Sec. 22 Tamagawa Classico, betting on pride and honor

The league Sec. 20 will be held. It will be a match against Kawasaki Frontale as the 22nd Tamagawa Classico. In the previous match, we assessed the flow of the game, switched to attack, and won with two goals from Watanabe. We finished the last five matches in the past month without a loss, and we managed to keep a clean sheet against Shimizu and Oita. This is a match where we want to achieve consecutive victories with the confidence from our defense and the momentum of being unbeaten.

Kawasaki is currently in 8th place with 28 points. Although they have suffered consecutive losses to Shonan and Sendai in the last two matches, their total of 40 goals is the highest in the league. Notably, this season, they have only finished one match without scoring, which was the game against Tokyo at Ajinomoto on April 27. The attacking power is a threat. FW Yu OKUBO, currently ranked 2nd in scoring after Watanabe, along with side FW Renato and newly joined FW Alan Pinheiro, have quickly fit into the team. Utilizing the passes from MF Nakamura, they are accumulating goals through both teamwork and individual skills in the front line.

On the other hand, while the total goals conceded is 36, which is the second worst in the league (tied with 3 teams), it will be key to see how effectively we can apply pressure from the front, win the ball in midfield, and create many opportunities to transition to attack against Kawasaki, who will likely come out aggressively to stop their home losing streak.

It is not easy to maintain control for 90 minutes under the heat. Even if we concede a goal first, we must remain composed and show the perseverance to win throughout the entire match. This classic rivalry, where pride and determination clash, requires us to fight calmly on both offense and defense, aiming to secure three points. In the season's most intense heat, the match started at 19:04 with Kawasaki's kickoff, as the sweltering heat continued even into the night.

Although they allowed the first goal, they equalized with Watanabe's skillful goal.

They entered the match with focus, launching quick attacks from solid defense, showing an aggressive attitude. In the 4th minute, Yonemoto took a long shot. In the 6th minute, from Ota's left throw-in, Ishikawa passed to Masaru HASEGAWA, who broke through the front line, and Watanabe, who followed up, brought the ball to the center and took a long shot. It was a controlled shot, but it just veered slightly to the right. In the 16th minute, Takahashi regained possession of the ball that was taken away, and Watanabe headed the long cross from Yonemoto, who had drifted to the right side.

Kawasaki showcased speedy passing and sharp counters, creating a match that highlighted each team's strengths. Gradually, Tokyo began to dominate possession, trying to break down Kawasaki. In the 25th minute, they initiated an attack from the left side, with Lucas taking a shot from the center. In the 30th minute, Lucas's switch to the right was controlled by Ishikawa, and Takahashi unleashed a sharp long-range shot that veered to the left.

However, they were unable to finish here, and in the 33rd minute, Kawasaki's MF Renato quickly passed to MF Nakamura, who advanced the ball forward. The central FW Yu OKUBO passed to the right-side FW Pinheiro, getting behind the Tokyo DF in the right area. A one-two connection was made here, and FW Yu OKUBO scored. They could not contain Kawasaki's clever fluidity and allowed the first goal.

However, without looking down and without panicking, they launched a counterattack. In the 39th minute, they advanced by passing the ball, and Morishige sent a perfectly timed lob to Yonemoto, who broke through on the right side into the right area. Watanabe controlled it with one touch and struck it into the goal with his right foot. Amidst the tense back-and-forth battle, they equalized before the end of the first half, and the match was carried over to the second half.

Ota equalized with a free kick, and the fiercely intense match ended in a draw

In the second half, Tokyo lost the kickoff ball, allowing Kawasaki to create a numerical advantage through passing exchanges on the right flank. From there, they broke through the side and delivered a right cross, which was headed by forward Yu OKUBO. Gonda saved it with one hand, but the rebound was pounced on by midfielder Nakamura. They conceded a goal due to a lack of concentration at the start.

In the 49th minute, Mita came on. Immediately after, Mita's play earned a left corner kick, and Morishige made a precise header, but it went straight to the GK... In the 54th minute, Lucas was fouled on the left front line, earning a free kick from outside the area. Ota's kick was deflected for a throw-in, but in the following 56th minute, Lucas was fouled again, resulting in a free kick just in front of the right area. There was a distance of about 25 to 26 meters, but Ota's shot aimed for the goal curled into the top right corner! Ota successfully equalized from the direct free kick.

After that, Kawasaki launched a sharp attack aiming to take the lead at home, and there were moments when they were pushed back mainly through dribbling, but they endured and tried to connect to the front line. In the 68th minute, Nemanja VUCICEVIC was brought on. Tokyo also aimed to take the lead. In the final stages, when both sides showed signs of fatigue, they fought fiercely to attack each other.

In the 87th minute, from a wide play, they pressed Kawasaki, and from Watanabe's post, Hasegawa broke into the area but was cut off by the Kawasaki defender just before the big chance. The intensely heated match ended in a draw as neither side gave in, reaching the time-up.


[Player Comments]
"Ota"
"I scored a free kick in yesterday's practice. Today, the distance was a bit longer, but the angle was similar, so I aimed for it. Just as I imagined. I think it was perfect. The coach has instilled confidence in me during regular practice, allowing me to take shots in matches like this. I'm glad I was able to score there. As for the match, it was the toughest one I've had so far. In the first half, we all talked about 'defense first' and tried not to push forward too much. However, since we conceded a goal first, we had to balance between defending and pushing forward."

《HASEGAWA》
"It was an intense match. I think we both fought fiercely in this heat. I wanted to win, and I had chances to score myself, so I can't say I'm satisfied, but I want to think positively about earning 1 point. Today, I played as an attacking midfielder, so I was focused on playing close to Watanabe. I aimed to receive the ball as far forward as possible and also tried to make runs behind the defense. I believe that helped lower the opponent's line. Now that we're back home, I want to prepare well to earn 3 points against a top team."


[Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference]
"In such conditions, both teams gave their all. The supporters of both teams filled the stadium, creating an amazing atmosphere, and there were many chances. We fought to win and to score goals. It was an attractive game. The moments we conceded goals were when we reacted poorly. Our approach to the ball became half-hearted, allowing the opponent to create numerical advantages on the sides and break through. That is a point for reflection. We conceded a goal right after the start of the second half in a similar manner, which is not the appearance of a mature and complete team. It is necessary to grow and improve steadily. However, even though we allowed two leads, I believe that finishing the match in a draw is a result that can lead to future success."


【Kawasaki - Coach Kazama's Press Conference Summary】
"It was a good match. Both teams did very well in valuing possession and scoring goals. However, we conceded two goals that were unfortunate for us. We need to improve our individual tactics and techniques rather than just as a team. On the offensive side, we scored beautifully. Additionally, we broke down the opponent's defense quite a few times. If we increase the number of attempts and improve the quality of our decisions, I believe the team will get better. It was a match that made me think that."