Aiming for more than 2 goals, the second match away

Facing the Levain Cup Semifinal Round, the second match against Urawa Reds, we head to the away game.

In the first match, the East took the lead but suffered a comeback loss. To advance to the Final Round, a victory by 2-0 or a win by 3 goals or more is required in this second match.
Coach Shinoda also expressed his determination, stating, "If we don't score two goals, nothing will happen. While our approach to the game won't change, we will be more aggressive and will focus on enhancing our awareness of attacking from the front in both offense and defense."

As a result, there will be changes in the lineup from the first match, with Hirayama in the forward position, Kono on the right side, Kajiyama as a defensive midfielder, and Hashimoto as a center-back.

On the other hand, Urawa, who can advance even with a draw, made changes to the starting lineup, placing DF Ugaki in one of the three backs, with MF Aoki and MF Endo as double defensive midfielders. FW Koroki is positioned at the forefront, while MF Muto and MF Takagi serve as shadows.

Although the rain that had fallen in the morning stopped, the wind blew and a chill was felt. The match started at 14:04 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

The team was outplayed in the press, allowing a two-goal lead.

Tokyo tried to thoroughly implement pressure from the front line, but allowed ball possession from the early stages.
2 minutes: A long ball from Urawa was dropped to MF Muto, and as central FW Koroki tried to turn forward, Tokyo committed a foul, awarding a free kick in the center of the Tokyo half. Although there was some distance, Urawa MF Takagi's direct shot from here bounced and hit the right post. A close chance was created right after the start.

3 minutes: Tokyo quickly transitioned and moved forward, Nakajima dribbled into the area on the left and took a shot, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.
16 minutes: Urawa's left midfielder Sekine circled to the center and took a shot, which Yoshimoto blocked with his body. From here, they launched a counterattack, with Nakajima carrying the ball through dribbling and spreading it to Hirayama on the left. Hirayama momentarily held up the play, evaded the opposing defender, and broke through to a close range in the left area. Higashi rushed in at the near post, but... the final pass from Hirayama drifted to the far side. After that, when they regained possession, they attempted quick transitions in their attacks, but the movements and coordination from the front line were insufficient, leading to continued inability to capitalize on their chances.

22 minutes: Unable to stop the direct combination from the right side of Urawa to the center, FW Kuroki scored from a through pass by MF Takagi, allowing the first goal and making it 0-1.
27 minutes: Nevertheless, without losing heart, Nakajima was fouled and earned a free kick just to the left of the penalty arc. Higashi aimed for it, but it hit the wall and resulted in a left corner kick. From here, Ogawa connected with a short pass, and finally, Tanabe on the left side sent it forward, but it was caught by the GK, and they couldn't finish the play.

Although they show a positive attitude towards the goal, they often lose the ball without connecting well in the front line, leading to a situation where they face counterattacks from Urawa.
38 minutes: From a quick and wide play by Urawa, MF Komai on the right side delivered a ground cross between the Tokyo GK and DF, allowing FW Koroki to slide in... and just like that, they conceded the second goal... making it 0-2.

43 minutes: In an attempt to score a goal, Hirayama broke through on the right flank, and Kōno made a run to the far post, creating what seemed like a chance, but it was offside.
44 minutes: After earning a free kick just outside the right area, Higashi sent a kick to the far goal post, but Hirayama was unable to connect with a header.
Additional time: Urawa's goalkeeper committed a handball foul outside the area, resulting in a free kick from just outside the left area. Ogawa passed a ground ball to Kajiyama in the area. From there, he attempted a tricky play to Hashimoto on the left front line, but it ended in a mistake.

They were outpaced by Urawa in terms of the speed of their start and transitions, finishing the first half with a two-goal deficit.

Nakajima scores a goal to retaliate, but they are eliminated without gaining any points.

In the second half, Nathan BURNS was brought in to replace Tanabe. He formed a two-top with Hirayama, with Kono and Nakajima on the sides. Higashi moved into a slightly advanced defensive midfield position, changing to a 4-4-2 formation in an attempt to regroup.
47 minutes: Midfielder Kajiyama cuts the ball from Urawa. Immediately, Higashi spreads it to the left front line, and the overlapping Ogawa sends in a cross. Nathan BURNS at the far post receives it, turns past the opponent, breaks through vertically, and delivers a decisive last pass in front of the goal, where Higashi makes a run. The timing was slightly off here, but they aimed to launch a counterattack with momentum.

52 minutes: Urawa MF Takagi → Right DF Moriwaki spreads to the right front line. MF Komai breaks free, creating a decisive opportunity. In the center, Muroya, Yoshimoto, and Hashimoto desperately try to stop it, but... Urawa MF Aoki connects further to the right area, and MF Ogawa can't help but foul against MF Komai.
53 minutes: The penalty kick given was converted by Urawa FW Koroki, allowing him to complete a hat trick, resulting in the third goal lost, making it 0-3.
54 minutes: Despite being at a disadvantage, Nakajima fought hard and took a dribble shot from the left area, but it was blocked by the GK's save, resulting in a left corner kick.

60 minutes: They were preparing to bring in Maeda to replace Hirayama, but Yoshimoto, who was injured in a contact play just before that, could not continue playing, so he was substituted for Takahashi. This is the second substitution card used.
62 minutes: Nathan BURNS aimed a shot from the right side that momentarily slipped from the hands of the Urawa GK, but Nakajima rushed in to capitalize on it, only for it to be quickly gathered and caught. Next, Nathan BURNS entered the left area, turned around, and took a shot, but this too was thwarted by a save from the GK.
77 minutes: Mizunuma, who came on as a substitute, delivers a short cross from the right side, but it just misses Hiyama. They earned a left corner kick but could not convert it into a finish.
80 minutes: Nakajima → Nathan BURNS charges forward with a dribble. He connects with Hirayama in front of the area, and Hirayama chooses to pass to the left side of the area. However, the timing with the others was off, and no one was able to react.

81 minutes: Hirayama on the left side → Higashi, who advanced forward, delivered a low and fast cross to the front of the goal. Nakajima slid in to connect with it and pierced the net for a goal. It is now 1-3.
85 minutes: Finally, Nakajima scored a goal to respond, and from Ogawa's pass, Nakajima and Nathan BURNS launched a counterattack. Nakajima aimed for a shot from the center of the opponent's territory, but it went just slightly to the right...

Additional time: Nakajima turned and aimed for the goal in the opponent's half, earning a right corner kick. Nakajima himself took the kick, and then picked up the clearance to deliver a right cross, but it was defended by Urawa, and time was up...
Although they showed a willingness to counterattack, Urawa fought without panicking in both offense and defense, and could not surpass that.
As a result, it ended in two consecutive losses, and this season's Levain Cup ended in the Semifinal Round.

[Player Comments]
Nakashima
"There are no players who give up during the match. You never know what will happen in soccer, so as long as there is a possibility, we aimed for the goal. Even so, we could only score one goal, and the team lost because we lacked strength. I have known the high level of Urawa since the times we have faced them. Still, we needed to play confidently, without fear, and looking forward. This team has many players with real ability. I think we need to make sure we can utilize that mentally and on the pitch. I myself still lack quality and speed. I want to raise my level by being conscious of the match in daily practice and accumulating training to bring it out in games."

《East》
"Losing 1-2 at home makes this away second leg a really tough match... That's the reality. Today, in every aspect, the opponent's level was higher. I think it was a match where we had to acknowledge our defeat in terms of quality, individual ability, and team strength. Even while fighting on the pitch, I believe those watching felt the same way. However, it's not too late even from now. We need to think about what we aim for and how we will grow. We want to firmly accept reality and consider what comes next."


【Yoshiyuki SHINODA's press conference summary】
"We wanted to advance to the Levain Cup final, but it is regrettable that we couldn't achieve the result. I feel sorry for the fans and supporters who had high expectations. Today, we were in a situation where we had to score two goals, but the timing and manner of conceding goals were bad, which disrupted many things. We tried to create situations to press from the front, but the gap between the lines became too wide, allowing the opponent to switch positions frequently. I think the difference in team strength and individual ability of Urawa was clearly shown today. However, we must accept this reality. I appreciate the players' attitude and their never-give-up spirit until the end. How we accept this frustrating result and move forward is important. It is obvious, but as a team, we want to thoroughly reflect on this."

[Urawa - Coach PETROVIC's Press Conference Summary]
"Today, we started the match very well. We had won the first leg away 2-1, but the players showed a strong desire to win and move on, rather than just thinking about that advantage. We were able to score from a good flow and took a 3-0 lead. For a long time, we played as we intended. In the last 15 minutes, we saw some moments where our legs stopped and our balance was a bit off, but it was natural to lose power towards the end after fighting aggressively from the beginning. Still, throughout the match, we showed a strong attitude of wanting to win and move on. I believe we played in a way that deserved victory throughout the entire match."