Entering Golden Week, a match to stop the losing streak

　The league Sec. 8 will be held, facing Shimizu S-Pulse at home. In the previous match, they lost to Sendai, conceding 4 goals, resulting in consecutive defeats in the league. Nevertheless, Coach Popović stated, "In response to that result, we will not change anything. The important thing is to build our soccer step by step. We must maintain an offensive attitude and fight for 90 minutes without losing focus."

　However, during the one-week interval since the last match, Ohtake and Tanabe have been dealing with injuries and are adjusting with a different training regimen. Additionally, four players—Tokunaga, Takahashi, Ota, and Gonda—are participating in a three-day camp as candidates for the Japan national team, which means they will be leaving the team. While it can be said that the team is still in the process of maturing, we will try to do as much as possible and prepare thoroughly for this match. We aim to express what we have built up on the pitch and strive for victory.

　Shimizu is currently in 7th place with 12 points. This season has seen changes in the roster, and with injuries to MF Edamura, MF Kobayashi, and DF Yoshida, there have been fluctuations in their performance. However, they achieved three consecutive wins from rounds 4 to 6, gaining confidence. Shimizu also applies pressure from a high position, but they want to utilize the lessons learned from the Sendai match and focus on extending their own time without rushing. With the participation of Kajiwara and Masaru HASEGAWA, they should be able to stabilize the match, but the key will be how they can switch gears from there.

　In Tokyo, although Coach Ranko POPOVIC will be suspended from the bench, as Masaru HASEGAWA's suspension ends, Kajiyama will also be in the starting lineup after getting back in shape. Additionally, Kono, who has returned from injury, will be on the bench for the first time since March 10. Shimizu has also changed their lineup from the previous match, with FW Ito, MF Ono, and DF Yoshida starting. The match started at 13:04 at Ajinomoto, under clear skies, with the temperature rising as the game progressed, following Shimizu's kickoff.

Unable to capitalize on chances in front of Shimizu's press

　In the first minute, Hasegawa intercepted a Shimizu ball in midfield and immediately aimed for a long shot, showing his determination for this match. However, Shimizu also applied pressure in midfield, leading to a continued battle for the ball, resulting in a back-and-forth development. In the 13th minute, Takahashi on the left side of his own half switched the play to the right, and Tokunaga, who dynamically advanced inside Ishikawa, delivered a cross, but it did not connect with Lucas. In the 15th minute, from a Shimizu throw-in, a right cross was delivered, and forward Omae jumped in front of the goal, but it was defended without any trouble.

　In the 26th minute, Ishikawa was fouled and earned a free kick in the opponent's central area. However, Morishige's direct shot was aimed straight at the goalkeeper. In the 30th minute, a floating pass from Kajiyama in midfield found Lucas, who had broken free on the left flank. Lucas controlled the ball and turned towards the goal, aiming for a shot, but it went wide. In the 31st minute, Ishikawa on the right passed to Kajiyama in the center, who then passed to Tanizawa, who had moved up on the left side. They created a good attacking shape quickly, but Tanizawa's shot with his left foot, as he maneuvered past the opposing defender, went wide...

　In the 34th minute, from Tanizawa's through pass, Takahashi, who ran into the left area, sent a grounded last pass to the center, and Kajiyama and Tanizawa jumped in front of the goal but were cut off just before... and escaped to a corner kick. From the spilled ball of this left corner kick, Tanizawa, just outside the area, took a shot. It was blocked and spilled to the feet of Hasegawa in the front line, but the shot he took was weak and went into the goalkeeper's hands.

　Although they tried to take control and advance, they couldn't move the ball effectively against Shimizu's pressing. Towards the end of the first half, they were caught off guard by a counterattack from Shimizu due to a mistake. In the 37th minute, Takahashi's back pass was intercepted by Shimizu forward Jimmy Franca, who shot as he entered the area, but Gonda made the save. They did not allow a goal and went into the second half scoreless.

Shimizu, who had two players sent off, conceded a goal due to a mistake...

　At the start of the second half, Shimizu gained momentum. In the 47th minute, a foul was committed to stop Shimizu's left back Lee's advance, resulting in a free kick from the left side. This kick was headed back by defender Iwashita at the far post, just barely missing the goal. However, Takahashi cleared it at the far post, and Gonda immediately caught the ball to avert the crisis. There were moments when Tokyo was pushed back in front of their goal, but they maintained their concentration and defended, trying to establish their rhythm.

　In the 56th minute, Shimizu FW Jimmy Franca received a second yellow card and was sent off. After this, Tokyo launched an offensive. In the 58th minute, Takahashi aimed for a long shot from a drop by Kajiyama, but it hit a Shimizu defender and spilled into the right area. Tanizawa tried to connect but was offside. In the 61st minute, Takahashi passed to Ishikawa in the center, who sent a vertical pass to Kajiyama in the area, but this was also offside.

　Shimizu made two substitutions in the 67th minute, bringing in FW Takahara and Takagi. In the 68th minute, Lucas sent a cross parallel to the goal from the right flank, which Ishikawa connected with, but it narrowly missed as Kajiwara and Tanizawa jumped in front of the goal... In the 72nd minute, Ota's left cross reached Ishikawa in the right area, but the shot went over the bar... As time passed without capitalizing on the chances, Shimizu's MF Alex received a second warning and was sent off in the 73rd minute. They were left to fight with nine players for the remaining time.

　Tokyo tried to take advantage of their numerical superiority and attack, but in the 77th minute, Ota's pass reached Shimizu FW Takahara. They allowed a solo run down the right side, leading to a pass to central FW Takagi. FW Takagi moved in front of Hyun Soo JANG and struck a powerful shot... They conceded a goal due to a counterattack from a mistake.

　In the 77th minute, Kono was substituted for Tanizawa, followed by Hirayama coming on for Takahashi. Lucas played a bit deeper, with Kajiyama and Masaru HASEGAWA in the holding midfield positions. On the flanks, Ishikawa and Kono took their positions, first chasing a goal. However, they kept Shimizu pinned in front of their goal and pressed forward, but despite several crosses, they could not connect in front of the goal. In the 88th minute, Tokunaga shot from the right area but missed the target.

　Immediately after, Watanabe was brought in to strengthen the front line and press Shimizu, but... they were unable to deliver a decisive blow against a Shimizu side that had solidified their defense. They lost weakly, marking their third consecutive defeat in the league.

　[Player Comments] {Hirayama} "I was thinking of boldly entering the goal area. I don't think the attacking shape was bad, but... I want to fight with a strong determination to definitely score a goal. I believe I have made the supporters and fans feel very frustrated, so I want to make sure to seize victory next time."

　Hasegawa: "In the first half, we were targeted in the midfield, and we couldn't connect our passes well. In the second half, the opponent had fewer players, and we were able to circulate the ball, but... After Shimizu scored one goal, they solidified their defense in the center. In response, we aimed for the goal by breaking through the sides. There were crosses, and there were moments when we could advance from one-twos, but we couldn't create many situations where we could pull the opponent out and target the space behind them. I think Shimizu had a plan to win the ball by pressing from the front. So, we managed the risks and were conscious of the balance with Takahashi, but ultimately we conceded a goal, which is very disappointing. We always concede goals on counterattacks... However, we can't afford to be caught out like this anymore."

　【Summary of Coach Hiroaki NAGASHIMA's Press Conference】 "We are on a losing streak, but we aimed for victory at home by reflecting on our past mistakes. I think we did well in terms of targeting the opponent's weaknesses, making runs from the second line, and incorporating big plays like switching sides. However, it was unfortunate that we conceded a goal due to our own mistakes when we had a numerical advantage. But this is where it becomes important. It's still the beginning of the league, and with consecutive matches ahead, we want to continue working on our reflections. (Did you not initiate a power play after bringing in Hirayama?) The opponent solidified the center, so we wanted to break through from the sides. It was important not to miss the timing of the crosses. We brought in players not for a power play, but to score goals, although there were unclear parts in our situational judgment. That is our challenge.

　(What was the reason that even with players like Masaru HASEGAWA and Kajiyama on the field, we couldn't score?) It's not just because there are two players. The two shadow players from Shimizu came to suppress our defensive midfielders, and that was part of the countermeasures taken against us. In such a situation, we aimed not only to pass the ball to the defensive midfielders but also to initiate attacks from the sides, to stretch and shake the opponent, and to exploit gaps by having the second line break through from vertical passes. We have been training, so we are improving, but... I think we need to increase our accuracy.

　[Summary of the press conference by Shimizu S-Pulse coach Afshin GHOTBI] "We fought with nine players, and it was a very interesting match. I hoped we wouldn't fall below that. Throughout the match, we did not break our organization and did not give Tokyo any chances. We were able to create high-quality chances, and a goal was scored when no one expected it. There was not only a tactical aspect but also a mental one. Some people believed in God, and having faith is very important. The people of Japan showed their mental strength after the tsunami. For example, I think Nadeshiko Japan is also like that, and today S-Pulse demonstrated it."

　In the first half, our defense was good, but there were moments when we got anxious after winning the ball. We often lost the ball, possibly due to a lack of concentration when making passes. As we entered the second half, we adjusted by focusing on making simple passes while staying relaxed. We also talked about being patient in our attacks. In the second half, we were able to play well. It was unfortunate that DF Iwashita's header didn't go in, but I believe that whether we had 11, 10, or 9 players, we were the better team today.