Always showing growth, a battle that surpasses Shonan in both offense and defense

The league matches are resuming, and in Sec. 32, we will face Shonan Bellmare at home. In the Emperor's Cup, the team united and achieved a great victory. Based on the confidence gained there, we will further enhance our unity and our style of football, continuing to grow until the end of the season. National team members Morishige, Kai TAKAHASHI, Gonda, and Hyun Soo JANG will join the team from Thursday, the 21st. While considering each player's condition, preparations are being made to immediately focus on the league matches.

Shonan, currently in 16th place with 25 points, has tried to rise in the standings with the addition of goalkeeper Alex Santana and midfielder Ohtake (on loan from Tokyo, currently sidelined due to injury) midway through the season. However, since Sec. 19, they have remained in 16th place. Additionally, in the previous match, the point gap with 15th place Kofu widened to 9, so if they cannot secure a victory this round, relegation to J2 will be confirmed.

However, we cannot underestimate the pressing, movement, and dynamic attacks from the front line. Especially in the away match in May, we conceded the first goal and suffered a painful defeat due to our own mistakes. Shonan has the ability to exploit any gaps we create, so it is important to stay focused and fight from start to finish.

Even if Shonan showcases their "never-give-up spirit" and "perseverance," we will respond without panic, and Tokyo wants to fully express their decisiveness and their style of football to lead to victory. Tokyo will start with GK Gonda, center-backs Morishige and Hyun Soo JANG, and Mita will start again following the Emperor's Cup. Lucas will play in the attacking midfield role. As the sun sets and it gets colder at Ajinomoto, the match started at 17:03 with Tokyo's kickoff.

Maintained possession of the ball and continued to take the initiative, but could not break through Shonan's defense.

Controlled the ball from the start. Entered the match firmly and progressed with an advantage. In the 1st minute, created a play on the left side, and after a pass exchange between Ota and Higashi, Watanabe took a shot from the center. In the 7th minute, from Mita's development, Lucas on the left front line passed to Watanabe at the near post for a shot. In the 10th minute, from Tokunaga on the right, again from Mita to YoneMoto who surged up the right side. YoneMoto's cross was met by Lucas in front of the goal, who executed a header from a low position.

However, unable to capitalize on this early chance, they gradually struggled against Shonan's high defensive awareness and solid block. In the 16th minute, Mita persistently stole the opponent's ball in the front line, and Higashi, who followed from the left, aimed for the goal but was blocked by Shonan's DF. In the 25th minute, after a cross from Ota was spilled, Ota himself rushed in again, but his shot floated as he competed with Shonan's DF.

Not only connecting short passes, but also aiming for goals from crosses and long feeds, in the 37th minute, Morishige passed to Higashi with a through ball to the front line. Watanabe made a run but the goalkeeper caught it just a step earlier. In the 40th minute, Hyun Soo JANG advanced with the ball and spread it to the left to Higashi. From there, Mita attempted a header from the cross but was held back by the Shonan defense and couldn't get a shot off. Tokyo showcased various attacking patterns utilizing their coordination, but Shonan's quick recovery prevented them from breaking through the thick block, and they went into halftime scoreless.

Although they allowed the first goal, Hyunsoo and VUCICEVIC's valuable goals turned the game around!

At the start of the second half, Shonan created a big chance. In the 46th minute, Shonan FW Takefumi's hold-up play allowed FW Kikuchi to dribble from the right to the center. The Tokyo defense was bypassed one after another, and in the end, MF Takayama, who had moved into the left area, took a shot. In the 48th minute, MF Takayama's left cross was met by MF Kobayashi diving in from the far side. Both times, Tokyo escaped danger due to a lack of precision in the final touch, but they allowed Shonan to gain momentum.

Then, in the 66th minute, Shonan connected the ball to DF Kamada and MF Kikuchi in front of Tokyo's goal, and again from DF Kamada to MF Hang Gyeong in the area. Tokyo's DF stopped moving, and MF Hang Gyeong brought the ball forward with a trap and shot from close range. This was saved by Gonda, but the ball spilled into the center of the area and was kicked in by Shonan's MF Takayama... resulting in a goal conceded. They allowed the first score.

In the 67th minute, Takahashi was brought on for Mita. Just after that, in the 68th minute, a free kick from the left side was earned, and Ota's kick sent forward was cleared, but Tokunaga on the right side moved back in front of the goal. This was also cleared by Shonan, and just as they tried to advance, Hyun Soo JANG intercepted. He sent a vertical pass to Masaru HASEGAWA in the penalty arc, received a one-two return, broke into the left side of the area, and his shot aimed with his left foot grazed the opponent's defender and went in! Hyun Soo JANG's passionate goal equalized the score!

After that, both teams continued to challenge each other, but Shonan, who desperately needed a victory, brought in two offensive players in the 79th minute. In response, Tokyo tried to counter by switching to a three-back formation. However, Shonan, who could not afford to lose in their fight for survival, continued to press forward, but in the 88th minute, Tokyo brought on Nemanja VUCICEVIC. This move would prove effective.

In stoppage time, Tokunaga's right throw-in was connected by Hirayama with a header, and Hasegawa sent it forward while losing his balance. Vucicevic, who moved forward in response, dribbled into the right area. He feinted past the opposing defender and skillfully kicked the ball into the far corner for a goal. In a dramatic finish, Vucicevic scored a valuable goal, securing a comeback victory.


【Player Comments】
《Hyun Soo JANG》
"Although I couldn't score, I think the first half was very good. In the second half, we tried to enter the match with the same good flow, but we conceded a goal, which made us a bit anxious. I feel that scoring from the flow of the game is a challenge, but I'm glad we were able to equalize quickly. In the scoring situation, I saw Hayato HASEGAWA when I intercepted and moved forward, so I passed the ball, and I also saw that there was space ahead."

With the basic play of pass and go, I moved into the area. A good pass came there, so all that was left was to take the shot. Whether with the national team or in Tokyo, my attitude towards the game hasn't changed. I just thought, 'I need to play well as a representative player.' I believe I was able to show that attitude.

《Nemanja VUCICEVIC》
"The goal came from a wonderful ball from Hasegawa. I am most happy that the team was able to win, and that is the most important thing. As we approach the end of the season, I will do my best to win every match with all my strength. I truly believe that Tokyo is a great team."


[Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference]
"There were no complaints about the first half. For example, even against a student team, it should be difficult to keep attacking without allowing the opponent to do anything. Let alone against a J-League team, I am satisfied that we were able to control the match. I expected to take the initiative and move the ball, but Shonan also has a highly accurate counterattack, so we entered the match fully aware of that. In the first half, we properly managed the counterattacks and did not allow them to create chances in the flow of the game. It was clear what we needed to do as a team.

However, at the beginning of the second half, careless mistakes continued, and we lost the momentum from there. The problem was that the opponent applied pressure from the front, causing us to panic. There were also parts where we dropped the line more than necessary. We conceded a goal during a difficult period, but afterward, the entire team showed the intention to score. We equalized and finished with a comeback. I feel the team's growth, and I believe it was the result of everyone fighting with a strong desire to secure all three points. In the end, it resulted in a fitting outcome for that play.

The players who came on as substitutes also fulfilled their roles well. I always tell the players that what matters most is not 'how many minutes they played' but 'what they did when they were on the field.' Today, the players who came on as substitutes truly demonstrated that in their play. The atmosphere created by everyone was also wonderful. I am satisfied that we achieved good results with good soccer. I believe that this kind of attacking style, attractive soccer that draws people in, is necessary for Japanese soccer, and I want to continue this in the future.

[Summary of the Press Conference by Shonan Coach CHO Kwi Jae]
"Today marks the 32nd match of the league, but what I've been saying since before the season hasn't changed. I've continued to say, 'Just because the results are good doesn't mean everything is good. And just because the results are bad doesn't mean everything is bad.' There is the heavy reality of relegation, but I believe the answer is shown by the supporters' cheers after the match. There are times when I think, 'If that cross had been converted there...' but for me, it's not 'now' but 'at the moment.' I intended to cherish the feelings of that moment. I want to say that everyone, including the players who made decisions and those who couldn't play, did well.

We have risen from J2 to J1 on our own, and now we are facing the reality of relegation. However, we did not stop and get relegated. We have always walked forward, trying to overcome that wall, but we fell just short. In fact, I feel that that step was not a small one, but a significant gap. I want us to become a team that, when we face teams like Tokyo in the future, people will say, 'Shonan has become stronger because of today's match, because of this season.'

There are various elements such as technique, tactics, mental strength, and physical condition, and there are reflections on today's match. However, I have no regrets, and I told the players, 'Leave the stadium with your heads held high; I am proud to be your coach.' I have no intention of blaming anyone; the players fought well. There is no point in hiding what is lacking, and it all falls on me. I want to work hard to become sufficient.