Aiming for 3 consecutive wins with the momentum!

In the 3rd round of the league, we will face Cerezo Osaka away. In the previous round against Kashiwa, we showed our strength in scoring crucial chances and achieved a comfortable victory without letting the opponent show their strengths. Both Watanabe and Hasegawa scored goals in the opening match, and the team's condition can be considered good. This round will be a difficult match as both teams are on a winning streak, but we want to aim for a 3rd consecutive victory with the entire team, including the substitutes.

C Osaka, on the other hand, is in good form with two consecutive wins, beating Niigata 1-0 in the opening match and Kofu 2-1 in the previous match. This week, they will have FW Edino and Kakitani as their two top players, with MF Nishino and Yamaguchi on both sides. The formation will also include MF Simplício and Ohtawara as a double pivot in midfield, and DF Shigenobu as the center back. In particular, attention must be paid to MF Kakitani, who leads the attack with his sharpness, quick movements, and ability to break through the opponent's defense. He has already scored in the past two matches, becoming a key player in their victories.

Tokyo will face the same starting lineup as before. Coach Ranko POPOVIC said, "C Osaka has been fighting under Coach Krupe for more than 6 seasons, and his way of thinking has permeated. In addition, young players with potential have gained experience, and the balance with middle-aged and veteran players is also good." He also declared, "We have no intention of playing soccer that suits the opponent." He continued, "It's not an easy thing, but we want to proceed at Tokyo's pace and lead to victory."

In addition, attention is focused on C Osaka DF Mokuhara, who has been on loan since this season, as the point of contention on the side. Tokyo wants to take the lead in both offense and defense with their characteristic coordination and passing work by first preventing the opponent from showing their strengths on the side, and then adapting to changes and flow of the game. Both teams advocate attacking soccer and Popovic, the coach, says, "It will definitely be an interesting game." The game started at 3:04 pm with Tokyo's kickoff at Osaka Nagai Stadium.

Unable to create scoring opportunities for each other, the first half ends scoreless.

Tokyo launched a wave attack from the start. In the first minute, they connected from the kickoff and Watanabe picked up the loose ball, but his first shot from the right side went wide. In the following second minute, Hasegawa → Watanabe → East on the left side → Ota's cross, but Hasegawa on the left side tried to aim for the goal, but the GK caught it without much force. In the fourth minute, Tokunaga shot from the right area, but it went over the bar.

Gradually, C Osaka regained its composure and the game became a stalemate. In the 21st minute, Ota made a pass from the front line, and East dropped it deep into the area. Lucas in front beautifully volleyed it into the net, but... East was called for a handball foul, and it was no goal. Tokyo was unable to make vertical passes against C Osaka's intense press. On the other hand, C Osaka launched quick counterattacks, making for an intense match.

37 minutes, Tokyo's Hasegawa steals the opponent's lateral pass and dribbles into the area, passing to Watanabe on the right. His signature cross from the area crosses in front of the goal, but East is unable to reach it in the center. In the 43rd minute, Lucas → Tokunaga speeds up and crosses from the right. East was running towards the goal, but was cut off by the defense and resulted in a corner kick. As the shot count of 3 to 2 in the first half shows, both teams were able to connect passes in the midfield, but were unable to break through until the end. The score remains 0-0 going into the second half.

Unable to break the opponent's goal until the end, resulting in defeat.

C Osaka replaced DF Murohara with MF Maruhashi in the second half and put him on the left SB. Then in the 47th minute, they were caught on the counterattack by Osaka after a mistake in the midfield. MF Maruhashi passed to MF Nishino on the left side, who then made a final pass to MF Yamaguchi for the first goal. Tokyo immediately fought back in the 54th minute, with Lucas on the right side making a move in the area and sending a perfect ground cross. Higashi scored on the far side, but it was ruled offside. However, after that, Osaka continued to attack and create chances from Tokyo's mistakes, putting them under pressure.

Substituted Takahashi for Ishikawa on the right side at 62 minutes. Hasegawa moved to the defensive midfielder position. Shortly after, Ishikawa's right corner kick was headed by Watanabe, but the GK caught it. At 66 minutes, Lee was substituted for Watanabe. Then at 68 minutes, Lee broke through the front line to receive a long pass from Morishige. He had a one-on-one with the GK in the left area and took a left-footed shot, but the GK made a save. He quickly reacted to the rebound and took another shot, but this time it was blocked by a covering defender. It was a decisive opportunity, but they couldn't convert it.

C Osaka made a defensive move by pulling back to their own field, and in the 77th minute, Kono was substituted for Lucas to become more aggressive. Immediately after, in the 78th minute, Ishikawa dribbled down the right side and made a last pass to the center. However, the opposing defender blocked it and it became a right corner kick. From this corner kick by Ishikawa, Lee made a perfect header, but it was saved by the GK. In stoppage time, Lee made a powerful shot from a left cross, but once again, the GK caught it. Despite continuous attacks, they were unable to break through C Osaka's strong defense and the game ended. This was their first loss of the season.

[Player Comments]
《East》 "(I am conscious of) always competing with the opponent's center back against the opponent who is trying to tighten the defense. If I pull too much, I will be taken care of by the defensive midfielder. (Were there any scenes where you entered the area multiple times?) It is important to keep repeating for goals and assists. I want to be able to do it more and more. We lost today, but I believe that we will become a better team. I want to improve with each game by always being aware of playing at a high level and the game without forgetting the fighting spirit."

"Lee" "There was a good chance, but I couldn't score. I think the timing and course were good, and I was able to bring it into a good shape. However, it has been three games in a row. I wonder why, but I don't want to be negative and I want to score somehow. (Was there a frustrated atmosphere on the pitch regarding the decision?) No, there were chances and we should have scored. It was a game that we could control with our own strength. So it's not about the decision."

[Coach's Press Conference Summary]
《Coach Ranko POPOVIC》"(Was there a problem with the referee?) No comment. I don't think talking about the referee here will solve anything. However, I do have a desire for people to understand soccer more. It's not about criticism, but rather, I think it's necessary for us to continue thinking together about what we can do for the Japanese soccer world to progress further. I believe that the team should play fairly and cleanly to make it easier for the referee to blow the whistle, and on the other hand, the referee should control the game firmly and lead the game in a good direction."

I think we need to consider how we can contribute to the Japanese football world. Another important thing is to continue showing the way we should be playing football. It is important to continue playing with fair play, respect for our opponents, and respect for the referees. However, there were some things that I would like you to consider regarding the decisions made today.

"Levir CULPI, manager of C Osaka: "We have been able to achieve 100% of the points in these three games, which is the best result. Our goal is to be in first place. In order to do that, we have to keep winning. That's why this was an important victory. However, our coordination is still lacking. We need to improve our coordination as we play more games. (What is the reason for winning games by a one-point margin?) I don't think I can explain the reason for three consecutive wins in one word. As I mentioned earlier, there are still areas where we are lacking in terms of content. However, it is also true that we are playing well enough to deserve the victory."

It was a wonderful goal like today, and although it didn't lead to a goal in these three games, there were very good breakdowns and dedicated defenses. Another important thing is that we have used all the substitution slots throughout the three games. This is important in terms of having a deep squad. And when I looked back at the bench in the second half today, there was a time when I thought I should let Mr. Biliken in (laughs)."