A match where we want to proceed at our own rhythm and lead to victory

As we approach Sec. 33 of the league, we will face Ventforet Kofu away. In the last match, despite taking the lead, we were pushed back by Niigata and suffered our first comeback loss of the season. Coach Massimo reflected, "There have been many comments about motivation and mental issues, but we cannot attribute it solely to that. We need to reassess our physical, technical, and tactical aspects." Nevertheless, he continued, "With so many fans and supporters coming out to support us, we have a responsibility to respond to their cheers. We must show on the pitch what we desire and where we are headed." This was in preparation for this week's training.

In place of Takahashi, who is suspended due to accumulated warnings, Kajiwara makes his first start of the season as the anchor. This will be his first appearance since the match against Sendai on October 5. Additionally, Higashi is used in the midfield, and Nakajima is deployed in the forward line. Nozawa is also on the bench, and the team approached the match with a new combination.

Kofu is currently in 13th place. They have 39 points, but after two draws, they achieved three consecutive wins, securing their place in J1 for next season. With a patient defense that eliminates space, their shot-conceding rate is also low. The lineup includes MF Mizuno starting. They will play on the side. DF Hatao will start on the bench. They want to suppress the sharp attacks from FW Ishihara, Abe, Morita, and others, who are based on the sides, and proceed at their own rhythm to lead to victory.

At the same time, Tokyo has been conceding goals in the last six matches, so it will be important to manage counters initiated by Kofu FW Ishihara and Takuma ABE, and how thoroughly they can do this. They want to maintain the compactness of their formation, prolong their own time, and respond effectively.

In the morning, there was heavy rain, but it turned into clear weather at Yamanashi Chugin Stadium. At this time of year, it doesn't feel particularly cold. The match started at 17:04 with Kofu's kickoff.

Unable to create an effective shape even once... Going into halftime scoreless

In the first 3 minutes, the battle for the ball continued, but Mori-shige fouled Kofu FW Morita, who was trying to receive a long ball. A free kick was awarded just outside the right area. From here, MF Mizuno's direct shot was blocked by the Tokyo DF wall. Following this flow, they were pushed back into their own territory and attacked on the left side by Tokyo, but Kajiyama and then Kono stepped in to cover effectively, preventing Kofu's side attack from going as planned.

In the 11th minute, the DF line cut off a horizontal pass from Morishige to Ota, and Kofu FW Ishihara broke through into the area. He turned past Ota and delivered a right cross, and FW Takuma ABE calmly sent a direct pass to the center. MF Marquinhos Parana, who had advanced, took a shot, but it went over the bar, avoiding the danger.

After 15 minutes have passed... The match started well, with both teams applying pressure in the early stages, but small mistakes and misalignments began to appear, leading to a situation where Kofu's control slightly surpassed. At the same time, Kofu's midfielders Abe Sho and Mizuno on both sides were unable to launch effective attacks against the 5-back defense covering the defensive line.

In the 27th minute, Kofu's right midfielder Mizuno cut back past Ota and brought the ball inside, delivering a highly accurate cross. FW Morita dove in just inches from the far post, facing Yoshimoto, but before that, a persistent header shot was taken. However, it narrowly missed to the left, avoiding danger. Immediately after, a pass was intercepted in midfield and quickly sent forward to Kofu. When FW Ishihara broke free in front of the goal, it led to a critical situation, but Yonemoto made a tremendous recovery with a sliding tackle! He managed to escape to a throw-in.

After that, Tokyo gradually started to connect passes and create time, increasing the number of opportunities to attack. However, conversely, they were caught off guard by counterattacks due to mistakes, wide plays, and set pieces, leading to decisive chances for the opponent. They were helped by Kofu's missed shots, but the number of chances was overwhelmingly in favor of Kofu.

In the first half, thanks to Kofu's lack of precision, we did not concede any goals, but we created many chances through speedy ball movement and crosses. On the other hand, Tokyo connected passes to create time, but failed to synchronize their timing, resulting in mistakes. Against Kofu's defense, which pulled back to eliminate space, we were unable to create an effective shape even once, and the first half ended.

The concentration in defense did not waver, but the match ended without scoring...

In the 49th minute of the second half. Kofu FW Ishihara utilized his speed and broke through on the right flank. The cross to the center did not reach FW Morita, and Kajiyama cut it off. Conversely, Tokyo also launched a counterattack, and in the end, a pass reached Nakajima, who advanced on the right side, but Kofu DF quickly returned, surrounded him, and the shot was blocked.

In the 54th minute, Kofu's left area FW Ishihara turned past Yoshimoto and advanced. Inside, FW Takuma ABE cut in, received a pass, and delivered a direct last pass to FW Morita at the far post. The three forwards from Kofu created a decisive opportunity through their combination, but in the end, the timing was slightly off, and Tokyo managed to escape the danger... In the 55th minute, Kofu substituted FW Cristiano for FW Morita.

At the start of the second half, they gained momentum and tried to approach the Kofu goal, but could not break through. As time passed, there were more instances where Kofu launched bold attacks. In the 61st minute, Watanabe came on for Nakajima. Furthermore, in the 66th minute, Hanyu was sent onto the pitch in place of Higashi.

In the 68th minute, from a left throw-in, Yonemoto and Kono persistently picked up the loose ball just outside the area and connected it finely, with Ota delivering a left cross. The Kofu goalkeeper Ogi came out but did not touch the ball, which flowed to the far side, grazing Watanabe and crossing the line, resulting in a Kofu throw-in...

In the 75th minute, the ball was taken away during an attack, and we couldn't stop Kofu's counterattack. Kofu's forward Cristiano broke free on the right flank, but Yoshimoto chased him down and made a desperate sliding tackle in the area! We escaped to a corner kick!! After that, Tokyo gradually started to maintain possession of the ball, and Kofu began to find some space, leading to more pressing situations. However, Kofu's concentration and quick transitions remained unbroken. The flow was one of back and forth.

In the 79th minute, Nozawa came on for Kono! He partnered with Kajiyama in the defensive midfield, with Yonemoto and Hanyu on the flanks. In the 84th minute, Kofu's left-side FW Cristiano passed behind the defense. FW Takuma ABE broke into the left area and crossed it to the center. The ball crossed in front of the goal and was met by Kofu FW Ishihara, who took a shot, but Gonda made the save. Unable to regain possession against Kofu's wide play, they were shaken and pushed back. Still, they held firm with Yoshimoto at the back, putting their bodies on the line to defend.

In the second half, we gradually tried to maintain possession of the ball and move towards the goal, but we were unable to take a shot until the end in front of Kofu's solid defense. Our concentration in defense did not waver, but we ended up with no goals. This season's matches against Kofu ended in draws both at home and away.

【Player Comments】
《Kajiyama》
"I knew that Kofu would come at us with determination since it was their final home game. In response, I think we were able to play with a strong mindset. However, we couldn't achieve the result of victory."
(It was my first start of the season?)
After recovering from a major injury, I had experienced several muscle strains. However, I had been able to practice well recently. With Takahashi's suspension, I had the opportunity today, so I was thinking of showcasing what I have been working on until now. The team tactics haven't changed, so I wanted to contribute by playing as well as I could within that framework. I believe I was able to defend as intended, but I also felt that scoring would be difficult unless I took some risks at some point. Even if I lost the ball in the front line, I wish I could have played a bit more boldly. Many fans and supporters came today, and to respond to their support throughout the year, I absolutely want to win the next match. I want all of us to go for the three points.

《Yoshimoto》
"The time we had the ball increased, and there were moments when we could show what we practiced. We managed to keep the defense to zero goals conceded, but Kofu's defense was solid, and we couldn't break through that. It would have been great if we could have all gone for the goal together and fought to win by scoring a decisive point... Regarding scoring, building up from the back is also necessary. In that sense, I have regrets about not being able to contribute."
(Was the sliding tackle on Kofu FW Cristiano?)
I slid because I was confident I could win the ball. That's my job, so I don't think it's a special play. We made adjustments since the last match and had some time to play our football, but next, I want to play a match that is recognized by those around us and achieve victory.

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"Kofu eliminated space and aimed for counterattacks. In the second half, there were times when the opponent took control, but we also saw many moments where we eliminated their strengths and maintained possession, moving into the attacking zone. We lacked the quality in the final 20 meters to the goal, whether it was through one-twos or cutting in with dribbles. Nakajima started today, and I am very satisfied with him; I think he is an interesting player. Also, I am happy that Kajiyama has returned, as his presence allows us to circulate the ball. I believe there is no such thing as an easy match. Looking at the results from other venues today, nothing was predictable."

[Summary of the Press Conference by Kofu Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU]
"Although it is a bit off from today's match, three years ago we faced C Osaka in spring camp and suffered a 5-0 defeat in a match that felt like adults versus children. Two years ago, when we played against Tokyo, it was a game where we couldn't win even if we played ten times. Today, we were able to play a match that made me want to face them again. I am truly happy to see their growth, and because we have built something together with them, I strongly wanted to earn three points today. However, since we ended with just one point, there is certainly some reflection on that, but regardless of whether there was a ceremony today, I wanted to produce results as proof of their growth."