Sec. 14 at home, to stop the losing streak

In the league Sec. 14, which is the 5th match of consecutive games counting from Sec. 12, we will face Kashiwa Reysol at home. In the Nabisco Hiroshima match, Hayashi scored a valuable equalizer just before the end, bringing us significantly closer to advancing in the group stage. We want to use the 1 point gained here as a positive factor to connect to the league matches and stop the losing streak in this match.

This match comes just two days after the Hiroshima game, but Tokunaga is suspended. Additionally, Canini has returned to his home country temporarily, and Hanyu was injured in the Hiroshima match. Kajiyama is also absent due to concerns about his knee condition. Therefore, Matsuda will make his first start of the season as the right back. Yoshimoto will take one of the center back positions, with Takahashi as the anchor in midfield, and Yonemoto and Mita as inside midfielders. Hayashi and Higashi will be used in the forward line. Hayashi will play centrally, with Muto and Higashi on the flanks, adopting a 4-3-3 formation similar to Kashiwa. Nozawa has also made his first appearance on the bench in this season's league matches.

Kashiwa, under the leadership of Coach Yoshida this season, is currently in 14th place with 13 points, despite having played two fewer league matches due to the ACL. They can be said to be struggling to find their rhythm, but on the other hand, they have shown tenacity in the ACL, advancing to the quarter-finals. Coach Massimo is cautious, stating, "Although the way we play has changed from last season, we have a team full of highly skilled players." In particular, forwards Leandro and Kudo do not miss a single opportunity and have high precision in front of goal. This match will see DF Fujita at right back and MF Nakagawa making his first league start in midfield. Against their characteristic ball control and quick passing, we want to showcase Tokyo's solid defense and competitive strength to come out on top.

Even as the sun sets, the humidity remains, and the match started at 19:04 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Mita takes the lead, overcoming Yonemoto's injury accident!

They fought aggressively from the beginning. They displayed intensity in ball contests, won the ball in high positions, and engaged in counterattacks against each other. In the 12th minute, Hayashi spread the play to the right from a post play. Higashi received the ball and sent a pass into the right area. Hayashi made a run and took a direct shot, but it went just slightly to the right. In the 15th minute, Takahashi headed down a right corner kick, but from there, Kashiwa launched a counterattack. The central forward Leandro passed to the right, where midfielder Cristiano sent a cross into the left area, and defender Fujita tried to connect with it. The match saw back-and-forth action, but in the 17th minute, Yone moto jumped in a midfield contest, landed, and fell, injuring himself under a Kashiwa player. Due to this accident, he was forced to substitute, and in the 21st minute, Nozawa, who was making his first appearance of the season, was brought on.

Immediately after that, Nozawa moved to the anchor position, Takahashi played as the left inside half, and Mita shifted to the right, progressing the play. In the 25th minute, Nozawa delivered a good feed to the left front line. Muto chased it down, trying to make a move in the left area. Kashiwa also showed their characteristic passing style after the 30th minute. The ball was moved vertically on the right side, then transitioned to the center and expanded to the left, where a cross was sent to left back Rinko. In response, Tokyo set up a double pivot with Takahashi and Nozawa. Mita was on the right side, and Higashi on the left. The formation changed to a 4-4-2 with Muto and Hayashi forming the two top strikers. They maintained their concentration and did not allow Kashiwa to create any decisive chances.

In the 32nd minute, Hayashi received a pass from Morishige in our own half and spread the play to Higashi on the left side. Higashi sent a through ball to Muto, who was trying to break behind the opposing DF. Muto was closed down by the Kashiwa GK and couldn't finish, but he dribbled around to the center. Hayashi made a timely run and connected with him. Hayashi's shot hit the Kashiwa DF and couldn't be converted, but Mita quickly reacted to the ball that spilled into the right area. He slid in with his right foot and scored, GOAL!!

They took the lead with a connected play, gaining rhythm, and just after that, in the 35th minute, Higashi made a direct shot from Mita's right cross in the left area. In the 42nd minute, Mita, with his back to the goal in the right area, sent a sharp cross after a quick turn, but Mutou in front of the goal was unable to connect just slightly. Although they couldn't score an additional goal, they maintained a one-point lead as they headed into the second half.

Muto scores from the penalty spot! Everyone defended fiercely and overcame the struggle.

In the second half, Tokyo faced a counterattack from Kashiwa right from the start. In the 48th minute, Tokyo made a passing error while advancing. They were hit by a quick counterattack, but Yoshimoto blocked Kashiwa FW Leandro, who had entered the area. This delayed the attack, and in the end, Azuma managed to escape with a throw-in. In the 54th minute, Kashiwa's central FW Leandro passed to the forward MF Cristiano, who made a one-touch pass, and once again FW Leandro received a through ball into the left area. DF Rinko, who overlapped, took a shot, but it just barely missed the goal, avoiding a crisis. However, in the 60th minute, during a Kashiwa corner kick, Morishige in the area was judged to have committed a foul, resulting in a penalty kick. In the 62nd minute, this penalty kick was calmly converted by Kashiwa FW Leandro, leveling the score.

However, in the 65th minute, Muto was fouled in the area, and Tokyo was awarded a penalty kick. Immediately after this, the match was interrupted for 2 minutes due to an earthquake, but resumed with the penalty kick. In the 68th minute, Muto's powerful kick deflected off Kashiwa GK Sugano's left hand and went to the right, successfully regaining the lead.

Kashiwa brought on FW Otsu in the 69th minute and launched a fierce counterattack. In the 80th minute, they connected several passes in the Tokyo half, and the right-sided FW Leandro received a one-two from right back Fujita and moved to the center. Tokyo's defense tried to fend it off, but the loose ball was seized by DF Fujita, who took a shot from the right area. However, it went wide. Tokyo was pushed back but brought on Maeda in the 81st minute. While enduring Kashiwa's attacks, they aimed for a counterattack.

In the 86th minute, a pass mistake in the front line allowed Kashiwa FW Otsu to break away. It created a big scare, but Yoshimoto cleared it with a sliding tackle. In the 90th minute, Muto was fouled, earning a free kick from about 25-26 meters in front of the right area. Ota aimed directly at the goal, but the shot that flew to the lower right just missed. Both teams continued to advance towards the goal, and during the 5 minutes of added time, Mita's shot, which was pressed in the front line, was blocked, leading to a counterattack by Kashiwa. There were several dangerous moments, but they held on until the time was up. They stopped the losing streak and secured 3 points for the first time since Sec. 10.

[Player Comments]
《Mita》
"The goal was thanks to Muto and Hayashi. I also didn't give up and went for the loose ball, but I really want to thank those two. At the beginning of today's match, I was on the left side, but I moved to the right and I think I was able to showcase my strengths better. Going forward, I want to continue doing what the team needs to do while also bringing out my own qualities and offensive play. After the match, I was happy to stand in the interview area with Muto."

《Muto》
"In the penalty situation, the tension increased due to the impact of the earthquake. Still, I absolutely wanted to lead the team to victory today."
(Although the transfer has been announced)
The title of the 1st stage has become difficult, and I feel that I have not brought anything to the team. I apologize to all the fans and supporters for transferring here. Still, continuing to take on new challenges and grow should be a way to give back. FC Tokyo is the club that raised me. I absolutely want to come back here before I retire. Above all, for the next month, I am still a member of FC Tokyo. I want to work together with my teammates and strive for victory until the end."

【Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference summary】
"There was an accident with Yonemoto, but the players had a wonderful match from every perspective. In the first half, they created several chances aside from the goal scene, and it wouldn't have been surprising if they had scored more. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, we were a bit pushed back due to Kashiwa taking risks to attack. After regaining the lead, we were able to restart in a good shape once again. I am proud of the play the players showed tonight. Even when results didn't come, they always fought with all their might and played with their heads held high. A truly strong team possesses this kind of mentality, and we were able to demonstrate it."
(After Yonemoto's injury, the system was changed, and the team seemed to improve?)
Today, after studying the opponent, we alternated between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 depending on the timing during defense. After Yonemoto's substitution, we were forced to change the system and placed two balance players in the midfield. One of them, Nozawa, showed good movement. Although he hadn't had many opportunities to play due to injuries, I am glad he showed good performance. We utilized the team's flexibility by moving Mita to the right and Azuma to the left, and overall, I think it went well.
(Regarding Muto's transfer)
I am pleased. It is a great opportunity to test one's abilities in a high-level environment like the Bundesliga in Europe. The entire team is happy, and the club is satisfied with the results of our work so far. With today's announcement, I believe they will play with even more focus going forward.
(Regarding Matsuda, who started the match)
He also didn't have many opportunities to play. In the latter part of the match, he was a bit unstable due to fatigue, but overall he did well. Especially in the first half, he made good plays in attack. Nozawa also showed his presence in midfield, and today all the players performed well.

[Press Conference Summary of Kashiwa Coach Tatsuma YOSHIDA]
"We were caught off guard, equalized, and then lost our power and sharpness to break through in the final moments of the match. I knew that if we allowed a team like Tokyo to score first, the chances of losing control of the game would increase. If we don't improve to be able to control the situation even in such circumstances, we will end up dropping points. After Yonemoto's injury, Tokyo changed their system. During that time, we communicated on the pitch and made adjustments, but we still allowed a goal. However, the players ran desperately and fought hard. I believe I must improve the team's shortcomings."