The league matches have entered the second half, aiming for further advancement in the standings while accumulating points even in away games.

　In Sec. 18 of the league, we will face Sagan Tosu away. In the previous match, we showcased our typical Tokyo-style football from the start, scoring three goals in the first half and narrowly defeating G Osaka. Although we allowed a comeback in the second half, there are points for reflection. We have accumulated 28 points and will enter the second round of the league. Coach Ranko POPOVIC stated, "This will be our second match against them, but what we need to do remains unchanged. It is important to always give our all to win the upcoming match, show how we have grown, and ensure that we achieve results alongside that." He pledged to approach the match with an even stronger determination for victory.

　Sagan Tosu currently sits in 10th place with 24 points. In the first half of the season, they achieved a remarkable comeback with Watanabe's hat trick, but they struggled against Tosu's organized defense and powerful counterattacks. In the previous match against Urawa, despite conceding 4 goals first, they managed to score 3 goals in the second half, showcasing their never-give-up spirit as a weapon. Especially at home, they demonstrate unparalleled strength, with only one defeat at BEST-STA this season, which was against Kawasaki. Tokyo also faced them without losing their challenger spirit.

　Tokyo's Tokunaga, Yonemoto, and Gonda participated in the farewell match for the Japan national team for the London Olympics. Despite playing just two days later, Yonemoto stated, "Considering the issues from the G Osaka match, we need to connect well after regaining possession. We should also focus on finishing with a shot to prevent Tosu from launching counterattacks." Each player mentally and physically switched gears to concentrate on preparing for the match against Tosu. Additionally, Ishikawa, who had been recovering from a right calf injury, gradually improved his condition and made the squad.

　Recently, we have been able to create attacking shapes starting from the sides and making movements to exploit the space behind Tanabe. We want to connect to goals by being conscious of bringing the play to the finish and persistently repeating our efforts. Even if there are times when Tosu controls the pace, we want to win this match through a quick transition from defense to attack, aiming for a total team effort. The match started at 19:04 Tokyo time at BEST AMENITY STADIUM.

Controlling the ball with a calm game flow, but scoreless into the second half

　Right from the start, we were unable to connect passes and were pushed back by Tosu, losing rhythm to their speedy attacks. In the 4th minute, a long ball to the right flank was skillfully trapped by MF Mizunuma, leading to a cross. This found left MF Kan, who was free in front of the goal. He was about to unleash a header, but Tokunaga quickly closed in and blocked it with his body, forcing a corner kick. In the 6th minute, Tosu's right MF Mizunuma was in a shooting position in the right area. However, Morishige and Yonemoto quickly stepped in to block it with their bodies.

　Tokyo remains calm here, enduring and looking for opportunities. In the 16th minute, they created a play on the right flank and switched to the left. Nakamura, who brought the ball inside, attempted a shot but was blocked by the opposing defender. In the 20th minute, they connected from the right flank, and YoneMoto passed to Masaru HASEGAWA, who made a series of precise passes before Tanabe took a shot, but it went over the bar. In the 29th minute, they intercepted a pass on the left side. Tanabe brought it forward and took a shot, but it went wide.

　The team maintained possession of the ball longer and created chances. In the 36th minute, Tanabe initiated a dribble from midfield, persistently advancing to just outside the right area to aim for a goal, but it was blocked, resulting in a corner kick. From this right corner, Takahashi at the far post headed the ball but it went wide. In the 43rd minute, Tanabe passed to Tanizawa in the center, who exchanged passes with Hasegawa and attempted a looping shot from distance, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. Although they were unable to shift the momentum, they continued to attack actively, ultimately finishing the first half scoreless.

In the second half, we attacked but couldn't capitalize on our chances. We conceded a goal from a set piece and lost the match.

　Tokyo showed a powerful attack, creating chances including a free kick. In the 47th minute, Tanabe was fouled in the opponent's territory and earned a free kick. Nakamura aimed from a distance but shot well over the goal. In the 52nd minute, Tanabe, who brought the ball forward on a counterattack, was fouled and earned a free kick just in front of the left area. Morishige aimed for this, but the shot hit the crossbar. In the 59th minute, from a free kick on the right side, Tokunaga brought the ball inside and unleashed a powerful shot, but it just went over the crossbar.

　In the 61st minute, Nakamura dribbled through the gap between the opposing DF on the left front line. He passed to Hasegawa in the center and received a return pass, shooting from the left area, but it went straight to the GK. While being cautious of Tosu's counter, they maintained a good balance between offense and defense, creating chances but failing to score. In the 68th minute, Tokyo substituted Ishikawa for Tanizawa. In the 73rd minute, they circulated the ball, looking for openings, and a vertical pass in the center reached Lucas, but they couldn't finish in front of the Tosu DF.

　Tokyo often found themselves halted by the tough defense of Tosu, failing to break through their defensive block. Conversely, Tosu created chances from consecutive set pieces, but Tokyo remained focused in their defense. However, in the 87th minute, a mistake led to a free kick, which was headed in by Tosu's forward Tojin, allowing a goal. In response, Tokyo launched a counterattack in the 89th minute, with Ishikawa curling in a shot from the right that was thwarted by a great save from the GK, resulting in a corner kick. In stoppage time, from Ishikawa's free kick, Morishige headed the ball at the far post but missed the target by a large margin. Ultimately, the match ended with a time-up, resulting in a frustrating defeat.

　[Player Comments] {Ishikawa} "Honestly, the injury period was long, so I wanted to repay everyone with my play. As a team, I thought it was important to accumulate wins here, and I wanted to win while playing the style of football we aim for. Personally, I feel I couldn't change the rhythm or create effective plays. I had an image of reaching the goal, but I need to draw the ball out a bit more... I want to work hard to connect that image to the goal."

　"Yonehito: Today, how many times did we win throw-ins in the opponent's half...? I think it's necessary to not just pass the ball around, but also to make runs behind the defense and take shots. (In the second half, there was a moment when Yonehito sent in a cross, right?) If we could have earned a corner kick there, or even turned a throw-in into a chance, it would have been good if the forwards could face forward. If someone can get behind the opponent, even if the pass doesn't connect, it can pull the defenders away, allowing Tanabe to receive the ball... I felt that we need to break through in that way... However, both personally and as a team, we lacked accuracy, and it didn't feel like we fully executed our plan..."

　[Summary of Coach Popovic's Press Conference] "Of course, I cannot say I am satisfied with the result. However, I believe we played better football and felt that we were the ones who always held the initiative. As can be seen from the fact that the opponent was focused on defending and aiming for counterattacks, they were just sitting back. I think that Tosu's strategy of solid defense and counterattacks at home shows respect for our team. It is a tactic that acknowledges our attacking capabilities."

　While there were moments of conceding goals, repeated careless mistakes have been made. We need to improve in that area. Additionally, we must correct the fact that the same player is making the same mistakes repeatedly. Aside from the first 10 minutes of the first half, I believe we were able to control the match well, and if we had scored when we should have, the result might have been different. I won't know for sure until I see it again, but there were also moments when we were brought down in the opponent's area. If that had been a penalty, the outcome might have changed.

　[Summary of the press conference by YOON Jong Hwan, coach of Tosu] "First of all, I am very happy that we were able to win. This week, the players really prepared well. I didn't know what the result would be, but I think it was very good to achieve a positive outcome. Regarding the match, the players fought hard for 90 minutes, consistently doing what we needed to do. Today, I particularly emphasized concentration and mental strength to the players. I believe they understood and executed it well. I think we were able to firmly secure the first step of the second half, and I want to continue to prepare well from here on out."