Aim for victory by showcasing quality without losing to Matsumoto!

In the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup qualifying league Sec. 2, we will face Matsumoto Yamaga FC away. In the previous league match, we won 2-0 against Kobe, achieving two consecutive official match victories following Sec. 1 of the Nabisco Cup. This match aims to carry the confidence and momentum gained here back into the Nabisco Cup, striving for a third consecutive win.

However, Gonda, Morishige, Ota, and Muto have been selected for this Japan national team friendly match. At the same time, Nara and Nakajima from the U-22 Japan national team, which is preparing for the Olympic and Asian qualifiers, are absent. However, Coach Massimo stated, "I expect all team members to always be ready to play. Even if they are not representative players of Japan, I trust them and want to achieve results with our own style of soccer by showcasing each player's characteristics." Additionally, Ishikawa, who suffered a bruise on his right calf in the match against Kobe, is confirmed by Coach Massimo to be included on the bench. "His performance in the Nabisco Niigata match was good, and after the Kobe match, his physical condition has returned. He is a player who can contribute to the team even in a short time, and he is a significant presence for the team," he clarified. Furthermore, Nozawa and Sasaki are making their first appearance in the squad, and it will truly be a total effort from the team.

Matsumoto, on the other hand, is competing in J1 this season. Although they lost to Tosu in the Nabisco Cup Sec. 1, they currently sit in 9th place with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the league. With the hard work and speedy counterattacks they have built up since their time in J2, they can be said to be thriving in J1 as well. If they take a passive stance against Matsumoto's quick transitions between offense and defense, as well as their aggressive attacks that surge forward from midfield, they will be pushed back. Caution is also needed against restarts utilizing MF Iwakami's kicks and throws.

Tokyo has Enomoto as the goalkeeper. The center backs are Yoshimoto and Canini, with Maruyama as the left back. Takahashi is the defensive midfielder, and the inside midfielders are Yonemoto and Mita. Up front, there are two strikers, Maeda and Azuma. Kono plays as the attacking midfielder in this formation.
　
Matsumoto has the best possible formation. FW Obina at the top, with MF Iwakami and FW Ikemoto in the second line. Double pivot with MF Iwama and Kiyama. DF registered Tanaka serves as the right wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation.

A match where we aim for victory by not losing in hard work and fighting spirit against Matsumoto, while showcasing our high quality.
The match started at 5:03 PM with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Conceded the opening goal from an own goal, trailing by one point at halftime

The match is in the early 4 minutes. Matsumoto's FW Obina utilized his strength to enter the area, but Canini held firm and managed to fend him off. In the 14th minute, a ground pass from the right found FW Obina breaking into the right area, turning to face the goal and shooting. However, Canini closed in well, and the ball was caught by Enomoto. After 15 minutes, Matsumoto was being pressed back by the early momentum from the front line. However, crosses and long balls were cleared by Canini and Yoshimoto, and while no clear chances were created, Matsumoto was quick off the mark and was pressing into Tokyo's half, winning the second balls.


25 minutes of Tokyo's attack. Kono, positioned slightly to the right in the center, received a feed to the front line and passed it to Yonemoto, who was slightly behind in the center. Yonemoto aimed for a direct shot from the trap, but it went wide. In the 27th minute, Tokyo launched a counterattack. Tokunaga advanced with a powerful dribble, but the last pass intended to send the ball into the area was cut off, resulting in a right corner kick. After clearing Higashi's corner kick, they switched sides, and Mita sent a gentle cross from the left, but it went to the opposing goalkeeper. By the 30-minute mark, they managed to calmly suppress Matsumoto's momentum, and Tokyo began to increase their forward plays. However, unable to fully attack, the opponent quickly transitioned and moved the ball forward rapidly. In the 33rd minute, Matsumoto's midfielder Iwakami's long throw was contested by Higashi in front of FW Obina, but it deflected off Maeda's head, changing its course and resulting in an own goal, making it 0-1.

In the 39th minute after conceding a goal, Yonemoto unleashed a powerful direct shot from just outside the area following Tokunaga's long throw clearance, but it went over the bar and did not result in a goal. Tokyo spent a long time being pushed back into their own half against Matsumoto's intensity, speed, and momentum in winning second balls. Nevertheless, they managed to hold their ground without panic and created scenes to move the ball forward quickly, but allowed an unfortunate own goal that put them behind at the end of the first half.

Equalized to 1-1, but ended in a draw without scoring additional points.

Immediately after the start of the second half, in the 46th minute, Canini fed the ball to the left front line. Yonemoto caught up, and Maruyama, who followed, made a cross. Maeda jumped in at the far post but couldn't get a shot off as he got tangled with the opposing DF. In the 49th minute, Kono's left corner kick was cleared, but Yonemoto picked up the ball and sent a well-aimed lob into the left area. Higashi broke free in the left area and aimed from a tight angle, but was thwarted by the opposing GK's body save, resulting in another corner kick... In the following 51st minute, Matsumoto's left cross was cleared by Maeda. Mita sent the ball directly forward, and Kono broke free. He was about to go one-on-one with the GK, but at the last moment, the opposing DF cleared it, resulting in a corner kick escape.

In the 56th minute, a free kick from the midfield. Canini sent it to the right flank, and Maeda headed it to the center. It was cleared by the opposing defender once, but Higashi, who ran into the front line, acted as a decoy. The ball dropped in the center of the penalty arc, and once again, Higashi rushed in from the left, struck with his right foot, and scored a shot that found the corner, making it GOAL!! The score is now tied at 1-1.
　
60 minutes have passed, and in the second half, Tokyo has maintained possession of the ball. From a set play, Higashi scored his first goal of the season to equalize. They continued to dominate and pushed forward, but mistakes led to immediate counterattacks from the opponent. They wanted to maintain their concentration and aim for the lead. In the 71st minute, Higashi created a play on the right side, and Mita, who advanced to the sideline, delivered a cross parallel to the goal. However, it flowed to the far side, crossing in front of Maeda in the center and Kono in the left area. Furthermore, in the 73rd minute, Mita dribbled a long distance. He was fouled on the right side of the opponent's territory, earning a free kick. Higashi sent it behind the opponent's DF to the left area, where Canini slid in but missed to the right, failing to score.

In the 75th minute, Hanyu came on as a substitute for Mita. Then, in the 80th minute, Ishikawa entered in place of Maeda, taking up a forward position. During this period, Matsumoto was attacking with a corner kick and long throw-ins. However, Tokyo remained focused and repelled the attacks, preventing any finishing attempts. In the 90th minute, there was a free kick from the left side. From Ishikawa's kick, it went to a right throw-in. From there, Kono dribbled inside and aimed for a shot from near the left penalty arc, but it went high over the bar.

Entering additional time, Higashi broke through on the left side of the area. He linked up with Ishikawa on the right and pushed towards the goal, launching a powerful attack, but... they just couldn't find the back of the net. In the end, Takahashi's shot from distance went wide, and time was up. In the early part of the second half, Tokyo dominated possession. They attacked with determination and equalized with Higashi's goal. They continued to seize the rhythm and pressed forward, but the opponent did not give up and shifted to counterattacks centered around set plays. They managed to hold on with focus, but could not secure an additional goal, ending in a draw.

[Player Comments]
East
"It was a difficult game, but I want to take a positive view on not losing. Of course, if we don't earn 3 points, we won't be able to rise in the Nabisco or the league. I'm not satisfied with a draw; we always fight with the mindset to win. However, we have not lost since the opening match. I want to continue to prepare well for each match so that we can turn that into victories."
(About the goal)
I thought it would go in the moment I struck it. I was able to shoot relaxed. I want to keep aiming aggressively from now on. As long as I'm on the pitch, it's important to play with responsibility.

《Enomoto》
"I was surprisingly nervous before the match (laughs). However, once I stepped onto the pitch, I was able to play calmly. Considering the overall concept of the team, it was a gain that we fought together as one. Of course, I wanted to win, but today we unified our decisions and didn't lose."
Matsumoto Yamaga analyzed that they often use power plays and set-piece formations, and as a result, they conceded a goal from an unfortunate own goal following a long throw-in. Still, there was time left, and I thought there was no need to be pessimistic. The first half was tough with the wind against us, but I spoke with the defense about 'let's stay calm and aim for the minimum number of goals conceded.' The forwards were also encouraging each other to 'stay calm.' Everyone's intentions were clear, and I believe there was no mental decline. After that, we maintained our focus and were able to keep the goals conceded to a minimum.

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"The match unfolded as I expected. After conceding the first goal, the game became difficult. Even so, the players remained calm and continued to play well, managing to score one goal back. I think there was a possibility of a comeback in the final stages. Considering the absence of players from the Japan national team and U-22 team, as well as several injured players, I believe those who played today did very well, and the substitutes also performed well."

[Summary of the press conference by Matsumoto's Yasuharu SORIMACHI]
"It was a home game, so I wanted to secure three points, but in the end, it ended in a draw, which is a bit disappointing. However, I think we were able to show our characteristic 'team soccer.' I didn't expect the wind to be this strong today, so I believe it had some impact on the match, but I have the impression that we kept going until the end and did well. That's why I wanted to win. After all, J1 players have the ability to finish with a single shot, so I think that's just how it is."