Entering the final stage of the 1st stage, we welcome the unplayed Sec. 10

Sec. 10, which was postponed due to the impact of the ACL, will be held. We will welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima at home.
Last round ended in a scoreless draw, but Tokyo has kept a clean sheet for 4 consecutive games. In order to earn 3 points, they will need to maintain their solid defense and also score goals.

This week, Muriqui will make his first J1 start and form a two-top with Maeda. In addition, Ogawa, who started on May 13th against Tosu, will be used as the left back due to Tokunaga's absence. In the midfield, Takahashi and Yonemoto will play as a double pivot. Higashi on the right and Hayashi on the left. In order to prepare for Hiroshima's unique playing style in a 3-6-1 system, they will face them in a 4-4-2 formation.

Hiroshima will be without DF Mizumoto and will instead start 20-year-old DF Miyahara as one of the three backs. Led by FW Peter UTAKA, who is currently at the top of the scoring rankings, Hiroshima boasts a strong attacking force including substitute FW Asano.
On the other hand, it will be a match where we aim for victory at home by demonstrating both aggressiveness and tenacity.

The rain during the day has stopped, but the humidity is still high. Under the weather conditions where the heat and humidity remain before the start, the game started at 7:03 pm with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Both teams play carefully without leaving any gaps.

2 minutes: Both teams start cautiously. From Muriqui's pass on the left side, Maeda breaks through the opponent's defense and enters deep into the left area, but Hiroshima DF quickly regains their composure and is able to defend with numbers.

6 minutes: Tokyo's midfielder Thales passes the ball vertically to forward Peter UTAKA, but Yamamoto and Takahashi press and steal the ball. Higashi then passes to Maeda on the left side. Hayashi runs to the center and receives a return pass from Maeda, but his shot is blocked by Hiroshima's defender Chiba. The ball bounces out and Yamamoto tries to shoot from the left side, but is also blocked in the area. As a result, these were the only two shots on target in the first half. Tokyo's defense continues to hold off Hiroshima's attacks by coordinating with passes to the forward line, not allowing them to move freely. Tokyo holds onto the ball and spends a lot of time in the opponent's half. However, they are unable to create any clear chances despite Muriqui's speed and Maeda's post play, and time passes without any decisive opportunities.

28 minutes: Maeda on the right front line cuts off the opponent's DF pass. Higashi sends it to the center and connects it finely in front of the goal, but Muriqui on the left is carefully guarded by Hiroshima DF. Furthermore, Hayashi in the center tries to aim for the goal, but is closed down by the opponent and the ball falls to the left. This is passed back to Muriqui again, who takes a shot from the area, but it goes well over the bar.

On the other hand, Hiroshima had only two shots in the first half, a header from FW Peter UTAKA from a corner kick in the 15th minute and a direct shot from MF Shusaku MIYAYOSHI after competing for a right cross in the 38th minute. Both teams showed no weaknesses or defensive lapses and ended the first half scoreless.

Both teams will fight in the second half, and Hashimoto will score the equalizing goal.

The second half saw a complete change in momentum. Hiroshima brought on FW Asano and both teams showed an aggressive attitude, vying for victory in the second half.
47 minutes: Maruyama from the DF line sends a vertical pass to Uyu who turns around. He faces forward and sends a through pass to Muriqui who starts running towards the left front line. Although he couldn't finish, Muriqui immediately carries the ball in the area and earns a corner kick.
49 minutes: Ogawa's CK is headed by Maeda, but he couldn't finish it. Then Muriqui receives a foul and earns a FK from just outside the area on the right. Morishige aims for it and attacks the Hiroshima GK.

57 minutes: Kono is substituted for Higashi. However, after 60 minutes, they were hit by a wave of attacks from Hiroshima's speedy attack. MF Kashiwa and FW Asano were able to break through the defense, and FW Peter UTAKA and MF Shibasaki were continuously targeted for goals.

62 minutes: A decisive header from MF Morisaki near the right corner kick of Hiroshima, but Akimoto saves with one foot! Akimoto also saves the subsequent DF Chiba's middle shot, and he has done well in this situation.
64 minutes: Nathan BURNS replaces Muriqui.

66 minutes: Hiroshima quickly connects, MF Shibasaki heads to the left front line. FW Peter UTAKA cuts back Hasegawa in the left area and breaks through to the sideline. From here, a pass to the center is combined with FW Asano of the near side... and we concede the first goal, 0-1.

69 minutes: The right corner kick was cleared, but the second ball was picked up by Kono on the right, passed to Maruyama in the center, and then sent to the right area by Takahashi with a long side change cross. Kono received the ball and sent a liner-like cross through the opponent's defense, into the area. Here, Hashimoto, who had stayed up front, stretched out his right foot and scored a goal despite losing his balance. This makes it 1-1.

As soon as they caught up with the tie, the endgame became a back-and-forth battle for the lead, with both teams countering each other. It was an open game with chances for both sides, but neither could capitalize. The game ended in a tie. Despite conceding the first goal, they were able to earn 1 point by catching up. This was their second consecutive draw in two games.

[Player Comments]
"Hashimoto"
"We were able to create scoring opportunities and had a chance to win. It was a frustrating game. The system changed, but I think we were able to showcase the strengths of all the players. Personally, I should have been able to prevent the goal we conceded. I wanted to make up for it after giving the opponent the lead from my own play. As a team, I think we were able to show our determination to not give up and move forward. We will continue to work hard to improve on the challenges we faced today."

"Muriqui"
"I am happy to have played at home for the first time at Ajinomoto. I felt the presence of the fans and supporters up close. We couldn't win, but I want to work hard to bring joy to everyone by winning next time. I want to create more chances and score goals next time, and I have a strong desire to do so. However, I cannot do it alone. I also need to improve my own level and show more collaboration with my teammates. I want to work together with everyone to win."

[Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference Summary]
"We made some changes to the members, but we were able to show a strong attack from a solid defense. That's why we wanted to take 3 points and we had the chance to do so. There were some tough moments, but unfortunately we couldn't secure a victory at home."
(About Hiroshima's countermeasures)
We continue to do things like sliding to the side, pressuring the ball, and keeping a high line regardless of the opponent. We also add information about the opponent's key players and their types. We want to play as far forward as possible, so we are conscious of the contrast between lowering the line and keeping it high."

[Hiroshima Manager Hajime Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary]
"I expected the first half to be a tough game. Tokyo has a strong defense and individual quality and physicality, so I didn't think it would be an easy game. In the first half, I wish we could have created more chances while moving the opponent, but it's difficult when the opponent is fresh. However, the players continued to wait for chances without getting frustrated. We got caught on Tokyo's counter a few times, but I think we did well to endure it, which led to the opening goal in the second half. Both teams had many chances in the second half, but our defenders and goalkeeper Lins prevented any danger. I want to take the positive of being able to take one point away from home."