Challenging away game against tough opponent Kashima

In the 4th round of the 2nd stage, we will face Kashima Antlers away. The Yamagata match ended in a draw, but we were able to keep a clean sheet for the first time in the league since the Niigata match on April 29th. We want to have confidence in the fact that we did not collapse as a team despite the accidents that occurred, including Kajiyama, Ota, and Takahashi's injuries. The challenge is to convert chances into goals more reliably in our attacks. While continuing to fight tenaciously, we will work on assessing the flow and situation, and using our collective strength to continue our growth.

However, Kajiyama injured his left ankle and fibula in the Yamagata match and was forced to take a long-term leave. Ota and Higashi are also not in perfect condition and will be absent this round. Therefore, Maruyama will be used as the left back. Sandaza and Kono, who have recovered from their injuries, will start for the first time since the May 27th Nabisco Hiroshima match. Maeda and Sandaza as the two top, with Kono as the top midfielder. In the midfield, Takahashi will be the anchor, while Yonemoto and Hanyu will serve as the inside halves in a 4-3-3 formation.

Kashima, on the other hand, is in 8th place in the 1st stage. Even in the 2nd stage, where they tried to make a comeback, they currently have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, and it can be said that they have not been able to show their true "Kashima style". Therefore, after a change in managers, this match will be the first game under the direction of new manager Masatada ISHII. However, if the Tokyo players all agree that "as a tradition of Kashima, our way of fighting for victory will not change", then Manager Massimo also continues, "we must not be influenced by the opponent's team situation" and vows to focus on what they need to do.

Kashima starts with FW Davi and MF Caio on the bench. On the other hand, MF Shibasaki returns to the starting lineup. Ito is appointed as the right back, and the formation remains the same 4-4-1-1. Taking advantage of Kashima's weaknesses, they aim for a goal and victory by uniting the power of all players. The match started at 6:34 PM with Kashima's kickoff, as the weather was extremely hot and the wind finally started to blow in the evening.

Lose rhythm from mistake, concede first goal

Pushing their fighting spirit to the forefront from the start, the match continued on an even footing. In the 3rd minute, Yonemoto pressed hard on Kashima's right MF Endo and successfully stole the ball, passing it to the front line. However, Sandaza's attempt to break through was blocked. In the 4th minute, Tokyo faced a counterattack from Kashima after a throw-in, but Kashima's FW Akasaki was caught offside as he tried to break through Tokyo's defense. In the 5th minute, Tokyo attacked from the left side and Maruyama sent in an early cross, but it was saved by the opponent's GK. In the 11th minute, Sandaza on the right front received the ball and tried to aim for the goal, but was blocked by Kashima's DF with a slight delay. In the 13th minute, Takahashi intercepted the ball in the midfield and quickly passed it to Sandaza on the front line. Sandaza entered the right area and took a shot in front of the opponent's DF, but it was saved by Kashima's GK.

Tokyo dominated possession for a long time, but Kashima also launched sharp counterattacks, resulting in a back-and-forth match. In the 16th minute, Kono and Hanyu broke through the right side. Sandaza and Maeda crowded the goal area, and Hanyu aimed for a cross, but was blocked by the opposing defender. They were unable to capitalize on their good rhythm and gradually began to make mistakes.

19 minutes, Tokyo DF was shaken by Kashima's passing on the right side, and Ito, the right side back, took a shot from the right area. The ball hit the left post, but this gave Kashima momentum, and in the 26th minute, they were pushed back by Kashima's quick switching and wide attack, and FW Akasaki took a shot from a minus pass from left side back Yamamoto, who was free in the left area. This hit the bar, but the danger was avoided... In the 30th minute, from Kashima DF Yamamoto's attack, MF Shibasaki was left free in the center and slightly to the left, and he aimed for a middle shot. The ground shot grazed Yoshimoto and changed course slightly, and was stabbed into the net by Gonda in a reverse position... We ended up conceding the first goal.

After that, Kashima continued to take the lead. In the 43rd minute, Kono from the right front line tried to score a goal from a one-two with Sandaza after bringing the ball inside from Morishige's long pass, but was blocked by Kashima. Unable to break through, they ended the first half with a one-point deficit.

The team is revitalized by player substitution, but Nathan BURNS scores his first J-League goal...

Tokyo replaced Yoshimoto with Matsuda as right back in the second half. Tokunaga moved to the left, Maruyama and Morishige as center backs. Yonemoto and Takahashi as double defensive midfielders. They launched a counterattack with Hayashi and Kono on the wings. This substitution brought momentum to the team. In the 53rd minute, Hayashi broke through on the left and sent a low cross. The ball went past Sandaza in the center and rolled to the far side, but Maeda made a sliding shot from the outside, only to be denied by the post... Matsuda then took the set pieces and Tokyo pushed Kashima back with their plays.

Substituted Sandaza for Nathan BURNS in the 61st minute, and Mita for Kono in the 66th minute. They aimed for the goal by increasing the speed. In the 69th minute, Maruyama was fouled in a battle with the opponent, and they earned a FK in their own zone. In the 70th minute, Kanda took the FK to the front line. Maeda on the right dropped it further with a header. Nathan BURNS jumped out to the right area and took advantage of the GK's gap by switching with the opponent's DF, rolling it into the net for a GOAL!! Nathan BURNS' first goal in the J League tied the game!

The chasing mood increased and Tokyo tried to attack with even more momentum, but Kashima also aimed to take 3 points at home and the exchange between offense and defense became intense. In the 80th minute, Kashima brought in FW Davi. Immediately after, Kashima's MF Doi was sent out to the right area. Here, Tokyo was firmly sandwiched, but managed to escape with a CK... In the 81st minute, Kashima's MF Shibasaki scored a powerful header from a sharp right CK, losing the second goal...

Despite not giving up on the counterattack, in the 4th minute of additional time, Maeda reacted to Matsuda's right cross with a header, but Tokunaga in the left area missed the direct shot to the right. Then, Matsuda's cross earned a right corner kick. Mita sent a sharp kick to the far post, but Maeda's header was blocked by Kashima... Hanyu then aimed for a precise middle shot, but it was caught by the goalkeeper and the time was up. They showed a never-give-up attitude in a full team effort, but couldn't find the goal until the end. Once again, they couldn't secure a victory against Kashima.

[Player Comments]
"Nathan BURNS"
"I am happy to score a goal, but it is disappointing that we could not secure a victory. Each moment in J-League games is very fast, but I am playing with a positive image. It is not easy to score in a short time as a substitute, but as a striker, I always aim for a goal in every game. Not every pass is good, but I am instructed to run behind the defense, so I play accordingly and I think it worked well."

"Matsuda"
"I was instructed to start with a strong defense and attack when there was a chance. It was good that we were able to create chances, but... We have not won in the last two games, so we will take that result and turn it into the support and strength of our fans and supporters, and we definitely want to win the next game."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"The first 15-20 minutes were very good. We played well and created the best chances. However, after that, Kashima gained momentum from hitting the bar and post with their shots and we conceded a goal shortly after. In the first half, Kashima gradually played better. So, we brought Matsuda on as a right back at the start of the second half. Also, we were forcing the build-up from the back, so we brought Maruyama in as a center back and he dealt with it well. Overall, we put pressure on them and were able to equalize. The second half was completely different from the first. There were a few incidents, but the second goal was just a great shot from the opponent. The positive thing is that the second half was fantastic. Both mentally and in terms of quality, it was a very good performance. I believe we are on the right track. The second stage has just begun. We have many injured players and players who are not fully fit, but despite all the problems, we should take this positive performance into account."
(What was the intention of the substitution from Yoshimoto to Matsuda?)
We needed a player who could go forward from the side. Matsuda's presence was necessary to add speed and quality, as spaces were created. Maruyama is more defensive, but after that, we were able to build up from the center, and the substitution had a positive impact on the team. We created many chances from the right side, and I think the tactical change went well. I am satisfied with the performance in the second half.

[Kashima - Manager Masatada Ishii's Press Conference Summary]
"First of all, I feel relieved. The game was tough and we showed a fighting spirit, and I think we were able to dominate Tokyo from the first half. In the second half, our physical strength dropped and we were caught up to a tie, so we toned down a bit, but in the end we were able to score an additional point and win. However, we have only won one game so far, so we want to continue."