Let's achieve our first league victory at Ajinomoto!

This is the first league match in April, facing Sagan Tosu in Sec. 6.
In the Nabisco Sendai match, fresh members were utilized. Although it ended in a draw, the players reflected on the situation where they allowed the first goal but managed to equalize, saying, "We brought back the minimum result away, and I think we did what we needed to do as a team, regardless of who played. I believe we maintained our momentum." Based on that feeling, they aim to connect the strengthening of their squad to victory, targeting their first league win at home Ajinomoto.

In this match, which comes three days later, we will once again consider conditioning and opponent strategies, and make changes to the lineup. However, Morishige will be suspended due to accumulated warnings. On the other hand, Kaga, who was injured in the Kawasaki match, returns and will serve as a center-back alongside Yoshimoto. In midfield, Nozawa will play as the anchor, with Yonemoto and Azuma as inside halves. Up front, Edu and Hirayama will form a two-top, with Kono playing just behind them.

Currently, Tosu has 3 wins and 2 losses in the league, placing them 4th.
Under the leadership of Coach Yun in his fourth season, the team has been experiencing steady growth and can be said to have made a good start this season. The organized style of play that utilizes the individual running ability, speed, and scoring power of FW Toyota.S is thoroughly implemented, and the attack that gathers long balls to the front line is powerful. At the same time, FW Toyota.S, DF Yasuda, and GK Hayashi have been selected for the Japan national team training camp taking place next week, making them one of the most watched teams right now.

In response, Tokyo aims to counter by winning the second ball and extending "their time". They want to win the battle for control and strive for victory.

Before the start, there were thunderstorms and the weather was quite changeable, leaving a chill in the air, but just before the match, the rain stopped, and the game kicked off in Tokyo at 16:04.

Gradually regaining composure after a hectic development

Both teams launched quick counterattacks, and the match started at a high pace. Among them, Tokyo took advantage of a gap in Tosu's defense to create a chance. In the 14th minute, Kono collected the ball on the left flank, and Higashi crossed from just outside the left area. The ball dropped by Hirayama at the near post hit an opposing defender, but Edu, who was right behind, reacted to the loose ball. He took a direct shot from the center of the area, but it went just slightly to the right. In the 15th minute, Kono entered the right area freely. He took a soft touch to evade the approaching opposing goalkeeper and aimed for a shot, but he couldn't hit the target.

In the 20th minute, we lost the ball in our own half and were hit by a counterattack from Tosu. After a pass from left-side MF Mizunuma, FW Ikeda and FW Toyota.S made runs into the area one after another, but Tokyo's defense held strong. After that, the match gradually settled down, and Tokyo started to create rhythm from defense, but they often lost the ball in the front line due to Tosu's strong pressure, making it difficult to mount an attack.

In the 36th minute, a long ball from the left side of the defense by Tosu allowed forward Ikeda to break free in front of the goal. Although Gonda saved the shot, the rebound was targeted by midfielder Kan, but it went wide, avoiding a crisis. Shortly after that, Nozawa injured his foot. An accident occurred that prevented him from continuing to play. Therefore, he was substituted for Takahashi in the 42nd minute.

Still, without losing momentum, in the first half's additional time, Edu dropped the ball to Kono in the left area, who was in a shooting position. However, it was blocked by the Tosu defense, and the first half ended scoreless.

Kono scores consecutively, Hirayama marks his first goal of the season, and the team achieves two consecutive league victories!

In the second half, where they desperately needed a goal, the match changed early on. In the 50th minute, Yoshimoto headed back a long ball from Tosu, sending it forward. Kono regained possession of the ball that had been given to the opponent, and Yonemoto dribbled up the left side, passing to the space on the left front. Higashi ran into this space and delivered a grounded cross in front of the goal. Kono let it pass, followed by Hirayama, and Edu, who was free in the right area, took a step forward and shot... but it was saved by the goalkeeper and bounced off the near post. However, Kono quickly followed up and pushed it in with his left foot for the GOAL!!

Scored the opening goal following the match against Shimizu in the league. However, Tosu also launched a counterattack with momentum.
They were pressured in front of the goal from a side change and a cross from left back Yasuda, but managed to escape to a corner kick at the last moment. In the 63rd minute, Muto came on. In the 70th minute, an opponent's defender cleared the ball to Muto on the left side. He brought it inside and took a powerful shot, but it went just slightly to the left. In the 73rd minute, Mita was brought on for Kono. They played their third substitution card and aimed for another goal.

In the 75th minute, Hirayama aggressively dribbled and earned a right corner kick. In the 76th minute, Ota's right corner kick was headed down by Takahashi at the near post. Although the pass from Hirayama in the center did not reach his teammate, amidst a scramble with the opposing DF, Hirayama seized the ball that Tosu could not clear and, surrounded by DF, turned and shot with his left foot into the top left of the net! Hirayama scored his first goal of the season, adding another point and extending the lead.

Still, Tosu did not give up and launched a fierce counterattack. In the 85th minute, right back Niwa delivered an early cross. Unable to clear it, Tosu MF Kan was dropped in the left area, and Tosu MF Takahashi took a decisive shot. Gonda reached out to save it, but the ball flowed to the far side, where Tosu FW Toyota.S slid in and conceded a goal...

Tosu then brought in a defender to the front line and initiated a power play. However, Tokyo continued to defend without stopping until the end, and the time was up. They secured their first league victory at Ajinomoto Stadium and achieved their first consecutive wins of the season.

[Player Comments]
《Hirayama》
"Tosu plays a lot of long balls, and we had to be mindful of our defense against that. There was some tension, but I think we may have adjusted too much to the opponent's style of play. Still, it was good that we didn't lose to their intentions. The goal came from Ota's precise kick, and Takahashi skillfully brought it down to me. The opposing defense was well-organized, and that was the only route available, but I'm glad we were able to score. I want to win more, especially at home, so I will do my best to achieve that."

《East》
"I think everyone really worked hard and played a good match. Personally, today I focused on defense first. The flow changes depending on whether we can win the second ball or not, so I was particular about that. I think the three of us in the midfield did well. Everyone had the desire to win, and I believe I am in a position where I have to 'fight.' There are still many things I am not used to, but especially today, I went after the ball. I want to continue to improve while always challenging myself."

【Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"I knew that Tosu would come with this style. They are a very physically strong team and played exactly the kind of football I expected. They repeatedly threw in long balls just like throw-ins, which led to a different flow of the match than usual. By throwing the ball into the center, our defenders were required to be strong in aerial battles. There were times when unpredictable situations arose during scrambles in front of the goal, but this was the first time I faced a team that plays this kind of football since I became the coach. Nevertheless, the players responded well. We also have physically strong players like Edu and Hirayama, and we were able to utilize our height just like Tosu. Above all, the players who had not been able to play until now are currently performing very well. I want to commend that."

[Summary of Coach Yoon's Press Conference - Tosu]
"Many of you came today, but there were many moments where our concentration was disrupted. I sincerely apologize for that. However, even in such circumstances, I believe we showed the potential for the team to develop by not giving up and putting in effort. Regarding the game content, we have been conceding goals from set pieces in the last few matches, which has exposed our issues again. Above all, today we were pushed back in the battle for midfield control. We couldn't seize control and create the game. I knew it would be a difficult match away, but I want to forget what needs to be forgotten and prepare for the next one."