Sec. 17 of the league's first round, achieving consecutive victories to connect to the second half of the season

The league Sec. 17 will be held, facing Ventforet Kofu at Ajinomoto. As the conclusion of a four-match series, this match will also mark the completion of the first round of league matches. Following the previous match, we aim to achieve consecutive victories and carry that momentum into the second half of the season. However, this match will see Morishige suspended due to accumulated warnings. Therefore, Kaga and Hyun Soo JANG will be utilized as center-backs. Additionally, Lucas will start for the first time in three matches. Yone moto and Ota, who were injured in the last match, are not seriously affected and will also be in the starting lineup.

Kofu, currently in 14th place with 14 points, has returned to J1 this season under Coach Jofuku. They have been controlling the ball and showing competitive performances against any opponent. However, they are on a six-game losing streak since Sec. 11. In particular, they have lost the last three matches after the break in close contests. Nevertheless, they will surely come into this match desperate for results.

This is the first match against Kofu since the final match of 2007, and Tokyo aims to play aggressively, maintaining focus on both offense and defense for the full 90 minutes, striving for consecutive victories. The rain intensified at Ajinomoto before the match. The match started at 19:34 with Kofu's kickoff on a Wednesday, slightly later than usual.

Conceded a goal right after the start, but equalized with Lucas's goal

The match started with action. From the play by Kofu's DF Tsuchiya to FW Hiramoto, they exploited the left side of Tokyo, and from there, a grounded vertical pass was sent deep into the right area. This was dropped by Kofu's MF Sasaki from the sideline, and the following MF Kashiwa made a negative pass to the center. FW Hiramoto, who was free, scored with a header... Just after the start, they were caught off guard, and the defense was broken down by a direct pass, resulting in a conceded goal.

However, without being disturbed, Tokyo calmly launched a counterattack. Although they had some time with the ball against Kofu, they defended without panic and tried to move forward to create chances. In the 7th minute, Lucas's cross was cut off, but they connected for a second attempt, and once again Lucas cut into the right area and shot. It was on target with control, but was thwarted by a great save from the goalkeeper. In the 17th minute, they intercepted in midfield and moved forward, with Watanabe stealing a loose ball from the feet of a Kofu defender and shooting from just outside the left area.

Then, in the 18th minute, the ball was passed in midfield, from Yonemoto to Takahashi, and Ota, who advanced on the left, sent a high cross to the far post. Lucas, competing with the opposing defender, headed the ball down, and it bounced into the left net! Lucas's skillful header brought the score level.

In the 27th minute, Yonemoto intercepted Kofu's passing. He passed to Watanabe in front, and together with Higashi, they launched a dynamic counterattack. Watanabe advanced with a dribble and passed to Yonemoto on the left side. Yonemoto, gaining speed, took a shot from outside the left corner of the area, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper's save. After that, there were some mistakes, and they couldn't take control to take the lead, but they didn't allow Kofu to create any real chances either. The match was carried over to the second half.

Full of dynamism, Nema's first goal and Watanabe's two goals pull away from Kofu!

In the second half, both teams engaged in a speedy back-and-forth. In the 52nd minute, Kofu connected from a throw-in, and Kofu FW Kaneko broke through on the right flank. The Tokyo DF was barely evaded and moved forward, and Kofu MF Sho SASAKI made a run to meet a negative pass to the center... A decisive moment was created, but Tokunaga somehow managed to close in, and the shot ended in a miss.

In the 53rd minute, Tokyo brought on Nemanja VUCICEVIC. They launched a more dynamic attack. Then in the 69th minute, Ota ran in on a loose ball that had spilled from the opposing defender on the left flank and delivered a cross. Watanabe headed the ball from a high point in the center. The floating ball eluded the outstretched hand of the Kofu goalkeeper and found the net, successfully securing the go-ahead goal.

With this, they completely gained momentum, and in the 74th minute, Ishikawa came on. Starting from the left side, they connected to a powerful attack. In the 82nd minute, they connected from their own half, and from a vertical pass from Hyun Soo JANG to Ota, Ishikawa broke through to the left front and sent a low cross to the center. Higashi let it pass, and VUCICEVIC, who circled around from behind, confidently struck it with his right foot into the goal. Nemanja's first goal of the season was scored, making it the third point.

Kofu had no power left to counterattack, and in the 89th minute, Yonemoto passed from the right rear of his own half to Mita, who came on as a substitute. Mita turned and connected the ball to the right flank. Receiving this, Watanabe charged into the area with a dribble. He feinted to cut back inside the opposing DF and took a shot. The ball bounced off the covering opposing DF and went into the net. They scored three goals in the second half, achieving a total of four goals, the highest this season, to secure victory. They achieved consecutive wins, finishing the first half of the league with 26 points in 8th place.


[Player Comments]
《Watanabe》
"There were few opportunities from crosses as a team, so I had been wanting to score for a long time. I was able to connect well. Since practice, I have been discussing timing and other things with Ota. For the second goal, I decided to take it on myself and went for a dribble. I think my eagerness paid off. I have scored 12 goals so far, but there were more chances to score, and what comes next is important. I won't overthink it and will aim for the next one as well. Above all, the most important thing is for the team to win, and that builds confidence. I want to focus on the results as well as the content of our play."

《Lucas》
"The moment the cross came from Ota, I felt it was a good ball and I jumped in. I managed to win the battle against the opposing defender and got my header in. The whole team wanted to keep winning, and I was really focused too. After conceding the first goal, I wanted to equalize as quickly as possible. There will be a bit of a gap from here, but I think the team's condition is gradually improving. I want to keep pushing without letting my guard down and aim for a higher position."


[Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference]
"There was a difference in content between the first half and the second half. I think conceding a goal right after the start had an impact. We aimed to challenge aggressively for the goal, but in the first half, there were noticeable moments where we lost the ball to the opponent due to passing mistakes and easy errors in a free state. In the second half, we were able to make proper adjustments. We organized our thoughts and were able to play while always having quick judgments and ideas to threaten the opponent's goal. We need to continue playing like we did in the second half, and I believe we have the ability to show that."

In a tight schedule with four matches in a short period, they showed great performance even in the fourth match. It was a demanding schedule not only physically but also mentally, but I am satisfied that we could deliver such a match to conclude the four consecutive games. I want to say well done to the players. I believe this victory was achieved by everyone, including not just the starters but also those who came on as substitutes and those on the bench. I also want to express my gratitude to the many fans and supporters who came out despite the bad weather. I want to repay them by showing football like we did today.


[Kofu - Summary of Coach Jofuku's Press Conference]
"Despite the team's very difficult situation, the supporters of Kofu sent us warm and passionate cheers. We will never forget this. I want to repay their feelings. Regarding the match, I want to say that we did well until the 70th minute when we conceded the second goal. However, as a result, there have been several matches where I cannot say we did well when the 90 minutes were over. The issues are extremely clear, so I will continue with this style of football. There may be changes in the lineup. I want to show a new Kofu after Sec. 18."

(When I saw the Tokyo players and supporters on the pitch) I left Tokyo three years ago without being able to say goodbye to the supporters who warmly supported me. So I was determined to bow in gratitude. That’s why I bowed. It was to express my gratitude up until now. However, that was only for the time I bowed. Other than that, I am with the players and supporters of Kofu.