A match to achieve revenge in the league and maintain the top position

In Sec. 4 of the Nabisco Cup qualifying league, we will face Cerezo Osaka away. In the previous league match against Omiya, we lost 0 to 1 after conceding a chance from a set piece. Since this is the start of two consecutive away matches, we will approach this game with fresh players. The lineup includes Kaga and Ota as the two full-backs, Hasegawa and Yonemoto as the double defensive midfielders, Kono and Mita on the left and right midfield, and Watanabe and Lee forming a partnership up front.

C Osaka, on the other hand, is currently in 4th place in the Nabisco qualifying group with 4 points. They have approached the matches without making significant changes to their lineup despite the consecutive games, but they have not won in their last 3 official matches and are on a 2-game losing streak. However, they have not collapsed completely, as all the matches they lost were by a one-goal margin. Just like in the previous league match against Tokyo, it can be said that close contests will determine the outcome. They are in a similar situation to Tokyo, but they too must be eager to seize an opportunity to rise at home.

Ishikawa, who returned from injury and joined the squad this match, said, "The current members have skill and dexterity, which is reassuring. However, if that is not translating into results, we need to add a plus to that reassurance and bring out a sense of fear. It may be necessary to continue challenging and to have a fighting spirit that allows those watching to entrust their hopes to us." It seems like it will be a battle where we cannot let our guard down until the end, but without fearing mistakes, we want to express the attitude of 'going to win the ball' and 'attacking decisively' on the pitch and turn it into victory.

The match started at 19:05 at Osaka Nagai Stadium with C Osaka's kickoff.

Although we controlled the ball, we couldn't create any decisive chances and went into halftime scoreless.

From the start, Tokyo dominates possession of the ball. In the 4th minute, Lee takes the team's first shot, but it goes wide. In the 10th minute, on a counterattack, Lee passes to Kaga, who sprints down the right side. From there, he sends a pass targeting the opposite side and behind the opponent, but Mita tries to run in only to be touched just before, resulting in a corner kick. However, in a situation where the opponent has formed a block and is attacking from there, they are unable to make vertical passes and cannot switch the play.

Conversely, the number of situations where we are countered due to mistakes is beginning to increase. Furthermore, the opponent frequently uses long balls targeting the shallow defensive line, and although they press forward to the goal area, we manage to defend well, centered around Shiota. In the 37th minute, Hasegawa's long pass is received by Lee, who breaks into the left area, and Mita advances with a dribble. From here, as he puts in a cross, Watanabe, who runs into the center just in front of the area, takes a direct shot from mid-range, but it lacks power and goes straight to the goalkeeper.

In the 41st minute, Yonemoto stole the ball in midfield and spread it to the left side. Mitani dribbled in and aimed for a mid-range shot with his right foot, but it went well wide of the goal. In the 43rd minute, after some passing in midfield, Yonemoto's long pass allowed Kono to break through behind the defense, but he lost his balance and couldn't take a shot. Tokyo maintained control of the ball throughout, but they couldn't create any clear chances. The first half ended with both teams scoreless.

Although they equalized once, they allowed another goal and suffered their first defeat in the qualifying league.

Based on the experience from the league match, there was a directive to pay attention to the start of the second half during stoppage time, but they allowed the first goal. In the 55th minute, while trying to connect from the defensive line after cutting off the opponent's attack, they lost possession and an early cross was sent in from the left side. Forward Edgino and Morishige competed for the ball in front of the goal, and the loose ball was decisively scored by forward Kakitani. Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, brought in Higashi in place of Kono in the 58th minute.

Then, in the 61st minute, the ball was played from the center by Yonemoto to the right side to Kaga. From there, an early cross was sent in, and Lee in the center headed it in for a goal. They quickly equalized. Furthermore, in the 63rd minute, Watanabe dove in with his head to a superb cross from Mita on the left side but couldn't make contact. It seemed like the momentum was starting to shift towards Tokyo, but in the 69th minute, C Osaka connected quickly, and the ball fell to MF Simplisio, who scored from distance, allowing them to regain the lead.

Immediately after, Ishikawa was brought in to replace Mita. Tokyo wanted to regain the momentum, but they were on the defensive against the rampaging C Osaka attack. In the 75th minute, Osaka's FW Kakita broke through behind Tokyo's DF and faced Shiota one-on-one. A decisive moment was created, but Shiota bravely rushed forward, evading the shot aimed at the empty goal, which was cleared by Takahashi who came in to cover. The defense somehow held firm and did not allow an additional goal. In the closing stages, the opponent had a player sent off, and Tokyo continued to press, but they could not break through for a goal. The match ended as it was, marking their first loss in the qualifying league.

[Player Comments]
《Li》"The goal was just a matter of connecting with a good ball from Kaga-san. There was a moment in the first half when the goalkeeper stopped me, so I was able to aim calmly. However, just like in the match against Marinos, I also had a chance to score a second goal. I believe that not being able to secure those two goals affects the outcome of the match. It's necessary to keep scoring goals, and I can only trust myself and keep going."

Today I played as an attacking midfielder, but I reflected on the match against Omiya and adjusted my positioning, trying to get involved with the ball and participate in passing as much as possible. I want to refine those movements further. In terms of the game's flow, the time taken to score initially was long, and we conceded goals at times when we shouldn't have. Losing a second goal at that point would have made things tough. Cerezo Osaka played well... or rather, we ended up dropping points ourselves, which made it a frustrating match. However, the team has strength, and I believe we can definitely ride the wave with the right opportunity.


Mita: "Today, when I was playing as a defensive midfielder, I focused on the plays I expect from the side midfielders. I was also thinking about making runs behind the defense, but I might have lacked plays that create more in the center. (There was a moment when I moved inside and took a shot) C Osaka was forming a block, and they didn't follow my movement into the center. So I aimed carefully and shot, but... I could only shoot with my right foot."

It felt like we couldn't find a way to pass because they were good at creating blocks. We need to discuss more about the movements in the front line and make more demands. Even in the league matches, C Osaka gradually increased their pace in the second half. In that sense, we ended up having a similar match. We need to capitalize on our dominance in the first half and prevent the opponent from doing anything. For example, it might have been necessary to create a block to defend against counterattacks... I think.

【Summary of the Coach's Press Conference】
Director Ranko POPOVIC: "What happened here and the result were not what we hoped for, and I cannot accept it right now. Looking back at the first half, we were in control of the game, but we lacked precision in our finishing, both in the final pass and in the shots."

It is important to prepare well for the next match. Analyzing and reflecting on the aspects that led to such results and improving for the next match is crucial. To seize an opportunity, it is necessary to achieve results. I believe that by achieving results, we can fight with more confidence, so I want to focus on that aspect.

"Cerezo Osaka's Levir CULPI" "Tokyo is always a close match because they are led by a very good coach and have a high level team. Today was such a match. While it was good that we achieved victory, to be honest, it was a game where we could have finished with more ease. We had several opportunities to score additional goals. However, I believe today was a game we deserved to win."

(We have been fighting in the Nabisco Cup with a full squad until now?) This is our enthusiasm for this tournament. The importance is the same regardless of the tournament. Furthermore, we aim to improve the team's completeness by playing with the same members, which is why we are approaching it with this lineup.