Aiming for consecutive away victories following the last match

Wednesday match of Sec. 3 of the 2nd stage. Competing against Avispa Fukuoka away. In the previous match against Kofu, Morishige scored from a corner kick, and they held on to that one goal to secure the victory. The determination of all players, including Muroya who made his J1 debut, resulted in this outcome. This match will also be an away game, but they aim to focus on the competition and strive to capture 3 points.

Tokyo will approach the match without changing the lineup from the previous game against Kofu. In addition to utilizing the speed of Muriqui and Nathan BURNS in their attack, Muroya also aims to create opportunities from the side and contribute to scoring.

Fukuoka has 11 points so far, placing them 18th in the annual ranking. Continuing from the 1st stage, they are currently in an 8-match winless streak. In the previous match against Yokohama FM, MF Danielson was substituted due to injury, and they suffered a defeat with 3 goals conceded. However, in the front line, there are unique players such as FW Kanamori and MF Shogo, and on the bench, FW Wellington is ready, making their attacking lineup one to watch out for.
　
In the first stage match on April 29, Tokyo ended with no goals and lost after allowing Fukuoka's counterattack. Although it is not a favorable venue, Level-5 Stadium, we want to secure a victory at all costs this time.

Due to the rain in the morning, Level Five Stadium has very high humidity. The match started at 19:04 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

In the final stages, both teams approached the goal, but the score remained tied at zero.

8 minutes: Tokyo seized control and earned a right corner kick. Kicker Kono struck the ball towards the goal with his left foot, but it was cleared by the opposing defender with his head.
14 minutes: After a pass cut by Yonemoto, the ball is connected from Hashimoto to Higashi, and a pass reaches Barnes just before the area. However, the trap is too big, and the opponent blocks the shooting lane.

27 minutes: Muriqui's lifted through pass is trapped by Kono, who runs into the right side of the area. He returns it just from the goal line, but is blocked by the opposing goalkeeper Kamiyama.
35 minutes: From about 25 meters away from the goal, Hashimoto takes a mid-range shot with his left foot. The sharp trajectory unfortunately hits the crossbar, and it does not result in a goal.
39 minutes: Muroya sprinted up the right side alone. Muroya delivered a cross from a deep position, which Muriqui volleyed in front of the goal. However, goalkeeper Kamiyama deflected it right in front, and it did not result in a goal.

42 minutes: Nathan BURNS received a pass while holding off an opponent and sharply turned on the left side of the area. He took a shot with his left foot, but it went wide to the right of the goal, earning a right corner kick.
43 minutes: A scene from Kicker Kono's right corner kick. Morishige, free at the far side in front of the goal, heads the ball but GK Kamiyama catches it right in front. Unable to convert a great opportunity.

First half ended: In the closing stages, both teams created chances to score, but the match remains scoreless as we head into the second half.

Conceded a goal in injury time, lost 1-2

Second half begins: Fukuoka substitutes MF Mikado for MF Sueyoshi.
50 minutes: A pass from Kono on the right side to Hashimoto, who evades the opponent in the area and shoots! The ball goes past GK Kamiyama for the opening goal. 1-0.

60 minutes: Fukuoka's Nakamura on the right side crosses the ball, and Jogo in front of the goal heads it. The shot goes into the top left corner of the goal, equalizing for Fukuoka at 1-1.
64 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Nakajima for Higashi.
64 minutes: Fukuoka substitutes FW Hirai with FW Wellington.
64 minutes: Nathan BURNS dribbles between two defenders on the left side. He creates a chance with a cross, but it does not connect with his teammate, resulting in a turnover to the opposing team.
65 minutes: A cross from Kono on the right side to Nakajima on the far side. Nakajima heads it but misses the target. Hashimoto picks up the loose ball and shoots, but it goes wide.
67 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Hirayama for Nathan BURNS.

78 minutes: Tokyo earned a free kick 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 then they exchange passes with Hirayama. Hirayama, who received the pass just before the area, aimed for the left side of the goal directly, but GK Kamiyama made the save.
81 minutes: Fukuoka substitutes MF Jogo for FW Sakata.
84 minutes: Tokyo substituted Maeda for Muriqui.
90 minutes + 2: Fukuoka - From the left side of the area, FW Wellington crosses. DF Hamada heads it in, allowing a turnaround goal... 1-2.
Conceded a comeback goal just before the end of the match, losing 1-2.

[Player Comments]
《Morishige》
"We had to win, we had to score, and we had to prevent conceding goals... I think it all comes down to that."
Looking back at the footage, there are various details such as the long periods of time when we are stationary and our inability to win the ball. We need to pay attention to those aspects, but more importantly, it is crucial whether we can decide on points that influence the outcome and whether we can prevent them. I believe everyone needs to be more sensitive to those points and the flow of the game.
"Clearly, we made a push towards the end of the second half, and if we look back at our last few matches, we've been stopping in the final moments and conceding goals, so we should aim to address that... It’s difficult to change something drastically, but I believe we need to work on that."

《Muroya》
"There were places where we could have finished, and in the end, we need to defend well. I think there were areas where we were lacking on both offense and defense. Another match is coming up soon, so we have only a short time, but we need to discuss as a team and switch our focus to the next game. I want to prepare well and aim for 3 points."
Q=About the game management after taking the lead.
"I think that conceding the equalizer was the worst part of today's match, and since there have been many such matches this season, I believe we need to think more seriously about the reasons for that."

【Hiroshi JOFUKU's press conference summary】
"We were determined to bring home 3 points today since we had lost at home, but it is very disappointing. I truly feel sorry for the fans and supporters who must be feeling frustrated."
Q=About the match developments before and after Wellington's substitution.
"We are evaluated by results, so it's frustrating to say that we couldn't respond to the member changes as a result."

【Fukui・Masami IHARA's press conference summary】
“Today, despite it being a weekday night game and the bad weather, many supporters gave us their energy. Achieving our first comeback win of the season was truly thanks to the fans and supporters. In the really humid conditions, the players kept running for 90 minutes, and I believe the power from the fans and supporters led to the final comeback. Against Tokyo, we changed the lineup a bit and also altered the system. In attack, we started players with forward momentum. We were able to enter the game with a certain strategy and I think the defense was very resilient. In the second half, we conceded a goal due to a careless mistake. We really need to reflect on that and make sure to use it positively in future games. The spirit of putting their bodies on the line and everyone working together to block the opponent and prevent danger was shown throughout the 90 minutes, and holding them to just one goal led to the final comeback. Bringing in Wellington created a different attacking option, and we were able to focus play around Wellington, so it was truly a game where everyone showed their spirit until the end. However, we are still at the bottom of the table. From now on, we have no choice but to earn points even if just a little, and next we have a game against G Osaka after only three days, so we want to prepare well physically and do our best to earn points.”