On the verge of 150 wins in J1, a victory to wash away the disappointment of the previous match at home

　Sec. 15 of the league will be held, facing Cerezo Osaka at home. In the previous match against Yokohama FM, we were unable to showcase our Tokyo style, ending with only three shots and suffering a defeat. Additionally, Ota, who injured his right foot, will be out for a long time. At the same time, Ishikawa is experiencing discomfort in his calf, and Shiota has injured his left ankle, both opting to sit out for precautionary reasons. It is a tough situation, but we will unite to overcome this challenge and aim for victory by returning to our style of football.

　C Osaka currently has 17 points and is in 14th place. Under the new manager Sergio SOARES, they continue to advocate for an attacking style of football this season. The attacking lineup, including wingers Kiyotake and Kim Bokyung, as well as forwards Kempes and Kakita, is formidable and requires significant caution. However, they have scored a total of 17 goals while conceding 19, resulting in a goal difference of minus 2.

　Gonda said, "If C Osaka can't find their rhythm, it will create a situation where the front line and defense are disconnected. It seems they conceded four goals from counterattacks in the Hiroshima match, but we want to stick to our style of football, value our possession, and secure the win." We aim to dominate possession and force C Osaka's attacking players into defense. This match is crucial to shake off the disappointing defeat from the previous game, and we are just one win away from our 150th victory in the J1 League. We want to achieve victory at home with an aggressive style of football that represents Tokyo.

　Tokyo saw Kaga starting for the first time since the ACL match against Beijing on April 4, and Tanabe making his appearance for the first time since the match against Hiroshima on March 31, both named in the starting lineup. Lucas was deployed at the top, with Tokunaga as the right side back and Mukuhara on the left. Despite the humidity exceeding 70 percent, the match started at 18:04 with C Osaka's kickoff in pleasant weather.

Take control and fend off C Osaka's counterattack opportunities

　Entering the match with focus, Tokyo took control from the early stages. In the 2nd minute, they launched a speedy attack with Tanabe on the left, Kajiyama in the center, and Tanizawa on the right side delivering a cross. In the 5th minute, Kajiyama broke through the right flank, passing to Tokunaga, who then sent a lobbed pass to Hasegawa, who had made a run into the area. In the 12th minute, from Morishige's feed, Tokunaga broke through to a high position and delivered a cross. Although they did not shake the net, they displayed a well-aimed attacking shape.

　In the 17th minute, Lucas pressured the opposing DF and made a cut in the left area. Kajiyama rushed in on the negative pass sent to the center, but it was deflected for a corner kick. In the 19th minute, Takahashi made a long pass from his own half. Tanizawa made a run to meet it but couldn't control it at his feet. In the 26th minute, Lucas received a vertical pass from Hasegawa in the center of the area. The trap was high, and he ended up competing with the opposing DF, but he picked up the loose ball and shot from directly in front of the goal! However, he was blocked by the GK, missing the chance...

　Immediately after that, C Osaka created a scoring opportunity. In the 30th minute, from a through pass by the defensive midfielder Oyanahara, MF Kim Bokyung broke into the right area and sent a final pass to the center. FW Kakita ran in here, but the timing was slightly off... and they escaped the danger.

　In the 35th minute, Tokyo suffered a counterattack due to a passing mistake, with C Osaka MF Kiyotake finding MF Kim Bokyung free on the right flank. In response, Gonda rushed out to cut off the angle, and the ball was intercepted by Morishige. It was a decisive moment, but they were saved by a miscommunication from C Osaka, resulting in a corner kick. In the 43rd minute, the team pushed forward, and Kaga aimed for a powerful low shot from distance, but the goalkeeper made a save. They earned a corner kick, but from there, they were quickly countered, and C Osaka FW Kakita shot from close range to DF Takahashi, who had moved into the left area, but Gonda made the save!

　Tokyo maintained control but was unable to attack effectively, resulting in sharp counterattacks from C Osaka. However, thanks to Gonda's repeated excellent saves, the first half ended scoreless.

Hasegawa takes the lead! Lucas scores an additional goal, shutting down the counterattack.

　At the start of the second half, C Osaka's momentum increased. In the 49th minute, Tokyo's corner kick was cleared, leading to a well-executed counterattack. In the 56th minute, Tokunaga's cross was cleared, and C Osaka FW Kakita collected the ball, with FW Kempes aiming for the goal from the left side. Then, in the 58th minute, Kajiyama injured his foot and was forced to substitute. As a result, Yonemoto was brought in as a defensive midfielder. Hasegawa was moved up a line, and without panicking, they aimed to regain possession with solid defense and advance the ball forward.

　In the 59th minute, a pass reached the free midfielder Kim Bokyung in the left area of C Osaka, creating a crisis, but they were saved by a mistake. Immediately after, in the 60th minute, Tokunaga dribbled forward towards the center and passed to Hasegawa near the right front line from Tanabe on the outside. He brought it inside and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from near the right corner of the penalty arc! The shot, aimed perfectly, found the far corner, scoring the opening goal.

　C Osaka also launched a counterattack, leading to a tense development, but in the 76th minute, Tanizawa held on at the right front line and earned a throw-in. The C Osaka DF cleared this right throw-in, but it was passed to Takahashi just in front of the right area, who headed it to the center of the area. Tanabe received it and sent a direct pass to Lucas, who had slipped behind the DF, and Lucas calmly pierced the net for the GOAL!!

　C Osaka, trailing by 2 goals, aimed for the Tokyo DF's back in the 86th minute. C Osaka FW Nagai broke through to meet a long pass, facing Gonda one-on-one. However, Gonda saved the decisive shot with one foot! In the 88th minute, MF Ogiwara took a shot from a direct free kick. In stoppage time, FW Kakitani shot from a throw-in rebound... they pressed for a goal until the end, but all attempts went off target. Although helped by C Osaka's mistakes, they maintained their aggression in both offense and defense, keeping the score at zero and securing the victory! This marked their 150th win in J1.

　[Player Comment] {HASEGAWA} "In the last match, I couldn't do anything, so I was thinking of playing aggressively. (The goal came right after I changed position to attacking midfielder, right?) The work doesn't change much even as an attacking midfielder. I get closer to the goal, but even when I was a defensive midfielder, I was actively aiming to get in front of the goal. (Was it a shot like the one in the ACL match against Beijing?) I think it was a better goal than the one in the Beijing match (laughs). Overall, we were able to circulate the ball today and create attacking shapes. Since we had more players forward, we ended up being countered by the players left in C Osaka's front line, but within that, I was able to score first, which allowed me to think positively, and I believe it was a victory for the team."

　"Lucas" "C Osaka is also a good team, and it was a game where either side could have won. The goal came from a pass by Tanabe, just on the edge of offside, and I was able to finish calmly. I'm really happy to have scored, but more than anything, I'm happiest that the whole team was able to win. However, until now, I had been in matches where I couldn't take shots, but today I had several chances to shoot. Of course, scoring is the most important, but I don't think it was bad."

　[Summary of Coach Popovic's Press Conference] "I think it was a match where both teams played an attacking and attractive style of football, satisfying the spectators. Continuing to have such matches will likely encourage more fans and supporters to come to the stadium. Today, we started the match well, took control from the beginning, connected our passes, and maintained a high defensive line. We were able to showcase what we have been working on. However, it is also true that we were countered due to mistakes, allowing the opponent to create several decisive situations. This happens because we maintain a high line, which gives a lot of space behind us. The most important thing in that regard is how we lose the ball and ensuring we do not lose it. I want to improve that aspect.

　However, I believe that throughout the match, we outperformed in both combination and quality of play, and we were able to play in a way that deserved victory. If we can fight with this attitude and quality of play, the results will inevitably follow. Compared to the match against Yokohama FM, there was a difference in that aspect today. In the previous match, we did not have the content or the results, but I told the players that it is important not to repeat that. They themselves must have felt it even without me saying it. We were able to prove that.

　Today, it wasn't just one person who was great; I want to praise all the players who fought on the pitch. However, the only sour note is Kajiwara's injury. We don't know his condition yet, but if we lose him, the impact on the team will be significant. Lastly, I want to thank all the fans and supporters who came to the stadium and cheered loudly for 90 minutes, lending their strength. I appreciate the atmosphere you created. I believe today's match was a spectacular one, as both teams played in a way that deserved the support.

　[C Osaka - Coach Soares' Press Conference Summary] "It was a very fast-paced game. With water sprayed on the pitch making it slippery, both teams played a balanced game with the intention and speed to connect the ball well. I believe we created more clear chances than Tokyo, but our finishing accuracy was lacking. Regarding the goals conceded, the first goal was a very good one from the individual skill of Tokyo's number 8 player. There is also a part to praise him. The second goal by Lucas looked offside from my position... Despite it being a game we could have won, it ultimately became a game where we missed out on victory."