A match that cannot be lost in order to stay competitive at the top

The league Sec. 13 will be the last match before a break of about one month, facing Kashima Antlers away. In the previous match against Shimizu, we scored 2 goals and achieved a victory without conceding a goal for the first time since the match against Kawasaki on April 27. Following the victory against Niigata in the Nabisco Cup, we have secured two consecutive wins in official matches. Although we are in a situation where key players like Kaga, Hayato HASEGAWA, and Ishikawa are not available, we want to unite as a team and aim for victory to stay competitive at the top.

Kashima currently has 6 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses. This season, Toninho CEREZO has returned as the manager. With the addition of FW Davi, they have overcome last season's "poor performance." They have also secured a spot in the knockout stage of the Nabisco Cup. Although their number of wins is the same as Tokyo's, they are accumulating points by demonstrating resilience and consistently playing "not to lose". In particular, the two-top of FW Davi and FW Osako is a threat, so the key will be how much they can prevent the creation of opportunities in the front line.

Tokyo has not made any changes to the starting lineup since the last match. In league matches against Kashima, they have not won for six consecutive games since 2009, but it is crucial not to be intimidated and to avoid being overwhelmed by the away atmosphere. Coach Popovic also stated, "We suffered a heavy defeat away last season, but this is a great opportunity to use that loss as motivation and show our growth from it. I want the players to have a strong mindset and fighting spirit," as they challenge without fear of the opponent and strive for victory. The match started at 17:05 with Kashima's kickoff at Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Capitalizing on clear chances, leading by 2 points at halftime

The match started to move from the beginning of the first half. Immediately, Kashima launched an attack, but the DF line responded calmly. Then, in the 7th minute, Higashi on the left side passed to Lucas in the center, who dribbled forward, evading Kashima's midfielder Ogasawara. He tried to exchange a one-two with Lee in the area, but at first, Lee's lob was cut off by the opposing DF. However, Lee quickly reacted to the loose ball from the scramble. He broke behind the line, saw the movement of Kashima's GK, and skillfully slotted it into the net for a goal.

They wanted to take the lead and control the game at their own pace, but the flow remained with Kashima. They often lost the ball under the opponent's intense pressing and were pushed back. However, they remained calm, defended tenaciously at the back line, and gradually created opportunities to attack with quick transitions. In the 35th minute, they launched a counterattack, with Lee dribbling up the center and passing to Yonemoto, who made a run on the right unmarked. Just before the area, he took a shot, but it was blocked by a Kashima defender.

In the 44th minute, Lee and Higashi exchanged passes on the left side. Higashi held the ball for a moment, and Lee shook off the defender to receive the pass again, sending it to Watanabe, who was free inside. Watanabe struck a powerful shot into the bottom left corner, securing an additional goal. Throughout the first half, there were periods where they were pressed by Kashima, but they effectively capitalized on their scoring opportunities, finishing with an ideal match scenario and a two-goal lead.

Unable to stop Kashima's momentum, frustrating comeback loss

The match starts moving again in the second half. In the 47th minute, a through pass from Kashima FW Davi allows FW Osako to break through the right flank, creating a one-on-one situation with Gonda, resulting in a goal conceded. Furthermore, in the 56th minute, following a throw-in from Kashima, the ball is passed to MF Endo, who breaks into the right area. Gonda attempts to come out and respond, but is evaded, and the right cross grazes Hyun Soo JANG and finds the net. An own goal leads to the second point lost, and the score is equalized.

Tokyo, wanting to switch to an offensive strategy, brought in Tanabe for Lee in the 65th minute. Higashi moved into the attacking midfield position. However, Kashima's momentum did not stop. Immediately after the substitution, Tanabe tried to take the ball just outside the area, but it was stolen by Kashima forward Osako, who quickly broke through to score the third goal. A mistake allowed them to take the lead. Tokyo, wanting to catch up, saw a pass to the front line spill into the right area in the 78th minute. Higashi rushed in and, despite being challenged by the defender, took a shot at goal but couldn't finish, sending it straight to the goalkeeper.

In the 79th minute, Ota's left cross slipped past the near post and fell to Watanabe at the far post, but he couldn't shoot and the ball went to the GK. In the 43rd minute, Lucas and Tanabe were replaced by Hirayama and Hayashi. In stoppage time, Hayashi broke through from the left side and made a precise shot just before the area. However, it was saved by the opposing GK and resulted in a corner kick. The match ended with the score as it was. They couldn't capitalize on the 2-goal lead established in the first half. It was a frustrating comeback loss.


[Player Comments]
《Morishige》
"In the first half, we were able to show what we have been working on this season. In the second half, all of our bad points from this season came out. It felt like we were a completely different team between the first and second halves. Before the second half, our plan for how to proceed with the match may have become unclear. Of course, we wanted a third and fourth goal, but there should have been a way to take advantage of the opponent pushing forward. We may have needed to control the ball and play with a bit more composure."

(The matchup with Kashima FW Davi was impressive, and in the end, we didn't let him score?) I have been saying “Davi” “Davi” all along, but I wanted to contain Kashima's two forwards, including FW Osako. I was caught out by a player I was wary of, so I feel extremely inadequate as a defender.


《East》
"We started the match well by taking the lead with an opening goal and led by two goals in the first half. It would have been great if we could have maintained that in the second half, but we were turned around in a way that has happened many times this season, making it a very regrettable match. In the second half, our line dropped too much, and we couldn't press the two forwards from Kashima. We ended up chasing the game. (Did you move to the attacking midfielder position midway through the second half?) I was thinking of pushing forward and aiming for goals. I had my chances, but ultimately I couldn't convert them, so that's my challenge."

(Reflecting on the battles so far) I joined to win, and I still haven't given up on that, but I really need to win. I absolutely wanted to win today. I'm very frustrated. (I will soon join the Japan national team) This is not the end, and I want to continue to be selected from here, so I want to make an impression in practice. First, I want to do my best to show my strengths so that those around me can understand my play.


[Summary of the Manager's Press Conference]
《Ranko POPOVIC》
"I think we showed different sides in the first and second halves. In the first half, we were able to control the game well and did not allow the opponent to create any clear chances, achieving what we aimed to do. At halftime, we talked about going for the next goal, but the way we started the second half created an atmosphere as if we were in a break. Kashima also came at us aggressively, and we became passive in that situation. We made some mistakes, but regarding the consecutive goals we conceded from there, I believe Kashima played appropriately."

In a match like this, it is meaningless if we do not continue to show what we have been working on. We have repeated this several times before, but to win a match like this, we must believe in ourselves and keep going. In the second half, the distance between the players became too far, and it is a point of reflection that we could not fight together as a team. I would like to congratulate Kashima, who has the power to turn the match around in the first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half.

(Why did you substitute Lee?) In the first half, we were able to apply good pressure on the opponent's defensive line and holding midfielders, but in the second half, that completely disappeared. If the forwards do not apply pressure on the ball holder, the defensive line stretches, which causes the vital area to open up, and we were exploited there. The defense was very good in the first half, but I think fatigue naturally set in during the second half, and our defense loosened up, so I made the substitution. I believe there were improvements after that. Both Hayashi and Keigo had decisive chances, but they couldn't capitalize on them. I think that's what led to this result.


《Kashima - Toninho CEREZO Coach》
"The opponent did not have a match in the middle of the week, so I knew they would naturally increase their physicality and apply pressure. However, due to our own mistakes, we conceded two goals. Especially after the second goal, the opponent organized their formation, which prevented us from showcasing our technical skills and ball possession, and they quickly closed down the spaces, making it difficult for us to utilize them effectively. From that point on, as you all felt, we resorted to long balls, which were poorly timed and led to a vicious cycle where we lost second balls as well."

I was watching the match hoping that we could maintain that score at least until halftime. Normally, one might think that yelling at the players during halftime would be the way to go, but on the contrary, I believe in the players and considering their potential, I think a comeback is possible. While 45 minutes may seem like a short time, it is enough to turn things around. I also worked on uplifting the spirits of the players who had dropped a bit after conceding the second goal. In the second half, we aimed to play to win and to play winning football. I believe the players executed that.

When we scored the first goal about two minutes into the match, I became convinced that we could turn the game around, and I believe the players' efforts led to our victory. Even in a series of matches, having support at home can allow us to run an extra meter or two, and I think that contributed to our win. All the players were moving towards the goal, and there were many different movements and free runs, creating a high-paced match. For us, playing in the middle of the week against a Tokyo team that plays at a high pace, it was very good that we were able to sustain not only our skills but also our physical output to secure the win.

Defending against Tokyo's attack consumes both physical energy and mental effort, and I am satisfied that the players were able to maintain their power in the second half and even elevate their performance to play such soccer. I hope to continue this and further improve.