A match to aim for three consecutive league victories, fighting without losing out.

After a two-week interval, the league matches resume. In Sec. 16, we face Sagan Tosu. We approach the last game of the 1st stage away. In the match against Matsumoto, we covered for the absence of Morishige due to suspension, and Hashimoto, making his first appearance in J1, scored his first goal, leading us to a hard-fought victory. Temporarily, we have risen to 3rd place. Although the possibility of winning the 1st stage has completely disappeared, Coach Massimo stated, "We will set our sights on the 34 matches throughout the season, and once again give our all in each match to achieve results."

During the break, Gonda, Morishige, Ota, and Muto focused on activities with the Japan national team. As a result, the time for the entire team to come together before the match against Tosu was short. However, it can be said that recently, Tokyo has been understanding the team's objectives and individual roles, regardless of who is on the field, expressing them on the pitch, and enhancing the sense of unity as a team. For this match, including the national team members, there are variations in each player's match rhythm, but we want to demonstrate our 'Tokyo style' and aim for victory based on hard work and solid defense together again.

Currently, Tosu is in 11th place with 19 points. They have scored 19 goals, the same as Tokyo, but have conceded 28. Notably, they have conceded a total of 14 goals in the last 3 matches. However, Gonda analyzed, "With a 2-week interval, they should thoroughly correct their defense." It is not hard to imagine that Tosu will regain their characteristic running ability and quick starts to make a comeback.

Tokyo sees Morishige's suspension lifted, returning to the starting lineup. Maeda also joins the starting eleven, forming a two-top with Muto. In midfield, Takahashi and Kajiyama form a double pivot, with Mita and Azuma on the flanks in a 4-4-2 formation. Additionally, Ishikawa, who has returned from injury, has made the squad for the first time since the Nabisco match against Tosu on April 22.

Tosu places FW Toyoda at the forefront, with FW Shirogane just behind. They utilize a 4-2-3-1 formation with MF Mizunuma and MF Kan on both sides. Against Tosu, who rely on hard work and solid defense with quick counterattacks, Tokyo aims to match their intensity and quickness, transitioning from good defense to effective offense.

The match started at 16:04 with the kickoff from Tosu at the sweltering Yurtec.S.

Allowed the opening goal from a set piece, trailing by one goal into the second half

In the early stages, there was a period of being pushed back, but in the 11th minute, Mita intercepted a right throw-in from Tosu in the opponent's territory.
Maeda connected the ball right in front, and from there, Muto advanced into the right area, but there was not enough support to the center. They were unable to finish. In the following 14th minute, on the left side of the midfield, Higashi and Takahashi applied pressure and tried to regain possession, but for a moment, they lost the ball to Tosu MF Mizunuma, leading to a counterattack. MF Kan ran to the right front line, and MF Mizunuma was able to take a shot in the right area. It missed the target, but it was a dangerous scene.

In the 16th minute, Toyoda from Tosu broke into the left area with a long feed from the midfield. Yoshimoto, trying to respond, was turned and a shot was taken, but Tokyo barely touched it and it went out for a corner kick. However, from this right corner kick in the 17th minute, Fujita from Tosu MF made a perfect kick, and Kin from MF jumped in to score with a powerful header, allowing the first goal. The start of the match wasn't bad, but Tokyo couldn't hold the ball in the front line. Gradually, Tosu created rhythm from their quick attacks, leading to conceding the first goal from a set piece...

In the 24th minute, Takahashi on the left midfield moves forward. Mita, who timed his run perfectly, takes the ball forward and delivers a low cross into the goal area. Maeda traps it and shoots. A decisive opportunity was created, but the ball goes wide of the target...

With 35 minutes gone, Tokyo is becoming aware of the need for quick transitions against Tosu's tough defense and is starting to create chances.
However, the situation continues with Tosu taking the second ball. In the 38th minute, Higashi was fouled, resulting in a free kick from a position slightly to the right in the Tosu half, about 26-27 meters away. Ota's shot aimed for the goal grazed the opposing defender but flew just barely under the bar, yet the GK jumped and caught it.

They stood up cautiously, but were caught off guard by a counter from Tosu, allowing the first goal from a set piece. Tokyo tried to respond without panic, but there were few chances. They were unable to capitalize on those opportunities. They ended the first half trailing by one goal.

It was a tough match, but we achieved a comeback for our third consecutive league victory!

In the second half, in the 51st minute, Nakajima was brought in to replace Mita. Nakajima moved directly to the left midfielder position. In the 54th minute, Ota followed up on a ball dropped by Muto, and Nakajima, positioned just outside the left area, boldly aimed for the goal with a ground shot, but it went wide to the left.

Then, in the 68th minute, Ishikawa was brought on to replace Higashi. Immediately in the 69th minute, Tokunaga's right cross was headed away by Muto. Nakajima chased down the ball that had gone to the far side and boldly aimed from the left area. He struck with his right foot, and the sharp shot beautifully found the top right corner of the goal. Nakajima scored his first goal in J1, equalizing the match.

In the 74th minute, a loose ball in the right area was picked up by Muto, who was free and made a direct shot, but the advancing GK made a save. However, Maeda quickly reacted to the loose ball. As he ran into the area, he was brought down by the GK, earning a penalty kick. In the 75th minute, the penalty taker was Morishige. Morishige calmly kicked it into the top right corner for a goal. They successfully turned the game around to 2-1.

In the 78th minute, Hashimoto was brought on for Maeda as a right midfielder, changing the formation to a two-top with Ishikawa and Muto. Although there were periods of pressure from the opponents, the flow changed in the second half with Ishikawa's appearance, gaining momentum. Nakajima boldly aimed and scored his first J1 goal to equalize. Following that, Maeda earned a penalty kick. Morishige calmly converted it, successfully turning the game around. In the final stages, they were pushed back by a powerful counterattack from Tosu. Even after clearing the ball, mistakes occurred, making it difficult to launch a counterattack, but they managed to hold on until the final whistle. They secured a comeback victory, achieving their third consecutive win in the league.

[Player Comments]
《Nakajima》
"I am very happy with the goal. I was able to receive Mutou's header in a good position. Seeing the situation and having space, I was able to bring the ball into the center freely. I instantly judged that if I could evade the defense in front of me, I could take a shot."
I had confidence because I often scored in practice. However, after taking the lead, I tried to push forward whenever there was a chance, but it didn't go well. The number of opportunities was also limited. Looking back now, I think there might have been more I could have done...

《Morishige》
"Tosu thoroughly sent the ball behind, and there were players who ran in firmly. In the first half, we were pushed back by that and struggled.
However, that style should not last for 90 minutes. I expected the opponent's energy and momentum to drop in the second half. I think it was good that the team fought without panicking and was able to turn the game around. I was able to take the penalty calmly.

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"It was a match where we could execute our plan. Tosu has been in a situation where they haven't been getting results lately, but they are a good team. The first half was wonderful, but we became passive and struggled to respond to set plays and long balls. In the first half, we also had some close chances, like Maeda's shot and Ota's free kick, making it a closely contested match. In the second half, I think our strategies of changing formations and substituting players worked well against an opponent that was setting up a block, preventing them from focusing on a single target. Nakajima's goal was fantastic. Even after equalizing, the players still had the strength to go for a second goal. I believe the quality of our play improved gradually in the second half. Tosu was a tough opponent."

[Press Conference Summary of Hitoshi MORISHITA, Coach of Tosu]
"Today, many supporters came to the venue and created a wonderful atmosphere. The players played with all their might, but the result did not reflect that, and I take responsibility for it. I apologize for not being able to deliver a victory. However, there were good signs as a team, so I want to carry that into the next match."