Add the first starting members of the season and aim for victory by changing the starting lineup!

The second match of the Nabisco Cup qualifying league, which was played three days after the previous league match, was against Vegalta Sendai. Tokyo made changes to the starting lineup, with only Morishige remaining from the previous match against Shimizu in the league. Defender Murohara and midfielder Yukino made their first starts of the season. Up front, Hirayama was used as the center forward, with Ishikawa and Watanabe on the wings. Morishige and Takahashi started as center backs in a 4-3-3 formation.

FC Sendai, who faced Tokyo, lost 0-4 to Shimizu in the first section of the Nabisco Cup. In the league, they have yet to win with 2 draws and 3 losses, and it can be said that they are struggling. However, they have welcomed new coach Graham Arnold this season, but there have been no major changes in the team. Sendai has also changed their lineup from the league, with FW Wilson and Mutoh. On both sides are MF Ota and Magrinchi. Side backs are DF Takei and Norio Suzuki, playing in a 4-4-2 formation. FW Akamine will start on the bench.

It will be a tough match against Sendai, who will come to our home with a strong determination. We must not lose in terms of mental strength and show our perseverance to grab the victory.

The game started with Sendai's kickoff at Yurtec Stadium Sendai, where it gradually became colder despite the calm and sunny weather during the day.

Stay focused on defending against Sendai's powerful attack and head into the second half with a scoreless game.

In the first 3 minutes, from a throw-in on the left side by Sendai, Tokyo DF momentarily stopped their feet and left MF Magrinchi crossed to FW Wilson in the center, but the header went wide.

On the other hand, Tokyo feeds the front line with Takahashi. Nao picks up the second and connects it to Hayabusa → Watanabe with a vertical pass. Although they were unable to score, Mukuhara advances to a high position from the loose ball and crosses.
However, they did not cross over to Hirayama in the central area. After that, both teams maintained a compact formation and engaged in quick attacks, switching back and forth.

As time passed without a decisive move, the 17th minute arrived. Midfielder Hanyu sent a pass towards Ishikawa, who was trying to break through on the left side, but it was intercepted and resulted in a counterattack.
FW Wilson sprinted down the left side and was met by FW Muto in front of the goal, but just before that, Tokyo DF cut it off and defended it.

In the 30th minute, Tokyo expanded to the right space with Higashi and Ishikawa. Matsuda used his speed to overlap and sent a fast and low cross to the center. Hirayama from near the goal tried to direct it with his foot, but couldn't find the target. After that, Tokyo struggled to find their attacking rhythm. Sendai gradually took control of the ball and started to make plays from the sides. However, when Sendai tried to exploit the space behind Tokyo's defense, Shioda was always prepared and calmly prevented any danger.

At 39 minutes, Morishige intercepted and tried to attack on his own, but his pass to the front line was cut off and Sendai counterattacked.
Tokyo DF was connected to the back, but Sendai FW Wilson was offside and escaped the pinch.
In addition, in the 43rd minute, FW Wilson's strength could not be suppressed. A powerful shot was taken from in front of Tokyo DF, but it curved to the left and avoided danger.

Tokyo is struggling to find a rhythm in their attack, with the home team Sendai taking control. In the latter part of the game, Sendai quickly passed the ball to FW Wilson and launched a powerful attack, but Tokyo remained focused and defended well, resulting in a scoreless second half.

Edu's goal from a PK ties the game, but unable to score an additional point, ending in a 1-1 draw.

Substitute Yonemoto for Ishikawa from the start of the second half. He enters as an inside half, with Watanabe and Hirayama as the two top players. Higashi enters as the top under. In the 47th minute, a free kick from Higashi on the right side. Yonemoto heads the ball perfectly, but... it is stopped by the opponent GK's one-handed save, resulting in a corner kick.

Substituted Kono for Kono at 55 minutes, with Higashino as anchor. Sendai also brought in MF Tomita.
56 minutes, Kono dribbles from the center to the right. Yonemoto, who followed from the center, aimed from the front of the area, but the shot curved to the left.

In the 61st minute, Watanabe from the left area crossed to Hirayama in the right area. Hirayama skillfully turned around while carrying the opposing DF on his back and made a last pass to the front. Kono headed towards the goal, but was blocked by the Sendai DF and resulted in a corner kick......
In quick succession, Higashi sprints to the right front line. He controls the ball near the touchline and passes it to Matsuda, who then finds Julian in the center area. However, Julian's shot is blocked and Sendai launches a counter attack.
Unable to delay this in the midfield. Sendai FW Wilson ran into the left area and took a decisive shot, but Shioda escaped danger with a save.

However, in the 62nd minute, a left CK was given. Sendai MF Maglinty's kick was headed by DF Kamata from far away.
The ball bounced off of Shiota's hand and went into the goal, allowing the opponent to take the lead. In the second half, the team attacked with player substitutions and formation changes, but ended up conceding a goal from a counterattack by Sendai and a set piece.

In the 74th minute, Edu came on for Watanabe and changed the flow of the game for Tokyo. Three minutes later in the 77th minute, Edu was fouled in the area and awarded a penalty kick. He confidently converted it with his left foot, making it 1-1.

80 minutes have passed. We have grasped the rhythm of the attack and pushed Sendai back, equalizing with Edu's PK.
After that, the game continued in Sendai, but the lack of precision prevented them from finishing. On the other hand, there were also scenes where they were hit by Sendai's powerful counterattacks.

In the following 82 minutes, they lost the ball in the midfield and were countered by Sendai. Sendai FW Wilson broke through on the right side, but Takahashi closed in and the decisive shot narrowly missed to the left, resulting in a corner kick.

In the 87th minute, Mukuhara made a left cross from a pass exchange on the left side. It reached Edu in the right area. Edu tried to connect with Hirayama on the inside with his feet, but... he was defended by Sendai DF and the ball was slightly off target.

As additional time begins, Sendai MF Tomita shoots from a loose ball punched by Shioda from a Sendai set play. The ball hits a Tokyo DF and is connected again, with Sendai FW Wilson making a precise header in front of the goal in the left area.
Watanabe of DF was pushed in accordance with this, but the heading missed the frame... Time up.

After changing players and formations, the second half began. Sendai escaped a counterattack chance with a great save by Shioda, but immediately conceded a goal from a set piece. However, a rhythm was born in the attack and EDU equalized with a penalty kick. The game became a back-and-forth battle, but neither team could score another goal, and the match ended in a draw.

[Player Comments]
"Edu"
"The first half was a difficult match, especially being away. However, we had players making their first start and there are still many areas where we are lacking, including our combination play. Despite that, we were able to draw and prove that all the players who played have strength."
(After tying the game, Edu pulled out the ball and attacked. Although they couldn't score an additional point?)
Of course, there were also times when he didn't play much, but as a team, they still haven't perfected things like where they want to receive the ball or where they want to pass it... They want to continue to improve while being patient with each other."

"Mukuhara"
"I expected Sendai to come and take the lead, as they haven't won yet. However, we couldn't connect our passes and it felt cramped when attacking. As a result, we kept getting countered. In the second half, the opponent's performance dropped and I think we were able to play our own game a little bit."
Personally, I was conscious of defense today. I was thinking about not leaving any gaps by focusing on suppressing Sendai MF Ota and the opponent. As a team, we haven't had a clean sheet game, and personally, I wanted to end with zero goals conceded... But it was a difficult game, and I think it wasn't bad to catch up and draw."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"As for the first half, I felt that the quality in the midfield was a little lacking. However, the players who were subbed in during the second half showed a high level of quality. Although we conceded a goal when we were playing well, the players were able to equalize with their counterattacks."
"Whether things are going well or not, it is important for the team to understand the situation and respond accordingly. From that perspective, I think the players have been doing a good job."

[Sendai - Graham ARNOLD Coach's Press Conference Summary]
"We led 1-0 and continued the game, but I think we could have made it 2-0, 3-0. I think our defense was very good and the overall performance was also very good. It takes time to change something, so we want to patiently continue to improve and do our best. I am satisfied with today's overall performance."