A crucial match where we want to maintain an aggressive attitude and do whatever it takes to secure a victory and turn things around.

　In the 23rd round of the league, we will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous round against Omiya, we suffered a 0-1 defeat, bringing our overall league record to 9 wins, 3 draws, and 10 losses. We have also dropped to 12th place in the rankings. Although we have not been able to produce results, the team has not lost confidence. This round will focus on how we can turn the gains from the Omiya match into a victory. We will use our frustration as motivation and do whatever it takes to grab the opportunity for a turnaround.

　Hiroshima, on the other hand, currently stands at the top with 43 points. They have a total of 44 goals, boasting a top-class attacking power, and have only conceded 23 goals, giving them a goal difference of +21, which is unmatched. Additionally, FW Sato, who has scored goals in the first half of the season, currently has 17 goals and stands at the top of the rankings. Above all, they have not won against Hiroshima since 2007, and while they have shown good soccer, they have been caught off guard and conceded goals, resulting in frustrating losses. It is a fact that they are a tough opponent with their strong defense and quick counterattacks being their greatest weapons.

　Tokyo will face the system in the same 3-4-2-1 formation as Hiroshima. Kaga, Morishige, and Takahashi will serve as the back three, with Mukuhara and Tokunaga on the left and right sides, respectively. Lucas will be at the top, with Kajiyama and Ishikawa as the two shadows. Coach Popovic says, "Our team's goal remains the same. The back three is just one variation. We shouldn't be bound by the system and make things difficult or complicated for ourselves. We want to use our individual strengths as an advantage."

　One of the highlights of the match is the battle on the side, and Mukuhara is determined to "not want to concede first and not want to lose to MF Mikić, the opposing midfielder, in terms of running. I want to show my energy and always take the lead in the fight and turn it into a goal." In the big match challenging the top spot, although it is an away game, as Popovic, the coach, continues to say, "If we don't attack, we can't win," we will not let the opponent show their strengths, maintain an attacking attitude, and take the victory. The match started at 19:05 with Hiroshima's kickoff at Hiroshima Big Arch.

Created a chance from a CK in the final stage, but couldn't score and ended the first half with a scoreless tie.

　From the start of the match, both teams showed a cautious start. In the 4th minute, Tokunaga received a side change from Takahashi and passed it to Lucas on the left front line, but they were unable to connect from there. In the 9th minute, they took the ball from the opponent and connected it, Ishikawa dribbled forward and passed it to Lucas on the left, while he himself entered the left area. Kajiyama → Lucas briefly kept the ball and crossed it, but it flowed behind Kajiyama and was cut off by the opponent's DF.

　On the other hand, 15 minutes into the game, Hiroshima's MF Takahagi took a direct free kick, but it went over the bar. In the 16th minute, Hiroshima's DF Moriwaki dribbled into Tokyo's territory. Unable to stop him, he passed it to MF Takahagi in the center, who was then pressed and took a powerful shot from just outside the box, but it went over the bar and they avoided danger... Gradually, Hiroshima started to control the ball, but they stayed focused and calmly played their own game until the end.

　Still, Tokyo cannot hold the front line. Although Hiroshima has grasped the rhythm and created decisive opportunities, they managed to defend and not allow any goals. In the final stages, they create chances from set pieces. In the 39th minute, Takahashi makes a decisive header from Ishikawa's left corner kick, but it is saved by the GK. In the 44th minute, they connect a short pass from a left corner kick to Morishige, and Hasegawa heads the cross towards the goal, but it is caught by the GK. The first half ends scoreless.

Lucas defended the opening goal with his body and secured the victory.

　In the second half, despite being pushed back by Hiroshima, in the 49th minute, Kajiyama on the right side passed to Lucas in the center. With the opponent's defender in front of him, Lucas faked a slide and scored a precise shot into the goal. Taking advantage of the opponent's mistake, they scored the long-awaited opening goal. In the following 56th minute, Kajiyama advanced to the front and earned a corner kick. From the second left corner kick, Morishige headed the ball. Just before the goal, Takahashi also tried to score but missed. The goal was not scored.

　After taking the lead, Tokyo's defense became stronger and they were pushed back by Hiroshima as their DF line began to drop. In the 60th minute, Hiroshima's DF Moriwaki made a feint from the right and took a looping shot with his left foot. It was on target, but goalkeeper Gonda was able to touch it away. In the 63rd minute, Tokyo substituted Nemanja VUCICEVIC for Ishikawa. Then in the 68th minute, Edmilson was brought in for Kajiyama as they looked for an additional goal.

　70 minutes, Vucicevic started on the left front line, and Edmilson received a vertical pass from Lucas on the left side, but he was surrounded by defenders and couldn't connect with Mukuhara who had moved up on the right. In the 78th minute, Hiroshima's right front line, MF Ishikawa, made a decisive minus pass from the sideline, but MF Takahagi couldn't finish it in front of the goal. They escaped danger. After that, they created numerous decisive chances, but were also helped by mistakes, and the time was up. In the league match, they achieved their first victory against Hiroshima since 2007, ending a 6-game losing streak.

　【Player Comments】《Lucas》"We were pushed back towards the end, but looking back calmly, it was a game where both teams cancelled out each other's strong points. There were some mistakes against Hiroshima, but overall, I think it was a game where neither team had many chances. (About the goal scene) I don't remember it well (laughs). I think it was a trap with my right foot or left foot... I scored in a similar way in the opening match against Omiya, and that was with my left foot, so maybe it was a trap with my left foot (laughs)."

　(Did you shoot instinctively?) Yes, yes (laughs)!! (Did you run until the end?) However, towards the end, I made a pass mistake and the ball to Yonemoto player became too long. I think that was the only chance in the second half. Of course, we want to play aggressively and create many chances to score goals. We have that ideal. But as you all know, soccer is not easy. In the midst of its difficulties, I am very happy to have scored and won on my own. "

　《Yonemoto》"Personally, in the first half, I couldn't get the ball forward much. But we all talked about how if we could keep the first half scoreless, we could score in the second half. We were able to endure the battle and in the end, we were able to keep a clean sheet. (After taking the lead, were you conscious of launching counterattacks?) I'm not afraid of teams without counterattacks. So, I wanted to go forward and show that we also have counterattacks. I was thinking of going forward at least once. We couldn't score, but I wanted to show the attitude of running until the end and challenging. But it was really tough (laughs). In the end, it was a battle against myself. I thought that by doing my best there, it would also lead to my future."

　[Coach Popovic's Press Conference Summary] "I think it was a tough and difficult game as we expected before the match. The key was how much we could persist and endure in this game. I think the result could have gone either way, it was that close. Looking back at the game, we wanted to maintain a high line and pressure from the front like we did in the first half, but we couldn't do that. I think the game was even until we scored, but after scoring, we backed off a little bit. That's where we made it difficult for ourselves."

　In the end, Hiroshima had many decisive chances, and it was truly a match where either team could have won. However, we were able to score at the crucial moments today. We were able to capitalize on the opponent's mistakes and score from counter attacks, just like Hiroshima usually does. I think we can be evaluated for being able to do what the opponent is good at. In the previous match, we created 10 chances but couldn't finish them, but today we were able to score from one chance. I think it was a factor that led to the result.

　As many of you may know, the first job I had when I came to Japan was in Hiroshima. I have a strong attachment to Hiroshima and there are still many players that I know well. I wish them luck in their future battles and I hope they continue to be a strong team.

　[Hiroshima Moriho Coach's Press Conference Summary] "I think the players expressed the soccer we are trying to do through the game, and it was good that they were able to run and fight and do what they were trying to do. However, we gave the opponent a chance in the beginning of the second half and made the game difficult. After conceding a goal, the opponent tightened their defense and there were dangerous situations from counter attacks, but we were able to create scoring opportunities by passing well against the opponent who dropped back. We want to continue that part. Today's game was one where Tokyo was able to capitalize on their chances."

　(Over 23,000 supporters came to cheer us on) We are grateful to all the supporters who made their way to the Big Arch and gave us their support. We wanted to fight and achieve results in front of such a large crowd, and the players also fought with that mindset, but unfortunately we were unable to give them the gift of 3 points.