Aiming for four consecutive wins based on stable defense!

In Sec. 19 of the league, we will face Cerezo Osaka away. In the previous match, we scored 4 goals and achieved our first 3 consecutive wins of the season. Not only do we want to maintain this momentum, but the players also have a strong desire to improve even more than now (Yoshimoto) said. Yoshimoto continued, "After scoring 4 goals in the last match, there were moments when we were countered. We want to tighten up and correct those details," as we approach this match while further enhancing the team's maturity.

However, Tokyo will avoid using Hanyu, who has a foot injury. Higashi will start for the first time in the league since Sec. 13 against Tokushima. Additionally, Ishikawa will be on the bench for the first time since the Nabisco Cup match against Sendai on April 2. Coach Massimo stated, "First, we want to continue organized defense to not give the opponent any space," aiming for four consecutive wins based on stable defense.

Cerezo Osaka is currently in 16th place with 18 points. In June, they welcomed Marco PEZZAIUOLI as their new manager, while FW Yoichiro KAKITANI transferred to FC Basel in Switzerland. Since the league resumed, they have had 2 draws and 3 losses without a victory, which can be considered a struggle. In this match, MF Ariajasuru HASEGAWA will make his first start since the resumption. On the lineup, it appears as a 4-3-3 formation, but with MF Yamaguchi and HASEGAWA as double defensive midfielders, FW Minamino playing as an attacking midfielder, and FW Sugimoto and MF Kusunoki on the wings.

The typhoon seemed to have calmed down for the time being, but just before the start, strong winds began and rain started to fall. However, although there is humidity, the temperature is not that high. Above all, this match aims to seize 3 points without being passive against C Osaka, who is seeking their first victory at home in 8 games.

The match started at 19:04 with Cerezo Osaka's kickoff.

The DF line is focused on defense, heading into the second half scoreless

First, in the opening 3 minutes, Tokyo's Muto, who received a left throw-in, was brought down while trying to turn forward, resulting in a free kick just outside the left area. YoneMoto took the free kick with a strong kick, aiming for the goal, but it was deflected by the opposing GK.

After that, a back-and-forth battle continued, leading to a Tokyo attack in the 14th minute. Edu, who broke through on the right flank, passed back, and Higashi attempted to initiate an attack, but the ball was taken away, resulting in a counterattack from Cerezo Osaka. Unable to stop MF Kusunoki's dribble, a series of passes in the front line led to FW Sugimoto, who moved from the right to the center and got into shooting position. This was blocked, but the loose ball was picked up, and FW Forlan, just in front of the left area, evaded the Tokyo defense and took a shot from distance. It went just over the bar.

In the 18th minute, Yonemoto from the opponent's side took a powerful shot from distance with his left foot. It was touched by the opposing GK and hit the right post. Kono tried to follow up on the loose ball, but it was cleared for a corner kick.

20 minutes have passed, and Tokyo has tried to break through the situation several times from the middle, but perhaps due to the wind, they have been unable to create a coordinated attacking shape.
The game developed into a situation where they were countered by Cerezo Osaka after losing the ball midway. However, even in the pressured moments, the defense line held up well. Time passed without creating any clear chances. Edu and Kono created attacking rhythm in the front line, but in terms of ball possession and momentum, Cerezo Osaka had the upper hand. Still, they did not allow any goals with their resilient defense.

In the 39th minute, Muto dribbled a long distance. He advanced into the right area and passed to Higashi on the outside. Higashi returned the ball to Kono with a grounded pass to the far post, but it went off target and could not be finished, allowing Cerezo Osaka to escape with a corner kick. In the following 43rd minute, Edu broke through the left front line, and Kono let the ball pass behind him, leading to Ota's early cross delivered directly. However, it did not connect with Higashi in the right area.

In the early stages, they struggled to create attacking plays, but Yonemoto became a good starting point, and gradually Edu and Kono began to find their rhythm. However, Cerezo Osaka's midfield player Kusunoki and forwards Minamino and Sugimoto had good coordination, leading to several moments where they were pressured, but the defense remained focused and held on, going into the second half scoreless.

Putting the body on the line at the last moment, not allowing a goal

As the second half began, both teams struggled to find a decisive moment. In the 62nd minute, Cerezo Osaka's passing and coordination pushed forward, allowing midfielder Masaru HASEGAWA to enter the left area corner, but Tokyo intercepted the backward pass sent to the center. Edu on the left flank initiated a counterattack, attempting to deliver a final pass to Muuto, who had moved up the center, but it was narrowly deflected for a corner kick.

In the 63rd minute, right after, Ota took a left corner kick. Takahashi, who was near the goal, rushed in and headed the ball, but it was slightly deflected, resulting in another left corner kick. By the 65th minute, Tokyo was doing well to manage the opponent's counterattacks in defense, but their positioning to regain possession was too low, making it difficult to connect effectively to the front line.

In the 70th minute, while trying to advance from their own half, the ball was taken by Cerezo Osaka, and forward Sugimoto on the right side took a shot, but Gonda caught it directly. In the 75th minute, Mita came on for Kono, taking the position just behind the forwards. In the 79th minute, EDU on the right side assessed the situation well and sent a ball to change the side to forward Muto on the left, but Muto made a trap mistake and couldn't create a chance.

80 minutes have passed. Unable to connect the ball up front, the team is gradually being pushed back. It is important to read the flow calmly and avoid conceding a goal. Just after that, Cerezo Osaka's forward Minamino dribbled a long distance from the midfield. He brought the ball into the right area and was about to shoot, but Morishige calmly responded. He stretched out his leg to block it. In the 82nd minute, Cerezo Osaka quickly connected from the right side, and midfielder Kim faced forward, unleashing a high-precision shot from distance that just went over the bar.

In the 83rd minute, Hirayama was brought on for Edu. In the 85th minute, a free kick was taken from the left side outside the opponent's penalty area, near the touchline. From Ota's kick, Hirayama jumped in front of the goal but couldn't make a header, and the ball floated to the goalkeeper.

In the 89th minute, C Osaka exploited the gap between Tokyo's DF on the right flank, and it seemed like a decisive moment was about to be created as forward Nagai faced forward... but Tokyo's DF threw their bodies in to clear and escaped danger. From this clearance, Mita connected the play and was fouled in midfield, but the game continued. Hirayama tried to break through the front line. Although Hirayama was surrounded by the opposing DF, he held on stubbornly, and Mita, who followed fiercely, headed the ball forward. He connected with Muto in the right area, but... at the last moment, he was blocked, and they couldn't get a finish...

In the final stages of the second half, they were pushed back by the vigorous attack of C Osaka. However, they did not allow any goals. They aimed to score from a counterattack, but both sides put their bodies on the line at the last moment, preventing any goals. The match ended in a scoreless draw, and they managed to secure 1 point away.

[Player Comment]
《Mori Shige》
"After playing, I felt that C Osaka is indeed a high-quality opponent. Although they are lower in the rankings, each individual's level is top class. It may be natural that we struggled. However, I think we can take confidence from being able to keep such an opponent to zero goals. Instead of just looking at the superficial aspect of 'drawing against a lower-ranked opponent', being able to defend well against a good team gives us confidence. Of course, there were also issues that arose. But that happens in every match. I want to reflect on it properly and make corrections to carry it forward to the next game."

"Yoshimoto"
"I think our defensive approach often starts from the front, and it was difficult to maintain an attacking mindset. I believe it was tough for the forwards as well. Still, we were able to launch a counterattack a few times. However, the overall team became a bit too defensive. I want to make some adjustments so that we can be more aggressive in our attacks."

【Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference Summary】
"It was a very difficult match under special conditions regarding the weather and ground conditions. The team was able to create chances and did not allow the opponent to play as they wished, which I think is wonderful. The particularly good points were the dedicated attitude and the team spirit, which were excellent. I believe that Cerezo Osaka, our opponent, is also going through a difficult time, but they are a team with great quality. The fact that we fought until the end against such an opponent is highly commendable. I believe that this kind of battle will definitely lead to the players' growth, so I think they did really well today."

【C Osaka - Press Conference with Marco PEZZAIUOLI】
"We are in the relegation zone, but today we faced a top team. However, as you all saw, I don't think the difference in ranking was felt during the match. Tokyo had some decisive chances in the first half, but we had four or five close opportunities. Throughout the 90 minutes, the team played compactly and didn't give the opponent too many chances. Unfortunately, we were a bit unlucky and couldn't score. I think the team worked hard for 90 minutes, but we couldn't capitalize on the chances we created."