Challenging away for the first league four consecutive wins of the season

In Sec. 27 of the league, we will face Omiya Ardija. Following the previous match, this will be another away game, but this match is crucial for achieving our first league four consecutive wins this season. With an eye on further advancing in the standings, we aim to secure 3 points. On the other hand, Omiya is currently in 9th place with 39 points. While they were in excellent form during the first half of the season, a series of consecutive losses led them to appoint Coach Ogura as their new leader starting from Sec. 22 (8/24) in an attempt to regroup. However, they have continued to struggle with 1 win and 4 losses since then, and they are currently on a 2-game losing streak.

Considering the current situations of both teams and the past away match records (since 2005 in J1, Tokyo has won all 7 matches. At NACK5 Stadium, they have won all 5 matches), favorable data for Tokyo emerges. However, as Morishige stated, "We will fight while being fully aware of the team's balance and anticipating various scenarios. We want to focus on achieving results by utilizing what we have accumulated and learned," they will give their all in each match to strive for victory.

In this match, Higashi, who did not have any playing time in the previous match, returns to the starting lineup. He will play on the left side, with Hasegawa positioned just behind the forwards, similar to the previous match. Under the coolness that suggests the deepening autumn, the match started at 19:04 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Although they allowed a comeback, they scored a valuable equalizer just before the end of the first half.

From the start, both teams clashed fiercely, and the match continued at a fast pace with quick transitions. Against Omiya's sharp counterattacks, Tokyo also moved the ball forward with quick passing in an attempt to create chances.

In the 6th minute, Hasegawa spread the ball to the left area from Watanabe's hold-up play. From Higashi's cross, Watanabe in the right area took a shot. This was blocked by the left post, but in the 7th minute, they approached the Omiya goal in a similar manner. The ball was once passed to Omiya, but Higashi on the left side intercepted the clearance and passed it to Hasegawa, who advanced through the center. Hasegawa broke deep into the left area. With a negative pass, Lucas in the right area connected and struck the shot into the goal.

Although they took the lead early in the match, Omiya also started quickly in both offense and defense. In the 13th minute, right MF Watanabe broke through on the right side. Although Hyun Soo JANG cleared the cross from there, the ball spilled into the left area and was connected by Omiya MF Cho with a heel pass, allowing DF Shitohira to deliver a cross from the left side. Gonda deflected it with one hand, but this time the ball spilled into the right area where MF Watanabe was able to score with a shot that went through the Tokyo DF, resulting in a conceded goal.

Tokyo continued to create chances centered around Yonemoto's interceptions and side changes after the 20-minute mark, but they were thwarted by Omiya's tough defense in front of the goal, leading to a counterattack. In the 37th minute, unable to regain possession on the right side against Omiya's quick attack, a left cross was met by the free forward Novakovich, whose header was touched by Gonda but spilled behind him into the goal. They conceded the second goal.

Although they were pushed back by Omiya's momentum, they did not give up. In the first half's additional time, Higashi sent a superb ground pass to Watanabe in the right area. Hasegawa dove in with his body, but was saved by the GK, resulting in a corner kick. However, from the left corner kick taken by Higashi, Lucas headed the ball into the goal. With a determined goal, they equalized again and headed into the second half.

Lucas is active in both offense and defense! Mita and Hirayama follow, achieving a season-high of 5 goals.

In the second half, both teams started with intense defense, quickly transitioning to attack, leading to a rapid exchange of offense and defense. However, gradually Omiya's line began to stretch, and against Tokyo, who maintained their movement and speed, there were increasing instances of fouls to stop them.

In the 65th minute, from a free kick obtained on the left front, Morishige at the far post dropped the ball, which was seized by Hyun Soo JANG in the right area. He feinted past the opposing DF and shot towards the near post, but was blocked by the goalkeeper. Then in the 66th minute, from the resulting right corner kick, Ota at the edge of the left area sent a shot-like ball towards the goal. Lucas collected it at his feet, slid past the Omiya DF with a trap, and pushed the shot into the net.

Lucas scored his first hat-trick in J1 to take the lead, and in the 70th minute, Hayama was brought on. He evaded Omiya's press with quick judgment and composure, aiming for another goal. In the closing stages, Omiya brought on tall FW Toyama and FW Hayato HASEGAWA in quick succession, while Tokyo introduced Nemanja VUCICEVIC and Mita. Along with fresh players, Lucas and others applied pressure to regain possession and stifle Omiya's counterattack.

In the 90th minute, the defense from the front line was effective. Mita capitalized on a miscommunication between Omiya's defense and GK, stealing the ball from the GK and kicking it into the open goal to score the fourth goal. In stoppage time, Lucas dribbled past several opponents against a demoralized Omiya and made a through pass into the area. Hayama, who broke free in response, struck the ball into the top right corner of the goal, securing the fifth goal as a finishing touch before the time was up. They maintained their physicality and concentration until the end, scoring five goals and achieving their first four consecutive league wins of the season.


[Player Comments]
《Lucas》
"At one point, we were behind, but even with a deficit, I had the desire to win. I fought with confidence and believe we achieved a good result. Moreover, many supporters came, and being able to perform well in such a great environment during an important match makes me very happy. Although I am originally a forward, I don't mind working hard on the side, both attacking and defending, under the coach's instructions. Scoring a hat-trick today in a position that is not typically at the top may have a slightly different meaning and value than before."

《Hirayama》
"(Regarding participation) Keeping the ball up front, that way the opponent won't be able to follow the runs from the second line. Also, I was instructed to take on one-on-one situations. From the first half, the transition between offense and defense was quick, and there were many situations in the area for both sides. In the second half, the opponent was pressing high, but we were able to coordinate well in both offense and defense, including the GK and DF. Omiya was pushing forward, and their defensive line was high. We could see the opponent's press back, and by slipping through that, we were able to score the fifth goal. Personally, I feel like it's 'finally' happening. I think it was good that we could win in this way."


[Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference]
"What my players showed me cannot be described in words. That is my honest impression right now. There were moments when we lost control to the opponent and were turned around, but we were able to play at a high tempo throughout the 90 minutes. The important thing is to continue to show such matches. We must keep expressing our style of football. We need to show growth and maturity with each game. Since we are able to grow through the matches, I believe it is important to connect that firmly to the next one.

And a big thing for the team is that the young players have been scoring goals. That includes Lucas and Mita (laughs). If you just look at the play, Lucas is young. I feel that his attitude and approach to daily training should be a model for all young players in the club. He leads the team, always taking the front in practice and setting an example. His humble attitude and effort every day have led to today's results. And today, the feeling of being away was absent thanks to the loud cheers from everyone. I want to thank the fans and supporters.


【Omiya - Coach Ogura's Press Conference Summary】
"We suffered a heavy defeat, so there's not much to say... However, at the point it was 2-2, I felt that either team could have won, but I realized how a momentary accident can change the flow of the game. Regarding the last goal conceded, it was the result of taking risks to attack. That is not the players' fault, but my responsibility for making such decisions."