Break the bad flow and aim to stop the losing streak by taking 3 points.

　In the 29th round of the league, we faced Cerezo Osaka away. In the second leg of the 10/13 Nabisco semifinals, we suffered a defeat as we were unable to capitalize on our chances and conceded goals in a vulnerable manner. As a result, we have conceded a total of 8 goals in the last 2 matches, while only scoring 1, and it is safe to say that the team is in a difficult situation. However, coach Popovich says, "We cannot move forward if we dwell on our defeat. The only thing left for us is the league. We must show a strong fighting spirit and play with even higher quality to achieve victory. For the supporters and for ourselves, we must never give up and continue to fight."

　C Osaka, currently in 12th place with 38 points. In the match at Ajinomoto on 6/23, they scored 2 goals in the second half and grabbed a victory with the intended game plan, but at that point, C Osaka changed coaches to Krupe. MF Kiyotake, Kim Bo-kyung, and others transferred, but attacking MF Hevertchi and MF Simplício, who has a history with the Brazilian national team, joined. Experienced players bring stability and trust to the team, and on top of that, they have developed the ability to win with FW Kakitani, FW Sugimoto, and others leading the attack.

　Tokyo, Takahashi and Gonda safely returned from the Japan national team's European tour. Although they only joined the team for one day yesterday, there were no problems with their adjustment. However, Morishige, who has played in every match this season, will be suspended for this match. As a result, the lineup will consist of Tokunaga and Takahashi as center backs, with Mukuhara and Nakamura on the sides. In the attacking line, Lucas will play as the lone striker, with Ishikawa and Tanabe on the wings. Kono has also been included on the bench.

　C Osaka has won 3 consecutive victories with a score of 3-2 each. As it is expected to be at a disadvantage in a close match, Tokyo wants to take the lead from defense and take advantage of the opponent's weaknesses by maintaining a quick pace and switching. Tanabe also stated, "I want to move the ball and create a rhythm. I have nothing to lose. I want to fight by showing everything I have worked on this season." With a determination to focus on winning, they will challenge C Osaka with both aggressiveness and tenacity. The match started at 18:04 with C Osaka's kickoff at Kincho Stadium.

Both teams created chances in a back-and-forth game, but the first half ended with no goals for either side.

　Both teams have been fiercely competing for the ball since the start of the first half, maintaining their focus on defense. In the 8th minute, they managed to steal the ball in their own half and connect passes, with Yonemoto shifting to the left. Nakamura passed to the center, where Lucas and Kajiyama linked up, and Murahara on the right made an early cross. Kajiyama used the width and headed the ball, but it went wide. In the 12th minute, Lucas made a run on the left side and passed to the center. Just before reaching Kajiyama, the ball was intercepted, but Hasegawa pressed and the ball fell to Ishikawa in the center, who took a direct shot but it went over the bar.

　Tokyo's transition between offense and defense is quick, but they lack precision and coordination in their attacks, gradually allowing C Osaka to increase their attacking opportunities. In the 23rd minute, C Osaka's left SB Marubashi takes advantage of his speed and delivers a precise early cross. The ball reaches the front line where midfielder Yamaguchi is waiting, but his chest control is too heavy and leads to a mistake. In the 30th minute, Lucas breaks through the left area after a one-two with Kajiyama. He sends a decisive pass into the goal area, but Ishikawa tries to make a shot from the outside and misses.

　42 minutes, Tanabe in the center → Lucas' drop, Tanabe boldly dribbled and shot, but the GK was right in front. In the 44th minute, Kajiyama pushed forward on the left side and made a last pass to Tanabe, who was close to the goal in the left area. He created a decisive scene, but was thrown off by the opponent's DF and the shot went wide. In the early stages, there were moments where we lost the ball and were attacked by C Osaka, but we persevered and created chances through Kajiyama and Lucas. It was a back and forth game, with chances for both teams, but the first half ended scoreless.

Nemanja VUCICEVIC's equalizer goal brings the team level, but they end up with a draw while aiming for a win.

　Shortly after the start of the second half, Hasegawa takes the ball on the right side after a fierce chase by Yonemoto in their own half. Ishikawa passes to Lucas on the left front line, and Yonemoto, who has advanced into the center, takes a shot but it goes wide to the left. Then in the 50th minute, C Osaka makes a side change from the right to the left front line, which is received by left SB Maruhashi in a high position. He brings it into the center and takes a daring and powerful shot from near the left corner of the area, scoring the first goal in the near upper corner.

　C Osaka is gaining momentum, but in the 60th minute, Chang Hyun Soo replaces Tanabe. In the 63rd minute, Vucicevic is substituted for Kajiyama, changing the formation to a 3-back. Then in the 74th minute, they steal the ball on the defensive line and quickly switch to an attack with Tokunaga -> Vucicevic. Vucicevic passes to Hasegawa, who has moved up the right side via Lucas. Hasegawa then passes the ball back to the center of the area, where Vucicevic runs in with great momentum and scores a sure goal, tying the game.

　After tying the game, Edmilson was substituted for Yonemoto. Takahashi was moved to defensive midfield and the team returned to a 4-back formation. From then on, both teams attacked and defended fiercely, with constant changes in possession. In the 81st minute, a quick restart from C Osaka's MF Heberchi resulted in a shot hitting the crossbar. Then, in the 85th minute, C Osaka made three consecutive substitutions and continued to relentlessly attack.

　As time passed, the game became a fierce back-and-forth battle, but in stoppage time, Hasegawa received his second warning and was sent off. Despite being on the defensive, the team came together and withstood C Osaka's fierce attacks until the end of the game. Substitutions and tactical changes were made in an attempt to take the lead, but in the end, only one point was taken away from the away game.

　【Player Comments】《Nemanja VUCICEVIC》"It was a tough game. I felt that C Osaka is also a good team. However, we haven't been able to achieve good results in the past few games, but today we played with confidence as well. We want to win at home in the next game to make this one point we earned away valuable. (About the goal) My teammates gave me courage and seeing their attitude to take risks, I was also motivated. It was a tie, but I think it was good that I was able to contribute to the team. The shot was as intended. I still have the same desire to contribute to the team in every game as I have done so far. I want to score a goal that will lead to a victory in the next game."

　"Nakamura" "Personally, I was thinking of starting from a solid defense. I think my movements on defense were not bad. However, I wish I could have shown more of my own characteristics on the attacking side... As for the attack, I wanted to bring it to a shot today, so I was thinking of changing my usual vertical breakthrough to a movement towards the center. I was able to dribble, but I couldn't finish it in the end. I regret that and I feel like I lacked aggressiveness."

　C Osaka had the power to break through the back and had high individual skills. On the other hand, we were able to defend by putting our bodies on the line until the end. However, our performance in the second half was not good. We had discussed "let's be careful in the second half" based on our experience so far. But we keep making the same mistakes. We need to be more determined to win and want to keep a clean sheet. We also want to score goals."

　[Summary of Coach Popovich's Press Conference] "A game where both teams showed their strengths. And for 90 minutes, I think we showed a high-tempo game. However, the point of reflection is that we allowed the first goal. When we are in a position to chase, it becomes mentally and physically exhausting, so we need to improve in that aspect. I think it's a part where the whole team needs to be united in their determination. Despite being scored on first, we were able to catch up and continue to fight for victory, which is something that can be evaluated. We couldn't take advantage of our chances, but being able to show that attitude is something that can be evaluated."

　There were some parts where we were abandoned by luck. I would like to say to the players that they did well in showing the attitude of going for 3 points. Due to factors such as injuries and the Japan national team, we were unable to fix the combination of the final line from July. Today, I think it was a new combination that we have never done before, but the players responded well on the pitch, so I would like to say that they did well in that sense."

　[C Osaka Levir CULPI press conference summary] "I think it was a very physical and tough game. FC Tokyo has many experienced players and also many physically strong players, so it was a tough game, but I think Cerezo had more decisive chances. However, even so, I think a draw is a fair result. We were not able to score despite creating chances. Considering that, I think it is a fair result."

　(MF Ogiwara was replaced and MF Yamaguchi was chosen as a starter) Regarding MF Yamaguchi, it is more effective to attack from behind. Additionally, MF Heberchi and MF Edamura were also playing well, so we decided to face the match with this lineup. However, we always consider MF Ogiwara as a regular player. He received 7 cards, so there were times when he started from the bench. We believe that there will be some players who will be replaced as starters depending on the match in the future."