Nabisco Cup Semifinal Round, First Match at Home

　The league was temporarily suspended and the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup resumed. In the semifinal round, Shimizu S-Pulse will face off against each other, with the first match being played at home. After achieving consecutive victories, the team will face the Nabisco Cup in just 3 days. Following this, the Emperor's Cup will continue, making it a series of consecutive matches. However, the team will continue to give their all in the upcoming match, as always, with the mindset of "playing this match as if it were the final round (Coach Ranko POPOVIC)".

　However, it is a fact that it is "the cup competition (Hasegawa) closest to the title". Until the semifinals, it will be played at home and away, so the first match at home will have a more important meaning. In addition, this week, Takahashi and Gonda of the Japan national team will leave the team and prepare with a short time and few members, but they will go all out to win.

　Shimizu, on the other hand, topped Group B in the qualifying round of the Nabisco Cup. Although they lost the first leg to Nagoya in the quarterfinals, they managed to score 4 goals in the second leg and have made it this far. In their league match in Sec. 8 (April 28), Shimizu had two players sent off but still managed to defeat Tokyo with a goal from FW Takagi. We have personally experienced Shimizu's tenacity and strength in crucial moments, and this is a match where we want to seek revenge.

　Tokyo started with Maruyama as DF and made his first professional start. GK is Shiota, Morishige is in the center of the 3-back, and Maruyama and Kaga are in charge of the left and right. The game started at 19:04 with Tokyo's kickoff at the humid Ajinomoto Stadium.

Equalized with a beautiful goal by Kajiyama after conceding the first goal!

　In the early stages, Shimizu launched a speedy attack and was forced to attack. In the 10th minute, Ishikawa received a pass from behind and aimed for a middle, but it was outside the frame. At the same time, Shimizu FW Takagi was injured during this time and went out of the pitch. In the 14th minute, he was forced to substitute for FW Nabetani. However, Shimizu's momentum did not diminish and Tokyo struggled.

　At 16 minutes, Lucas, who received a through pass from Ishikawa after a pass exchange between Ishikawa and Hasegawa, broke through the left front line and took a shot, but it went wide. At 23 minutes, Shizuoka was given a free kick in the center of Tokyo's territory. The kick sent by Shizuoka's DF Li to the front line was returned by FW Kim in the right area, and the ball that Tokunaga tried to clear in the center ended up in the net... They gave up the first goal with an own goal from a set piece...

　After that, Tokyo, who couldn't take the lead easily, changed their formation to 4-2-3-1. In the 32nd minute, they substituted Mukuhara for Tanabe as left MF and Maruyama took on the role of left fullback to launch a counterattack. From this point on, they gradually began to control the pace of the game.

　At the 35th minute, DF line Kaga → midfielder/right sideline Tokunaga, who accurately judged the offside line, connected to Ishikawa who ran around from the center to the right front line. Ishikawa advanced with a dribble and crossed. In front of the goal, Lucas pulled the opposing DF and Kajiyama ran in from behind to drive a shot to the upper left corner! A beautiful goal was scored from a well-coordinated play, equalizing the score.

　At 41 minutes, Kajiyama received a foul near the area and Maruyama aimed for a sharp kick from the FK obtained from this, but only managed to get a CK by grazing the opponent. From the second right CK, Morishige headed but it was outside the frame. In stoppage time, Kajiyama and Lucas' quick passing work, Yonemoto came forward and interacted, and expanded to Ishikawa on the right. Although this was blocked by the opponent's DF, they tried to regroup with a change in formation and ended the first half.

Maruyama's aggressive attitude paid off, and Lucas's PK turned the game around! They achieved their first victory.

　In the second half, we aggressively attacked from the start. In the 47th minute, Hasegawa on the left side passed behind the opponent's DF. Maruyama then advanced to the goal line to replace Tanabe, and sent in a negative cross. In the 51st minute, Tanabe broke through the DF's defense after a series of passes from Kaga to Tanabe to Kajiyama. He then spread out to the side. Ishikawa, who was wide, cut inside and sent a sharp ground cross, but it narrowly missed Lucas at the far post.

　In the 59th minute, Tanabe ran behind the opponent's DF from Kajiyama's through pass and made a minus pass from a high position on the right area. Kajiyama on the right area took a shot at the perfect timing, but it was saved by the GK. In the 60th minute, Lucas rushed towards the goal by breaking through the opponent's DF, but the shot was saved by the GK. Ishikawa stuck with the ball that was loose on the right side and took a shot, but it was also saved by the GK. Aria ran in from the loose ball and made a precise half-volley, but it was once again saved by the GK. They created a decisive chance, but they couldn't break through the goal due to the great save by Shimizu's GK.

　However, Tokyo tried to connect passes calmly and aim for an additional goal, but Shimizu also used aggressive player substitutions to aim for a comeback. In the 68th minute, Tokyo brought in Nemanja VUCICEVIC, but despite their attacking efforts, they lost the ball and were hit on the counter. In the 76th minute, Shimizu's FW Ohmae used his speed to break through the front line and take a shot, but it missed the target and they escaped danger.

　In the midst of a fierce exchange of offense and defense, in the 78th minute, Vucicevic sent a vertical pass to Kajiyama, who was slightly to the left in the center of the area, and went directly to the left area. Maruyama, who had advanced to this area, was fouled by the opposing defender and earned a penalty kick. In the 80th minute, Lucas made a precise shot and successfully took the lead!

　In the 84th minute, Hayashi was substituted. While holding back the opponent's goal, they tried to take advantage of their weaknesses. In the 89th minute, Hasegawa kept the ball in the opponent's territory and timed it, while Vucicevic jumped out in front of the goal from the side. A pass was sent there, creating a decisive chance, but it was blocked by Shimizu DF at their feet... They couldn't take the third goal, but they managed to win the first game in a comeback.

　【Player Comments】《Maruyama》"It was my first start and 90 minutes of play, and there were enjoyable moments. However, I didn't have a good feel for the game and ended up cramping at the end. Even when we were playing with a back three, I was conscious of marking and passing to my teammates, but after conceding a goal and switching to a back four, I think my role became clearer. As a full-back, I tried to take up a higher position and actively contribute to both attack and defense. In the situation leading up to the penalty kick, Kajiyama-san gave me a good pass and we were able to earn a penalty. I will continue to work hard and make an impression so that I can consistently play well."

　《Kajiyama》"In the beginning, there were few opportunities for the team to receive the ball, and the passes were not connecting, causing some disorganization. There was also a feeling of not being able to defend well. I think we were able to regain the momentum with the entry of Tanabe. (The goal) was preceded by a good cross from Ishikawa. I thought the ball would come back and I ran to the front of the goal, and I was able to score it firmly. Not only in the scoring scene, but also by connecting passes and developing the play, I think we were able to create chances from the side in a good way. I think we also gained momentum."

　【Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference Summary】"I think we were able to dominate the game for the most part, but our start in the first half was not the kind of start that leads to a final round. It was like entering a training match and we conceded a goal during a time when we were not able to play our usual style with our fighting spirit and concentration. However, after that, we were able to turn things around by doing what we needed to do. I think that can be evaluated and I am satisfied with the content, attitude, and fighting spirit. We were able to show our attacking football and I hope everyone enjoyed it."

　It was great to see so many people come out on weekdays and I want to express my gratitude. It was also great to be able to show them an interesting game. As for the result, we had a few big chances that could have resulted in 2-3 more goals, so I wish we could have scored a little more. Maruyama played a full game for the first time in an official match and I think he played really well. He showed a high quality of play that could earn him a spot in the starting lineup. However, it's important to not let this one game be the end and to continue to show and appeal our strengths in the future."

　[Summary of Shimizu Gotobi's press conference] "It was a very difficult game. I felt that way even before the game, and there was also the unfortunate injury of FW Takagi, but we had a good start. And we were able to score a wonderful goal. We have been trying to play this kind of soccer throughout the season, but the players may have been hesitant. I am happy that the players made such a try and a goal was born from there. However, we were immediately scored against, and it was the worst goal. From my perspective, it may have been offside."

　The game became difficult from there. However, I thought we could bounce back and score the final goal in the second half. Was the second goal a penalty or a simulation...? It was difficult for me to see from my angle, so I want to confirm it on video. However, the decision doesn't matter. We lost 1-2. Still, the away goal we scored will be valuable. We have confidence in fighting in the second leg."