The last away game of the season, aiming for victory against Kashiwa

In Sec. 33 of the league, we will face Kashiwa Reysol away. Tokyo struggled against the momentum and determination of Shonan, who are fighting to avoid relegation, in the previous match, but secured a comeback victory with goals from Hyun Soo JANG and Nemanja VUCICEVIC. This victory, after three matches, keeps us in 7th place. There are regrets about the moments we conceded goals and the chances we failed to convert, but we aim to gradually correct those issues and strive for consecutive wins. Coach Ranko POPOVIC stated, "We had a convincing victory against Kashiwa in March, but time has passed since then. We must show a quality beyond that match and demonstrate further growth," as we head towards victory with all our strength.

Kashiwa faced Nagoya in the previous match. They conceded a goal in stoppage time of the second half and lost 2-3, placing them 12th. They have not won in the last three matches, but in this final home game, they will aim for victory for the first time in four matches and will likely fight aggressively. Additionally, we must be cautious of Kudo's finishing ability, who has scored 18 goals, tying for third in the scoring rankings. Despite struggling with injuries, including midfielder Leandro Domingues, they are expected to show determination and spirit.

The overall match record in the league is 9 wins, 3 draws, and 9 losses, making it evenly matched. The key point is the offensive and defensive play on the sides for both teams. Due to the coordination in defense, they want to maintain a high position on the sides to gain an advantage in the match. As the sun sets and the temperature drops at Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium, the match started at 17:03 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Conceding goals just before the end of the first half, just as Kashiwa intended...

From the start, Tokyo rhythmically moved the ball and launched an attack. The first shot was by Tokyo. In the 4th minute, Ota crossed a free kick earned in the left area to the center, and Mita, picking up the cleared ball, aimed boldly but missed the target. Tokyo, not easing their attack, in the 6th minute, switched sides from Hasegawa to Ota on the left side. They advanced to a high position and aimed for Lucas in the area, but it did not result in a goal.

Although the match progressed at Tokyo's pace, they were countered by Kashiwa in the 17th minute. Tokyo tried to contain the play in their own half, but the game did not stop for what seemed like a foul, and the ball was quickly sent to the left flank, where a cross was delivered unmarked. In the end, Morishige calmly dealt with it and escaped to a corner kick, managing to defend. However, in the 38th minute, a cross from the right side was deflected back into the area and hit Hayato HASEGAWA's hand, resulting in a handball decision. Kashiwa's forward Tanaka converted this penalty, allowing the first goal. Immediately after conceding, in the 42nd minute, Tokyo's Hayato HASEGAWA intercepted a pass mistake from the opposing midfielder and quickly sent it forward to Watanabe. As he tried to break free, he was fouled, earning a free kick just outside the left area. Ota aimed directly at the goal, but the shot bounced just in front of the GK and veered slightly to the right.

It seemed that the first half would end as it was, but during the first half stoppage time, Kashiwa FW Kudo pressed against Hyun Soo JANG, who was trying to advance from the defensive line. Both players fell in a tangle as Kudo approached from behind, but this was deemed a foul by Hyun Soo JANG, resulting in another penalty kick being awarded. Kashiwa FW Tanaka converted this penalty kick, extending the lead and ending the first half.

Fighting back without giving up until the end, Ishikawa managed to strike back, but it was not enough...

In the second half, Takahashi was brought in to replace Mita. Takahashi was positioned as a center-back, adopting a three-back formation to launch a counterattack. However, in the 46th minute, Kashiwa sent a long ball from their own half to the right front line. Takahashi attempted to respond and passed back to Gonda. He tried to clear it directly, but it went to Kashiwa's forward Kudo right in front of him, who easily slotted it into the open goal, resulting in the loss of the third goal. It became a difficult situation, allowing the opponent to score an additional goal from a mistake.

In the 52nd minute, Tokyo, refusing to give up and launching an attack, sent a superb lob pass from Yonemoto to Lucas, who broke through behind the DF line, but was brought down by the opposing DF, earning a free kick in the center of the area. Ota aimed for this free kick, but it hit the right post and they couldn't score. In the 58th minute, Ishikawa was brought in to replace Watanabe. Lucas was positioned at the top to strengthen the offensive. In the 61st minute, Hasegawa sent a vertical pass to Lucas in the center of the area. Lucas redirected it with one touch, allowing Higashi to break through, but they were just slightly out of sync and couldn't bring it to a finish.

Continuing to attack, Tokyo in the 83rd minute saw Yonemoto deliver a floating pass to the front line. Ishikawa, who broke free to meet it, touched the ball before the opposing goalkeeper could reach it, scoring a goal despite the collision. They continued to take risks and attack, but shortly after, they were broken down on the side by Kashiwa's defender Yamanaka, allowing forward Tanaka to score a powerful volley, resulting in a hat trick. In the end, the match concluded with a significant defeat, marking the largest goal difference of the season.



[Player Comments]
《Ariajasuru HASEGAWA》
"I think we were both playing a good match until we conceded a goal. We were able to show what we have been working on and create a good flow from the start. It was painful to concede at that point. My handball was careless and unnecessary. Still, I have the feeling that if we could have ended the first half at 0-1... it would have been different. It was a shame that we continued to concede goals in such a manner."

《Naohiro ISHIKAWA》
"There are various matches and flows throughout the season, but I am very disappointed that we couldn't get a result today. Since I was playing as a shadow, I tried to create chances closer to the goal than usual. I was also conscious of breaking through behind the defense, like in the scoring situation, and playing near Lucas. I think I was able to draw the ball out by calmly engaging with Kashiwa's back line. The pass from Yonemoto was also good. Next, I want to show the pride that Tokyo has built up at Ajinomoto."


[Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference]
"I think it was a very unsatisfactory match. However, the team's performance was good from the start, and I believe we were able to control the game even against Reysol. Although the result turned out this way, our players showed what they have been working on until the end on the pitch, and I want to say they did well. (What was the turning point of the match?) I don't want to say anything about the turning point of the match here. What I can say is that our players gave their all until the end. They showed what they have been working on on the pitch. I believe I did everything I could influence. The rest is for you all to write about after watching today's match."


[Kashiwa - NELSINHO's Press Conference Summary]
"I think it was a game where we built up from the start for today's victory and ultimately grasped the win. In defense, thanks to our solid response to the opponent's high-quality, fluid attackers, and our active challenges for the ball for the full 90 minutes, we were able to execute effective counters as planned. In possession, we moved the ball side to side to draw the opponent out and create space, from which we initiated our attacks. I believe our play led to two goals from penalties. After that, we took advantage of our two-goal lead while maintaining our approach until the end. I think we were able to play a very high-quality game."