Fight without stopping, facing forward, aiming for victory

Continuing from the previous match, we head into an away game against Nagoya. In the match against G Osaka, we lost control and suffered a painful two goals. Nevertheless, the substitutions worked, and Matsuda, who came on as a substitute, scored his first professional goal, showing a comeback. However, the multiple goals conceded since the match against Kashima on August 30 in Sec. 22 took a toll, and we lost. Our ranking has also dropped to 7th, eliminating the possibility of winning the championship this season. Additionally, there was an incident where Gonda injured his neck, creating an atmosphere of 'dejection' in the team after the match.

However, as Morishige said, "If we stop here, this season's battles will become meaningless," no one has given up on victory. Shiota also vowed, "The match against G Osaka was a disappointing loss that left regrets, but this week we have been focusing on training for tomorrow. We will do our utmost to win the upcoming match and move up at least one position in the rankings."

Tokyo's GK Shiota makes his first start of the season, and DF Yoshimoto starts for the first time since the Sendai match on October 5. Hanyu is used in midfield. The front line starts with FW Watanabe, Edu, and Muto in a three-top formation.

Nagoya is currently in 12th place with 40 points. During the season, MF Leandro Domingues and FW Kawamata joined the team through transfers. Since then, the team has recorded six consecutive league matches without a loss, showing an upward trend. However, they are currently struggling with injuries, including that of MF Leandro Domingues. Additionally, this round, MF Danielson and Taguchi are suspended due to accumulated warnings. On the other hand, FW Nagai returns from suspension and will start. The lineup features a two-top with FW Matsuda and Kawamata, with MF Tanabe and Nagai on the sides. The midfield is composed of MF Isomura and Yada in a double pivot formation.

Mizuho, covered in clouds, occasionally feels the presence of fine rain. However, under a climate that is not cold, the match started at 1:04 PM with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Two goals conceded from an own goal and a free kick. Trailing by one goal into the second half.

Although there were moments right after the kickoff where the opponent pressed, Tokyo gradually took control of the ball without relinquishing the initiative. While they had not created any clear chances, they were attempting to find a breakthrough through various challenges.

In the 19th minute, Nagoya's right back Yano advanced and crossed the ball. Morishige's attempt to clear it was slightly off balance, and the ball was drawn towards his own goal... An own goal allowed the opponent to take the lead... However, in the 21st minute, Ota moved up to the front line and delivered a cross parallel to the goal. Edu, who jumped in from the far side, scored with a powerful header over the opponent's head, making it a GOAL!! They quickly succeeded in equalizing.

In the 29th minute, Takahashi fouled the opponent's forward Nagai, giving Nagoya a free kick from the left side. Nagoya's midfielder Yada took a sharp kick. This was met with a powerful header from the defender Tulio in the right area... resulting in a goal conceded. Although they unfortunately allowed the first goal, they quickly equalized with a header from Edu following Ota's cross! They continued to dominate possession, maintaining Tokyo's time, but Nagoya capitalized on a set piece and... fell behind by another goal.

In the 38th minute, Nagoya's forward Nagai broke through on the left flank. Tokunaga was facing him, but he managed to deliver a cross, and midfielder Tanabe headed the ball over Ota. It was a decisive moment, but Shioda made a big save to escape the danger!

In the first half, Tokyo had many moments of ball possession, but they conceded two goals due to an own goal and a free kick opportunity... Tokyo managed to score one goal through Edu, but they went into the second half trailing.

Unable to secure a lead, ended in a draw

Entering the second half, 49 minutes in. Ota sent a vertical ball that spilled from the opposing defender to Muuto. Muuto charged into the left area. He made a cut to evade the approaching defender, but... ultimately chose to pass. He sent a short lob to the far post, but it flowed over Watanabe and into an empty space, failing to create a scoring opportunity. In the 51st minute, Muuto broke through the left front line again. However, the final cross did not connect with Edu and drifted to the right. Continuing into the 52nd minute, Watanabe received a pass from the right in the center of the area and sent it directly to the front right. Edu broke free in a coordinated move, but could not shoot before the goalkeeper's quick advance... Although chances were created, they could not produce a decisive moment, and time passed. Conversely, the opposing team began to launch counterattacks.

In the 59th minute, Matsuda replaces Hanyu and enters on the right side. Takahashi and Yonemoto take on a double pivot in a formation close to 4-4-2. Furthermore, in the 62nd minute, Mita is brought in to replace Yonemoto, maintaining the central position.

In the 76th minute, following Mita's vertical pass, Tokunaga's attempt to play a through ball from the right to the center was cut off, but he persistently regained possession of the loose ball. Muto utilized his strength to dribble through to the left area. Although it was a dribble that took him away from the goal, he changed his body orientation and fired a shot that found the bottom right corner for a super GOAL!! bringing the score to 2-2. Muto, with strong determination towards the goal, marked his 13th goal, tying the record for most goals by a rookie!!

In the second half, we lost possession while attacking, and continued to face counterattacks from Nagoya. However, with Yoshimoto, Morishige, and Shiota at the center, we did not allow any additional goals. We made substitutions to launch a counterattack, and Muto scored his 13th goal of the season, tying the record for most goals by a rookie, bringing us level! In the final stages, it became a back-and-forth of counterattacks, but we couldn't take the lead... We ended up with just one point away.

[Player Comments]
《Muto》
"It was good that I was able to score aiming for a 'one shot'. However, we couldn't win, and I think my performance throughout the match was about 'even' despite the goal. Aside from scoring, I couldn't make plays to help the team win. The Nagoya DF player Yano I faced was very physically strong and fast. I struggled with that. Regarding the first goal conceded, it was a situation I should have handled. I tried to cut off Yano's dribble breakthrough, but I couldn't stop him, and it ended up with me facing Ota. If I had stopped him, there wouldn't have been a cross, and it wouldn't have resulted in an own goal. Also, I couldn't finish the chances from the counterattack, and there were moments when I chose to pass instead of shooting. I feel sorry that we couldn't turn it around, especially with the defense putting their bodies on the line to protect us.
(Did I tie the record for most newcomers?)
Since I often get asked about it, to be honest, I feel relieved (bitter smile). However, what I aim for is much higher. I want to keep my awareness high, score more and more, and contribute to the goals for the team to win above all else.

《Shioda》
"I regret conceding two goals in the first half. Nevertheless, our attacking players worked hard and managed to equalize twice... As a defender, conceding two goals is something I need to reflect on. However, from the team's mentality perspective, it might be a positive that we were able to equalize instead of falling behind 1-3 from a 1-2 deficit. In the second half, the open play developed a bit too early, and we need to reconsider our organization, but the midfield and defense were committed to defending. Nagoya created several dangerous situations, but we were well-prepared for counterattacks and fought patiently. I believe we were able to prevent goals at critical moments. There are still details to reflect on regarding how to attack when we are behind and how to equalize, but I want to use today's challenges for our next match.
(There were also great saves by player Shiota)
Personally, I had been away from playing for a long time and lacked match experience, which made me feel frustrated in the match against G Osaka. That's why I approached today with the mindset of 'I will do my best.' However, I couldn't achieve the desired result. Even so, I believe that not collapsing after conceding two goals and continuing to hold on until the end contributed to earning one point. I could hear the voices from the stands, and it really gave me strength.

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"In the first half, we played very well, but we conceded two goals. In the second half, the feeling of needing to equalize took over, and we gave the opponent too much space. The team believed in victory until the end and created chances until the very last moment. After equalizing, I think it was a match where both sides fought with the desire to win."

【Nagoya - Akira NISHINO's Press Conference Summary】
"It was a frustrating game where we still couldn't secure a win at home. I think we created numerous scoring opportunities and played an aggressive game, but if we can't convert those chances, we end up conceding an equalizer, and the overall image of the match becomes negative. In such situations, I believe the team's strength is tested. It was important to see how much the players could fight, but it was not satisfactory."