Away match against tough opponent Kashima, aiming for victory from solid defense

As we enter the last weekend of August, the 22nd round of the league will be held. We will face Kashima Antlers away. Last round's match against Urawa was a back-and-forth battle, and it ended in a 4-4 draw. It could be said that we were brought to a draw in a game that we should have won. However, Muto scored two goals and Massimo praised the team for "taking advantage of Urawa's weaknesses and fighting until the end with the attitude of going for the win." With this, we have gone 9 games without a loss in the league and have built up a "strength" that is not easily broken or defeated. We want to continue this momentum and turn it into a battle to "take 3 points" in the next game.

However, in this Urawa match, Hirayama suffered a broken bone and was forced to take a long-term leave. It is a big blow for the team, but on the other hand, Shoya NAKAJIMA will join the team in the form of a return from his loan to Toyama, and will already be included in the squad for this match. Additionally, Watanabe will start and play a role as one of the two top players.

Kashima, on the other hand, is currently in 3rd place with 39 points. They are currently on an 8-game unbeaten streak and a 4-game winning streak, making them the most energetic team. In particular, their total score of 41 is the highest in the league. With their skilled players and increased ability to score at crucial moments, they are aiming for even higher. In this match, MF Ogasawara, MF Endo, and DF Ueda are suspended, but MF Jorginho Wagner, who joined this summer, will make his first start. FW Davi will be at the top, with MF Doi behind him. MF Caio will be on the right in the second row, and Jorginho Wagner will be on the left. MF Shibasaki and Umebachi will be the double pivot. CB Yamamura and Shoji will form the defense.

In order to suppress Kashima's attacking power, we want to show aggressiveness and tenacity, and aim to break away from the "unwinnable game". The match started at 19:04 with Kashima's kickoff, under a slightly chilly weather with a temperature of 22.2 degrees.

Unable to create rhythm, 2 goals conceded from mistakes...

Kashima took control of the pace right after the start. In the 5th minute, they quickly connected with a second ball and FW Davi broke through the DF's defense from a through pass by MF Caio in the center, getting into a shooting position. Although this was offside, in the 6th and 8th minutes, they were continuously attacked from the side and FW Davi received a cross. In the following 10 minutes, they quickly switched from their own half to MF Caio, and DF Nishi on the right side changed the side with a long pass to the left front line. Tokyo was unable to respond to this and MF Doi received the ball. He controlled it with one touch and took a shot aiming for the gap between Grot's legs... Just like in the previous match, they conceded a goal in the early stages.

After that, Tokyo continued to struggle in both attack and defense. In the 26th minute, from a pass by Hayashi on the right side, Muto used his speed to enter the left area. He managed to get to the finish, but couldn't get a good shot and it was caught by Kashima GK. During this time, Kashima was trying to make adjustments by having Takahashi take care of the defensive line against their attacks, but immediately after, Kashima GK Sogahata sent a kick to the front line that couldn't be dealt with, and FW Davi broke through. Takahashi chased after him, but the ball was skillfully floated in front of him, and FW Davi himself charged towards the goal line. Despite losing his balance, he stretched out his right foot and took a shot that went into the goal... Showing his strength, they conceded a second goal.

Still, Tokyo gradually started to create scenes of moving forward in order to return one point. However, they were taken by Kashima in a half-hearted manner and were forced to struggle with counterattacks, and ended the first half in that situation.

We aim to recover and take 1 point with Edu's PK and Muto's consecutive 2 goals.

In the second half, Tokyo made substitutions, with Mita replacing Kono and Edu replacing Hanyu. Mita moved to inside half and Edu to the top. Watanabe and Mutoh played on both sides in a 3-top formation to try to turn things around. This immediately paid off, as in the 47th minute, Ota's left cross was cleared, but Yonezawa picked up the ball on the left side and sent a floating ball into the area. Mutoh ran in and was fouled, earning a penalty kick. In the 49th minute, Edu kicked the PK straight into the goal, raising the signal for a comeback with a one-point difference.

In the 54th minute, the ball became loose in the DF line and was taken away by Kashima MF Caio, creating a one-on-one situation with Gonda, but the shot was saved by Gonda! The attack and defense continued to go back and forth, but Tokyo regained their defensive focus and began to find their rhythm.

At 70 minutes, a fierce foul against Edu resulted in Kashima DF Aoki receiving a red card and being sent off. Kashima was forced to play with 10 men, and Tokyo began to attack. At 78 minutes, Nakajima was substituted for Yoshimoto as an attacking midfielder. Takahashi moved to CB, and with the double pivot of Yonemoto and Mita, they tried to create chances from the fluidity of the front line.

In front of Kashima's intense tackles, there were also situations where it was not easy to play in front of the goal, but in the 87th minute, Nakajima ran in from the opposite side to receive a lofted pass sent by Tokunaga from the right side. The ball bounced off Kashima's defenders and the opposing goalkeeper, and there, Watanabe followed up, but Muto did not miss the loose ball and charged into the area, stabbing it into the goal.

Muto scores two consecutive goals in a passionate battle! Despite a tough match, they never gave up and managed to secure a draw, earning one point.

[Player Comments]
"Muto"
"In the first half, we were influenced by the atmosphere of Kashima and couldn't play our own game, which made it a difficult situation. Personally, there were also moments where I could have made runs behind the defense, and I regret not being able to capitalize on the few chances we had. However, as a team, no one gave up and we were able to make adjustments in the second half. We were conscious of our distance and coordination in the front line and were able to play in a way that made the opponent uncomfortable. I was thinking "let it come to me" for the second goal. We had enough stamina and if we could have turned that into a comeback, it would have been great... We ended up with a draw and there are still many things to reflect on and improve, but I also want to do my best when I go to the national team."

"Nakajima"
"I have practiced several times and everyone understands my characteristics. I think the cooperation with the team was good. Before the game, coach Massimo told me, 'You have to move. After that, play freely.' I played while finding spaces in Kashima. In the future, I want to earn trust and recognition in the midst of competition. In order to win the competition, I want to continue playing my own game and help the team win."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"We were a bit passive in the first half and gave two goals to Kashima, who were in good shape, from our two mistakes. In the second half, we reviewed our approach to the game and were able to change the flow of the game by being more aggressive and forming a front line of three. Even after equalizing, there was a decisive shot from Watanabe and I think we were able to push for a comeback until the very end. Kashima is a very strong team on a 4-game winning streak and everyone knows that. Being able to play a game like this against such a team gives us great confidence and I think it was a draw that will lead us to the next game. I was impressed by the great work of Kashima's manager, Toninho CEREZO."

[Kashima - Toninho CEREZO Manager's Press Conference Summary]
"The team became different in the first and second half. Tokyo naturally made changes to the system and put in attacking players from the start of the second half, trying to take advantage of the game without losing anything. What I told the players at halftime was that a score of 2-0 is dangerous. The opponent will receive instructions from the coach at halftime, raise their spirits, and come into the second half with the aim of scoring early and creating momentum. That's why I told them to increase their concentration and attention, and enter the second half with a fighting attitude."