A match to conclude the 7-game series, we want to find a chance to win away.

Three days after the ACL match against Jiangsu Suning, we will face Kashima Antlers away in League Sec. 4.
Since the last victory against Kashima in 2008, there have been no wins, and a tough away match is expected. However, with the solid defense built up and creative strategies in the attack, this match aims for a third consecutive league win.

Tokyo is without Abe due to health issues. Therefore, Maeda and Higashi form the two-top. Mizunuma is on the right side, and Tanabe on the left. The formation features a double pivot with Yonemoto and Hashimoto. Hirayama makes his return to the bench since September 12 last year (Sec. 10 match against Kobe). Kashima starts with MF Suzuki and MF Kaio on both sides. FW Akasaki and FW Kanazaki form the two-top in a 4-4-2 formation.

The heavy rain that fell in the afternoon has stopped, but the Kashima Soccer Stadium is covered with clouds and fog has begun to rise. The match started at 15:04 with a kickoff from Tokyo.

Start the match from defense and prevent Kashima from finding their rhythm

From the start, they aggressively pressed, preventing Kashima from finding their rhythm with coordinated defense, and when they won the ball, they attacked by exploiting both sides of the opponent.

7 minutes: Mizunuma brought the ball to the right front line, shook off the opponent's mark, dropped back to the right area, and crossed. Tanabe connected with a header from the cleared ball by Kashima, and Hashimoto aimed for the goal.
18 minutes: Higashi → Mizunuma, who broke into the right front line aiming behind the opponent, made a negative play. Once again, Higashi sent a grounded cross to the free Hashimoto just in front of the central area, creating a decisive moment, but Hashimoto's shot went over the bar.

As time passed, they gradually allowed Kashima to dominate possession and were pushed back into their own half, but Tokyo maintained their concentration and did not concede any goals.

33 minutes: Kashima's left-side forward Kanazaki brought the ball up to a high position, and midfielder Suzuki dove in to meet the cross in front of the goal, but the decisive diving header went just to the left.

38 minutes: From a quick restart, Yonemoto sent the ball vertically, and Higashi expanded to the side just inside the right area. Mizunuma delivered a cross, and Maeda at the far post jumped in with a header, but the shot went straight to the goalkeeper. In the latter stages, they struggled to create attacking opportunities, but still managed to contain Kashima with organized defense, ending the first half scoreless.

Conceded the opening goal just after the start of the second half, and the measures against Kashima were ineffective...

In the second half, we wanted to prolong the scoreless period to frustrate Kashima and create opportunities, but we couldn't capitalize on Tokyo's attacking moments.

50 minutes: The ball is taken by Kashima. Midfielder Ogasawara sends a pass to the right forward line, and FW Akasaki makes a run into a high position in the right area, initiating an attack. Midfielder Suzuki, who is in a shooting position in the right area, is blocked by Maruyama, who puts his body on the line... However, the loose ball is taken, and left back Yamamoto sends a shot-like ball in front of the goal. FW Kanazaki in the left area appeared to be in an offside position for a moment, but he easily connects and allows the first goal.

54 minutes: Kono replaces Tanabe and is brought in on the left side.
59 minutes: In response to the counterattack, Higashi connects a pass on the right and lets it go through to the center. Mizunuma, who has circled around to the center, takes a shot.
60 minutes: From the right side development, Mizunuma aimed for a shot between the opponents, but all went wide of the goal.
62 minutes: Kajiyama is brought in as a defensive midfielder to replace Mizunuma. Hashimoto moves to the right side and attempts to win the ball from the front line.
66 minutes: After a pass exchange between Higashi and Kono on the left side, Yonemoto entered the area. Connecting with the second pass, Maeda → Kono on the left side aimed for the loose ball, but Hashimoto on the right attempted an overhead kick, resulting in a corner kick.
74 minutes: Hirayama was brought on, forming a two-top with Maeda, while Higashi attacked the left side and Kono the right, creating a powerful approach towards the Kashima goal.
80 minutes: Maeda breaks through the left front line and delivers a ground pass to the near post. Hirayama skillfully controls it at his feet and turns. He drops a short pass to Kono, who has moved into the center. It was a decisive opportunity, but it came too close to his feet, causing him to miss the shot...

It seemed that they launched an offensive with Hirayama's introduction, but they could not capitalize on the good opportunities. On the contrary, they were unable to take the ball away from Kashima's calm and varied passing.
88 minutes: The ball was circulated on the right side by Kashima, and a powerful cross from MF Shibasaki was met by FW Kanazaki in the center... conceding the second goal, leaving everything in vain, and this season also ended in a bitter defeat away at Kashima.


[Player Comments]
《Hirayama》
"Since I was brought on in a losing situation, I really wanted to score. There are many things I need to do as a forward for Tokyo, but I can't accomplish all of them. I was thinking about executing each play properly and making plays that lead to goals in the opponent's penalty area. It was important to produce results, but I couldn't achieve the result of a goal or a victory, and I only feel frustration. I believe that if I can't continue to give my all, I won't be able to stand on the pitch in future matches. I want to do my best to showcase my strengths within the 'goodness of Tokyo.'"

《Maruyama》
"I think our approach to the match and the content of the first half were good. In the second half, I believed that if we continued that fight, the opponent would get anxious and chances would come to us. The first goal we conceded was due to the opponent creating a 2-on-1 situation, and the second goal was a result of us pushing forward and giving them space. The opponent's strategy to exploit the space behind the full-backs worked as they intended, and we conceded a goal in that manner. We also created chances, but whether we could convert them or not determined the outcome of the match. This is not solely the responsibility of the attacking players; it is necessary for the team to improve together."

【Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference】
"Many fans and supporters came out, but it's disappointing that we couldn't meet their expectations. Today's plan was to neutralize Kashima's strengths while launching counterattacks, and in the first half, we executed our intended strategy. However, we were too focused on counterattacks, which gave us less time on the ball, but it wasn't a bad performance. Overall, we need to reflect on the fact that we expended too much energy on defense. We wanted to create more time to circulate the ball. We need to shake off the strong pressure from a team like Kashima and take control of the match to break them down. It was a match where we felt that wall, but I don't think it's an insurmountable one. I want to share today's frustration and our feelings with the fans and supporters, and aim for good results."

【Kashima - Masatada ISHII's Press Conference Summary】
"Despite the bad weather, many fans and supporters came to watch our soccer, which has been a source of strength for the players. I believe that with all the cheers, the players were able to keep going until the end. In terms of the match, we entered the second half without being able to establish an attacking shape, but it was a good achievement to score the opening goal in a good manner, and to add another goal while finishing without conceding. During the game, after we scored the first goal, there was a moment when our defensive balance was slightly disrupted, so I think that is something we need to correct moving forward."