A crucial match that determines promotion! A battle that tests everything we have built up to this point.

　In Sec. 36 of the league, we face Gainare Tottori away. With promotion nearly secured this round, a draw or better guarantees a top-three finish, but after playing an extended match in the Emperor's Cup against Kobe, we face this game with only two days' rest. "Some players experienced playing 120 minutes for the first time as professionals. Fatigue is undeniable, but Tottori is under the same conditions. Physically, there should be no difference, so mental strength becomes even more important," said Coach Okuma. He added, "There is no doubt this is an important match for promotion, but we want to fight these next three matches to help the team grow even a little more."On the other side, Tottori currently sits 19th with 31 points. Although positioned low, "regardless of ranking, we have struggled against their style and high motivation," said Coach Okuma. Tottori will likely come with the goal of "taking the top spot," and they surely have the desire to play for their community at home. Among their squad are experienced players in J1 such as MF Hattori and DF Togawa. MF Minobu, wearing number 10, is considered Tottori's "face" and leads their attack. FW Hamed and Abe have the ability to score suddenly, so they must not be underestimated.Tokyo welcomes back Japan national team MF Konno. He played full matches in the two away World Cup qualifiers and has rejoined the team energetically. Meanwhile, Gonda has left the team to participate in the U-22 Japan national team activities. The starting lineup features returning GK Shiota, with Konno and Morishige as center backs, Tokunaga at right back, and Tanabe and Yanezawa on the flanks. Although preparation time was not sufficient, as Hanyu said, this match is a test and challenge of everything accumulated this season.So far, the team has been resilient, calmly observing opponents and making adjustments during matches. Judgment according to the situation will be key this round as well, and to do that, we want to maintain our work rate. Of course, we aim to secure all three points without giving up until the end, but since a draw also guarantees a top-three finish, the situation is favorable. We will not be overwhelmed by the passionate away atmosphere, nor rush, but confidently pursue victory with our own style of football. The match kicked off at 17:03 at Tottori Bank Bird Stadium with Tokyo starting.

Tokyo Face Key Game In Promotion Challenge

FC Tokyo made the long trip to Tottori to take on Gainare in the 36th round of games. Only two days after overcoming Vissel Kobe in extra time in the Emperor's Cup, Tokyo faced a vital game in their quest to regain J1 status, as a draw or better would see the side gain promotion. Manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "For some of the team it was the first time they'd ever played 120 minutes. Mind you, it's the same for Tottori. We can't do anything about the physical side but the mental side will be important. There's no mistake that this is an important game in the promotion race but we also want the team to show progress over the final three games of the season."
Opponents Tottori lay in 19th place in the league with 31 points at kick off. "Despite their position they've caused teams trouble this year with their playing style and their high level of motivation. I'm sure they'll be very keen to knock us off our perch and they're playing for local pride as well," was Kiyoshi Okuma's view on the opposition. Midfielder Hattori and defender Togawa both had lengthy careers in J1, while midfielder Sanenobu, sporting the number 10 shirt, was the face of the team and its attacking orchestrator. Forwards Abe and Hamed were both capable of conjuring a goal from nothing.
Tokyo welcomed back defender Konno from National Team duty, fully fit after playing two consecutive away games in the World Cup qualifying round. Gonda was absent with the Japan Olympic team, meaning a start for Shiota in goal. Konno teamed up with Morishige in central defence, Tokunaga appeared at right back with Tanabe and Yazawa on the flanks. The side had little time to prepare together during the week but, as Hanyu pointed out, the game was a challenge for the team to show what it had learned over the course of the year so far.
A gritty display, responding to the in-game situation was called for and although a win would be preferable a draw would ensure promotion, a comfortable position for Tokyo to be in. The side was looking for a confident, unhurried performance, not unduly worried by the fierce local atmosphere. The visitors kicked off shortly after 5pm on a cool and cloudy afternoon.

It was a difficult development, but Morishige scored directly from a free kick to take the lead and end the first half.

　From the beginning, Tokyo controlled the ball and tried to build attacks through passing, but Tottori defended with a formation close to a five-back, committing many players to defense. As a result, Tokyo was unable to create clear chances for a while. However, in the 21st minute, Kajiyama used his ball retention skills near the right area and passed to Tanizawa in the center. Tanizawa tried to evade the opposing DF with a feint and break into space but was fouled, earning a free kick just in front of the penalty arc in the center. In the 23rd minute, Morishige struck with his right foot on this occasion! He scored a brilliant direct free kick to the right, taking the lead. This gave Tokyo momentum, and in the 31st minute, Kajiyama dribbled past three opponents, connected with Hanyu and then Tanizawa in the center, and Tokunaga, advancing on the right side, unleashed a powerful long-range shot, but the GK saved it, resulting in a corner kick. In the 33rd minute, Tottori launched a quick counterattack; FW Mio broke into the area to meet a grounded left cross, creating the biggest danger, but Konno cleared it with a sliding tackle! Although a follow-up shot was taken, Konno cut that off as well! Tokyo also launched a spectacular counterattack. However, Tokunaga’s cross was met by Kajiyama with a sliding shot that hit the post in front of goal. In the 35th minute, Lucas headed perfectly from Tokunaga’s cross but was stopped by the GK’s save. In the 41st minute, Tottori MF Minobu broke behind Tokyo’s DF, creating a dangerous situation, but quick reactions from Konno and Shiota defended successfully, and the first half ended with Tokyo maintaining a one-goal lead.

Morishige Free Kick Gives Tokyo First Half Lead

Tokyo began by dominating possession and pushing forward but a near five-man Tottori backline prevented them gaining a clear sight of goal. After struggling to create clear-cut chances the game suddenly burst into life in the 21st minute. Kajiyama held the ball up just outside the Tottori area on the right before slipping it inside to Yazawa, who attempted to feint past a defender and into the box. Yazawa went down under the challenge, giving Tokyo a free kick in a central position. Morishige stepped up and smashed the ball past Kobari to give Tokyo the lead.
Tokyo had their tails up and Kajiyama showed great skill to dribble past three opponents in the 31st minute, before Hanyu and Yazawa set up the overlapping Tokunaga on the right. Tokunaga unleashed a fierce drive that Kobari palmed around the post for a corner. In the 33rd minute Tottori launched a quick break down the right wing, striker Mio darted clear of the Tokyo defence and attempted to reach a low early cross. Konno put in a superb sliding tackle to prevent Mio shooting and then leapt back to his feet to block a shot as the ball ran loose.
Tokyo then regained possession and launched a counter attack. Tokunaga raced down the wing and turned in a cross that Kajiyama met at full stretch, only for the ball to strike the post and rebound to safety. Lucas met yet another Tokunaga cross with a thumping header in the 35th minute, Kobari producing a fine save to deny Tokyo a second goal. Konno and Shiota were called on again in the 41st minute as Tottori midfielder Sanenobu darted through the defence, the pair teaming up to disperse the threat. The first period ended 1-0.

Victory with a total of 5 goals, including Kamisato's first goal after the transfer! Secured promotion back to J1 in just one year!!

　Just after entering the second half, in the 51st minute, Lucas received a pass from Hanyu just outside the area, took a touch, turned, and shot! The ball went into the bottom left corner, extending the lead with Lucas's skillful goal. In the 62nd minute, Suzuki was substituted for Tanabe, followed by Roberto CESAR coming on for Lucas. They approached the Tottori goal with a variety of attacks. In the 70th minute, a clearance from the opposing defender reached CESAR in the center of the area, and from CESAR's layoff, Tanizawa struck a powerful shot.

　In the 72nd minute, Uesato came on for Kajiwara. In the 80th minute, Uesato made a floating pass to the left front line. Suzuki, who ran in, picked up speed and brought the ball into the area, cutting back past the opposing defender to score a goal. The two substitutes combined to secure the fourth goal. However, Tottori showed resilience, and in the 85th minute, they broke through Tokyo's right side, leading to a decisive shot from central midfielder Okano. Although Shiota made a save initially, he was quickly reacted to by forward Fukui on the rebound, resulting in a conceded goal...

　However, in stoppage time, ZAGO rushed into the right area from a long feed. The shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, and Suzuki's follow-up shot from the opposite side was also blocked again, but in the end, Uezato pushed it in firmly, resulting in a total of 5 goals in a goal rush. They maintained their style of play until the end and achieved victory away. As a result, they accumulated 74 points, securing a place in the top three this season. They earned their return to J1 by their own efforts.

　[Player Comments] {Konno} "I am relieved rather than happy to have achieved the minimum goal of promotion this season. I felt a lot of regret for having been relegated to J2 last year, and I wanted to show good football this year to achieve promotion. Many people came to support us even away from home, which empowered the players and created an atmosphere like at home. Tokyo supporters are truly the best! This season has been a really tough year. There are many good teams and players in J2, and although we didn't get results at first, we talked and our unity improved, and I think we became a good team. It has been really long and painful. The travel has also been tough.

　This season, being the captain has been a good experience for me, and I think it has been a plus since I am actively trying. I have started to think a lot not only about myself but also about the team. I have begun to reach out to and care about players who are not on the field. Little by little (laughs), our motto is to 'get stronger and return to J1,' so I want to show the changes. Depending on the result of the match tomorrow against Tosu, we could secure the championship, so for now, I can only pray for that (laughs).

　"Hanyu" "(What was your feeling standing on the pitch at the moment of promotion?) I was really happy! Yohei was cramping and he was the third substitution, but he asked me, 'Are you okay, Nyu-san?' But for me, I really wanted to be there, so I said I was fine. In the end, I was also cramping a bit, but it was great to be able to play a full match after a long time. More than anything, I was glad to be there. Before the match today, the atmosphere was a bit tense or quiet. I think everyone had their thoughts. In that situation, I thought I should raise the mood a bit and talked about remembering the feelings from last season at Nishikyogoku."

　Last season, we should have been able to seize it ourselves, but we couldn't, and there were times we had to rely on others. That's why we talked about 'let's win it with our own hands!' Looking back on this season, there were various challenges as a team, but we have overcome them together. We have supported each other to get this far. I am grateful to my teammates, and I think it was a season where I could appreciate the 'connections' we have. (What about for J1?) We need to sincerely accept the results of this season and think about what is necessary to further level up. There are still many things we lack, and I want to take a solid step up myself.

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "The opponent has also changed their system. It was the same in the Shonan match, but they have been making adjustments. This season, we have struggled and developed the ability to adapt, allowing the players to make corrections on their own. The fact that they can respond to the opponent without needing much advice indicates that we have gained some strength. In a match where the outcome is uncertain, we have also developed the team strength to firmly seize victory and draw wins closer. The team consists of not just 11 players but 31, and I truly believe that our team strength has improved, including in the Shonan match."

　When Hirayama and Yonemoto, who were at the center, return, competition and unity will strengthen even further. In the remaining two matches, we want to work hard towards winning the championship and build our strength to return to J1. (Many fans and supporters came to cheer us on) They created a home-like atmosphere even in away games. Last season, we couldn't win at home, and it was very frustrating, but they didn't abandon us and came all the way to this faraway away game, which is beyond words. I can only express my gratitude.

　[Summary of Coach Matsuda's Press Conference] "First of all, I want to congratulate FC Tokyo on their promotion to J1. I believe we took on a significant challenge in today's game. We made some adjustments to our system, and rather than just focusing on FC Tokyo, we want to explore various possibilities moving forward. In that sense, we prepared for the game. There were many defensive situations, but we were able to create a lot of time to showcase our possession, which we are committed to, against FC Tokyo. In that regard, it was a risky challenge, but I think the players did very well."

　Although we are not yet at our full strength, this was a game where I felt we have great potential, and I want to improve our precision step by step to aim even higher. In the game, we were significantly outmatched by FC Tokyo in terms of one-on-one strength. I believe that was very evident in this match. We need to enhance the overall strength of the team while also improving individual skills. That was something I strongly felt during the game.

Uesato Bags First Goal As Tokyo Run Riot

Tokyo wasted no time in doubling their lead as the second half unfolded. In the 51st minute Lucas received the ball from Hanyu just outside the penalty area in a central position. The Brazilian striker deftly controlled the ball with his first touch, then spun and cracked a low drive into the bottom left corner of the goal. Suzuki replaced Tanabe in the 62nd minute while Lucas made way for Roberto Cesar in the 67th. Tokyo continued to attack inventively and it wasn't long before another goal arrived. In the 70th minute Cesar controlled a defensive clearance inside the Tottori area and neatly laid the ball off to Yazawa who hammered it past Kobari to put Tokyo 3-0 ahead.
Tokyo replaced Kajiyama with Uesato in the 72nd minute and the young midfielder soon made an impact on the game. In the 80th minute he floated a ball over the Tottori defence, Suzuki raced away then cut inside a defender and finished comfortably past Kobari. The two substitutes had combined to extend the lead to four. Despite the scoreline Tottori continued to battle on and were rewarded with a consolation goal in the 85th minute as Shiota made a fine save to deny midfielder Okano but was unable to prevent Fukui from reaching the rebound first.
As the game moved into additional time Roberto Cesar latched onto a long feed down the right, burst into the area and shot. Kobari saved, the ball running out to Suzuki on the left. Kobari again saved Suzuki's effort but Uesato was on hand to force the ball over the line for his first goal for Tokyo, and the fifth of the afternoon. Tokyo had been able to play their own game all afternoon and a handsome victory was the reward. The three points earned gave Tokyo a total of 74 and guaranteed a return to J1 in 2012.


Players' comments 
Konno 
"We've achieved our minimum aim for the season by winning promotion and although I'm happy I'm more relieved. We felt terrible about disappointing the supporters by getting relegated last season and so we wanted to play some good football for them and go straight back up. It was fantastic that so many of our fans made the journey today and they gave the side a real boost, making it feel like a home game. Our fans really are the best! It's been a long, hard season. The travel involved was difficult as well. There are a lot of good teams and good players in J2; we weren't getting the results at first but put our heads together and developed into a good team, I think. 
Being captain this year has been a great experience for me and trying things in a positive way has been a real plus. It's made me think more about not only my own game but the team as a whole. It's made me pay attention to things like talking more to the players who aren't appearing in games. Little by little we're living up to the season's motto of becoming stronger and getting back into the top flight. We want to show what's changed in our game. Depending on the Tosu result tomorrow we could be celebrating winning the league so we'll be wishing for that first".

Hanyu 
"How did it feel being on the pitch at the moment we won promotion? I was incredibly happy, of course. Yohei (Kajiyama) had cramp and was our third substitution; he asked me if I was OK and I said I was as I really wanted to be on the pitch for the final whistle. I had a little cramp myself since it was the first time I'd played the full 90 minutes for a while but I'm really pleased that I was on the pitch at the end. Before kick off everyone seemed a little tense and the mood was quiet. I thought I'd try to raise the mood and told them to remember how we'd felt at Nishikyogoku after the final game last year. 
Last year we should have been able to do it for ourselves but couldn't and were forced to depend on outside help. This time I talked about going out and winning it by our own ability, with our own hands. Looking back over this season various things happened to us as a team but we overcame them. Supporting each other has brought us here today. I'm very grateful to the lads and it's been a season that made me realise how important relationships are. 
What about J1 next year? We'll need to think about how to improve the team. There are many areas we need to work on and I'll be working hard to improve my game as well".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma 
"Our opponents changed their system, just as Shonan did the other week. We've suffered this year but now the players have developed the ability to make adjustments themselves on the field, without being given much advice. The game was fairly even for a long time but again the team has developed the ability to dig out or grind out a win. The team isn't just 11 but 31 players; I said this after the Shonan game and again today we saw that the team is increasing in strength. 
When Hirayama and Yonemoto come back that will further increase the competition for places and the overall unity of the side. We want to win our two remaining games and return to J1 in a stronger position than when we left it. 
Our supporters were incredible today, they really made it feel like a home game. Last year we hardly won at home and left them with nothing but bad memories yet they didn't abandon us and to see so many make the long trip here to support the team leaves me speechless with gratitude. There's nothing to say except thank you".

Tottori manager Matsuda
"First of all I'd like to congratulate FC Tokyo on their promotion to J1. We saw today's game as a real challenge for us. We changed the system slightly for this game but beyond that we're looking at various possibilities for the future. We prepared for the game with that in mind. We spent a lot of time defending but we were also able to enjoy some periods of possession. As I said, the game was a challenge for us but I felt the players gave their best. At the moment we're not up to the task but I felt it was a performance that showed great possibility if we can improve our quality in every area. In the individual duels during the game it was clear that Tokyo were better than us. We need to improve the individual ability of the players at the same time as we improve the team overall. I think the game made that quite clear".