Approach the final game of the 3-game series with all our might

In the 24th round of the league, we will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous round against Tosu, we allowed a late winning goal after catching up from a 2-point deficit, resulting in a heavy defeat with 2 draws and 2 losses in the last 4 matches. However, we were able to score goals through powerful attacks from Hirayama and Watanabe in the second half. Although it is a match with only 2 days of rest, we will try to improve on our mistakes and enhance the strengths of our team. We will approach the final match of the 3-game series with determination and aim to bring back 3 points even though it is an away game.

Hiroshima, who they are facing, is currently in second place with 44 points. They have consistently maintained a high position, but in the last three games, they have lost without winning and have given up the top spot. In particular, in the previous game against Kofu, they lost without scoring due to injuries to MF Mikic and changes in the lineup due to consecutive games. However, they must be wary of Hiroshima's highly polished style. In particular, they must maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes and thoroughly challenge and cover the movements of FW Sato, who is able to perfectly time crosses from the sides and passes from MF Takahagi.

Tokyo will have both Yonehara returning from suspension and Lucas, who came on as a substitute in the previous match, back in the starting lineup. They will also change their system to a 3-4-2-1 formation. The key will be to prevent the opponent's attacks by quickly creating opportunities in the midfield. In particular, putting pressure on the opponent's midfielders, such as Aoyama, and not allowing them to play freely will likely determine the outcome of the match. In attack, they will learn from their mistakes in the previous match and be proactive, showing boldness and determination to score and win.

The match started at 19:06 with Hiroshima's kickoff at EDION Stadium Hiroshima.

Take advantage of the opponent's mistake and take the lead with Watanabe's goal.

Tokyo showed a high defensive awareness and a cautious start. However, it was Hiroshima who dominated the ball. In the 3rd minute, Hiroshima's FW Sato cut into the area from the right side. Ota's cut ball grazed FW Sato and Mori Shige's clearance hit the post and went out. In the 13th minute, a floating pass was aimed at the back of the DF line from Hiroshima's DF Chiba. There, MF Ishihara was sent out and a decisive situation was created, but Chang Hyun Soo chased and approached, and the shot was saved by Gonda, avoiding danger.

Hiroshima continued to be pushed in, but in the 16th minute, Hiroshima scored a goal from a goal kick and Chiba DF, who tried to connect the ball in their own zone, was pressed by Watanabe and stole it, shaking off the chasing DF and sliding in to the left corner with his left foot. They did not miss the opponent's gap and took the lead. Then Tokyo gradually created chances from counters. In the 24th minute, Higashi flowed to the right front line, connected to Watanabe in the center, and received a return pass to shoot from the center of the area. Although the GK made a great save, Ota picked up the rebound and shot from the left side, but it was saved by the GK in front of him.

Hiroshima had more time moving the ball, but Tokyo calmly defended and waited for a chance to steal the ball. In particular, Morishige repeatedly joined the attack as a starting point from the left side. In the 34th minute, Ota crossed from the left side. Although it was cleared once, Lucas picked up the loose ball from the center and aimed for a middle shot, but it went wide. In the 44th minute, Lucas ran to the right front line and Watanabe took a shot from a minus pass from the center, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. They maintained a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

Despite being caught up in a tie, they secured a victory with Yonemoto's goal, the first since 2009.

The development remains unchanged even in the second half. In the 50th minute, Morishige quickly switched to the right front line. Watanabe caught up and brought the ball to the right area, waiting for his teammate's attack and making a negative pass. Hasegawa then made a direct shot, but it went over the frame. In the 59th minute, Hiroshima took advantage of a chance from a free kick and tried to break through to the front line with FW Sato. Takahashi held him down, but the ball was quickly passed and MF Ishihara took a shot from the right area. However, Gonda used his body to block it and avoided danger.

However, in the 62nd minute, from a right CK by Hiroshima, substitute MF Park Hyun-jin's kick was sent inside by right side MF Fan Sohko, and this was changed course by FW Sato near the goal, resulting in a goal and an equalizer. However, Tokyo did not panic even with the equalizer and continued to play as they had been. In the 65th minute, Yonemoto dribbled past an opponent on the left side and crossed. East headed it perfectly, but it was saved by the GK and resulted in a CK. On the other hand, in the 71st minute, Hiroshima's MF Ishihara took a shot near the area, but it was caught by Gonda.

After that, in the continued stalemate, they were pushed by Hiroshima's energetic counterattacks. In the 77th minute, Iwata was substituted for Lucas. However, the situation continued and they were pushed back. But in the 81st minute, Morishige intercepted the opponent's ball in the center of their own field. He then carried the ball up and passed it to the right front line to Higashi in the center. Although it didn't quite reach Watanabe who was running in, Yonemoto was free in the left area and calmly aimed and scored a shot to take the lead. From here, they faced Hiroshima's fierce comeback, but there was also a superb save by Gonda and the game ended as it was.

They persistently fought and took 3 points for the first time in 5 games (since the Oita game on 8/3).



[Player Comments]
《Yonemoto》
"I was able to fight patiently. We were tied, but we were able to take the lead and win as a team. The scoring scene was when everyone's feet started to stop, and it became a counterattack. Before that, I had been talking with Ariya and Hide about how we couldn't create chances unless one of the midfielders went forward. So I took the chance and went forward. Keigo probably made a mistake with the pass (laughs), but I'm glad we were able to score."

"Watanabe"
"We were able to take advantage of the counterattack and finish with a shot in a good way. It was a difficult game, but in this kind of situation, I thought that one chance would decide the game. I think it was good that we didn't miss the opponent's mistakes and were able to take advantage of them. There were a few times when Hiroshima broke us down, but we were able to defend as a team. Even if we conceded a goal, we were able to stay calm and fight. Even though the formation changed, I think we were able to show our strength and get results. Above all, the team's victory is the most important. In the past, I couldn't be happy even if I scored a goal if the team lost, but I want to do my best to score goals and help the team win."


[Coach Popovich's Press Conference Summary]
"I think we were able to firmly grasp the victory we wanted. It was a close game with chances for both teams, but I think we showed plays that were closer to victory and today's win was necessary and important. It was a big deal to score first against Hiroshima. If we had been behind, we would have been forced to defend and counterattack, which is a strong point for the opponent."

In the flow of the game, there were times when our energy dropped and Hiroshima took control, but Gonda showed his presence in those crucial moments. He made two big saves that had an impact on the result. Of course, it was not just him, but all the players who fought until the end. It was a game that could have gone either way, but I believe the result fell in our favor because the players gave their all and showed their full strength.


[Hiroshima Moriho Coach's Press Conference Summary]
"I think the players did their best to meet the expectations I had for today's match. They ran with a lot of energy, fought aggressively, and actively tried to take the ball and attack when there was a chance. I believe they worked hard for 90 minutes to fulfill these demands. It's just unfortunate that we couldn't get the result we wanted. We were able to move the ball well and create dangerous attacks from the first half, and we were also able to aggressively challenge the ball on defense and connect it to our attacks."

The game turned into a chase, but I think the players executed what they needed to do in the second half. We need to make sure to score when we have the chance in order to win. We need to minimize mistakes. We need to tighten up and do just a little bit more in order to secure the win. As I mentioned earlier, I am not at all pessimistic about the game and I think the players played the soccer we wanted to play. We were not able to give the supporters 3 points, but next time we will do our best to respond to your cheers and give you 3 points to make you happy."