Continuing the momentum from the last match, aiming for consecutive victories

　In Sec. 31 of the league, we will face Nagoya Grampus away. In the previous match against Sapporo, we scored 5 goals and won decisively. However, regarding the content of that match, Kajiyama stated, "It often doesn't provide a reference in terms of Sapporo's ranking and fighting spirit," while also noting, "The fact that we won keeps the possibility of finishing in 3rd place alive. The team's atmosphere is good, and motivation is high. We reaffirmed our commitment to give our all to win all four matches from here on out. Today, we have the awareness that this is the first match of that challenge," and vowed to fight for the 3 points.

　Nagoya is currently in 5th place with 46 points. In the last match against Yokohama FM, they took the lead with a goal from FW Tamada in the 87th minute, despite being dominated. However, they conceded a goal in stoppage time, ending in a draw. Although they are struggling with the injury of FW Kennedy, they are trying to find a breakthrough by using DF Toriya as a forward, who has also contributed with goals, remaining unbeaten in the last three matches. They have shown resilience and competitiveness, rising up the rankings. In this match, MF Taguchi is suspended, and MF Danielson has been brought in as a replacement.

　Tokyo will face the same starting lineup as in the match against Sapporo, as Hasegawa is still suspended this round. Hayato has also prepared and will be on the bench. As in the previous match, the focus will be on how Tokyo can score the opening goal. Ishikawa stated, "Nagoya is also strong in set plays, so it is essential to control their height. Conversely, if the situation becomes stagnant, it will be easier for us to score from set plays. Recently, we have not only aimed for a single shot but also picked up second balls and looked for developments from there. We want to seize those opportunities and connect them to the opening goal."

　Coach Popovic said, "Nagoya has players with high individual abilities, and it's not just a matter of marking Tori. On the contrary, there are team circumstances that force us to use Tori as a forward. While understanding that, we want to show our high quality and win." In the first half of the home match, Tokyo achieved a comeback victory with a score of 3 to 2. Although the team circumstances are different now, it is also a match where we want to show our growth. The match started at 19:03 with Tokyo's kickoff at Mizuho Athletic Stadium in Nagoya City.

Despite the flow of Tokyo, a goal was scored from a set piece, ending the first half with a one-point deficit.

　Tokyo actively aimed for the goal from the start of the first half, creating chances. In the 2nd minute, Tanabe kept the ball in the opponent's territory and passed it to Kajiyama, who moved up the center. From there, he sent a through pass to Hokuto, but it didn't connect. In the 3rd minute, they moved the ball quickly, and Ishikawa, who cut in from the right, aimed for the goal but was closed down by the defense and couldn't hit the target. In the 9th minute, from Yonemoto's switch of play, Ishikawa delivered a cross. This was cut off, but Tanabe pressed and stole the ball from MF Fujimoto in the center of Nagoya's territory, and Yonemoto took a shot from distance, but it went wide to the left.

　In the 11th minute, Ishikawa dribbled up the right side and passed to Lucas in the center. He turned to shoot but was blocked by the Nagoya DF. Kajiyama seized the loose ball, using his strength to carry it to the right area near the goal line, delivering a low cross. It was sent into a decisive space, slipping between the opposing DFs, but Lucas at the near post and Tanabe in the center just missed it... However, in the 30th minute, from a left corner kick by Nagoya's MF Ogawa, the ball flowed to the far side, where FW Toriya entered in front of Morishige and pushed it in, hitting it with his left knee to allow the first goal.

　Still, Tokyo calmly attempts to counterattack. In the 35th minute, Ishikawa passes to Nakamura, who moves up to the left area and takes a header shot, but it goes straight to the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, a vertical pass from Morishige is intercepted, leading to a counterattack from Nagoya. Nagoya's midfielder Fujimoto sends a through ball behind Tokyo's defense, allowing forward Kanazaki to break into the area and take a decisive shot, but Gonda makes the save! They managed to escape to a corner kick and hold on. In the end, they finish the first half one goal behind.

Continued to attack until the end, but the goal was far away, losing without scoring

　As in the first half, they approached the Nagoya goal from the start. In the 47th minute, Yonemoto passed to Kajiyama, and Lucas on the left side sent a pass to the center, which was intercepted by the Nagoya defender and spilled into the left area. Tanabe, who seized this opportunity, took a step forward and boldly aimed for a shot, but there was no angle and it went wide. In the 48th minute, Takahashi's cross flowed to the far side, but Tanabe followed up and passed to Yonemoto, who took a shot from the center, but it didn't connect well and went to the right... In the 61st minute, Kajiyama's pass was once intercepted by the Nagoya defender, but they quickly regained possession and shot just before the area. However, it went wide.

　As the deadlock continues, in the 62nd minute, Nemanja VUCICEVIC came in for Kajiwara on the left side. Tanabe moved to the attacking midfield position. Nagoya brought in FW Nagai. In the 23rd minute, after a free kick from Nagoya, MF Danielson passed the ball forward. Just on the edge of offside, FW Nagai broke through and took a decisive shot from the left area, but Gonda made a superb save. In the 72nd minute, VUCICEVIC passed to Tanabe inside the area, who tried to exploit the space just on the line, but the pass was slightly too long, preventing a shot.

　Tokyo replaced Ishikawa with Kono. Then, in the 78th minute, Nakamura, who moved from the side to the center, aimed for a precise shot. However, it was saved by the opposing GK, and from this rebound, Lucas on the left side crossed to Nemanja VUCICEVIC, who headed it in front of the goal but sent it over. In the 86th minute, Nemanja VUCICEVIC brought the ball in from the left side and aimed for a shot. He was blocked twice, but finally, a shot from the left corner of the area was saved by the GK for a corner kick. They continued to attack tenaciously until the end, but were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense and lost without scoring.

　[Player Comment] {Yonemoto} "This match symbolizes Tokyo this season. We lost in the usual pattern... Even though we started the match well, we conceded a goal in a way that felt like 'oh no...' and ended up losing. This season, we've been losing like that all the time. I think we need to start from the point of absolutely not conceding. Until we score, we have to keep it at zero. Regarding the attack, even if we create opportunities on the sides, there were too few players in the box for the crosses. I feel like one of the defensive midfielders needs to step up more... that's a reflection I have."

　In the double pivot with Hidetoshi, I don't want to use the term 'both are defensive'... but if Hidetoshi is taking care of the balance, then I should have been the one to push forward. (Am I able to fight without panicking even after conceding a goal?) The coach is also saying 'don't panic', and that awareness is coming through. However, I think we also need to commit more players on the counter. Losing without scoring after having so much possession is...

　"Lucas" "I knew it would be a tough match against the top-ranked Nagoya. It's unfortunate that we conceded a goal in the good-flowing first half. However, I believe the reason for our defeat lies in our inability to break through Nagoya's defense in the second half. I understand that the competition for the ACL spots is tough, but we are all united and striving towards that goal. It's disappointing that we couldn't achieve a good result, but I also think this is football... It's been a tough season, but with three matches left, especially with two of them at home, we need to correct our mistakes and work hard to grow and win."

　[Summary of Coach Popovic's Press Conference] "We came here today to achieve victory, so it's disappointing that we couldn't get the result. The opponent is a team that has been performing at a top level for the past few years. There were aspects where we were able to compete, but there were also areas where we were inexperienced. Looking back at the match, our approach to the game was good. We moved the ball well and took control, not allowing the opponent to do what they wanted. I think we managed that. Regarding the goals conceded, we should not allow goals to be scored in that manner. We conceded due to careless mistakes. We need to correct that part."

　It was a serious match where both sides fought hard, and it became a tactical game. There were times when we were able to take control, so there are aspects of how we managed and progressed the game that can be evaluated. Regarding the result, I would like to sincerely congratulate Nagoya. As for the situation of the conceded goal, some may say it happened to hit DF Tōriō and go in. However, I believe that was not just by chance; it was a goal born from DF Tōriō's determination to score. In terms of determination and desire to score, our players must learn from him. After all, players who score goals are always aiming for the goal and are hungry for it.

　It is precisely because there is a strong desire to score that we are in a position to do so. I believe that was demonstrated by today's defender, Tulio. Until we conceded a goal, we did not allow the opponent to create any chances. I think that giving away the first goal was everything about today's game. However, the positive point was that we were able to challenge to equalize and fought aggressively. Unfortunately, it did not lead to a result, but I believe that such an attitude is commendable. We must carry this reflection into the next match.

　[Summary of the press conference by Nagoya's coach STOJKOVIC] "First of all, I would like to congratulate the players who fought in today's match. It was an important game. We achieved our goal with the result. After all, we lost points in the previous match due to bad luck, so it was important to earn 3 points in front of our supporters today, and I believe our way of playing and everything was good. We finished today with a score of 1-0, but we were able to win by playing in a way that truly deserved it. 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 today Nagoya is satisfied with this. (What does DF TERRY bring to the team?) There is nothing to hide; he is a very important player. We won 1-0 today, and it was a goal he contributed. It was a wonderful goal full of intelligence. His position is DF, but he handles it well. He also has quality and decisiveness in the attacking part. He has the ability to feel and predict. He is there when he needs to be. To shake the goal net, he must sniff it out and be there. I believe that is the true essence of DF TERRY.