Entering the third of the league matches, aiming for four consecutive home wins

As we approach Sec. 6 of the league, which accounts for about one-third of the first stage, we will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima at home. In the previous match, we won 1-0 against Shonan, following our game against Kofu. We have accumulated 11 points, tying for first place (with Urawa) for the first time since 2005. Nevertheless, the players unanimously state, "It's just the result of one match, and we are not focused on our ranking at this stage." However, this match is crucial as it presents the opportunity for a four-game winning streak, something we couldn't achieve even during last season's unbeaten run of 14 matches. Additionally, we will have seven consecutive matches every 2-3 days, including the Nabisco Cup, but the attitude of Massimo Tokyo remains unchanged: "We will only think about the match in front of us and give it our all."

Canini, who injured his right calf, will be absent. Therefore, Yoshimoto will be used as a center-back. Takahashi will also make his first start in the league, with Takahashi playing as an anchor in midfield, and Yonemoto and Kajiyama serving as inside halves. Additionally, Nara will be on the bench for the first time. Higashi will also return to the bench since the Nabisco match against Matsumoto on March 28.

Hiroshima is currently in 10th place with 7 points. They have lost to Kobe and Nagoya in the league, resulting in two consecutive defeats. So far, their total goals scored is 4, and total goals conceded is also 4, but they are a team that has matured and possesses high individual skills. This season, they have averaged 15 shots per game, and there is a possibility that a single "trigger" could give them significant momentum. The key will be how Tokyo can create rhythm from defense to connect to attack without giving them that "trigger." They want to surpass Hiroshima in balance and quick transitions to seize the 3 points.

On a sunny but windy Ajinomoto, the match started at 16:03 with Hiroshima's kickoff.

Although Muto scored the opening goal shortly after the start... Hiroshima seized the rhythm

Right after the kickoff, they stole the ball from Hiroshima and pushed forward, connecting again after the opponent's clearance. Kajiyama, just in front of the right area, passed to Ishikawa in the center. Ishikawa sent it directly into the right area. The opposing defender tried to clear it with a header, but it hit the Hiroshima defender right in front and spilled into the right area. Here, Muto calmly scored a shot through the goalkeeper's legs for a goal! They brilliantly exploited the opponent's gap right after the start and took the lead.

After that, there were many moments where Hiroshima had possession of the ball, but Tokyo launched quick counterattacks. However, in the 11th minute, Takahashi's pass was intercepted by Hiroshima after being played back by Kajiyama in their own half. On the right side, MF DOUGLAS connected with the back MF Mikic, received a return pass, and surged forward with a dribble into the right forward area. Yonemoto chased from behind, and Takahashi tried to sandwich him, but he powerfully broke free. From here, the minus pass was received by the free MF Shibasaki in the center, and his shot grazed the crossbar, bouncing down and into the goal... They were immediately equalized.

In the 16th minute, a quick connection to the front line saw Ishikawa on the right deliver a long cross into the left area. Muto aimed for a direct volley but missed to the left. However, Hiroshima, gaining momentum, saw MF Kashiwa cut back inside from the left area and take a shot in the 19th minute. The ball went over the head of DOUGLAS, who had surged forward in front of the goal, shaking the net, but DOUGLAS was ruled offside as he was involved in the play. Although they avoided conceding a goal, Hiroshima seized the rhythm, leading to continued threats from attacks originating from both sides.

Therefore, in Tokyo, Takahashi took care of the defensive line, while the midfield consisted of a double pivot with Yonemoto and Kajiyama. They pushed up both full-backs to contain Hiroshima's side midfielders. However, in the 33rd minute, on a counterattack, Ishikawa on the right sent a pass into the central space, and the decisive shot taken by Muto hit Kono in front of him. Both teams tried to create chances with quick transitions in attack, but they couldn't score additional goals, and the first half ended with a score of 1-1.

Unable to mount a counterattack, suffered a comeback loss for the first defeat of the season

In the first half, after YoneMoto hit his head, Hanyu was brought in from the second half. Once again, Kajiyama took the anchor position, with Kono and Hanyu on the sides in a 3-5-2 formation. Tokyo also attacked from the sides, and in the 55th minute, Ota was fouled in the front line, earning a free kick from just outside the left area. Ota's sharp kick was met by Morishige, who dove in with a header, but after hitting the bar and bouncing back, the initial play was ruled a foul, resulting in no goal.

After that, both teams began to launch counterattacks, but in the 69th minute, Higashi came on for Ishikawa. The number of attacking plays gradually increased as they started to connect passes. In the 72nd minute, Muto seized a loose ball in midfield and dribbled down the left flank. He delivered a precise cross from outside the left area towards the goal. Higashi jumped in, backing into the defender at the near post, but... he was unable to hit the target.

In the final stages, they tried to push forward and break through the Hiroshima defense, but there were moments where they couldn't fully attack and were countered, leading to a tense situation. In the 82nd minute, a pass from KAJIYAMA was cut off to HIGASHI, who had opened up on the left side, and Hiroshima's midfielder DOUGLAS passed to forward ASANO in the center. Forward ASANO advanced through the center with a dribble. The Tokyo defense was in position, but they couldn't take the ball. When they entered the area, YOSHIMOTO and MORISHIGE stretched their legs, but they were evaded as they slid sideways, allowing the opponent to break into the right area and score a certain shot... conceding the second goal. In the 84th minute, MAEDA was brought on. They initiated a power play and earned a corner kick in stoppage time. GONDA moved up front, and after clearing the left corner kick, KAJIYAMA sent a floated ball into the area. GONDA headed it, but it was offside.

With the change in formation, substitutions were also made, and the team maintained possession to launch an attack, but they could not stop Hiroshima's counterattack. They suffered a reversal loss, marking their first defeat of the season.

[Player Comments]
Ishikawa
"After we took the lead, I wanted to control the game a bit more. I wanted to be calmer in both defense and attack, but..."
We may have been handled better by Hiroshima than we prepared for in our research. As a forward, I ultimately seek goals, but I believe my role is not just that. I want to have a broad perspective and contribute to the team even in plays other than scoring. Although we lost, I have a strong desire to quickly make corrections and challenge ourselves in the next match. I want to make the Nabisco a good opportunity.

Yoshimoto
"I wanted to secure 3 points, but I couldn't, and I feel a strong sense of regret. The team's victory was more important than my own performance, but ultimately we conceded 2 goals, and I am left with the regret that I couldn't fulfill my role."

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
　"We took the lead early on, but after conceding the equalizer, the flow of the match completely changed. Despite that, the team continued to play without losing their spirit and managed to regain some rhythm, although there were areas where we lost balance, so we made some adjustments. Takahashi was responsible for both the midfield and the DF line, but we moved him to DF to bring stability. Yonemoto had to be substituted due to a head injury he sustained in the first half. In the second half, Hiroshima clearly intended to create a block at the back and counterattack after regaining possession. We fell into their trap and conceded the second goal. Hiroshima is a strong team that has achieved results in the past. In matches like today, several events can change the flow of the game. However, I want to tell the players to 'keep their heads up.' I have conveyed to the players to maintain a never-give-up attitude until the end, and they have responded to that. To create a true spirit, it is necessary to 'keep going.' It is precisely because we have this frustrating feeling that we must not stop here."

[Summary of the Press Conference by Hajime MORIYASU, Coach of Hiroshima]
"I was prepared for a tough away match against the league leaders, Tokyo. We conceded an early goal, making the situation difficult, but the players fought until the end with a strong determination to win, even in such a challenging battle. There were some questionable calls and interruptions during the game, but we focused on what we needed to do and seized the victory. In the end, we were pushed back by Tokyo, but the supporters who came to cheer us on away from home gave us the encouragement we needed, allowing the players to muster their strength and fight. We haven't been able to deliver the results we wanted until now, and I want to express my gratitude to the supporters. Additionally, even though the players haven't been getting results lately, they have continued to prepare for each match. I believe that not being fixated on the results and continuing to work hard led to today's victory."