Focused and tenacious battle, aiming for victory

Entering the final stages of the 2nd stage, Tokyo will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous round, they secured a victory at home, resulting in a record-high 56 points for the year. They are currently in 5th place in the 2nd stage and 3rd place overall. However, coach Massimo stated, "As we approach the end, the weight of each point will increase." In particular, in "direct confrontations" with teams close in rank, the difference in points can quickly change and affect the rankings. Takahashi, who is returning from suspension, also said, "I see the match against Hiroshima as a big game. We will all fight with a strong determination to win, understanding the importance of each point." They will use their position in the top ranks at this time as a positive force and fight with determination.

Hiroshima, on the other hand, is currently in first place in the 2nd stage with 28 points. In the overall standings, they are in second place with 62 points. They also have an important match ahead of them as they aim for the championship. In the previous match, MF DOUGLAS and FW Asano led the team to score 5 goals. In fact, they have scored 15 goals in their last 5 matches, with 4 wins and 1 draw. Their overall score of 62 and 2nd stage score of 33 are both the highest in the league. Their scoring patterns are also diverse, with MF Aoyama and quick counter attacks from the wings. How to contain their high attacking power will be the key to this match.

Tokyo started with Takahashi returning from suspension as an anchor. Uchimoto and Hashimoto played as inside halves, with Higashi starting as FW. Kono was placed as a top midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation. Mita also made the bench for the first time since the August 29th Shimizu game. On the other hand, Hiroshima has mostly their best lineup, with MF Shimizu replacing injured MF Kashiwa on the left side. Up front, FW Sato and MF Douglas and Shibasaki as shadow, with MF Morisaki and Aoyama as double midfielders in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

It is a match aiming for victory by surpassing the scoring power of the top league Hiroshima with tenacity. It started at 19:04 with Hiroshima's kickoff at the Hiroshima EDION Stadium, where it was sunny but the chill could be felt as the evening approached.

In a closely contested match, the first half ends with a scoreless tie.

The match is in the first minute. Hiroshima DF Shiotani sent a feed to FW Sato on the front line, which Maruyama bounced back and quickly switched to attack. Kono in the center made a through pass to the right area. Maeda broke through there, but couldn't time the finish and advanced to the left area. From the combination with Higashi who followed, Yonemoto, who moved up the center, aimed for a shot that was saved by Hiroshima GK Hayashi in the lower right corner.

After that, the game gradually turned into a fast-paced one with Hiroshima's quick attacks leading to finishes. However, Tokyo remained focused and did not show any defensive weaknesses. On the other hand, Tokyo also had possession of the ball, but they often lost it due to not being able to keep it in the front line. They wanted to improve their build-up play. In the 18th minute, they had a right corner kick. They were not able to finish it, and Hiroshima managed to take the ball away once, but Tokyo quickly regained possession in a high position. Kono then took a sharp shot from the right side, but it was blocked by the opponent's GK.

At 25 minutes, Kono used the space created by Hiroshima MF Mikic on the left side to make a through pass into the area. Higashi quickly broke through with one touch and skillfully passed to the right side to Hashimoto. Hashimoto reacted to this pass, turned towards the goal, and took a controlled shot! They created a scoring opportunity through the coordination of the front line, but... the ball narrowly missed to the left...

35 minutes have passed and Tokyo gradually began to have more possession of the ball, utilizing the coordination of their front line to create scoring opportunities, but they were unable to finish. Hiroshima, on the other hand, is able to take the ball and make it all the way to the finish line. At this point, it is important to remain calm and focus on preventing any goals from being scored.

Hiroshima quickly expanded to the side and brought the ball to the finish line when they took the ball. In particular, they were shown the fear of being shot in succession from MF Mikic's pass, but Tokyo also did not lose their tenacity. They did not allow any goals. On the other hand, Tokyo gradually held onto the ball. They created scoring opportunities from the coordination of the front line, but were unable to convert them into goals. The evenly matched first half ended scoreless.

Defeating the fierce attack of the top-ranked Hiroshima, consecutive victories!!

In the second half, Tokyo's attack in the 47th minute. From the left side of the midfield, Yonemoto crosses and Hashimoto heads it... but it bounces off the left post. It was a decisive chance, but they couldn't score. In the following 54th minute, Hiroshima's left corner kick is sent out to the minus side, and a cross is made from the left side of the midfield to the far side. The area's MF Douglas takes a high header, but it misses the frame and avoids danger. After that, Hiroshima continues to shake wide and threaten the goal. However, Tokyo defends tenaciously and creates another scoring opportunity by taking advantage of the opponent's gap, but Hashimoto's header is blocked by the post. Hiroshima substitutes in the in-form FW Asano. The intense battle continues.

70 minutes have passed. The East team in the midfield creates an opportunity and expands to the left side. Ota gains speed and breaks through the opponent's defense, crossing the ball. Although it was slightly too long, Maeda in the left area drops back and heads it towards the center. Hashimoto runs in and takes a shot, but it misses and hits the previous player, Kawano, changing the direction and goes into the net! With Kawano's goal, they take the lead.

After that, in the 78th minute, Hiroshima was pushed back and a powerful middle shot was taken by central MF Aoyama, but it missed to the left. In the following 83rd minute, a heading shot was taken from the left early cross of Hiroshima, but Brada saved it! Although this loose ball was stabbed and the net was shaken, there was a foul by Hiroshima just before that, so it was no goal.

Hiroshima flew to the frame in the 88th minute, with a powerful middle. Bradar saved again here! He was packed into a loose ball and hit a powerful shot again, but just outside the frame... In the 90th minute, Yoshimoto was substituted for Hashimoto and switched to a 5-back. It was a situation where they wanted to withstand the opponent's fierce attack. The game ended with Tokyo winning 1-0! Against the top-ranked Hiroshima, they continued to fight with determination for 90 minutes and secured a consecutive victory by winning a tense battle.

[Player Comments]
"Kawano"
"The best thing was that the team won. With today's victory, I feel like the atmosphere of winning all the remaining games has been born even more. The goal was just a hit on my right knee... but it was a goal we all took together. Of course, I also want to score goals in my own way, but no matter what kind of goal it is, it doesn't change the team's score. Above all, everyone was really into it. During that time (of the goal), my legs were about to cramp, so I tried to get into the goal area at the end. That led to the goal, so it's important to never give up and keep going no matter what the situation. That's what I feel once again."

"Hashimoto"
"I think I was able to show what I have prepared for both offense and defense. Not only in defense, but also in attack, I tried to build up from center back... especially from player Morishige, and attack from the right side. When the ball came forward, I was able to provide support. Playing against Hiroshima, we were able to fight as planned, which should lead to the next step. If I could improve my play accuracy even more, it would create more chances. I can feel the progress, but at the same time, there are things to reflect on."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"It was a very good game. Both teams were well-organized and it was a high-quality match. I think we were well aware of Hiroshima's strength, so preparation for the game was crucial. It is truly valuable to be able to achieve such a victory against a strong team like Hiroshima. I believe this is a very important victory at this point in the season. And the fans and supporters in Tokyo were amazing, I can't even find the words to describe it. They have shown me love since the first day I joined the team, and it has only grown bigger. So many people came all the way to Hiroshima, and I want to dedicate this victory to them."

[Hiroshima - Hajime Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary]
"Although many supporters came to see our victory, we were unable to deliver a win at home and I am disappointed. As for the game, both teams were strong defensively. In that situation, I thought it would be a close game with one point being contested, so we approached the game. As for the content, both teams had chances. We were unable to score a goal without breaking through the defense, but Tokyo scored. I think it was a game where we could have won, but we want to reflect on it and move on to the next one."