Press Conference Summary] "I think it was a very tense and exciting game for those watching. Although we lost, I want to believe we were good losers, and I must believe that. I gave the players quite a significant tactical task, and they executed it well, delivering a vibrant performance. Without blaming the defeat, I want to express my gratitude for their hard work. We have been fighting hard towards our goals since the beginning of the season, but we ended today with a result that we could not achieve. I feel responsible for that."

　(Did the feelings for J1 in Tokyo determine the outcome?) Perhaps Tokyo has the upper hand in skill. Even if the first half ends in a closely contested game, the gap widens in the second half. This is a meritocracy. Today at halftime, I tightened the screws, saying, 'We cannot afford to give even a moment of weakness to an opponent who is not easily deceived.' Looking back at the goals conceded, there may have been a foul on the first goal by the opponent. However, everyone stopped there, and we were caught off guard. The second goal came after we secured the ball with our bodies, but then we relaxed, leading to a somewhat careless play. This is not about blaming individuals, but rather a problem for the entire team. Without overcoming this harshness, we cannot rise to the top.

　It may have been a coincidence today, but last season in J1, there were many matches where we were easily exploited and ultimately it became fatal. Even though we know we shouldn't create gaps in a heated and tense situation like today, somewhere along the line, we became complacent and relied on the referee, failing to execute clear plays. When I think about Tokyo, in comparison, the opponent has fewer opportunities. I always tell the players that I strongly hope they can grow by feeling it in their skin. We must learn from our experiences.

Cesar Brace Earns Hard-fought Win

Tokyo began the second half on the front foot with Nakamura and Ishikawa providing the main threat by linking neatly down the right. However, the final ball was frequently lacking accuracy. In the 53rd minute Ishikawa led a fast attack, moving the ball out to Lucas on the left of the Shonan area. Lucas was unable to release a shot and instead drew the home defence towards himself before returning the ball to Ishikawa. Ishikawa shot but again the Shonan defence blocked the attempt.
Tokyo's failure to convert their chances prompted a period of domination by the home side that the visitors sought to break by replacing Tanabe with Roberto Cesar in the 60th minute. Shonan replied by introducing pacy forward Takayama in the 64th minute and towering striker Tahara in the 70th. Tokyo's substitution paid dividends in the 72nd minute as Yazawa skillfully took the ball down the left and floated a cross to the far post. Cesar met the ball with a diving header that bulged the net and gave Tokyo a vital lead.
The lead proved to be short-lived, however. Just three minutes later Shonan midfielder Nagaki burst into the Tokyo box and went down under a challenge from Hanyu that the referee judged to have been a foul. Adiel converted the penalty and the game was all square again. Buoyed by the goal Shonan poured forward and put Tokyo under intense pressure. In the 79th minute forward Takayama raced down the left and crossed, Tahara outjumped the Tokyo defence but placed his header narrowly wide of the post.
Despite the increase in intensity the Tokyo backline remained calm, defended heroically and quickly switched into attack. Then, in the 81st minute, Nakamura embarked on a surging run that took him inside the Shonan area on the right. Nakamura cut the ball back to Cesar who controlled it with his right foot before smashing it past Nishibe with his left.
In the time remaining and three minutes of additional time Tokyo dropped deeper under the tenacious Shonan onslaught yet maintained their concentration to successfully seal the win. Cesar's double had earned Tokyo their first win in four games. In the face of injuries, suspensions and absences the squad had come together to put on a fine performance and dig out three vital points.


Players' comments 
Roberto Cesar 
"That was a really hard game but everyone pulled together and we came through in the end. On a personal level I haven't enjoyed much time on the pitch recently which has been disappointing but I'm delighted that I was able to contribute with goals today. The second goal I hit with my weaker foot just as a matter of intuition and it went in. I'm really pleased that I could help the team with my goals today". 

Jade North 
"We'd expected a tough game and Shonan went for the win with everything they had. It was a hard match and we also played to the full extent of our power. We were losing out to Shonan at times in the first half and we tweaked things at half time, the combination of myself and Morishige in defence and Shimoda picking up the second balls following high balls into our box. And then Cesar and the attack won the game for us. It was a real team performance that earned the three points".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma 
"We've just had five consecutive games and today's match was another example of how hard this season has been. We haven't been at our best of late, a little impatient and perhaps lacking some confidence. Persevering has been the key. I usually say that the team isn't comprised of only 11 players and we saw that today in an excellent, hard working performance by a team with several changes. Since I became manager I've always said that the next game we face is the most important one and nothing has changed there. We're going to take each of the remaining four games as they come. 
We want to increase the players' faith in each other. What do I mean by that? Well, for example take Roberto Cesar. Sometimes we have to say, "Why did you lose the ball there? Aren't you going to defend?" If we're impatient, if we're hurrying, then we get the answer, "Why?" 
If we're winning then we don't hear that because the mood is different. We played a very patient game today. It's strange how Cesar hasn't been scoring recently yet produced two goals today; I suppose that's one of the mysterious things about football. The game was a real mix of the brilliant and the extremely difficult. 
What about Ishikawa's value today? I always want to put him in the team but because of his recurring injuries I've had to be patient. It was the same last year; just we needed him the most he wasn't available. He adds a special mood to the team and carries a real threat in attack. I'm delighted with his performance today. He defended very well and it was entirely appropriate that he wore the captain's armband. We want him on the pitch until the end of campaign as he’s such an important player for FC Tokyo".

Shonan manager Sorimachi 
"That was a very tense game and I'm sure it was exciting to watch. We lost and I suppose we have to be good losers but I don't feel like that. The players were set a great task tactically yet performed very well and I certainly can't blame them for losing. We've fought hard to achieve the aim we set for ourselves at the start of the season and which is beyond our reach now. I feel I have to accept the responsibility for that.
Did Tokyo's drive to return to J1 decide the game? Perhaps they are better than us in terms of ability. The first half was a struggle for domination but in the second half they were stronger; it's a competitive society, after all. At half time we told the players that Tokyo weren't a team we could fool easily so if a chance appeared they had to take it. Looking back at the goals we conceded, there was probably a foul in the build up to the first one. The players stopped momentarily and that left a space for the opposition to exploit. The second goal came after some careless play and a lapse in concentration. I'm not pointing the finger, it's a fault of the team as a whole. If we can't overcome these problems we won't be able to improve. 
Today was similar to many games in J1 last year where we made fatal mistakes that really cost us. Even with our motivation, the tense atmosphere and knowing we couldn't afford any mistakes we still relied on the referee and weren't decisive. You couldn't say the same thing about our opponents. I repeat this endlessly to the players because I want them to learn and to understand. They have to learn from their experience".