Seven players from the academy are starting. They aim for victory with a calm fight, without creating any gaps!

There are 3 matches left in the 1st stage. As the Sunday match, we will face Matsumoto Yamaga FC in Sec. 15. In the Nabisco Cup held on June 3, we secured 1 point with a solid performance, confirming our advancement to the knockout stage. This match will be the last of 5 consecutive matches counting from Sec. 12 on May 16, but Coach Massimo stated, "It is important to always give our best effort. I want to conclude this series of matches in a good way, but there are no easy games. We need to do what we must for each match, play well, and approach it with the determination to fight to the end."

Currently in 4th place, Tokyo is fighting to achieve consecutive league victories following the match against Kashiwa in order to improve their ranking. However, with the absence of Yonemoto and Hanyu, and Moriwaki being suspended for this match, the team's situation is challenging. Coach Massimo stated, "Everyone should understand that Moriwaki is an important player for the team. However, in this situation, I hope that the players who have had fewer opportunities until now can seize their chance."

Matsumoto is currently in 13th place with 15 points. They already faced off on March 28 in the Nabisco Cup qualifying Sec. 2, where they were often pressured by attacks initiated by midfielder Iwakami's kicks and long throws, as well as set plays. They have replaced all 11 starting players from the previous Nabisco match with a 'league match specification' lineup. Above all, at home, they will aggressively press and aim to collect the ball in the front line for victory. This will be their first encounter in the J1 League, but they want to secure 3 points with a calm and focused performance without creating openings.

Due to Morishige's suspension, the captain will be Tokunaga. The center-backs are Maruyama and Yoshimoto. Kajiyama returns to the midfield. Additionally, Hashimoto makes his first start in J1. Although registered as a forward, he will play as a side half along with Mita, with Takahashi and Kajiyama as the double defensive midfielders. The front line will start with a 4-4-2 formation featuring Muto and Lassad. As a result, there will be seven players from the academy in the starting lineup.

The match started at 16:04 with Matsumoto's kickoff, under strong sunlight during the day, but a cool breeze also began to blow.

Although we were pressed from the beginning, we head into the second half with Hashimoto's first J1 goal and Muto's goal!

The match started with a minute gone. Matsumoto quickly advanced the ball forward from the kickoff, leading to a left throw-in. After a long throw from MF Iwakami was cleared, Mita attempted to launch a counterattack, but Matsumoto's transition was quick, and they couldn't connect to the front line amidst the fierce competition. After 15 minutes had passed, they were being pushed back by the opponent's momentum, but they maintained their concentration in front of the goal, trying to transition from good defense to attack. However, the marking on Muto was strict, and there were few opportunities to advance the ball forward against the opponent's aggressive challenges.

However, in the 27th minute, the line was pushed up, and Maruyama did not hinder Ota's speed as he broke through on the left front, delivering a thread-like feed. Ota brought the ball forward with a trap and crossed it. Hashimoto ran into the goal area and perfectly connected to score a goal!! Thanks to the precision and high-quality play of Maruyama and Ota, Hashimoto scored a magnificent first goal in J1, taking the lead.

In the 40th minute, Matsumoto made a sharp feed from the midfield to the left area behind Tokyo's defense. The opposing MF Maeda, who broke through, touched it with one touch, and it spilled in front of MF Iwakami, who was advancing from the outside, but Tokunaga cleared it with a sliding tackle. They escaped to a corner kick and managed to defend. Furthermore, in the first half's additional time, Matsumoto's central Maeda passed to the left forward. This reached the advancing opposing MF, but again Tokunaga slid in to block the way, averting danger. After that, the ball went from the right Tokunaga to the central Takahashi, who passed to the right area to Muuto. Despite being surrounded by defenders, Muuto used his strength to compete, and just as he tried to turn forward, the opposing DF handled the ball. A penalty kick was awarded. Muuto took this penalty kick and neatly sank it into the bottom left for a GOAL!! GOAL!!

From the beginning, they were pushed back by Matsumoto's aggressive attack. However, Tokyo maintained their composure and focus, demonstrating patience. There were few opportunities to advance, but in the 27th minute, thanks to the precise plays of Maruyama and Ota, Hashimoto, making his first start, scored his first J1 goal! Following the opening goal, possession began to increase, and just before the end of the first half, they earned a penalty kick. Muto converted it, extending his lead with his 10th league goal, heading into the second half.

A rapidly changing game with alternating offense and defense, fought tenaciously to victory!!

As the second half began, both teams made mistakes, leading to a rapid exchange of offense and defense. In the 63rd minute, Matsumoto's long throw from the right could not be cleared in front of the goal. In the midst of the chaos, Matsumoto's defender Yu OKUBO took a strong overhead shot, allowing a goal. Immediately after conceding in the 64th minute, Lassad was substituted for Hayashi. Furthermore, in the 72nd minute, Matsuda was brought in for Hashimoto as the right midfielder, and Mita moved to the left.

By the time 80 minutes had passed, we were being pushed back by Matsumoto, leading to a chaotic situation. A clearance from a left cross was intercepted by midfielder Iwakami just in front of the right area, who took a powerful shot, but Gonda made a save right in front. In the 83rd minute, Muto broke through the front line, brought the ball into the left area, connected with a heel pass, and Mita, who had run in from the outside into the left area, took a shot. However, he was contested by a defender and could not hit the target...

In the 86th minute, Higashi was brought on to replace Mita. In the 90th minute, from an early cross from the opponent's DF Tanaka on the right, FW Obina attempted an overhead kick in the left area, but it was blocked at the last moment. The loose ball was connected, and Gonda tried to come forward to clear it, but he lost the ball in a collision with Yoshimoto and it was thrown into the goal area from the left. However, Gonda managed to regain his balance and caught it, barely managing to hold on.

In the second half's added time, Matsumoto charged at Gonda, who was trying to catch the ball in the area. The ball spilled out due to the collision, and a series of shots followed, but Gonda made a save with his body. Finally, while Gonda was down, a shot was fired but went wide of the goal. In the second half, they were pulled back to within one goal starting from a long throw, and then faced a fierce attack from Matsumoto. In the closing stages, they tried to respond by switching to a five-back formation, but could not break the momentum. Still, led by Gonda, they did not allow any additional goals, secured an away victory, and celebrated consecutive wins in the league.

[Player Comments]
《Hashimoto》
"(First start in J1, first goal?)
I thought a cross was coming from Ota, so I jumped into the goal area. I'm honestly happy, but I don't remember much (laughs). The moment I scored, my mind went blank, and I wasn't even sure if it was real. It was with my left foot's outside, but I don't have any feeling left from it (bitter laugh).
However, breaking through from the second line is a play I'm good at and is my strength. I'm glad I could show that in the match and it led to a result. Scoring in a good period of the first half helped the team settle down, I think. I had a chance to play in the Nabisco Cup and experienced the atmosphere of an official match. Today, I had the feeling of 'I'm going to do this.' There was a long time when we were pushed back against the opponent's long balls, but we were able to endure it together. Still, in the situation where we conceded a goal, I lost my mark and allowed a header. Especially in that position, I think I need to be more involved in chances and be a starting point for counterattacks. There are many points for reflection, and I want to take back what I need to improve and work on it from practice. I want to be a strength for the team and strive to secure victories in the last two matches of the first stage."

Maruyama
"We were able to score two goals in the first half, but at halftime, we all discussed that 'this is where the real battle begins. Let's switch gears and fight again.' We knew Matsumoto would come at us with a power play. We were pushed back, but we managed to hold on, and I think it's great that we were able to secure three points."
(Regarding the feed that led to the opening goal)
Since the feeling of the kick was good from the Shonan match, I aimed to deliver it to that position. Ota made a great one-touch escape and delivered a cross. Hashimoto also finished well, but I think I was able to showcase my strengths.

【Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference summary】
It was a good match overall. I am satisfied with the players' performance. In the first half, the team was calm and played well, managing to take a 2-goal lead. After that, we conceded a goal from a scramble in front of the goal that we were wary of. We couldn't capitalize on the opportunity to score a decisive third goal by targeting the opponent's back as they pushed forward, but I believe it was a significant victory in terms of winning a close match.

[Summary of the press conference by Matsumoto's Yasuharu SORIMACHI]
"First of all, before the summary, I want my junior from university, Muto, to do his best at Mainz. It's very frustrating to be in a situation where we have five consecutive losses, including the Nabisco Cup, and I feel a sense of responsibility. Until the final whistle blew, the players did well, but we lacked the ability to seize a moment of opportunity. We fought for victory, but it was a match that left a bad aftertaste. It is difficult to break through the well-organized defense of Tokyo. We did what we could, but I felt we need to work harder from practice. Since all the players fought energetically, I want to think of us as good losers compared to the last match. However, I feel sorry for the fans and supporters who continue to cheer for us as we are unable to earn any points."