Aim for the final round tournament and defeat the tough opponent Hiroshima!

In the 6th round of the Nabisco Cup, we faced Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the league match against Nagoya, we lost 0-1 without being able to convert our chances. It was a game where we showed our fighting spirit until the end, but we couldn't stop the losing streak. However, the players say, "We will continue to improve our attacking and defending challenges one by one and move on. We have to be conscious of that from the stage of practice and preparation, and continue to do it." Coach Massimo also said, "In order not to waste the work we have done with the players so far, we want to turn it into a victory. However, whether we are winning or losing, it is important to believe in ourselves and continue on without looking down, with the strong determination of "everything for victory" from everyone.

Hiroshima, who faced off against Tokyo on the 20th (Wed) in the 5th round of the Nabisco Cup, changed their lineup but suffered a 0-1 defeat. After playing 4 games, they have dropped to 4th place in Group A with 5 points. It will undoubtedly be a difficult battle for Tokyo, but it can also be seen as a match where they can learn from their mistakes in the 6th round and seek revenge. In particular, it will be important to not let young and fresh players like Hiroshima's FW Asano, FW Notsuda, and MF Shimizu gain momentum.

Tokyo will be without Maeda, Yoshimoto, and Enomoto. Lassad will make his first start on the front line. Muto and Higashi will form a two-top, with Higashi playing as an attacking midfielder. In the midfield, Takahashi will anchor, with Yonemoto and Hanyu. Maruyama will take on one of the center back positions. Wada also made the bench for the first time since the March 26th Nabisco Matsumoto game.

Hiroshima has changed its members from the league match, with only MF Maruya starting in the previous match. The average age of the starting lineup is 22.91 years old. GK Hirosaka is also on the bench, and they have faced the match with a fresh lineup. However, it is impossible to underestimate the development power of MF Kudo and Chajima, as well as the scoring power of MF Notsuda and FW Asano. On the other hand, it is a match where they aim for victory by working hard on both offense and defense, and showing their fighting spirit.

Hiroshima was reminiscent of summer during the day, but as the sun began to set and the weather calmed down, the match kicked off in Tokyo at 7:04 PM.

Although we created some good opportunities, our lack of efficiency in the front line resulted in no goals in the second half.

The match started with 1 minute. From the restart in the middle, Hiroshima FW Asano dribbled on the counterattack after taking advantage of Yonemoto's pass miss. He was brought to the front of the goal, but managed to stop it somehow. MF Notsuda, who had moved up to the center → left area, took a shot. Gonda caught it and managed to avoid a dangerous situation.

Both teams lack a decisive factor and 20 minutes have passed. Tokyo is connecting passes and dominating the ball, but they are not able to come together in the end and there are still few shooting opportunities. Hiroshima's counterattacks are also sharp, and the game continues to be a back-and-forth situation. However, in the 22nd minute, Takahashi sent a vertical feed that Muto could not control, resulting in a counterattack for Hiroshima. It was spread from left to right and an early cross was made, but the ball was not able to be finished and went outside the frame. In the following 24th minute, a FK from almost the center of Hiroshima and Tokyo's territory. The ball sent to the goal was cleared by Lassad, but it was thrown in again from the second ball and gave a left CK. However, they were not able to take a shot from the set piece and defended it.

In the 29th minute, Higashi flowed to the left side. Lassad ran into the left area and made a decoy movement. From there, a pass was made to the center of the area and behind the opposing DF, and Muto broke through for a decisive shot. However, he was facing the GK and the angle was slightly off... he couldn't find the frame...

At the 35-minute mark, while Hiroshima's 5-back formation was being challenged, Tokyo also had some good opportunities but lacked accuracy and were unable to score. On the other hand, Hiroshima targeted Tokyo's ball movement in the midfield and had some strong counterattacks. In the 38th minute, Hayashi injured his side and the game was temporarily stopped. He left the pitch but it was not a serious injury and he quickly returned. However, in the 42nd minute, he was forced to be substituted and Mita was brought onto the pitch in his place.

Tokyo dominated possession and created good chances, but lacked accuracy in the final third and failed to score. There were moments where they were vulnerable to Hiroshima's sharp counterattacks, but they managed to avoid conceding. Hanyu was forced to be substituted due to an accident, but the game will continue into the second half.

Equalized with Hayashi's goal and kept the top spot!

Tokyo changed their formation to 4-4-2 from the start of the second half. Takahashi and Yonemoto as a double pivot. Higashi on the left MF, Mita on the right. In the 59th minute, Kono came on for Tokyo. Lassad moved up to the front line, with Kono playing as an attacking midfielder. Muto and Mita on the wings, forming a shape close to 4-2-3-1. As the game reached the 65th minute, Hiroshima continued to push forward and tried various challenges to break through the opponent's defensive block, but they were unable to find the back of the net.

In the 75th minute, Lassad was replaced by Hayashi to activate the front line. In the 79th minute, a counterattack was launched from their own half, with Takahashi dribbling up the field. However, he was dispossessed while looking for a passing opportunity in the front line, and Hiroshima launched a counterattack. They were unable to stop this, and a sharp cross from the center was slid into the right area by MF Shimizu, resulting in a sliding tackle and... a goal conceded.

80 minutes have passed and Hiroshima has started to grasp the rhythm with a player substitution. On the other hand, Tokyo has had fewer scenes of moving the ball forward, and made a mistake while attacking, leading to a goal from a counter attack... In the 85th minute, Hiroshima brings in DF Shiotani to replace MF Shimizu, who scored the first goal.

After the second half additional time, Mita broke through the right front line with Kawano's one-two and crossed it on the ground. Hayashi slid in near the goal and GOAL!! He caught up with the equalizer with his second goal in the Nabisco Cup!

Unable to score during a good rhythm, we conceded a goal from a counterattack by Hiroshima due to a mistake. However, in additional time, Mita → Hayashi marked a lifesaving equalizer! Although we did not secure a spot in the final round, we successfully accumulated 1 point. We maintained our top position with a 3 point lead over 2nd place.

[Player Comments]
"Hayashi"
"From the moment I stepped onto the pitch, I was talking to Mita and Ota, saying 'Play it near me.' Scoring is my specialty, but with a good ball like that, even I can score (bitter laugh). However, I was conscious of not moving too early and making multiple adjustments to get past my mark and get into the goal area. I've been causing trouble for the team all this time, and I couldn't fully believe in myself, wondering if I was going in the right direction... I was frustrated that I couldn't produce results in J1. But... even though we only got 1 point today, I was able to contribute to that and gain some confidence. I want to contribute even more to the team and earn the trust of those around me. In order to do that, I don't want to just end with one game today, I want to keep working hard and produce results."

"Mori Shige"
"All of the pinches were caused by our own mistakes. I was able to hold onto the ball, but I was getting caught up in the opponent's play...that happened a lot. We need to focus more and improve the accuracy of each play. Hiroshima was aiming for counters from the first half. I don't know how many of us felt that atmosphere on the pitch, but we needed to tighten up. I think our biggest weakness in Tokyo is self-destructing and losing. Each of us needs to rethink that."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"The match became a fast-paced game with constant changes in attack and defense, despite the high temperature. In the first half, I think we created more chances. In the second half, there was a lot of space and we conceded a goal from a counter attack. In the last 10 minutes, it wasn't a great development, but we believed in victory. Although we haven't secured a spot in the final round, it's a big win with 1 point."

[Hiroshima - Hajime Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary]
"We prepared to win this match and overall, we played well enough to deserve the win, but unfortunately we couldn't secure 3 points. However, the players showed courage and played aggressively. They fought with determination and a desire to win until the end. Although the match ended in a draw, there is still a possibility for us to advance to the final round, so we will aim for a victory in the next match and fight with all our might, hoping for luck to be on our side. We apologize for not being able to deliver a victory to the fans and supporters who came to cheer us on, despite it being a weekday night game. The players were able to keep fighting until the end thanks to the support and cheers from the fans and supporters."