Continuing from the previous round, aiming for consecutive victories away from home

Sec. 3 of the 2nd stage held on a weekday Wednesday. Away game against Avispa Fukuoka. In the previous match against Kofu, Morishige scored a goal from a corner kick and the team held on to this one goal to secure a victory. The determination of all players, including the J1 debutant Muroya, paid off. This match will also be an away game, but the team will aim for 3 points with their determination to win.

Tokyo will face the next match without changing the members from the previous match against Kofu. In addition to utilizing the speed of Muriqui and Nathan BURNS in the attack, Muroya also wants to create opportunities from the side and score goals.

Fukuoka, who are currently in 18th place with 11 points, have yet to win a game this season. In the previous match against Yokohama FM, MF Danilson was substituted due to injury and they lost with 3 goals conceded. However, they have unique players such as FW Kanamori and MF Jogo in the front line, and FW Wellington on the bench, so they must be cautious of their attacking force.
　
In the match on April 29th of the 1st stage, Tokyo ended up with no points and lost to Fukuoka's counterattack. Although it is a stadium with a bad compatibility, Level-5 Stadium, we definitely want to grab a victory this time.

Due to the rain until the morning, the humidity level at Level Five Stadium was very high. The game started at 7:04 PM with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Both teams come close to scoring in the final stages, but the first half ends scoreless.

8 minutes: Tokyo took control and earned a right corner kick. Kicker Kono kicked the ball towards the goal with his left foot, but it was cleared by the opposing DF with his head.
14 minutes: From Yonemoto's pass cut, Hashimoto connects to the east and passes to Barnes in front of the area. However, the trap is too big and the opponent blocks the shooting route.

27 minutes: Muriqui's floated through pass, Kono runs into the right area and traps it. He crosses it back from the goal line, but it's blocked by the opposing GK Kamiyama.
35 minutes: From a position about 25 meters from the goal, Robert takes a left-footed shot. The sharp trajectory unfortunately hits the crossbar and does not result in a goal.
39 minutes: Muriqui volleys a cross from the deep position by Muroya, who ran up the right side alone. However, GK Kamiyama deflects it in front and it does not become a goal.

42 minutes: Nathan BURNS, who received a pass while carrying an opponent, sharply turns to the left inside the area. He shoots with his left foot, but it goes wide to the right of the goal, earning a right corner kick.
43 minutes: Kicker Kawano's right CK scene. Morishige, who was free in front of the goal, headed the ball, but GK Kamiyama caught it in front. Unable to convert a great chance.

End of first half: Both teams created scenes that threatened the goal, but the score remains 0-0 as we head into the second half.

Conceded a goal in additional time, lost 1-2

Second half start: Fukuoka replaces MF Mikado with MF Suyoshi.
50 minutes: Pass from Kono on the right side to Hashimoto, Hashimoto dribbles past the opponent in the area and shoots! It goes past GK Kamiyama and it's the first goal. 1-0.

60 minutes: Fukuoka's right side Nakamura crosses, and Shiogou in front of the goal heads it. The shot goes into the top left corner of the goal, equalizing the score for Fukuoka to 1-1.
64 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Nakajima for Higashi.
64 minutes: Fukuoka replaces FW Hirai with FW Wellington.
64 minutes: Nathan BURNS dribbles through two DFs on the left side. He creates a chance with a cross, but it doesn't connect with his teammate and becomes an opponent's ball.
65 minutes: From Kono on the right side, a cross to Nakajima on the far side. Nakajima heads it, but misses the target. Hashimoto picks up the loose ball, but his shot also misses the target.
67 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Nathan BURNS for Hirayama.

78 minutes: Tokyo earned a free kick from about 20 meters in front of the goal. Kicker Maruyama's shot went over the goal.
79 minutes: Muriqui receives a pass from Kono in the center, and passes it precisely to Hirayama. Hirayama receives the ball near the area and attempts a direct shot towards the left goal, but GK Kamiyama makes a save.
81 minutes: Fukuoka substitutes MF Jogo with FW Sakata.
84 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Muriqui for Maeda.
90 minutes + 2: Fukuoka area, FW Wellington crosses from the left. DF Hamada in front of the goal is headed and allows a comeback goal... 1-2.
Defeated 1-2 after conceding a comeback goal in the final minutes of the match.

[Player Comments]
"Mori Shige"
"We had to win, we had to score, and we had to prevent goals... I think that's what it comes down to."
When looking back at the footage, there are many small details such as stopping the feet for a long time, not being able to steal the ball, and others that need to be focused on. However, it is also important to determine whether or not these points will affect the outcome, and whether or not they can be prevented. I think everyone needs to be more sensitive to these points and flow.
"We clearly tried to make a move towards the end of the second half, and if we look back at our last few games, we have been conceding goals due to our legs giving out towards the end... So we need to focus on that and work on it. It's difficult to make sudden changes, but I think we have to tackle that issue."

"Muroya"
"There were some moments where we could have decided the game, but in the end we had to defend and there were some areas where we were lacking in both attack and defense. We have another game coming up soon, so we don't have much time, but we will discuss as a team and focus on the next game. We want to prepare well and aim for 3 points."
Q=About how we played after taking the lead.
"I think the worst thing about today's game was being caught up in a tie, and there have been a lot of games like that this season, so I think we need to think more seriously about the reasons for that."

[Summary of Manager Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference]
"We were determined to bring back 3 points today, as we had lost at home, but it's very disappointing. I feel truly sorry for the fans and supporters for making them feel so frustrated."
Q=Regarding the game situation before and after Wellington's substitution.
"It is frustrating that we cannot say we were able to respond to member changes in the end, as we are evaluated by our results."

[Fukuoka, Manager Masami IHARA's Press Conference Summary]
"Today was a weekday night game, and despite the bad weather, many supporters sent us their energy. We were able to achieve our first come-from-behind victory of the season, thanks to our fans and supporters. Despite the hot and humid conditions, our players ran for 90 minutes and I believe the power of our fans and supporters led to our final comeback. We changed our lineup and tactics a bit against Tokyo today. In our attack, we used players with strong pushing power in the starting lineup. We were able to start the game with a certain strategy and our defense was very persistent. However, we conceded a goal carelessly in the second half. We really need to reflect on this and use it to our advantage in future games. The players showed their determination throughout the 90 minutes, sacrificing their bodies and working together to prevent the opponent from scoring. This mentality of teamwork led to us only conceding one goal and ultimately achieving the comeback victory. By bringing in Wellington, we were able to create another attacking option and utilize Wellington as the focal point. It was a game where everyone's emotions were truly on display until the very end. However, we are still in last place. We need to continue to earn points and our next game against G Osaka is in just three days, so we need to prepare well and do our best to earn as many points as possible."