Aiming for consecutive wins with the same momentum as the previous match

　In the 31st round of the league, we will face Nagoya Grampus away. In the previous round against Sapporo, we scored 5 goals and won comfortably. However, Kajiyama says, "There are many things that are not useful as a reference in terms of Sapporo's ranking and fighting spirit," and at the same time, "It is a fact that we have left the possibility of third place by winning. The team's atmosphere is good and the motivation is high. We have reaffirmed our commitment to give our all to win all four remaining matches. Today, we have the mindset of starting the first match and we vow to fight for all 3 points."

　Nagoya, on the other hand, is currently in 5th place with 46 points. In the previous match against Yokohama FM, they were dominated but managed to take the lead in the 87th minute with a goal from FW Tamada. However, they conceded a goal in stoppage time and ended up with a draw. Despite struggling with FW Kennedy's injury, they have found a breakthrough by using DF registered Toure as a FW, and he himself has scored a goal, resulting in a 3-game unbeaten streak. They have shown perseverance and competitiveness, rising up in the rankings. In this match, MF Taguchi will be suspended. In his place, MF Danilson will be in the lineup.

　Tokyo will face the same starting lineup as the Sapporo match due to Masaru HASEGAWA's suspension. Hayato HASEGAWA will also be on the bench, ready to play. The key focus will be on how Tokyo can score the first goal, just like in the previous match. Ishikawa says, "Nagoya is good at set pieces, so it is essential to limit their height. On the other hand, if the situation becomes a stalemate, it will be easier for us if we can score from set pieces. We have been aiming not only for a direct shot, but also for picking up the second ball and creating opportunities from there. We want to take advantage of those chances and score the first goal."

　Manager Ranko POPOVIC says, "Nagoya has a team full of individually talented players, so it's not just a matter of marking only one player, Toshiya TAKAGI. On the contrary, there are also team circumstances that force us to use TAKAGI as a forward. While understanding that, we want to show our quality and win." In the first home game, Tokyo won a come-from-behind victory with a score of 3-2. Although both teams have different circumstances now, it is still a match where we want to show our growth. The game started at 7:03 PM at Nagoya Mizuho Athletic Stadium with Tokyo's kickoff.

Despite being involved in the flow of Tokyo, they were scored from a set piece and ended the first half 1 point behind.

　Tokyo has been actively aiming for goals and creating chances since the start of the first half. In the 2nd minute, Tanabe kept the ball and passed it to Kajiyama who was moving up the center. He then sent a through pass to Kitto who was making a run inside, but they couldn't connect. In the following 3 minutes, Ishikawa quickly passed the ball and cut inside from the right, aiming for the goal, but he was closed down by the defense and couldn't find the target. In the 9th minute, Ishikawa crossed the ball from a side change by Yonemoto. It was intercepted, but Tanabe pressed and won the ball from Nagoya's central midfielder Fujimoto. Yonemoto then took a shot from outside the box, but it curved to the left.

　At 11 minutes, Ishikawa dribbled up the right side and passed to Lucas in the center. He turned and got into shooting position, but the Nagoya DF blocked it. Kajiyama took advantage of the loose ball and brought it to the right area near the goal line, crossing it negatively. It was sent to a decisive space between the opponent's DF, but it narrowly missed Lucas near the goal and Tanabe in the center... However, at 30 minutes, from Nagoya MF Ogawa's left corner kick, the ball flowed to the far side and was pushed into the left knee of FW Tori O by Morishige, resulting in the first goal.

　Still, Tokyo tries to calm down and counterattack. In the 35th minute, Nakamura heads a cross from Ishikawa → behind to the left area, but the GK saves it. In stoppage time, Nagoya cuts off Morishige's vertical pass and counters. Nagoya MF Fujimoto on the right side sends a through pass behind Tokyo DF, and FW Kanazaki jumps out to the area and takes a decisive shot, but Konda saves it! They escape with a CK and defend until the end. In the end, they end the first half with a one-point deficit.

Despite continuing to attack until the end, we were unable to score and suffered a defeat.

　Nagoya continues to threaten the goal from the start, just like in the first half. In the 47th minute, Yonemoto → Kajiyama → Lucas on the left side sent a pass to the center, but it was caught by Nagoya DF and spilled to the left area. Tabata, who took it, took a step forward and boldly aimed for a shot, but it was off target without an angle. In the 48th minute, Takahashi's cross flowed to the far side, but Tabata → Yonemoto followed up and took a shot from the center, but it didn't hit well and went to the right... In the 61st minute, Kajiyama's pass was initially taken by Nagoya DF, but it was immediately taken back and a shot was taken from just outside the area. However, it was off target.

　In the midst of a stalemate, Nemanja VUCICEVIC came on for Kajiyama on the left side in the 62nd minute. Tanabe moved to the top. Nagoya's FW Nagai came on. In the 23rd minute, MF Danilson passed to the front line from Nagoya's FK. Nagai was barely offside and broke through, but Gonda made a superb save from the left area. In the 72nd minute, Butchichevich → Tanabe in the area tried to break through the line, but the pass was slightly too long and couldn't bring it to a shot.

　Tokyo substitutes Kono for Ishikawa. In the 78th minute, Nakamura, who had moved from the side to the center, aimed for a calm shot. However, it was saved by the opponent's GK, and from this rebound, Lucas on the left side passed to Vucicevic, who crossed the ball, but Kono's header went too high. In the 86th minute, Vucicevic tried to shoot after bringing the ball in from the left side. It was blocked twice, but the shot from the left corner of the area was saved by the GK and resulted in a corner kick. Despite persistently attacking until the end, they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense and suffered a defeat with no goals scored.

　【Player Comments】《Yonemoto》"A game that symbolizes Tokyo this season. We lost in our usual pattern... We started the game well, but then we conceded a goal and ended up losing. That's been our pattern this season. We need to start from not conceding any goals. We have to keep it at zero until we score. As for our attack, we were able to create chances from the sides, but there weren't enough players in the box to receive crosses. So I think we need at least one midfielder to push forward and join the attack... That's something we need to reflect on."

　With Hide in the double pivot... I don't want to use the phrase "both defensive"... but if Hide can balance things out, then I should have gone forward. (After conceding, are you able to fight without panicking?) The coach also says "don't panic" so that mindset is there. But I think we also need to commit numbers on the counter. It's frustrating to have so much possession and still lose without scoring...

　"Lucas" "We knew it would be a tough game against top-ranked Nagoya. It's a shame we conceded a goal in the first half when we were playing well. However, I think the reason for our loss was that we couldn't break through Nagoya's defense in the second half. We know it will be tough to secure a spot in the ACL, but we are all united and determined to strive towards that goal. It's disappointing that we couldn't get the result we wanted, but that's just football. It's been a tough season, but we have three games left. Especially with two home games, we need to make the necessary adjustments and work hard to grow and win."

　[Summary of Coach Popovich's Press Conference] "We came here today to win, so it's disappointing that we couldn't get the result we wanted. The opponent is a team that has been at the top level for the past few years. There were some things we were able to do against such a strong opponent, but there were also areas where we were inexperienced. Looking back on the game, our approach was good. We moved the ball well and took control, not allowing the opponent to do what they wanted. I think we were able to do that. As for the goals we conceded, we can't let them score like that. We conceded due to careless mistakes. We need to make adjustments in that area."

　It was a serious match where we both fought hard against each other, and it also became a tactical game. There were times when we were able to take the lead, so there are parts that we can evaluate in terms of how we moved and progressed the game. As for the result, I would like to sincerely congratulate Nagoya. Some people may say that the goal was just a coincidence that it hit DF Torio, but I believe it was not a coincidence, but a goal born from DF Torio's determination to score. We must learn from him in terms of determination and desire to score goals. As expected, players who score goals are always aiming for the goal and are hungry for it.

　Because there is a passion for the goal, I am in a place where I can score. I think DF Torio showed it today. We didn't give the opponent a chance until we conceded a goal. I think that giving the first goal was everything in today's game. However, the good point was that we were able to challenge to equalize and fight offensively. Unfortunately, it didn't result in a win, but I think that such an attitude can be evaluated. I think we need to reflect on this and carry it over to the next game."

　【Nagoya Stojkovic Manager's Press Conference Summary】"First of all, I would like to congratulate the players who fought in today's match. It was an important match. We were able to achieve our goal with the result. Last week, we lost points due to bad luck, so it was important to win 3 points in front of our supporters today. I think our style of play was good. We ended the game with a 1-0 victory, and we were able to win by playing at our true value. However, we must not forget that MF Fujimoto, FW Kanazaki, and FW Nagai had decisive chances."

　There were chances to make it 2-0 or 3-0, but Nagoya is satisfied with this today. (What does DF Teruaki Kato bring to the team?) There is no need to hide it, he is a very important player. We won 1-0 today, but it was thanks to his goal. It was a wonderful goal full of intelligence. He plays as a DF, but he does his job well. He also has quality and attacking ability. He can also feel and predict. When he needs to be there, he is there. To shake the goal net, you have to sniff and be there. I think that is the true essence of DF Teruaki Kato."