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

In the 33rd round of the league, we will face Kashiwa Reysol away. In the previous round, Tokyo struggled against the momentum and determination of Shonan, who are fighting to avoid relegation, but managed to turn the game around with goals from Hyun Soo JANG and Nemanja VUCICEVIC. With our first win in three games, we maintain our 7th place position. We reflect on our inability to convert chances and concede goals, but we will make gradual improvements and aim for consecutive wins. Coach Popovich said, "We had a great victory against Kashiwa in March, but it's been some time since then. We need to show even higher quality and further growth than that game." We will give our all to achieve victory.

Kashiwa, who faced Nagoya in the previous round, lost 2-3 in the second half of the game and finished 12th. They have not won in the last three games, but in this final home game, they will aim for their first victory in four games and fight aggressively. Also, we must be careful of the scoring power of Kudo, who has recorded 18 goals, tied for third place in the scoring rankings. Despite struggling with injuries, players like MF Leandro Domingues will show their determination and fighting spirit, just like in the previous round.

The total record of league matches is 9 wins, 3 draws, and 9 losses, evenly matched. The key point is the battle on the sides for both teams. They want to maintain a high position on the sides and take advantage of the defense's coordination. As the sun sets and the temperature drops at Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium, the match started at 5:03 PM with a kickoff from Tokyo.

Conceding multiple goals just before the end of the first half, just as Kashiwa had planned...

From the start, Tokyo smoothly passes the ball and launches attacks. The first shot is from Tokyo. In the 4th minute, Ota crosses to the center from a free kick earned on the left side, but Mita's powerful attempt misses the target. Tokyo continues to attack and in the 6th minute, Hasegawa switches to Ota on the left side. Ota makes a run to a high position and crosses to Lucas in the area, but it doesn't result in a goal.

Despite the game progressing at a Tokyo pace, in the 17th minute they received a counter from Kashiwa. Tokyo tried to hold back in their own half, but the game continued despite a foul-like play, and the ball was sent quickly to the left front line, where it was crossed freely. In the end, Morishige calmly dealt with it and escaped with a corner kick, holding off the attack. However, in the 38th minute, a cross from the right side hit Hasegawa's hand in the area, resulting in a handball penalty. This was converted by Kashiwa's forward Tanaka, giving them the lead. Just after conceding the goal, in the 42nd minute, Tokyo's Hasegawa stole the ball from the opposing midfielder and quickly passed it to Watanabe in the front line. He tried to break through, but was fouled, earning a free kick just outside the left area. Ota took the shot directly, but the ball bounced in front of the GK and slightly curved to the right.

Just before the end of the first half, when it seemed like it would end as it is, there was added time. Kashiwa FW Kudo pressed against Jang Hyun Soo, who was trying to move up from the DF line. They both fell in a tangled mess as Kudo approached from behind, but it was judged as a foul by Jang Hyun Soo, giving another PK. Kashiwa FW Tanaka scored this PK again, widening the lead and ending the first half.

Fighting until the end and launching a counterattack, Ishikawa retaliates but falls short...

In the second half, Takahashi was substituted for Mita. Takahashi was placed as center back and they launched a counterattack with a 3-back formation. However, in the 46th minute, Kashiwa sent a long ball from their own half to the right side. Takahashi tried to clear it directly, but it ended up at the feet of Kashiwa's forward Kudo, who easily scored their third goal. It was a difficult turn of events as they conceded another goal due to a mistake.

Tokyo, who never gives up, launches an attack in the 52nd minute. A perfect lob pass is sent to Lucas, who has run behind the DF line from Yonemoto, but he is brought down by the opposing DF and earns a FK in the center of the area. Ota takes the FK, but it hits the right post and they are unable to score. In the 58th minute, Ishikawa is substituted for Watanabe, and Lucas is moved to the top to strengthen the attack. In the 61st minute, Hasegawa sends a vertical pass to Lucas in the center of the area. He takes it with one touch and tries to break through, but his timing is slightly off and he is unable to finish.

Tokyo, who continued to attack, made a floating pass to the front line in the 83rd minute. Ishikawa, who followed this, touched the ball before the opponent GK who had jumped out in front, and scored a goal despite the collision. After that, they took risks and attacked, but immediately after, Kashiwa DF Yamanaka broke through the side and allowed FW Tanaka to score a spectacular volley and complete a hat-trick. In the end, the time was up. They suffered their biggest defeat of the season with a large point difference.



[Player Comments]
Ariajasuru HASEGAWA
"Until we conceded a goal, I think we were both playing a good game. We were able to show what we have been working on and create a good flow from the start. It was painful to concede a goal there. My handball was careless and unnecessary. Still, if we could have ended the first half 0-1...there is also a feeling of regret. We ended up conceding goals in a wasteful way."

"Naohiro ISHIKAWA"
"There are various games and flows throughout the season, but I am very disappointed that we couldn't get results today. Since it was a shadow play, I tried to create chances in a position closer to the goal than usual. I was also conscious of making runs behind the defense and playing near Lucas, like in the scoring scene. I think I was able to calmly negotiate with Kashiwa's final line and pull out the ball. The pass from player Yonemoto was also good. Next, I want to show the determination that Tokyo has built up at Ajinomoto Stadium."


[Coach Popovich's Press Conference Summary]
"It was a very bitter game. However, our team played well from the start and I think we were able to control the game against Reysol. The result ended up like this, but our players gave their all on the pitch until the end and I want to say they did well. (What was the turning point in the game?) I don't want to say anything about the turning point in the game. All I can say is that our players gave their all until the end. They showed what they have been doing on the pitch. I think we did everything we could in the parts that I could influence. After that, please watch the game and write about it."


[Kashiwa NELSINHO Coach's Press Conference Summary]
"I think it was a game where we built up one by one from the start to grab the victory. Thanks to the fact that we were able to defend against the opponent's high-quality, fluid attackers and actively challenge for the ball for 90 minutes, we were able to execute effective counterattacks as planned. In possession, we moved the ball from side to side to move the opponent and create space, and then attacked from there. I think that Rayosol's play was the key to scoring two goals from penalties. After that, we continued to play solidly without changing what we were doing, taking advantage of the two-goal lead. I think we were able to play a very high-quality game."