A full-scale battle in Sec. 11, challenging the strong Yokohama FM

Facing Yokohama F. Marinos in Sec. 11 of the 2nd Stage. Heading into the away match.
In the previous match, there were times when we were dominated by Kobe, but we launched sharp counters from a tenacious fight, and Maeda achieved a hat trick. At the same time, we kept a clean sheet and secured 3 points. As a result, we have gone six league matches without a loss. We are in a situation where we cannot afford to lose any matches as we head into the final stages of the league, but our defensive strategy is maturing, and our counter-attacking offense is starting to click. This is a match aimed at achieving consecutive victories while continuing to grow step by step.

However, Takahashi is suspended for two matches due to accumulated warnings. Therefore, the lineup has been changed this round, with Nozawa, Hashimoto, and Higashi starting. The formation is a 4-4-2 with a double pivot of Yonemoto and Nozawa, Hashimoto and Higashi on the wings, and Nathan BURNS and Maeda as the two forwards. The goalkeeper will be Vlada AVRAMOV, starting again from the previous match, as they prepare for a total team effort.

Yokohama FM's 2nd stage is currently in 7th place with 15 points. Although they drew against Niigata in the last match, they achieved four consecutive wins in August by defeating Nagoya, Kofu, Tosu, and Urawa, and have been in good form with 4 wins and 1 draw in their recent league matches. Among them, the midfield passing work and FW Ito's hold-up play have allowed the attacking midfielder MF Nakamura to create opportunities, utilizing the aggressive dribbling and shooting power of the wingers MF Saito and MF Ademilson to secure points.

In response, Tokyo wants to focus on preventing goals as usual and maintain balance in their play. Coach Massimo stated, "A single goal can change the balance and tactics of the match, making it difficult for both sides. One play can also change the flow of the game, so precision and concentration are required on both offense and defense." He added, "However, the team's characteristics will not change. Yokohama FM has their style, and we will leverage our style to aim for victory," challenging them head-on.

After a long time, the weather was clear and felt like late summer, and the match started at 19:04 with Yokohama FM's kickoff.

Unable to capitalize on early chances, they were dominated by Yokohama, but they countered with patience.

At the start, Yokohama FM's speedy attacks pushed us back into our own territory. However, Tokyo did not allow them to enter the area with their solid defense. In the 7th minute, from the flow of a restart, Higashi created a play on the right flank and made a run into the center to meet a pass from the side, striking powerfully with his right foot. However, he was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper. In the 8th minute, after a fierce battle in midfield, Nathan BURNS on the right side entered a shooting position and earned a right corner kick. From Ota's corner, Maruyama headed the ball towards the far post, but could not hit the target. In the 12th minute, Maruyama cut off Yokohama FM's ball at the defensive line. Higashi on the left side connected with Nozawa in the center, and then the play was further developed to the left. Ota sent an early cross into the area, and Maeda rushed in at the near post, but the opposing goalkeeper caught it first.

They launched a quick counterattack but failed to capitalize on their chances, gradually allowing Yokohama FM to dominate possession. In the 13th minute, from a feed to the front line by Yokohama FM, FW Ito broke through between Tokyo's defenders, but Maruyama, who returned to the area, made a sliding cut. In the 18th minute, a pass from the midfield was intercepted, allowing Yokohama MF Saito to dribble, but Morishige showed strength, regained the ball, and joined the attack. However, after connecting with Hashimoto on the right, they were blocked by Yokohama while trying to advance. In the 26th minute, Yokohama FM MF Ademilson entered the left area, but Morishige closely marked him during the cutback and managed to contain him.

Throughout the first half, there were moments when Yokohama FM's side changes and passing work centered around MF Futoshi NAKAMURA put pressure on us, but Tokyo fought patiently and did not allow the opponent to play freely in dangerous situations. However, in terms of offense, we lacked precision against Yokohama FM's intense defense. In the 42nd minute, on the left side, Nathan BURNS and Higashi applied pressure, and Ota intercepted the ball and dribbled up the center. However, Nathan BURNS, who followed up, had his vertical pass aimed at the area cut off by Yokohama FM.

In the 45th minute, Yokohama FM's left-side MF Saito took a powerful shot from distance, but Vlada AVRAMOV made a diving save. The rebound was followed up by Yokohama FM's DF Kobayashi, but Maruyama and Azuma took care of it, and they tried to launch a counterattack, but they couldn't get into position. The match went into halftime scoreless.

Conceded a goal just before the end and lost the match...

Tokyo made an early substitution in the second half, bringing in Nakajima for Nathan BURNS. They quickly used their first substitution strategy in an attempt to aim for victory. In the 46th minute, they launched a quick attack, and Hashimoto, who advanced up the left side, sent in a cross, but Higashi, who ran in from the far side, was slightly too early and couldn't control it. In the 52nd minute, Maeda ran into the area for a feed, but the opposing goalkeeper quickly came out and dealt with it. In the 59th minute, Ota's cross was just slightly off timing for Nakajima, who charged into the center, and they couldn't take a shot. From this loose ball, Yokohama quickly moved forward. They were challenged by Yokohama FM's midfielder Ademilson in their own half, creating a one-on-one situation with Morishige, but Morishige responded tenaciously. Finally, a pass was sent to forward Ito, who advanced up the right side, but Maruyama was there to cover. In the end, a cross was delivered, but Vlada AVRAMOV caught it.

Without creating defensive gaps, they gradually connected the ball in attack and began to create opportunities to approach the goal from the sides. In the 73rd minute, Matsuda was brought in as a right MF to replace Nozawa, with Hashimoto moving to the defensive midfield position. Yokohama FM also brought in forward Togashi, a special designated player by JFA and J-League, in the 75th minute. Both teams made tactical substitutions in pursuit of goals. However, after that, there were increasing instances of losing the ball in front of Yokohama FM's intense pressure, leading to a difficult situation. Nevertheless, they endured the tense moments well, and time passed without a score. In the 87th minute, they quickly initiated an attack, with Nakajima dribbling up from the right side to send a last pass to Maeda in the left area, timing it just right. However, Maeda's trap was slightly too long, and he fell in a fierce contest with Yokohama FM's MF Mikado immediately after, but no foul was called against the opponent.

Unable to capitalize on a big chance, they were immediately countered by the opponent. They managed to escape once with a throw-in, but again allowed a pass to connect, permitting Yokohama FM's MF Futoshi NAKAMURA to maintain possession in the left area. Unable to apply pressure, a precisely aimed cross was sent in front of the goal. In response, Yokohama FW Togashi broke free between Ota and Maruyama... and a high-arching header pierced the net, resulting in a goal conceded in the 88th minute...

Immediately after, Sandaza was brought on, but there was no time left for a counterattack. As a result, the number of shots in the second half ended at zero, and they suffered a painful goal just before the end, resulting in their first defeat in seven league matches.

[Player Comments]
《Morishige》
"It was a match where neither side could lose their balance, and it came down to which team could capitalize on a single chance... The team that lost their balance would lose the game. We had one chance in the first half and another with Maeda in the second half. Yokohama FM had possession of the ball, but I think their only clear chance was that goal scene. We were able to fight patiently. However, the fact that we couldn't win shows that we still lack experience and strength. I want to reflect on the moments that can determine the outcome of the match."

Nozawa
"I was too focused on the opponent's attacking midfielder and couldn't put pressure on the defensive midfielder. I think it was necessary to go strong against Yokohama FM's defensive midfielder while being aware of what was behind me. Also, Yokohama FM's defense was good... which is a factor, but we were forced to run back on defense and couldn't exert much power during our attacks. As a result, we couldn't create a rhythm. Regarding the defeat, of course, I will reflect on it, but it's important not to lose next time. Personally, I think it's important to utilize experiences like today in the future."

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
The match unfolded as expected, with tactics standing out. The opponent was in good condition and did not give us much space. Both teams had very few scoring opportunities. If we could have capitalized on the few chances we had, I believe we could have secured 3 points. We missed a crucial chance from Maeda, and then conceded a goal just one minute later. I think we were able to play our game, and despite having some players suspended, Nozawa and Hashimoto fought well. The result is disappointing, but we must prepare for the next match and move forward with confidence.
(They managed to contain Yokohama FM's speed well, but what was the reason for the attack not going well?)
The opponent also had almost no decisive shots, and neither side gave each other space. In the last 10 minutes, I thought we could move our legs a bit more, but I want to evaluate the defense.
(Did Morishige and Maruyama fail to react to the movements of Yokohama FM FW Togashi?)
When conceding a goal, there is always some kind of mistake that has been made, so I want to confirm and correct it. However, I think the two center-backs fought well against experienced opposing players throughout the match."

【Summary of the press conference by Yokohama FM coach Erick MOMBAERTS】
"We were able to take control and maintain possession of the ball, and we continued to play patiently. Tokyo is a team with a solid defense, so we focused on being patient in our possession to break down their defense. At the same time, Tokyo is a good counter-attacking team. We needed to be careful the moment we lost the ball, but today we were able to defend well. Considering the possession rate and the number of chances, I believe today's victory is a fair result."