Aiming for the first victory of the season in J1, the team is united and ready

The J1 League 1st Stage Sec. 2 will be an away match against Vegalta Sendai. Left back Ogawa continues to be named in the starting lineup following the ACL match against Binh Duong, and Tanabe will also make his first start as a right midfielder.

Sendai won the opening match of the season, with MF Mita, who is on loan from Tokyo, scoring the decisive goal to triumph over Yokohama FM.
MF Mita will not be able to participate in this match due to contractual obligations with Tokyo.

Tokyo, aiming for its first victory in J1 this season, is united as a team and approaches the match.
As the kickoff time approaches, the match started at 15:30 with Tokyo's kickoff at Yurtec Stadium Sendai, where it began to get chilly.

Equalized with an own goal, ending the first half at 1-1

6 minutes: Sendai MF Yang receives a pass on the left side and advances into the area. Tokyo DF applies intense pressure, resulting in a Sendai corner kick.
7 minutes: Sendai MF Yanagi's left corner kick. DF Watanabe heads it in front of the goal, resulting in a goal conceded, 0-1.
9 minutes: Ogawa takes a free kick from the left side. Morishige receives it on the far side and shoots from a tight angle. This hits an opponent player and results in an own goal, leveling the score.
15 minutes: Tanabe on the right side crosses with his left foot. Maeda heads the ball in front of the goal, but the shot goes just wide of the target.
17 minutes: Abe, who dribbled down the right side, delivered a cross that was shot from a deep position. It didn't connect with his teammates in the area, but they are showing a wave attack centered on the right side.
31 minutes: Sendai DF Ishikawa cuts in from the left side and shoots from about 25 meters in front of the goal. The shot, which was on target, is deflected by Akimoto with one hand.

After that, both teams aggressively launched attacks, but lacking a decisive factor, the first half ended 1-1.

Achieving the first victory in the league and winning two consecutive official matches!

51 minutes: Hashimoto broke through with a one-two with Higashi and crossed from the left side of the area to the center. Maeda connected at the near side and scored! Tokyo takes the lead!
54 minutes: Pushing Sendai back into their own territory, they aim for a shot with precise passes, but Sendai counters with tenacious defense.
80 minutes: Sendai GK Rokutan injured his right foot, stopping play. Sendai's GK Rokutan slipped on his plant foot while kicking the ball with his left foot, injuring his right ankle. Substituted by GK Seki.

FC Tokyo, aiming to hold on to their lead, substituted Hideto TAKAHASHI for Ogawa in the 88th minute. Sendai aimed for an equalizer during the 6 minutes of added time, but FC Tokyo skillfully managed the time and held on to win the match 2-1. FC Tokyo achieved their first league victory and secured their second consecutive win in official matches.

[Player Comments]
《Maeda》
"Good balls were coming from both sides, so I believed that a good ball would definitely come. As a result, Kento provided a good ball, so I just had to connect with it."
(Q=Regarding the solid results achieved)
After losing to Omiya, we talked about various things together, and I believe that this is the result of those discussions. However, since it's only one match, we all want to work hard to continue this.
(Q=What is your current condition?)
"Not just today, but my condition has been good for a while. I believe that having a clear role has contributed to our victory."

《Tanabe》
"The whole team was able to approach the match with high tension. I believe that was a factor that led to our victory. As a united team, I want us to focus only on the match in front of us without thinking about what lies ahead, and continue to approach it this way in the future."

【Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference】
"In the opening match, we disappointed many fans and supporters who came to the stadium with high expectations. Considering the goals we have set for this year, today was definitely a game where we had to secure 3 points. We need to reflect on how we started the match, but from there, the players executed the strategies for the Sendai match well on the pitch. I believe we played a grounded game for the remaining 85 minutes. It was great that many fans and supporters came all the way to Sendai, and we were able to celebrate together after the match."

[Summary of the Press Conference by Susumu WATANABE, Coach of Sendai]
"First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the more than 16,000 fans and supporters for the home opener. Last year, we had a tough time winning at Yurtec.S, and I have talked with the players about wanting to prove that this year, Yurtec.S is the place where we will achieve victory. Today was the start of that year. I am very frustrated that we did not get the results, and I regret that we disappointed our fans and supporters. However, the season is still long ahead, and I have no intention of looking down here. Together with the players, we will build step by step and establish our style. Beyond that, I want to seize victory and celebrate many more wins with our fans and supporters."