I want to seize the opportunity to rise at home Ajinomoto

In the third match of the consecutive games, we will face Kashiwa Reysol at home in Ajinomoto for Sec. 4 of the 2nd stage.
In the second stage, we suffered our second defeat away, and we have earned 3 points so far. We couldn't make a strong start. However, this match is a home game, and we want to win here to seize the opportunity to rise.

Regarding the starting lineup for this match, considering the condition from the consecutive matches and the balance between continuity and challenge as a team, as well as the timing for utilizing players based on their performance in practice (Coach Jofuku), we have made some changes to the lineup from the previous match, with Hashimoto on the right side, Nakajima on the left, and Takahashi starting as one of the double defensive midfielders. This is Nakajima's first start in J1 this season.

Kashiwa has FW Diego Oliveira in the central forward position, FW Cristiano on the left side, and FW Ito on the right. In the central attacking midfield position is MF Nakagawa, with MF Otani and Kurizawa serving as double pivots in a 4-3-3 formation. They aim to suppress Kashiwa's powerful attacking lineup to prevent them from showcasing their strengths while also striving to demonstrate their own strengths and achieve victory at home.

Even at night, the humidity was high, and in the severe muggy heat, the match started at 19:03 with Kashiwa's kickoff.

Pressing works, connecting defense to attack, and gaining rhythm

In the early stages, possession of the ball was slightly dominated by Kashiwa, but Tokyo applied pressure with a compact formation and aimed for short counters from there. They maintained a quick transition from defense to attack, with Nathan BURNS as the focal point in the front line, creating chances.

3 minutes: From Takahashi's feed, Nathan BURNS broke through to the right front line and brought the ball into the area. The grounded cross sent to the center was cut off by the opposing defender, but Hashimoto on the right seized the clearance and shot with his left foot.
5 minutes: Midfielder Muriqui sends a long vertical pass to forward Nathan BURNS, earning a free kick just outside the penalty arc.
6 minutes: Morishige aimed for this, but it was blocked by the opponent's wall and did not result in a goal.

Even when the ball is passed around by Kashiwa, Tokyo gradually takes control without allowing them to get a shot off.
17 minutes: Nathan BURNS, Nakajima, and Muriqui created an accent, with Yonemoto applying pressure in the center of the opponent's territory, and Nathan BURNS seized the loose ball, dribbling up the center. Nakajima was on the left, and Muriqui was running alongside on the right. Nathan BURNS passed to the right, but the Kashiwa goalkeeper quickly came out against Muriqui in the right area, pushing it into a position with no angle. Still, they continued to play in the Kashiwa area.

27 minutes: Nakajima made a through pass to the left area. Nathan BURNS ran into it. The cross to the center was blocked by the opposing defender, but Muriqui reacted to the loose ball in the area. He took a shot from near the left goal area, but it was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper... Furthermore, Nakajima rushed in on a high ball in the area, and Hashimoto aimed for a shot in the center, but it grazed the opposing defender, resulting in a left corner kick.

34 minutes: Hashimoto, slightly to the right in the opponent's half, forcefully dribbles into the area, surrounded by the opposing defenders, and passes to Muriqui in the center. The ball came too close to Muriqui's feet, preventing a shot, but he wisely made a lateral pass to the left area. Nakajima ran in free and connected with a direct shot, but... the shot went over the bar, missing a big chance.
37 minutes: Nakajima on the left entered the left area after a one-two with Muriqui. Showing good coordination, Nathan BURNS in the center took a shot but missed the target.

Displayed speedy passing and coordination, approached the Kashiwa goal, but was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper, ending the first half scoreless.

Took control, but Kashiwa capitalized on one chance...

52 minutes: Kashiwa attempted to regroup and launch an attack as they headed into the second half, but Kashiwa forward Ito's advance was calmly cut off by Tokunaga from the defense. Nakajima and Takahashi connected, and Hashimoto on the right overlapped with Muroya, delivering a strong cross towards the goal. This ball was caught by the opposing goalkeeper, but Tokyo's rhythm remained unchanged.
55 minutes: Maruyama sent a pass to the front line, which Takahashi in the left midfield connected to Muriqui in the left front line. Muriqui charged into the area with a dribble. However, he was stopped by a sliding tackle from the Kashiwa defender just before the goal, resulting in a corner kick.

58 minutes: Although they continued to show a strong desire to score, while pushing forward, they were passed around by Kashiwa's DF line, and a long ball was sent to Tokyo's DF behind by DF Nakayama. FW Cristiano was marked by Muroya, who was backtracking, but the ball was headed down to central FW Diego Oliveira. Here, Maruyama responded. He tried to block the opponent, but Morishige, who came in to cover, attempted to clear the ball in a way that overlapped, causing the ball to flow to the right of the area. Kashiwa FW Ito reacted to this. He ran in front of Tokunaga and struck the shot accurately... They allowed the opponent to take the lead with a single chance, making it 0-1.

62 minutes: Nevertheless, they boldly launched a counterattack, and Nakajima's powerful shot from distance struck the opposing GK.
65 minutes: Nakajima's sharp left cross found Hashimoto in the right area, who made a decisive header over the opposing defender, but was thwarted by a great save from the Kashiwa goalkeeper...
67 minutes: Takahashi in the center took a sharp middle shot to the right of the goal, but... this was also thwarted by a diving save from the Kashiwa GK.
In the 67th minute, Kono was brought in as right MF to replace Tokunaga. Hashimoto dropped back to right side back, and Muroya moved to the left.

72 minutes: Hirayama comes on for Nakajima in the front line. Nathan BURNS moves to left MF and attempts to launch further attacks.
80 minutes: Muriqui sent a through pass into the area, and Kawano broke free and got into a shooting position, but it was offside.
88 minutes: Muriqui on the left → Yonemoto on the right sends it to the center, Hirayama brings it into the area with a trap and tries to shoot, but... he is blocked by the opposing defender and goalkeeper's advance.

They moved the ball at a fast pace and created attacking opportunities, but were unable to convert their chances, resulting in no goals. On the other hand, Kashiwa's shots were limited to 3 in the first half and 2 in the second half, but a single goal conceded had a significant impact on the result. They suffered a defeat at home at Ajinomoto for the first time since April 29, marking their second consecutive loss in the second stage.

[Player Comments]
Nakashima
"Today, I completely focused on the match in front of me without thinking about the Olympics at all. Still, losing and everything about soccer is a point for reflection. While everyone maintained team discipline and functioned well, as an attacking player, I needed to create more chances and push forward more. I believed that if I played with enjoyment, it would lead to victory... With this, I will head towards the Olympics for now, but I must grow more."

《Takahashi》
"I wanted to improve the team's momentum by winning the match in front of us. I take the result of consecutive losses seriously, but I also believe that we shouldn't be overly pessimistic in order to break through this difficult situation. I think it's important to stay positive and brighten the atmosphere."

【Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference】
"It is very disappointing that we ended up with an unacceptable result. I truly regret that we made those who came to support us feel this way."
(Regarding the improvement of match content)
We are evaluated by results. The only facts that remain are that the opponent scored a goal, and we were unable to score. It is not that match content is completely irrelevant, and I believe that what we have built up in pursuit of three points should not be denied, nor do we need to look down in all aspects. However, we must overcome the current situation where content and results do not align. I want to lift my head and face that wall.

[Kashiwa - Takahiro SHIMOTAIRA's Press Conference Summary]
"We were able to win, but in terms of performance, especially in the first half, it was the worst display of the season. At halftime, I called out individual players to motivate them, and a few players showed some improvement in the second half, but we couldn't take control of the game and were continuously pressured. However, we managed to score a lucky goal, so I instructed the team to focus on holding on to the 1-0 victory. The players executed that plan well."