The 2016 Meiji Yasuda J3 League is finally down to the last 5 matches.

FC Tokyo U-23 wants to accumulate points and rise in the rankings.
This week's opponent is Gamba Osaka U-23. Since this is a match between the same 'U-23' teams participating from this season, Coach Nakamura approached the pre-match meeting with a strong determination, saying, 'We will definitely win.'
In Tokyo, the GK is surrounded by Iwai, and the DF line from the right is Yanagi, Yoshimoto, Okazaki, and Ogawa.
Yoshimoto will start for the first time since the match against Fukushima in Sec. 15 and will wear the captain's armband.
In the midfield, there are double defensive midfielders Suzuki and Kobayashi. In the second line, Nagata, Hayashi, and Koyama are lined up with Insoo YU in the front line.
Osaka has over-age player Iwashita in the defensive line and Abe on the right side of the midfield to strengthen key areas.
Average age of the starting lineup in Tokyo is 20.82.
As Osaka has young players at 22 years old lined up on the pitch, an over-age player joins the defensive line to tighten the team.
It started with a kickoff in Osaka under a slightly chilly cloudy sky.

[First Half]

Both teams want to launch an attack while maintaining possession of the ball.
Yoshimoto in Tokyo and Iwashita in Osaka push up the DF line to form a compact formation.
In that, Osaka takes the initiative in the midfield battles and early movements, but the defense led by Yoshimoto sets up a block in their own territory, preventing any real chances from being created.
Particularly noteworthy in this match is Yoshimoto's presence.
Together with the GK, he shouts loudly from the DF line to lead the defense. By maintaining focus and continuing to fend off the opponent's attacks, he gains rhythm in defense and takes control.
Send a long ball behind the opponent and start pressing from the front line as you push forward.
Additionally, by quickly switching between offense and defense even after losing the ball, we can induce mistakes from the opponent and regain possession of the ball.
In the 18th minute, Kobayashi leads the attack, shaking the opponent's defense left and right.
In the end, Ogawa's big switch to the side allowed Kiji and Yanagi to make a move on the right side, but it went over the goal line for a goal kick.
Although they couldn't reach the goal area, they launched a robust attack.
In the 20th minute, Yanagi's cross deep into the right side was contested by Insoo YU in the center, but the header did not connect.
In the 22nd minute, after Yanagi's cross from the right side was cleared, Suzuki goes to retrieve it.
When the ball spills into their own half, Yoshimoto dives in with a sliding tackle to retrieve the ball.
A heartfelt play that receives applause from Tokyo supporters.
Tokyo, which increased its ball contesting and second ball recovery rate in the midfield, will have the upper hand in the midfield battles.
The biggest chance of the first half came in the 44th minute, as both teams created scenes approaching the goal from counterattacks and set plays.
Hayashi is fouled just outside the left side of the opponent's penalty area, earning a free kick.
Ogawa's free kick was directed to Yoshimoto, who was free on the far side, but the header went straight to the GK. Missed opportunity.
In added time, Suzuki played a soft vertical pass to Insoo YU in the penalty area from the central midfield, but he was unable to take a shot after connecting with a header.
The first half ends scoreless.

【Halftime】
Coach Nakamura
"The way we started the game was very good."
Maintain overall compactness in defense. Continue to be strong in one-on-one situations.
Use both sides of the opponent effectively in attack and apply power to crosses.
We must win this match. We will definitely win and come back.

【Second Half】
The second half started without any player substitutions from either team.
Although they were initially overwhelmed by Osaka's speed on the left side, they gradually pushed back.
In the 49th minute, Hayashi and in the 50th minute, Insoo YU took shots, and in the 52nd minute.
Okazaki's long pass was contested by Kiji against the Osaka defense line, and he picked it up and dribbled.
Passed to Insoo YU, who supported from the right in front of the PA, and took a shot, but it was deflected off the near post, missing a clear chance.
In the 55th minute, Tokyo increased the tempo of their attack. Insoo YU advanced through the center of the opponent's territory, connecting with the ball to set up Yanagi, who came up from the right side and unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but it missed the target.
On the contrary, in the 57th and 60th minutes, although they faced a counterattack, Yoshimoto prevented it and did not concede a goal.
Tokyo takes control of the match as the intense back-and-forth continues.
In the 65th minute, Uchida, who replaced Koyama just before, breaks through on the left side.
Ogawa's vertical pass connects with Uchida, Suzuki, and Hayashi in a series of short passes, and Uchida breaks through with a speedy dribble.
After a one-on-one with the opponent's defense, a cross was delivered, leading to a scramble for the goal, but in the end, Uchida pushed it in to score first.
Uchida scores his first goal in the J.League.
In the 67th minute, Kobayashi steals the ball in the center of the midfield, and Hayashi launches a counterattack.
Hayashi dribbled forward, and in the end, he took a controlled shot from outside the penalty area after getting past the opponent, but it was blocked by a great save from the GK.
Hayashi heads the right corner kick obtained from this, but the GK catches it.
In the fierce battle for the ball, neither team backs down, and as the intense action continues, Osaka begins to play long balls to both sides.
As they begin to create a starting point in the front line, the Tokyo DF line is also pushed back, leading to development in their own territory.
Nevertheless, the DF line centered around Yoshimoto continues to push the line up carefully, but difficult times persist.
In the 84th minute, Sho SASAKI and in the 88th minute, Hiraoka were brought in to try to change the flow, but they continued to be pressed.
Yoshimoto leads the intense press, but they concede a goal during injury time.
Immediately after the announcement of 3 minutes of additional time, Tokyo's Uchida, who was dribbling down the left side, lost the ball and faced a short counterattack.
After being pierced behind the DF line by a direct through pass, Okazaki responded inside the penalty area.
The opponent was evaded, and in the end, the goalkeeper was also evaded, resulting in a tie.
Despite Osaka gaining momentum and creating a scoring opportunity just before the end, we did not concede a goal, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Accumulated 1 point.

Thank you very much for your passionate support for FC Tokyo U-23.
We appreciate your continued warm support.

Summary of Coach Nakamura's Press Conference

"Today, fans and supporters came to the goal area and the main stand, and we approached the game with a feeling of gratitude."
In the previous match, we were in a situation where we could hardly play our football in the first half, so in this match, we held meetings on both offense and defense to ensure that we could take control from the start against Gamba Osaka U-23.
We were pushed back a bit at the start, but in the first half, we had moments of transition and battles for the ball. We were able to create several good opportunities by moving the ball and taking shots, and I think both teams played a good game.
In the second half, both teams wanted to score, so there were more scenes in front of the goal.
Among them, we were able to score first, but we couldn't secure an additional goal, and in the end, we couldn't withstand Gamba's attacks.
In terms of content, the players worked very hard compared to the last match, but unfortunately, it resulted in a disappointing outcome.
Since it was a match between U-23 teams, a veteran player was included in the center back position, along with youth players.
I think that being able to play a match with a similar balanced team composition allowed me to see the ideal form of the 'U-23' team objectively, rather than as a coach.
The part where both veteran players fiercely contested the ball, conveying the rigor of professionalism to the surrounding players while aiming for victory. I think it was great for the young players to be able to play in such a good environment with supportive fans.

【Player Comments】
《Uchida》
"Watching from the bench, I was closely observing the positions where I might have the chance to play."
There were moments when the attack was not going well, so I thought that if I got to play, I could receive the ball between the opponents, face forward, and activate the attack.
Immediately after the substitution, I was able to score right away, but I lost the ball too many times, and the conceding scene was also a development that happened after I lost the ball. I was able to score my first goal, but I made mistakes in those areas.
I was able to score, but I can't honestly be happy about it.
Next time, I would like to utilize my strengths, such as dribbling, while considering factors like the time slot.
(How do you feel about your playing time?) I have become more aware of wanting to demand the ball in the areas I desire and to actively engage in my play, but I want to raise my level so that I can express that in my performance.
(What about the scoring scene?) I should have been able to break forward on the counter and take a shot from my dribble, but it took a little too long.
I'm glad I was able to react to the loose ball and score a goal.
(What are your thoughts for the next match?) I want to create opportunities by utilizing my play, including scoring goals. Although we drew this match, I hope to bring about a victory next time.

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