A match where the team comes together as one, aiming for four consecutive wins with all their strength!

As we reach the middle of the 2nd stage in Sec. 8, we will face Nagoya Grampus at the away Toyota Stadium. In the previous match, Yonemoto marked his first goal of the season. Without being shaken by any accidents, the team demonstrated their determination for victory, with Nathan BURNS scoring the decisive goal, achieving a third consecutive win. As a result, the annual points total has reached 48, matching last season's final record. However, Coach Massimo calmly stated, "It's a positive factor, but the season is still ongoing. It is important to continue to value each match ahead of us and keep growing as we have so far."

Although Tokunaga has recovered for this match, Morishige is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. The situation remains challenging, but Coach Massimo stated, "The team has issues, but we are able to train well. Yoshimoto and Nara are in good condition, and while assessing their status, we will confidently send them onto the pitch." Regarding the center-back position, he mentioned, "There are several options," and preparations were being made with Maruyama, Yoshimoto, and Nara taking on the roles.

Nagoya finished 9th in the 1st stage and could not break into the top ranks, but in the 2nd stage, they are making a comeback by increasing their scoring ability, currently sitting in 5th place. They have 13 points, tied with Tokyo, and FW Leandro DOMINGUES has returned from injury. DF Tulio is joining the build-up, and sufficient caution is needed against the attacks centered around FW Kawamata and FW Nagai.

In the first stage match, Tokyo almost took control of the game and created many chances, but they couldn't capitalize on them and suffered a painful defeat due to an own goal. They keenly felt the importance of taking advantage of opportunities and not leaving gaps, and this match is also one where they want to achieve revenge.

Tokyo has Maruyama and Yoshimoto as center-backs. Nara is also on the bench, and the rest of the lineup is the same as the previous match. Furthermore, Yonemoto will reach a total of 150 appearances in J1. On the other hand, Nagoya will be without MF Danilson, but MF Leandro DOMINGUES is on the bench. FW Kawamata is at the forefront. FW Nagai and MF Koyamatsu are playing as two shadows. On both sides are MF Ogawa and DF Yano. The formation is a 3-4-2-1 with MF Isomura and Yada serving as double defensive midfielders.

For Tokyo, this is a crucial moment that can be described as an all-out battle, but to achieve victory, it is essential to enhance the common awareness on the pitch and fight as one. The match started with Tokyo's kickoff at the strong sunlight and the lingering heat at Toyota Stadium.

Created a chance from the counter, but went into the second half scoreless

The match is in the early 8 minutes. After a quick transition counter, Hanyu advanced quickly to the front line and delivered a ground cross in front of the goal. It was a near chance, but it just missed Nathan BURNS... They were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

After 20 minutes, we allowed Nagoya to take control of the ball. There were moments where we were pushed back by their quick passing and movements that exploited gaps, but we defended tenaciously and Tokyo quickly transitioned to attack. In the 25th minute, Maruyama carried the ball forward, evading the opponent's press and spreading it to the left. In response to Kono's cross, Maeda made a run into the left area near the goal and turned to shoot, but he was unable to hit the target.

In the 27th minute, they defended tenaciously against the opponent's precise passes, regained possession in front of their own goal, and launched a counterattack. Kono, who advanced on the right, connected with Maeda in the center, but was fouled here, resulting in a free kick. The free kick was taken from about 30 meters in front of the opponent's goal. Maruyama aimed for a powerful shot, but it hit the wall, and the ball spilled into the back area. However, in the end, it was secured by the Nagoya GK.

In the 31st minute, Yoshimoto failed to control a pass from the left side in his own half, allowing Nagoya's forward Nagai to steal the ball. He took a shot, but goalkeeper Enomoto made a superb save with one foot, avoiding the danger. After that, the team struggled a bit against Nagoya's quick passing. Thanks to Enomoto's good saves, they did not concede a goal, but they wanted to regain their rhythm.　

However, they continued to struggle to create rhythm, suffering from the opponent's quick passing and movements aimed at exploiting spaces. On the other hand, they were unable to capitalize on the chances created from counterattacks. The match went into the second half scoreless.

Attacked until the end, but lacked the finishing touch... ended scoreless

Entering the second half, at the 56th minute. A pass from the left side was touched down by Maeda just outside the left area, and Kono received it, dribbling past an opponent to make a clever through pass to Anton BURNS, who aimed for a shot... but there was no angle, right in front of the goalkeeper. In the following 57th minute, during an attack, the ball was taken by Nagoya, leading to a counter from MF Ogawa to FW Nagai. Takahashi chased after, but the ball was dribbled forward, and a shot was taken in front of Yoshimoto, but it went over the top right. As 60 minutes passed, Tokyo also began to control the ball in the second half, creating attacking formations. The game was back and forth.

In the 61st minute, midfielder Yonemoto sent a long pass to Maeda on the left front line. Maeda sent it inside, creating a counterattack, but... Barnes couldn't control it at his feet... After that, in the 63rd minute, there was a chance from a corner kick. Kono's left corner kick saw Yoshimoto dive in at the far post, but he just couldn't finish it...

In the 68th minute, Nagoya brought on MF Leandro DOMINGUES and FW Novakovich. After that, from the flow of a corner kick, MF Ogawa delivered a left cross. DF Tori-Oh headed the ball, but the Tokyo DF cleared it!

In the 72nd minute, Tokyo brought on Sandaza for Nathan BURNS. Then, in the 76th minute, Nakajima came on for Kono. In the 77th minute, Nagoya's FW Nagai's right cross was controlled by Maruyama, but went out of the line, resulting in a right corner kick. Following that, a left corner kick was awarded, and from the kick by Nagoya's MF Leandro DAMIAO, DF Tōriō had a perfect header, but it went wide of the goal, avoiding a crisis. As 80 minutes passed, both teams were chasing a goal, and the lines gradually stretched. The game developed into a counter-attacking situation. There was a continued focus during this crucial time without panic.

In the 82nd minute, Nakajima, who initiated an attack in the opponent's half, lost the ball, and Nagoya MF Yata launched a quick counter. FW Nagai broke into the area and delivered a decisive last pass in front of the goal, but it just missed FW Novakovich. The shot-bound ball also went just wide of the right side of the goal... escaping without incident.

In the additional time that arrived, there was a quick transition at the front line, with Takahashi passing to Nakajima, who dribbled into the area. He was brought down by the opposing defender Tulio, but earned a free kick just outside the penalty area on the right. Matsuda acted as a decoy and ran in first, while Maruyama, who stood on the right, aimed directly, but the shot was blocked by the wall. Both teams continued to attack until the end, exchanging counterattacks in the latter stages. Despite holding on and not conceding a goal, they could not capitalize on their chances. The match ended in a scoreless draw.

[Player Comments]
《Enomoto》
"I think that earning 1 point away is the minimum requirement. We have been focused on winning, had chances, and were able to execute what we aimed for, so there is certainly a frustrating aspect to it. I want to carry that feeling into the next match. I am not satisfied, but despite the current situation with many injured players, we were able to demonstrate the team's strength. If we were to lose in this situation, it would leave a bad impression, so I believe that the result of a draw is a sign that the team is maturing. However, I think we were slightly lacking in the ability to secure a win. That is something I want to improve on in the upcoming league matches.
(What were you thinking in the one-on-one situation with Nagai?)
I could see Nagai dribbling at speed, so I focused on not getting beaten first. After that, I was thinking about getting closer and reacting. I had the mindset that if he shot from a difficult angle, there was nothing I could do, but fortunately, the ball came right to my feet, so I reacted properly.

YoneMoto
I think that even if we couldn't score in the front, the fact that we secured a clean sheet at the back reflects what we have built up this season.
However, we need to win matches like this 1-0, so I want to prepare thoroughly in the week leading up to the next game.
(I was boldly aiming for a shot?)
Since I was able to face forward between the midfield and the defense line, the coach told me to aim for it. I think if there is a possibility of a shot, it makes it harder for the opponent to defend, and contributing to scoring is my challenge, so I want to continue playing like that.

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"I think it was a good game. From the early stages of the match, we created chances with crosses and through balls, and we also created decisive opportunities in the last 30 meters. We had similar chances in the second half. There were times when Nagoya held the ball, but I think they struggled to find solutions from there. There was once a dangerous play by Yoshimoto, but that was the only time we gifted them something. Nagoya is a team in good shape and on the rise. Despite the problems we faced, we fought well against them. In that sense, I am satisfied. We made attempts to win for 90 minutes, including set pieces, and maintained a never-give-up attitude until the very end. We were able to circulate the ball in terms of build-up. The only thing we lacked was goals. Honestly, I believe it was a game with good content."

【Nagoya's Akira NISHINO's Press Conference Summary】
"FC Tokyo was missing key players, and I thought they wouldn't approach this match according to various scouting reports. However, we aimed to put pressure on the opponent's DF line to disrupt their smooth functioning. Including the two shadows, we wanted to apply pressure on the four players in Tokyo's back line to secure space and time in the midfield. I believe we were able to create such time. We had some moments where we could control the ball to some extent in the holding midfield line and build up play. However, if we could have used the side changes more effectively against both the opponent's DF line and the three holding midfielders on both sides, we could have created even more chances. Although we had some decisive opportunities, we struggled to break through in the box. While we controlled the ball in midfield, the connection and synergy between the frontline and midfield still seemed insufficient. Even while pushing forward, we easily lost the ball and faced counterattacks. We were cautious of those counters, but we ended up conceding several in the first half. We couldn't fully capitalize on our attacks. Overall, it felt like we struggled to attack throughout the 90 minutes."