League matches resume! A new start begins

After a break of more than a month, the league matches will resume. In Sec. 14, we will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima at home. During this break, we have diligently worked on improving our physical condition and addressing the issues that arose in the first half of the league. On the other hand, Takahashi and Gonda have participated in the Japan national team activities for an extended period. Additionally, Lee and Tanabe will be leaving the team, marking a new start for Tokyo.

In this match, top scorer Watanabe injured his left foot and will be absent. Therefore, Lucas will be placed as the lone striker, with Higashi in the attacking midfield. On the sides will be Hasegawa and Mita, who is making his first start in the league. In the double pivot, alongside Yonemoto, Hyun Soo JANG will be utilized. On the bench, Mutou, who has just joined the team as a "JFA/J-League Special Designated Player," will also be available.

Hiroshima, currently in 5th place with 24 points, faced Kashiwa in the Nabisco Cup Quarterfinals held on June 23 and 30. Although they did not advance to the Semifinal Round, they should be able to regain their match sense and become accustomed to actual combat. Above all, the scoring ability of FW Sato, the movement that utilizes space, and the attacks initiated by MF Takahagi and Mikic have caused them to suffer defeat multiple times. Additionally, not only do both wide players maintain a high position in the 3-6-1 formation, but the unexpected advances from the defensive line have also become a strong point for Hiroshima.

If we concede a goal first, Hiroshima will only strengthen their defense, so we aim to keep the score at 0-0 for as long as possible, seize the first goal, and strive for victory in a style characteristic of Tokyo. It was the hottest day of the year during the day, but as evening approached, the heat eased a bit at Ajinomoto, and the match started at 18:34 with Hiroshima's kickoff.

High defensive awareness, connecting opportunities from counterattacks

From the start, Hiroshima showcased their characteristic passing work and allowed them to dominate possession. Hiroshima also had a strong awareness of shooting, and there were moments where they forced their way into finishing opportunities. However, Tokyo fought without panic, organized their defensive block, and attempted to counterattack from there.

In the 23rd minute, from a cut by Morishige in our own half, Hyun Soo JANG dribbled up the center and launched a powerful counterattack. Inside the opponent's territory, he connected with Mita, who advanced on the left, delivering a grounded cross in front of the goal. Lucas and Higashi both dove in, creating a decisive opportunity, but... both Lucas and Higashi were unable to connect due to a clash with the opposing DF. In the 29th minute, they circulated the ball in the opponent's territory, and Hyun Soo JANG sent a pass to the left forward. It was initially blocked by the Hiroshima DF, but Ota seized the rebound and took a direct shot. However, it was thwarted by the goalkeeper's save.

The quick counterattacks and transitions posed a threat to Hiroshima, and in the 39th minute, the team pushed forward as Morishige passed to the left-sided Mita, who connected with Lucas in the center, making a one-two before charging into the area. They created a big chance and took a shot, but it was saved by the GK, resulting in a corner kick...

In the first half stoppage time, Mita applied pressure in the Hiroshima half, stole the ball, and charged towards the goal with a dribble. He maneuvered past two Hiroshima defenders as he approached the area. Although he couldn't take a shot, he was fouled just before the area and earned a free kick. Mita aimed directly at the goal, but it was blocked by the wall, resulting in a left corner kick. This left corner kick was also cleared, and they couldn't connect it to a goal. Mita created a chance with his proactive attitude, but the first half ended scoreless.

In a tense battle, we conceded a goal from a free kick just before the end...

As the second half began, the pace of passing and movement increased, and in the early stages, Tokyo found their rhythm. In the 51st minute, they advanced while spreading the ball left and right, and Higashi in the central midfield turned and took a shot. In the 53rd minute, Ota on the left quickly crossed while bypassing the opposing defender. Lucas slid in at the near post but couldn't connect, sending the ball wide.

In the 59th minute, Hiroshima's MF Mikic broke free with a pass to the right front line and delivered a cross. This reached the free MF Takahagi in the left area, creating a scoring opportunity, but... the shot hit the resilient Tokyo DF and went to the center where Hiroshima FW Sato was. Tokunaga also closed in here, preventing a finish.

In the 60th minute, from a quick attack by Tokyo, Hasegawa switched the ball to the right flank. Mita, who ran in, dribbled past an opponent in the right area and took a shot with his right foot, but the ball hit the far post... In the 74th minute, from a vertical pass by Hyun Soo JANG, Mita in the center made a one-touch pass to Lucas in front, turned, and advanced. Receiving the return, he gained speed and this time took a shot with his left foot, but it went over the bar.

Hiroshima also attacked starting from right midfielder Mikic, and in the 74th minute, forward Sato was momentarily free from an early cross in front of the goal. He headed the ball, but it narrowly went to the left, avoiding a crisis. Tokyo also made a move in the 78th minute, with Tokunaga initiating play and earning their first corner kick of the second half. Mita's quick kick saw Hyun Soo JANG dive in with a header, but it just went slightly to the left... Both teams continued to attack each other, and the tense battle continued.

In the final stages, we spent a long time being pressed by Hiroshima, but conversely, we took advantage of the opponent's gaps. In stoppage time, we circulated the ball to unsettle the opponent, and Higashi took a shot from the center of the area. This was blocked, but Yonemoto rushed in on the loose ball and aimed for the goal, but it went wide...

Immediately after that, Hiroshima did not give up, and a through pass from the right side was skipped by FW Nozuta. Then, a foul was called against Tokunaga for holding FW Ishihara from behind, giving Hiroshima a free kick from the center of the penalty arc. This was directly aimed at Hiroshima MF Park Hyun-jin, who scored in the upper left corner... There was no time left for a counterattack, and the match ended. The introduction of Nemanja VUCICEVIC and Muto, who made his professional debut, did not bear fruit. The first match after the restart ended in a bitter defeat.


[Player Comments]
Mita
"I wanted to at least secure one point today, but I want to make sure we can get three from here. Personally, I wasn't nervous since I had participated in the Nabisco Cup. I think our defense worked well, and we were able to play a good game, but it’s really frustrating that the outcome was decided by the last play. There were parts where I felt I could perform and compete, but there were also some small mistakes. I lost the ball two or three times in situations where I shouldn't have. If I can eliminate those, I believe my play will expand even more. Also, I couldn't convert my shooting chances, which is disappointing and something to reflect on and improve. I want to pursue the details and work hard again from practice."

Ota
"Both in the first half and the second half, our defensive awareness was high. I think we were able to defend well against the five players in Hiroshima's front line with our four-back formation. We wanted to win the ball as high up the pitch as possible, but if we could hold on to a 0-0 scoreline in the first half by forming a block, we felt we could do well in the second half. We were able to speed up the game by connecting vertical passes. I think players like Higashi and Mita provided the necessary accents and created chances. If possible, we need to increase the time we have the ball and, when we advance to a higher position, we must think collectively not just about passing it around, but also about how to break down the opposition."


【Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference】
"It was a very difficult match. Both teams played tactically to neutralize each other's strengths, and I believe the aim was to defend well and create opportunities to attack by forcing mistakes from the opponent. Our players may have shown some stiffness at the start, possibly due to the time since our last official match."

Originally, there were opportunities to move the ball quickly and fluidly. It was a game where both teams were evenly matched, but I feel we had more decisive chances. If we had converted those, the result might have been different. Ultimately, we conceded a goal in that manner and ended up losing. It's a reality in the world of football. What’s important is not to dwell on it and for everyone to focus on the next match.


【Summary of Coach Moriyasu's Press Conference in Hiroshima】
"The players fought tenaciously and patiently until the end, and it was great to secure 3 points in a difficult away match at the very last moment. In the first half, we moved the ball and played according to our team concept, aiming to break through from the sides. Then Tokyo took our ball and countered. Both teams executed the tactics they prepared for this match throughout the first half and the full 90 minutes. In that sense, I think we were highly focused and were able to show an interesting tactical match."

Both teams created chances, but it remained 0-0 until the very end. It wasn't that either team played passively; they worked hard under solid tactics. For us, there were several counterattacks and some close calls, but the players patiently fought to keep the score at zero. I believe that led to the last free kick by MF Park, which resulted in our victory. Compared to previous matches, the temperature and humidity were high, and the players must have felt fatigued, but I think they pushed through until the end thanks to the support of the fans who rushed to Ajinomoto. Winning a tough game and delivering three points to the supporters was a great achievement.