Adding the members who are starting for the first time this season, we will change the starting lineup and aim for victory!

The Nabisco Qualifying League Sec. 2, held three days after the previous league match, is a matchup against Vegalta Sendai. Tokyo made changes to the starting lineup from the Shimizu match, with Mikiwara in defense and Yukino in midfield making their first starts of the season. Hirayama is positioned at the front, with Ishikawa and Watanabe on both sides. The formation starts with a 4-3-3 setup, with Morishige and Takahashi as center-backs.

Sendai, on the other hand, lost 0-4 to Shimizu in Sec. 1 of the Nabisco Cup. In the league, they currently have 2 draws and 3 losses without a victory, which can be said to be struggling. However, they welcomed new head coach Graham ARNOLD this season, but there has not been a significant change in the roster. Sendai also changed their lineup from the league, with FWs Wilson and Muto. The two sides are MF Ota and Magrinchi. The full-backs are DF Takei and Norio SUZUKI in a 4-4-2 formation. FW Akamine will start on the bench.

This is a match where we want to demonstrate our mental strength and resilience against Sendai, who will likely come at us with strong determination at home, and seize victory.

Although it was calm and sunny during the day, it gradually became colder at Yurtec Stadium Sendai, where the match started with Sendai's kickoff.

Defending without losing focus against Sendai's powerful attack, heading into the second half scoreless

In the 3rd minute of the match, from a throw-in on the left front line by Sendai, Tokyo's defense momentarily stopped, allowing left MF Magrinchii to deliver a left cross to the center where FW Wilson headed the ball, but it went wide of the goal.

On the other hand, Tokyo fed the ball forward with Takahashi. Nao picked up the second ball and connected it, then Hanyu passed vertically to Watanabe. Although they couldn't control it, Mukuhara advanced high up from the loose ball and delivered a cross.
However, it did not reach Hirayama in the central area. After that, both teams maintained a compact formation while launching quick counterattacks against each other.

As time passed without a decisive play, in the 17th minute, Hanyu from the midfield sent a pass towards Ishikawa, who was trying to break through on the left front line, but it was cut off, resulting in a counterattack.
FW Wilson sprinted down the left side and was met by FW Muto in front of the goal, but just in time, the Tokyo DF cut it off and held the defense.

In the 30th minute, Higashi passed to Ishikawa and spread into the right space. Matsuda utilized his speed to overlap and delivered a fast, low cross to the center. Near the goal, Hirayama made a direct attempt but couldn't hit the target. After that, Tokyo struggled to find their attacking rhythm. Sendai gradually took control of the ball and initiated plays from the sides. However, Shioda remained vigilant against balls trying to exploit the gaps behind the Tokyo defense, calmly preventing potential crises.

In the 39th minute, Morishige intercepted the ball and advanced himself, but his pass to the front line was cut off, leading to a counterattack from Sendai.
The connection reached behind the Tokyo DF, but Sendai FW Wilson was offside, avoiding a crisis.
Furthermore, in the 43rd minute, we could not contain the strength of FW Wilson. A powerful shot was taken from in front of the Tokyo DF, but it veered left and we escaped the danger.

Tokyo is struggling to find an attacking rhythm and is being dominated by Sendai at home. In the latter stages, Sendai quickly passed the ball to forward Wilson, launching a powerful attack, but Tokyo maintained their concentration and defended well, heading into the second half scoreless.

Edu equalized with a goal from a penalty kick, but the match ended 1-1 without any additional goals.

After the start of the second half, Yonemoto replaced Ishikawa on the pitch. He moved into the inside half, with Watanabe and Hirayama forming a two-top front line. Higashi took the position just behind the forwards. In the 47th minute, Higashi took a free kick from the right side. Higashi's kick was met with a perfect header from Yonemoto, but it was thwarted by a one-handed save from the opposing GK, resulting in a corner kick.

In the 55th minute, Kono was brought in as an attacking midfielder to replace Yukino. Higashi moved to the anchor position. Sendai also brought in midfielder Tomita.
In the 56th minute, Kono dribbled from the center to the right. YoneMoto, who followed from a pass to the center, aimed from just outside the area, but the shot went wide to the left.

In the 61st minute, Watanabe in the left area crossed to Hirayama in the right area. Hirayama skillfully turned while being marked by the opposing DF and carried the ball forward, delivering a final pass in front of the goal. Kono charged in with his head, but the Sendai DF managed to deflect it for a corner kick...
Continuing, Higashi sprints down the right flank. He controls the ball near the sideline and connects it to Matsuda, who follows up to Takahashi, free just before the central area. However, Takahashi's shot is blocked, allowing Sendai to launch a counterattack.
Unable to delay this in the midfield. Sendai FW Wilson made a run into the left area and took a decisive shot, but Shiota managed to save it and avert the danger.

However, this is the left corner kick given in the 62nd minute. Sendai MF Magurinchii's kick was headed by DF Kamada at the far post.
The ball deflected off Shiota's hands and went into the goal, allowing the first score. They have been attacking in the second half with player substitutions and formation changes, but instead, they were countered by Sendai and conceded a goal from a set piece.

In the 74th minute, Edu came on for Watanabe, shifting the momentum of the match to Tokyo. Three minutes later, in the 77th minute, Edu was fouled in the penalty area and earned a penalty kick. Edu himself converted it with his left foot, making it 1-1.

80 minutes have passed. Grasping the rhythm of the attack, they pushed Sendai back and equalized with Edu's penalty kick.
The match continued in Sendai's territory, but they lacked precision and could not finish. Conversely, there were moments when they faced strong counterattacks from Sendai.

In the 82nd minute, a pass mistake in the midfield was intercepted, leading to a counterattack from Sendai. Takahashi closed in on Sendai FW Wilson, and the decisive shot narrowly went left, resulting in a corner kick.

In the 87th minute, Mukuara made a left cross after a series of passes on the left side. This reached Edu in the right area. Edu tried to control it at his feet and connect with Hirayama inside, but... he was defended against by the Sendai defender, and the ball was slightly off target.

As additional time began, from a set play by Sendai, Shiota punched the loose ball, which was shot by Sendai MF Tomita. The ball, which hit a Tokyo DF, was connected again, and Sendai FW Wilson in the left area made a precise header towards the goal.
In line with this, DF Watanabe was challenged, but the header went wide of the target... Time's up.

After making substitutions and changing the formation, the second half began. Sendai's counterattack opportunity was thwarted by Shiota's great save, but shortly after, they conceded the first goal from a set piece. However, on the other hand, a rhythm was created in the attack, and Edu's penalty kick equalized the score. After that, the match developed into a back-and-forth battle, but neither side could score additional goals, and the game ended in a draw.

[Player Comments]
《Edu》
"The first half was a difficult match, partly because it was an away game. However, there were players making their first starts, and there are still various aspects... including combinations that need improvement. Nevertheless, in the end, we drew the match, and I believe we were able to prove that all the players who participated have strength."
(After equalizing, Edu pulled the ball and attacked. They couldn't score an additional goal, though?)
Of course, the short playing time was a factor, but as a team, there are still areas where we haven't perfected things, like where we want to receive the ball and where we want to pass it... We want to improve while being patient with each other.

Muku Hara
"Sendai has not won, and I expected them to come at us from the start. In response, we couldn't connect our passes, and when we attacked, it felt cramped as we leaned to one side. This led to us losing the ball and repeatedly facing counterattacks. In the second half, since the opponent dropped their intensity, I think we were able to show a bit of our own play."
Personally, I was focused on defense today. Starting with Sendai MF Ota, I was thinking it was important to contain the opponent and avoid creating gaps. As a team, we haven't had a match without conceding a goal, and personally, I wanted to finish without conceding as well... Still, it was a difficult match, and I think it wasn't bad that we managed to equalize and draw.

【Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"In the first half, I felt that the quality in the midfield was a bit lacking. I think the players who came on in the second half showed a high level of quality. Although we conceded a goal when we were playing well, the players managed to equalize with their counterattack.
Whether things are going well or not, it is essential for the team to understand the situation and respond accordingly, and from that perspective, I think the players did well.

[Summary of the Press Conference by Sendai's Graham ARNOLD]
"We led the match 1-0, but I think it could have been 2-0 or 3-0. I believe our defense was very good, and the overall performance was also very good. Changing something takes time, so I want to be patient and work hard to improve from here. I am satisfied with the overall performance today."