A match to fight with focus and perseverance, aiming for victory

The 2nd stage has entered its final phase, and Tokyo will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous match, they secured a victory at home, bringing their total annual points to a record high of 56. They are currently in 5th place in the 2nd stage and have maintained 3rd place overall. However, Coach Massimo stated, "As we approach the end, the weight of each point will increase," emphasizing that in 'direct confrontations' with closely ranked teams, the point difference can change dramatically and affect rankings. Takahashi, who has returned from suspension, added, "I see the match against Hiroshima as a 'crucial game.' Understanding the weight of the points, we will all express our strong desire for victory and fight together," viewing their participation in the upper ranks at this time as a positive force while focusing on the competition.

Hiroshima is currently at the top of the 2nd stage with 28 points. Overall, they have 62 points, placing them in 2nd. They also have crucial matches ahead as they aim for the championship, but in the previous match, MF DOUGLAS led the way, with FW Asano and others scoring a total of 5 goals. Moreover, they have scored 15 goals in their last 5 matches, with 4 wins and 1 draw, showing excellent form. In particular, their overall score of 62 and 2nd stage score of 33 are clearly the league's best. Their scoring patterns are diverse, including slow attacks starting from MF Aoyama and the sides, as well as quick counterattacks. How to contain their high offensive power will be the first key point.

Tokyo has Takahashi returning from suspension, starting as an anchor. The inside halves are YoneMoto and Hashimoto, with Azuma starting as a FW. They begin with a 4-3-3 formation, placing Kono in the attacking midfield. Additionally, Mita is back on the bench for the first time since the match against Shimizu on August 29. On the other hand, Hiroshima has replaced the injured MF Kashiwagi with MF Shimizu on the left wing, fielding almost their best lineup. At the forefront is FW Sato, with MF DOUGLAS and Shibasaki in the shadow roles, and the double pivot is held by MF Morisaki Kazu and Aoyama in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

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

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

The match is in the early stages, just 1 minute in. Hiroshima defender Shiotani sent a feed to forward Sato, which was cleared by Maruyama, quickly transitioning to attack. Kono in the center made a through pass to the right area. Maeda broke through but couldn't time the finish, advancing further into the left area. From a connection with Higashi, Yonemoto, who moved up the center, aimed for a controlled shot but was saved by Hiroshima goalkeeper Hayashi in the bottom right.

After that, the game gradually shifted to a fast-paced development from Hiroshima, leading to a finish. Still, they remained focused and did not show any defensive gaps. On the other hand, Tokyo also had some time to maintain possession of the ball, but they often lost it without being able to secure it in the front line. They wanted to be more creative in their build-up. In the 18th minute, they had a right corner kick. They couldn't bring it to a finish and lost the ball to Hiroshima once, but regained it in a high position, with Kono making a sharp shot from the right side. However, it was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper.

In the 25th minute, Kono utilized the space created by Hiroshima's midfielder Mikic, sending a through pass from the left side into the area. Higashi made a one-touch move to break free and skillfully delivered a final pass to Hashimoto, who reacted to the pass. He turned to face the goal and took a controlled shot! They created a scoring opportunity through the synergy in the front line, but... the ball narrowly missed to the left...

35 minutes have passed, and gradually Tokyo is starting to have more possession of the ball, creating scoring opportunities by utilizing the synergy of the front line, but they are unable to finish. Hiroshima, on the other hand, when they regain possession, confidently pushes forward to finish. Here, without panicking, they want to first focus on preventing any goals.

Hiroshima quickly spread the ball to the sides after winning it and brought it to the finish. In particular, they had several shots in succession from MF Mikic's passes, showing their threat, but Tokyo did not lose their tenacity. They did not allow a goal. On the other hand, Tokyo gradually maintained possession of the ball. They created scoring opportunities through the synergy in the front line, but could not convert them. The tightly contested first half ended scoreless.

Withstood the fierce attack from the top-ranked Hiroshima, and achieved consecutive victories!!

In the second half, at the 47th minute, Tokyo launched an attack. From a cross by Yonemoto on the left side of the midfield, Hashimoto headed the ball... but it bounced off the left post. It was a decisive chance, but they couldn't convert. In the following 54th minute, Hiroshima took a short corner kick from the left, crossing from the left side of the midfield to the far post. Midfielder DOUGLAS made a high header, but it went wide, avoiding a crisis. After that, Hiroshima continued to stretch Tokyo wide, threatening their goal. However, Tokyo also defended tenaciously and created another clear chance by exploiting the opponent's gaps, but Hashimoto's header was blocked by the post. Hiroshima brought in the in-form FW Asano as a substitute. The tense back-and-forth continued.

In the 70th minute. Higashi in the midfield created space and spread the ball to the left flank. Ota accelerated and broke through behind the opposing defense, delivering a cross. It was slightly long, but Maeda in the left area headed it back to the center while retreating. Hashimoto ran in, and although he missed the shot, it deflected off Kono in front and changed direction, hitting the net! Kono scored the opening goal.

After that, in the 78th minute, we were pressured by Hiroshima, and a powerful shot from central midfielder Aoyama was taken, but it went wide to the left. In the following 83rd minute, a left early cross from Hiroshima led to a header shot at the far post, but Brada made the save! The rebound was struck into the net, but just before that, there was a foul by Hiroshima, resulting in no goal.

In the 88th minute, Hiroshima launched a powerful shot on target. Once again, Brada made the save! The rebound was followed by another spectacular shot, but it just went wide of the goal... In the 90th minute, Yoshimoto was brought on for Hashimoto, switching to a five-back formation. They wanted to withstand the opponent's fierce attack. The match ended with Tokyo winning 1-0! Against the league leaders Hiroshima, they fought with determination for 90 minutes and secured a tense victory, marking their consecutive wins.

[Player Comments]
Kono
"The best thing was that the team won. With today's victory, I feel that the atmosphere of wanting to win all the remaining matches has been further created. The goal just happened to hit my right knee and went in... it was a goal we all scored together. Of course, I have the desire to score in my own way, but no matter how the goal is scored, it counts as a team goal. Above all, everyone was really into it. At that moment (of the goal), my legs were cramping, so I tried to get into the goal area at the end. That led to the goal, so it's important to keep going without giving up, no matter the situation. I feel that strongly again."

《Hashimoto》
"In both defense and offense, I believe we were able to showcase the preparations we had made. Not only in defense, but in attack, we tried to build up from the center back... especially from player Morishige, and aimed to initiate from the right side. When the ball was played forward, we were able to provide support as well. Being able to compete against Hiroshima as we intended should lead to future success. If my play accuracy had been higher, it could have created even more opportunities. While I felt a sense of achievement, that is also a point for reflection."

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"It was a very good match. I think both teams were organized and it was a high-quality game. We were well aware of Hiroshima's strength, so preparation for the match was very important. To achieve such a victory against a strong Hiroshima team is truly valuable. I believe this is a very significant win at this late stage of the season. Also, the fans and supporters in Tokyo are so wonderful that I can't find the words. From the very first day I joined the team, they have shown me their affection, and I feel that it has only grown. Many people made the effort to come all the way to distant Hiroshima. I want to dedicate today's victory to them."

[Summary of the Press Conference by Hajime MORIYASU, Coach of Hiroshima]
"Many supporters came to see our victory, but I am disappointed that we could not deliver a win at home. Regarding the match, both teams are defensively strong. I thought it would be a closely contested match with a struggle for a single goal, and we approached the game with that in mind. In terms of content, both teams had chances. While we could not capitalize on our opportunities without breaking down defensively, Tokyo scored. I believe the match could have gone our way, but I want to reflect and move on to the next one."