Sec. 24 Tamagawa Classico, showing growth to avenge the first half of the season

In Sec. 24 of the league, we will face Kawasaki Frontale away in the 24th Tamagawa Classico. The previous match ended in a draw, making it 11 league matches unbeaten, but we have not been able to secure a win in the last three matches. This match against Kawasaki comes under those circumstances, but Coach Massimo emphasizes, "In the Tamagawa Classico, I want us to give our all and make it a wonderful match at all costs. And I want to win." Additionally, after suffering a heavy defeat of 0 to 4 in Sec. 4 of the first half of the league, this match is also an opportunity to show our growth and seek revenge.

Kawasaki is currently in 2nd place with 43 points. Under the leadership of Coach Kazama, they are entering their third season, and the team has been maturing. Currently, there is a 4-point gap with 1st place Urawa, but they are trying to close the gap and challenge for the top spot. However, this match will see FW Yu OKUBO and DF Jesse suspended. U-21 Japan national team MF Oshima is also absent. Nevertheless, in the last match, FW An filled the gap well in their absence, leading to a big victory over Tokushima, showing no signs of weakening in their attacking power. FW Kobayashi and Renato not only have the ability to break through individually but also need to pay close attention to the unique passing work and the attacking runs of both full-backs, especially the developments from MF Nakamura.

While this match spotlights Tokyo's defensive strength against the attacking power of Kawasaki, the key will be how they can disrupt their cohesion and connect it to their own attack. However, U-21 Japan national team MF Nozawa and Nakajima will be absent again this week. Muto, who injured his neck in practice this week, is not seriously hurt and will be included in the starting lineup, approaching the match with the same members as the previous game. Additionally, MF Sasaki (U-18), who was registered as a top player in the second category, made his first appearance on the bench.

Autumn has arrived, and the chill can be felt at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. The match started at 19:04 with Kawasaki's kickoff.

Gradually allowed Kawasaki to take control, but maintained quick transitions.

In the early stages, both teams launched quick counterattacks, resulting in a back-and-forth development. In the 11th minute, Edu was fouled after entering the opponent's territory, leading to a quick restart of the free kick by Takahashi. Muto on the right side aimed for a grounded middle shot. In the 16th minute, Kawasaki attacked with speedy passing, resulting in a free kick just before the right area. MF Nakamura sent a kick to the front line, which FW Kobayashi redirected with a header, and DF Tanaka attempted a headed shot at the far post. In the 18th minute, Kawasaki FW Renato fired a powerful shot from the left side, but Gonda made the save.

In the 20th minute, Hanyu on the right side passed to Yonemoto, who dropped it, and Takahashi took a sharp shot from the middle, but it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper's save at the top right of the goal. After that, Tokyo gradually allowed Kawasaki to dominate possession, and although there were continued moments of being attacked by their speedy passing, Tokyo maintained a high defensive awareness among all players and attempted to launch quick counterattacks after regaining possession. However, they often lost the ball in the front line and were unable to create decisive chances.

In the 37th minute, from Morishige's feed, Muto broke into the left area. He looked well at the opponent from the shooting motion, cut back inside, and tried to send a last pass in front of the goal, but Kawasaki cut it off. Yonemoto, who was following up, regained possession, but his touch afterward was messy, and he couldn't take a shot. Then, they attacked from a left throw-in, and Hanyu's cross saw Edu at the far post attempt a header, but he lost his balance and couldn't make the shot.

In the final stages, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle. In the 44th minute, Kawasaki's forward Renato broke through with a powerful dribble into the left area. He took a shot after forcefully splitting between Yoshimoto and Hanyu, but it was deflected for a corner kick by Gonda's excellent save. Throughout the match, they calmly responded to Kawasaki's speedy attacks, maintaining quick transitions to launch their own offense. Although they struggled to create decisive chances, the match continued with exciting exchanges, ending the first half scoreless.

The tense battle ended without a resolution, resulting in a scoreless draw for the first time since 2005.

In the 46th minute of the second half, Hanyu reacted to the second ball and ran into the goal area, receiving a foul from Kawasaki MF PAULINHO, earning a free kick from the center. Although there was some distance, Morishige aimed directly at the goal but was blocked. In the 47th minute, Tokunaga and Kawasaki FW Renato rushed in for the loose ball, and Tokunaga fell with Renato's arm hitting his chest, causing a temporary stoppage in the match. Both quickly returned to play, displaying their fighting spirit and leading to an intense development.

In the 51st minute, Takahashi persistently connected a loose ball in his own half to the left front line. Muto, who received it, advanced with a dribble. His shot aimed just before the area was blocked, but the loose ball fell in front of the free Edu in the right area. It was a decisive moment, but Edu's trap went awry, and the goalkeeper managed to save it... From there, Kawasaki launched a counterattack, connecting from the right side to the center, and MF Nakamura broke through in front of the goal, but Tokyo managed to contain it, and neither team was able to capitalize on their chances.

In the 57th minute, Kawasaki DF Tohri came in as a left side back. Taking this opportunity, Kawasaki continued to press with increasing momentum. In the 58th minute, Kawasaki MF Nakamura's final pass allowed FW An to break into the area, but the shot was saved by Gonda. Immediately after, Kawasaki MF Nakamura delivered a sharp ground cross. The loose ball from this block went to FW Renato in the left area, who took a shot, but Yoshimoto and Morishige threw their bodies in to block it again!! They managed to survive the crisis.

While demonstrating tenacity and concentration against Kawasaki's powerful attack, they tried to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. In the midst of a counterattack exchange, Kajiyama was brought on for Hanyu in the 74th minute. He formed a double pivot with Takahashi, with Yonemoto and Muto on the flanks, and Edu and Kono up front. Kawasaki also made substitutions, and both teams continued a tense battle in pursuit of a 'goal'. In the 78th minute, a through pass from Kawasaki's left-side midfielder Nakamura found forward Kobayashi, who shook the net but was ruled offside. In the 80th minute, a cross from Tokunaga was dropped by Muto at the far post, and Edu took a direct volley with his left foot from the center of the area, but it went over the bar.

In the 88th minute, Mita came on for Kono. During stoppage time, the Kawasaki goalkeeper rushed out, and Mutou collided with an opposing defender over a ball that had flowed forward. Mita charged in but was fouled and won a free kick from the left side of the penalty arc. However, Ota's attempted kick was blocked by the wall... Although they couldn't capitalize on the chance, thanks to Gonda's repeated great saves, they managed to keep a clean sheet until the end of the match. The Tamagawa Classico ended in a scoreless draw for the first time since July 6, 2005, the 7th edition, resulting in both teams sharing one point.

[Player Comments]
"Yoshimoto"
"It was good that we were able to keep a clean sheet, but we aimed to take all three points and wanted the victory. Personally, seeing everyone's expressions after the match leaves me with more regret. Rather than focusing on the fact that we haven't lost in 12 league matches, I feel more strongly about not winning in the last four matches. We have another match coming up soon, so I want to prepare well for the victory."

《Takahashi》
"Not being able to win is everything. Until about the 20th minute of the first half, we were able to win the ball in a good shape, but Kawasaki MF Nakamura dropped back a bit and switched with MF PAULINHO, and Taniguchi moved forward. It was difficult to see who would catch that. In the second half, we were generally pushed back and it became a tough battle, and personally, I didn't feel a sense of achievement. Still, everyone managed to control their individual situations. I think it was because we studied the opponent and prepared well."

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"We fought well against each other. We gave it our all. Although we have been drawing for a long time, we had more decisive chances today, and the players continue to perform well. Maintaining this momentum is the most important thing. Kawasaki has been a team consistently competing at the top for the past few years, and they are currently in good form, so I believe our performance today is valuable. We fought well by maintaining balance and organization. Since we gave everything we had, I have nothing to say to the players."

[Kawasaki - Yahiro KAZAMA's Press Conference Summary]
"The game that we couldn't finish. That sums it up. I don't have the expression 'we managed to draw' in my mind. Of course, it was a match we could have won, and we had plenty of chances, so we wanted to finish it. However, even with changes in the lineup, we were able to express our style well and create that many chances. It would have been good if we had finished them. In that sense, it's a disappointing result, but I believe we could feel that individual abilities are improving and the team's strength is increasing."