In the home opener, a battle focused on securing 3 points

This season's home opener will be a match against Yokohama F.Marinos. In the previous match, despite falling behind by two goals, Muto scored two goals. The players who came on as substitutes brought momentum and a sense of urgency, leading to a dramatic draw. Considering that it was an away game against the reigning champions, we managed to secure a valuable point. However, Hayu stated, "To make that point meaningful, a victory in this match is necessary," and this match will be a battle focused on 'results' as we start at home at Ajinomoto.

Yokohama FM has welcomed French coach Erick MOMBAERTS as their new leader this season, marking a fresh start. Although MF Nakamura left the team before the season, Coach Massimo warned, "Even so, we have experienced players, and it is undoubtedly a tough team." In the opening match, they conceded three goals to Kawasaki Frontale, but particularly the defense led by DF Nakazawa and Kurihara boasts height and strength. Breaking through that solid defense to score will be a key point to watch this match. Additionally, Yokohama FM has newly signed FW Ademilson from the U-22 Brazil national team. He just joined the team this week, and there are many unknowns, including his condition, but Gonda vowed, "We must not be distracted by just him, and we want to prevent conceding goals as a team."

Tokyo will approach the match with the same starting and substitute players as the previous match. However, the center-back pairing will have Canini on the right and Morishige on the left. Yokohama FM will have the notable FW Ademilson starting. He will form a two-top with FW Saito, while MF Hyodo will play on the side in a 4-4-2 formation.

At Ajinomoto under cloudy skies, 30,492 spectators gathered, and the match started with Tokyo's kickoff at 14:05.

Controlled the ball and advanced the game in the opponent's territory, but...

From the start, Tokyo dominated possession of the ball and pressed Yokohama FM. In the 6th minute, Ota's cross was cleared, and Yonemoto picked it up just outside the left area, bringing it forward to aim for the goal, but it was blocked by the defense, resulting in a corner kick. This right corner was connected with a short pass, and Ota's right cross went over Canini's head, as Maeda positioned himself at the far post to try to connect. In the 13th minute, Ota and Yonemoto created a play on the left side, with Kono on the inside delivering a cross. The ball deflected off the opposing defense, and Maeda rushed in from the right area, but he couldn't get a shot off either.

In the 15th minute, Yokohama FM's FW Edmilson attempted a dribble breakthrough against FW Saito, but Kono quickly returned to defense and made a cut. In the 16th minute, during a free kick situation from the right side for Yokohama FM, MF Fujimoto's sharp kick was headed by MF Fabio. In the 20th minute, Yokohama FM's FW Edmilson received a vertical pass at the right corner of the area, brought it forward, and turned to take a shot. However, Gonda safely handled all of them.

In the 29th minute, Tokyo creates the biggest chance of the first half. They steal the opponent's ball on the left flank, and Yone moto advances into the area.
Drawing the DF in a tight space, Muto shoots from just behind. Although blocked by the opposing DF, the ball rolls just past the outstretched hand of the GK. However, it only grazes the frame and results in a corner kick. In the 38th minute, a combination play on the right side between Yonemoto and Tokunaga attempted to set up Hanyu, who made a direct run into the area, but the timing was just slightly off. In the end, Yonemoto sent an early cross to the far post, but Muto couldn't control it and the ball went out of play.

Although only one shot was recorded due to being blocked by the opponent's defense, the team maintained an advantage in the match. However, they were unable to capitalize on their chances and went into the second half scoreless.

Unable to secure the first victory of the season with two consecutive draws

In the second half, Tokyo attacked starting from Ota's cross. In the 51st minute, they transitioned from the left area to the center and then to the right, with Tokunaga making a move to earn a right corner kick. From Ota's kick, Muto made a perfect header, but it was blocked by the crossbar... it did not result in a goal.

Immediately after that, in the 54th minute, while cutting off the opponent's corner kick and pushing into the opponent's territory, Canini's pass was loose. It was intercepted, and Yokohama FM quickly moved to the right front line. FW Saito was being marked by Tokunaga, but he brought the ball inside and sent a last pass to MF Hyodo, who made a perfectly timed run into the center of the area. A one-on-one situation was created with Gonda, which was a complete scoring opportunity, but MF Hyodo's shot was saved by Gonda, resulting in a corner kick! Following this, the clearance from the left corner kick spilled to the center where Yokohama FM's MF Hyodo was... this was also decisive, but Gonda made consecutive big saves to avert the crisis.

Taking this opportunity, the momentum shifted towards Yokohama FM, but in the 57th minute, Higashi came on for Kono. In the 66th minute, Takahashi was brought in for Hanyu, forming a double pivot with Kajiyama. The formation changed to a 4-4-2 with Yonemoto on the right side and Higashi on the left. However, they often lost the ball under Yokohama FM's pressure, leading to a prolonged inability to advance. Before the 80th minute, the formation was changed again to a 4-3-3 with Kajiyama as the anchor, Yonemoto and Takahashi as inside midfielders, and Higashi joining the front line.

In the final stages, both teams showed an attacking attitude, and Tokyo earned seven corner kick opportunities in the second half, pushing Yokohama FM back to their goal area. However, they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense until the end. The match ended in a scoreless draw, and they could not secure their first victory.

[Player Comments]
Gonda
"Since we drew in the last match, I wanted to win in our home opener. This time we had a scoreless draw at home, and while the content was different from the last match, I want to keep working step by step to get closer to victory. The second half today became an open game. We also pushed forward, leaving space behind. I expected that Yokohama FM's front line would create chances due to their speed. It was good that we prepared for that and managed to stop them, but apart from that moment, we didn't give the opponent many chances. That was because everyone on the team put their bodies on the line and stayed focused. I also want to thank my teammates for that."

《Muto》
"Many people came to the home opener, but I feel frustrated that we couldn't convert our chances. In the previous match, Yokohama FM's full-backs were positioned quite high, so we were conscious of using that space. However, once the match started today, it felt like that space was eliminated and we were effectively contained. Although we had few shots, our defense worked hard to prevent goals, and I believe we were able to execute what we wanted to do. Now, it's about our finishing ability. I want to break through that."

【Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"In the first half, Yokohama FM started the match defensively, and we applied pressure from a relatively high position. The content was good, and we were able to maintain possession well. However, there were still areas lacking in the final quality and combinations. Aside from that, we controlled the ball throughout the first half, and it seemed the opponent was only aiming for counterattacks. We had a good start in the second half as well, but we faced a crisis due to a passing mistake from a corner kick situation, which led to a counterattack. There was a wonderful save by Gonda, but the flow of the match changed from that point. It was very unfortunate to give the opponent a gift like that. We need to make sure to correct that. However, we must not forget that Yokohama FM is a team with very high quality. The newly joined forward Edmilson also showed interesting play. We need to consider the quality of the opponent as well."
(In the first half, chances were created from crosses on the left side. There were fewer opportunities from the right side?)
On the left side, Ota was able to show his characteristic high-quality crosses. On the right side, Tokunaga made several advances, but due to the continuation of short passes and intricate plays, he got caught in the opponent's trap. I thought Yokohama FM would approach in a more open manner, but the four defenders were tightly positioned at the back, and sometimes even midfield players became defenders. In a situation where space was completely eliminated, if we couldn't quickly connect to crosses on the left side, a difficult situation would inevitably arise.

【Yokohama FM - Erick MOMBAERTS' Press Conference Summary】
"Tokyo is a good team, but I am satisfied that we were able to create many scoring opportunities against them. It was good to earn our first points in the league, but looking back at the game, we created many chances to score and had several opportunities to win. In that sense, we could say we lost 2 points, but I would like to commend the opposing goalkeeper for that. I am not satisfied with the result, but I am pleased that the players showed a determination to win until the end. FW Ademilson has only been prepared for a week, and despite the long travel and other unfavorable conditions, he played well. I believe that in a few weeks he will be able to show his true abilities, and I am confident that his technique, speed, and creative play will enhance the team's strength."