Ota scores first with a free kick! Lucas pulls away from Niigata

The early part of the second half continued with a quick exchange of offense and defense. In the 50th minute, Niigata made a left cross from a loose ball scramble in midfield. They left forward Okamoto free in the center of the area, who headed the ball, but it went wide, avoiding a crisis. Just after that, in the 51st minute, HASEGAWA aimed for a central breakthrough with a dribble. In response, the Niigata defender fouled him, earning a free kick from inside the penalty arc. In the 53rd minute, Higashi made a run diagonally forward as a decoy, and Ota took a shot! The ball was sucked into the top right corner. Ota scored the opening goal with a left-footed shot.

From here, the match will become intense. There are moments when Niigata holds the ball as they try to counterattack, but Tokyo continues with their resilient defense, aiming for an additional goal from a counter. After the 65th minute, Lucas and Azuma attempted a counterattack from interceptions in the front line, but it did not bear fruit. Conversely, in the 71st minute, Niigata's right-back Kawaguchi advanced into the middle, evading Tokyo's DF and taking a left-footed shot from distance. The ball traveled dangerously close but was blocked by the crossbar. Following that, Niigata's forward Kawamata dribbled up from the left side and unleashed a powerful shot after switching past Tokyo's DF.

In the 78th minute, Lucas took a free kick, and this time Higashi aimed for it but hit the left post, missing the chance. However, in the 79th minute, Lucas on the right side dribbled towards the center. After a one-two with Takumi HASEGAWA, he maneuvered around and skillfully slipped between the opposing defenders to score from the center!

Although they seemed to be caught in the rhythm of a counterattack from Niigata, they managed to score an additional goal to pull away. Even after expanding their lead, substitutes Hirayama, Mita, and VUCICEVIC increased their momentum and pressed forward. They couldn't secure a third goal, but they calmly contained Niigata's attacks on defense, achieving a 2-0 victory.


[Player Comments]
《Ota》
"(In the case of the free kick) It was because Higashi started the action first that the opponent's wall crumbled a bit, and I could see GK Higashiguchi move. Just as I aimed. Until now, even when I scored, the team couldn't win, but today we won for the first time and that makes me the happiest. None of the players have given up on the championship, and I think everyone feels the same when they hear the supporters' cheers. I want to keep working hard so we can continue to win."

《HASEGAWA》
"Niigata was strong in the past. They targeted Tokyo's vertical passes, and there were times we struggled with that, but even in tough situations, we were able to create chances and get to the point of shooting. It would have been great if we could have scored there, but it was good that we were able to go into halftime at 0-0 despite not being able to score."

(Regarding the free kick that led to the opening goal) I exchanged passes with Lucas in a good way and advanced with a dribble. I saw Chima in front of me on the right, so I was considering whether to pass to him or go for it myself when the opponent's foot got in the way. (Lucas's goal) is something we have practiced many times in that shape, and I understood what Lucas wanted to do. Ultimately, he scored, which also brings me into the spotlight and contributes to my evaluation. I am grateful for that.


[Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference]
"There were other interesting matches, but I gave my all so as not to disappoint everyone who came to this game. I anticipated a tough game from before the match, and I asked the players to be one step ahead of the opponent in both judgment and physicality, and to act quickly. A playing style like Niigata's is rare in the J-League. They are physically strong, aggressive, and have solid footwork, making them a team that connects well. I believe we were able to maintain a stable game against such an opponent. By continuing to fight like this, titles will come closer. If we can play like this in every match, I believe we will definitely achieve results. While fighting patiently and tenaciously, we will look for chances and capitalize on the opportunities we create. It had been a while since we played at Ajinomoto, but I am very pleased that we were able to achieve such results.

After suffering a heavy defeat against Kashima, today was supposed to test our true worth. It was good that we were able to show our strength firmly. Also, recently, a member of the FC Tokyo family passed away, but today we were able to fight together and present a good match and result. (Is it thought that continuously demonstrating our strength is the biggest challenge?) Mental stability leads to results. Conversely, that is the aspect that takes the most time. There is a history where Tokyo has not been able to win important matches, but we must change that ourselves. We are precisely challenging that and trying to change history.


【Summary of Coach Yanagishita's Press Conference】
"I think it was a match where the outcome could go either way. I told the players at halftime, but Tokyo wasn't that great in the first half either. There were several chances, and the team that capitalizes on those will earn the three points. However, we lost the ball in a crucial area and gave away a free kick. That said, when comparing Tokyo's players to ours, the number of easy mistakes is quite different. Tokyo's players can connect passes well even in this kind of weather. Niigata's players often make mistakes just when a chance arises. We have recently identified the cause of that. It won't improve immediately, but we are continuing to make adjustments and aiming for plays that end with taking the ball and shooting."