The league matches have resumed, showcasing the results of the break with goals and victories.

After an interval of about two weeks, the league matches have resumed. We are facing Nagoya Grampus in Sec. 5.
During this break period, Ha DAESUNG, Hashimoto, and Komano have returned from injuries. Under new competition, they have been working to strengthen the team. This is also a match where they want to showcase the results they have built up and connect it to victory.

In Tokyo, Ha DAESUNG makes his first appearance since the ACL playoff match against Chonburi, starting for the first time in the J-League. Maeda and Higashi form the two-top. Abe on the left side and Kono on the right side will start the formation.

This season, Nagoya has welcomed new coach Ogura, achieving 2 wins and 2 draws in the league without any losses, currently sitting in 4th place and in good form. In this match, DF Oman will be on the bench, with DF Otake starting as center-back. The double pivot consists of MF Myojin and Taguchi. On the flanks are MF Nagai and Kobayashi. The formation features FW Shimobitch and FW Noda as the two forwards. To defend against the attacks led by 199cm tall Nagoya FW Shimobitch, we want to take control and fight at our own rhythm.

April has arrived, but under the weather where there is no sunlight and the cold of winter can be felt, the match started at 16:03 with Nagoya's kickoff.

Although they allowed the first goal, Morishige won a penalty kick.

Early in the match: Pushed back by Nagoya's fast-paced play. However, they responded well to plays initiated by FW Shimobitch and the runs from MF Nagai, as well as crosses from the sides. Tokyo gradually connected the ball at a faster tempo and attempted to launch an attack.

14 minutes: In the midfield, cut off Nagoya's pass, Higashi passes to Abe who carries it to the left area. Followed by Yonemoto, Ha DAESUNG in the center passes to Higashi near the right area corner. Higashi turned to evade the opponent and moved one step inside, aiming for the goal, but lacked power.

17 minutes: Nagoya clears the ball and gives a right corner kick. Nagoya midfielder Taguchi's corner kick was cleared by Yonemoto with a header in front of the goal, but it went to Nagoya forward Noda. From there, he feinted and turned, taking a shot. The ball hit the foot of Nagoya defender Takeuchi in the left area, changing its course and going into the net. They allowed the opening goal from a set piece.

Nevertheless, without being shaken by the conceded goals, they continued to attack without slowing down, but mistakes continued, leading to a prolonged period of being subjected to Nagoya's counterattacks.

41 minutes: In a rapidly changing situation of offense and defense, a left corner kick situation. Morishige, who tried to advance inside the penalty area, was fouled and won a penalty kick.

43 minutes: Morishige calmly and powerfully kicked this penalty kick to the right, equalizing the score. The match was brought back to square one as they headed into the second half.

Hirayama scores a goal for the first time in 2 seasons! Morishige contributes 2 goals for a comeback victory

In the second half, the fast-paced action continued as both teams pressed towards each other's goals.
58 minutes: As the game gradually stretches, Tokyo substitutes Ha DAESUNG for Hashimoto. They pick up the second ball and take control.

65 minutes: From Abe's switch, Higashi in the left area → Ogawa, who advanced from the outside, sent a short negative pass. Kono, who broke free, connected, creating a scoring opportunity, but the shot went wide of the goal.

69 minutes: Hirayama comes in for Kono. This immediately proves effective.
70 minutes: Maeda received Ogawa's pass with a one-touch and sent a through ball to Hirayama in the right area. Despite being marked by the opposing DF Takeuchi, Hirayama dribbled inside and shot with his left foot from the outside, throwing off the timing of the covering DF Yano. This shot found the bottom left corner! Hirayama scored his first goal since the match against Sendai on July 27, 2014, successfully taking the lead!
However, Nagoya does not give up, and the match becomes even more open.

76 minutes: From Nagoya, midfielder Kobayashi on the right side allowed fullback Yano's overlap, and from this cross, forward Nagai jumped in front of the goal. The Tokyo defender was headed over, and the softly floated ball was barely sucked in under the bar, resulting in the loss of the second goal.

81 minutes: Abe persistently chased the ball from a side change and earned a left corner kick. From Ogawa's corner kick, Morishige scored with a perfect header! The shot deflected off the opposing GK's hand and went in, allowing Tokyo to take the lead again.

86 minutes: Nagoya advanced, and as midfielder Taguchi tried to carry the ball forward with a dribble from his own half, Morishige slid in. This play resulted in a red card decision, and Morishige was sent off... They were forced to fight with 10 men for the remaining time. At this point, Tokyo substituted Takahashi in as a center-back for Hirayama. Nagoya also brought in forward Gustavo, but they managed to defend against Nagoya's counterattack as a united front, and the time was up. Despite the struggle, they fought hard to secure 3 points.

[Player Comments]
《Hirayama》
"Regarding the goal, I received a pass from player Abe, and after the first touch, I was able to get into position. I considered shooting immediately, but I was aiming for a timing that wouldn't hit the opposing defender. While the team's victory is the most important, it means nothing if I can't carry this forward. I want to take my first step by scoring on the pitch at Ajinomoto and work harder to score for the team's victory."

《Ha DAESUNG》
"I am happy to have achieved victory in my first J-League appearance. To be honest, I still feel that my match sense is lacking. Overall, I made many mistakes. If I can eliminate those mistakes and grasp the flow of the game, I believe I can perform better both individually and as a team. Japanese football has high pressure in the midfield. I want to work on how to navigate that and break down the opponent as a challenge."

【Hiroshi JOFUKU's press conference summary】
"We conceded a goal in the first restart, which was a scene we should not have allowed considering our goals for this season. The second goal we allowed was also due to our poor control of the game. Because we won, we must reflect on this. I am grateful that the players worked hard to secure three points in a difficult match like today. It was good to share joy with our fans and supporters, but I want to use this reflection as a stepping stone to play a more mature game next time."
(Did the player substitutions work, and did the team's situation improve?)
In a situation where the opponent stretched out, it was proven that any player coming on could control the game. The challenge is how to avoid conceding goals when the opponent is compact and how to increase our own time. At least in the first half, we must keep a clean sheet. How can we control the game and create situations that stretch the opponent quickly? To score early, we need to refine our skills and judgment. I believe that high-level competition within the team is necessary for that.

[Press Conference Summary of Nagoya Coach Takafumi OGURA]
"Honestly, it's frustrating. In terms of content, there were parts where we were able to execute our strategy and felt a sense of achievement. There were moments when we broke down the opponent, and given how hard we fought, it turned out to be a regrettable match. Not being able to secure a victory against FC Tokyo with this performance indicates that there are issues with my management. I told the players that this is not a match to hang our heads over."