Losing streaks at home are unacceptable; aim for victory by outpacing Iwata.

　The league Sec. 27 is held. Continuing from the previous match, we will face Júbilo Iwata at home. The match against Kawasaki was affected by two goals conceded early in the second half, resulting in a loss. Given that we dominated Kawasaki in the first half, the damage can be considered significant. Nevertheless, there is no time to look down. Takahashi stated, "Content and results are not separate. We can only believe in ourselves and continue striving for good content and good results," expressing further determination to aim for victory at home in this match.

　Yokohama FC currently sits in 4th place with 42 points. Their total goals scored is '51', making them 2nd in the league behind G Osaka. Their attacking power is formidable. Among them, the 'hotline' between Japan national team forward Maeda and right back defender Komano is Iwata's greatest weapon. However, they not only initiate attacks from the right side but also score through the movements of midfielder Yamada and set plays, showcasing a variety of scoring patterns.

　Additionally, the high pressing from the front based on abundant physical activity is one of the characteristics of Jūbilo Iwata. The key to victory will be how to evade that, seize control, and bring the game to our rhythm. Even if Iwata has the ball, if we defend tenaciously and prevent them from finishing, it should create anxiety for the opponent. We want to win duels and transition from good defense to attack without losing in ball contests or running.

　Tokyo saw Muku Hara starting as left back for the first time in three matches since September 5. FW Edmilson was also named in the starting lineup, with Lucas positioned on the left side. Additionally, Hyun Soo JANG, who returned from injury, made the bench for the first time since June 30. The Ajinomoto Stadium felt the heat under the bright sun. The match started at 14:04 with a kickoff from Iwata.

Allowed an early goal and struggled against Iwata's press

　Tokyo created a chance immediately after the start. In the 5th minute, they quickly advanced to the front, and Ishikawa on the right side made a fast pass to the center. Kajiyama, who moved up the middle, controlled it with a one-touch and took a volley, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. In the 6th minute, Yonemoto advanced and earned a free kick on the right side. Lucas headed it, but it went outside the goal.

　Although they started off pushing forward, in the 7th minute, a long pass from the Iwata DF line found FW Maeda, who slipped past the offside line into the right area. The Tokyo DF quickly contained this, but it was connected to the right side, leading to a cross from MF Matsuura who headed the ball. From a rebound off the DF, Iwata DF Miyazaki aimed for a shot again. In the following 9th minute, a central play from MF Suganuma to MF Matsuura to right MF Yamada resulted in a soft cross behind the Tokyo DF. The Tokyo DF lost sight of MF Suganuma, who broke free in the left area and scored with a header... allowing an early lead.

　Taking this opportunity, Iwata gains momentum. Under their intense pressing, Tokyo was unable to connect the ball forward even while maintaining possession in their own half. Nevertheless, in the 26th minute, Tokunaga forcefully cut into the area after passing to Edmilson, winning a corner kick. From the right corner taken by Ishikawa, Takahashi made a low header, but it hit the post... The rebound shot taken by Lucas was also blocked.

　In the 35th minute, Iwata DF Komano made an overlapping run and brought the ball inside, taking a shot that was caught by Gonda. In the 38th minute, Yonehito was pressured in midfield and lost the ball, allowing forward Maeda to break into the right area and get into a shooting position, but Morishige blocked him at close range. Against Maeda's run forward, the defensive line was pushed up to catch him offside, avoiding a crisis and not conceding an additional goal, but they couldn't create any chances during the flow of the game. In first-half stoppage time, a breakthrough by Ishikawa led to a free kick, followed by a left corner kick, where Lucas at the near post made a sharp header, but it was saved by the goalkeeper's quick reaction... The set-piece opportunity was defended well by Iwata, and they went into the second half trailing by one goal.

VUCICEVIC turned on the switch, scoring 2 goals for a comeback victory!

　Tokyo brought in Nemanja VUCICEVIC in the second half. Ishikawa moved to the left side, and they aimed to counterattack in a formation close to a two-top with Lucas and Edmilson. This strategy paid off, as VUCICEVIC switched on the speed and created consecutive chances with dynamic attacks. In the 46th minute, Edmilson cut in from the left side, targeting Lucas in front of the goal. In the 47th minute, VUCICEVIC, positioned centrally just outside the area, executed a sharp turning shot from a trap. In the 48th minute, Kajiyama broke free on the left flank and earned a free kick, which Ishikawa played short, leading to a cross from VUCICEVIC towards the center, where Hayato HASEGAWA headed the ball.

　In the 54th minute, following a play by Hasegawa, Ishikawa broke through the left flank, and Vucicevic, who advanced inside, took a shot in the area. This was saved by the goalkeeper, but Edmilson, who followed up on the rebound, scored with his right foot. They equalized with a speedy combination play.

　After that, both teams aimed to take the lead, resulting in a fast-paced game with quick transitions between offense and defense. In the 57th minute, a right cross from Iwata's DF Komano perfectly reached forward Maeda in front of the goal, and his header shook the net, but... this was ruled offside. In the 60th minute, Ishikawa dribbled up the left side, pushed against the opposing DF, and took a forceful shot, but the ball aimed at the near post hit the post...

　In the 62nd minute, Hyun Soo JANG came on for Kajiwara as a center-back, and Takahashi moved to the defensive midfielder position. Iwata also made an attacking substitution, and in the 76th minute, FW Abe broke into the right area, drawing the Tokyo defense and passing to the free FW Yamazaki at the far post. A decisive opportunity was created, but the shot was blocked by Tokunaga, avoiding a crisis. In the tense back-and-forth, both sides had chances, but in the 80th minute, Watanabe was brought on. Against Iwata, who had begun to slow down, the pressure from the front line increased as they aimed for the goal.

　In the 85th minute, connecting passes from their own half, Hasegawa in midfield sent a vertical pass to Watanabe just outside the right area. Watanabe skillfully evaded the opposing defender with a heel trap, carried the ball to the goal line, and delivered a negative cross to the center. Lucas drew the defenders in front of the goal, and Nemanja VUCICEVIC made a perfect run into the space left behind, calmly striking a powerful shot into the net, GOAL!! After that, everyone ran through the 5 minutes of stoppage time, suppressing Iwata's counterattack and ending the match. The substitutions also worked, resulting in two goals in the second half for a comeback victory.

　[Player Comment]《Edmilson》"I was able to score a goal and turn the game around for the team to win. That makes me the happiest. I didn't think I would start today, but I was always prepared, so I don't think there were any issues at the start. The important thing is to give your best when the opportunity arises. However, I believe this victory was achieved not just by my goal, but by everyone, including the defense, working hard together."

　"Nemanja VUCICEVIC" "In the last few matches, even though we played well, we couldn't get the results, and I felt a sense of responsibility and pressure about that. In soccer, results are important. Today, in the first half, Iwata played well, and we struggled, but in the second half, I think we were able to regain our true form and fight back. I believe that led to the turnaround, and I was glad to contribute to that. (Regarding my goal) Watanabe sent a wonderful ball. He is also an attacking player who must want results, but this time he assisted me. And in scenes like that, the most important thing is to stay calm. You could say that is everything."

　[Summary of Coach Popovic's Press Conference] "We showed different aspects in the first and second halves. However, I believe the match content was enjoyable for everyone, as both teams were open and aggressive. In the first half, our movements were sluggish and stiff compared to usual. I don't know why, but we often found ourselves on the back foot. Rather than saying the opponent was much better than us, it was a first half where our movements were stiff."

　In the last match, we started very well, and I thought there would be no problem if we played like we did in the first half of the previous game. However, since the first half turned out this way, at halftime I told them, 'Don't get tense. Just relax and do what you always do. Trust in your abilities and give it your all.' We brought in Nemanja at the start of the second half, and ultimately we were able to turn the game around and achieve victory. I believe that until we reached that point, all the players fought without giving up, and in the second half, each of them did what they could do.

　[Iwata - Coach Morishita's Press Conference Summary] "Despite being an away game, nearly 2,000 supporters came to cheer us on. Regarding the game, I believe the players performed very well, and I want us to unite and aim for higher goals, utilizing this experience in the next match."