Final match of the league, concluding with a victory, aiming for 4 consecutive wins

Facing Omiya Ardija in the final match of this season's J1 League. Heading to the away game.
In the previous match, we achieved victory against Sendai, marking our third consecutive win in the league. Coach Shinoda stated regarding this match, "There is no special awareness just because it is the final match of the league. However, I want to finish strong with a win and achieve four consecutive victories. Above all, we lost to Omiya in the opening match of this season. I have a strong desire to show our progress since then and seek revenge." As always, we will give our all in the upcoming game and face Omiya head-on.

Tokyo, like the previous match, has Mizunuma starting in the lineup, approaching the game with two consecutive starts. Additionally, Kono, who has returned from injury, is also on the bench.

Omiya, in contrast, is 5th in the 2nd stage and 4th in total points for the year.
Not only are they currently on a three-game winning streak, but after losing to Kobe in Sec. 6 (July 30), they have achieved 7 wins and 3 draws without a single loss, indicating they are in excellent form. In addition to their characteristic solid defense, they have scored multiple goals in each of the last three matches, showcasing a good balance between offense and defense. Special attention is needed for the attacks initiated by the two forwards, FW Dragan Murja and FW Ienaga, as well as the side midfielders, MF Izumisawa and MF Esaka. Even if the game becomes challenging, they want to maintain their perseverance and focus, demonstrating a never-give-up attitude until the end.

Moreover, Tokyo is just one win away from achieving a total of 100 away victories in the J1 League, marking a significant milestone. It is a match where everyone will come together, maintaining a dynamic and competitive spirit, and we want to conclude the final match with a victory.

The match started at 13:33 in Tokyo under clear but mild weather, with strong winds in the shade, feeling cold and chilly.

Hashimoto snatches a valuable opening goal from Mizunuma's corner kick

From the start, both teams displayed an aggressive attitude, leading to a battle for possession of the ball. With tough defense, they did not allow the opponent to take control, and the fierce contest continued.
6 minutes: Omiya quickly connected from their own half, and MF Izumisawa dribbled up the left side, taking a shot from the left area, but Akimoto made the save.
12 minutes: Muroya initiated the second ball, which Higashi seized, and Nakajima aggressively made a move between the opponent's defenders but was brought down just before the left area. However, there was no foul by the opponent, and instead, a counterattack was launched against us, but Tokyo's retreat was quick, preventing any finishing attempts.
16 minutes: A counterattack ensues. Omiya's left cross is cleared by Muroya, and immediately Morishige connects forward, but Higashi's attempt to break through on the left flank is thwarted by the opponent.

23 minutes: Amidst a rapid exchange of offense and defense, Omiya pushed into the opponent's territory, with Tanabe carrying the ball into the right area and connecting passes smoothly. Mizunuma delivered a right cross, earning a left corner kick. In the 24th minute, Mizunuma took the corner kick, and Hashimoto made a powerful diving header at the near post! The ball was sucked into the far net, scoring a goal. They capitalized on the set-piece opportunity to take the lead. It's now 1-0.

28 minutes: Omiya's FW Kaneko took a mid-range shot from a slightly right position, which was blocked by Morishige, but a handball foul was called, resulting in a free kick just outside the penalty arc. This was targeted by MF Ohyama, but Tokyo's wall blocked it. Furthermore, the loose ball was connected, and DF Kikuchi headed it from a left cross, but Tokyo's DF closed in tightly, preventing the shot, and Akimoto caught it.

37 minutes: After that, the time continued with Omiya dominating possession of the ball. Then, Nakajima boldly advanced through the center and was brought down by an opponent, but Higashi quickly seized the loose ball and made a through pass into the area. Tanabe matched the play and faced a great chance, but... he just had a bit too much momentum and was saved by the Omiya goalkeeper from close range.

42 minutes: Maruyama, followed by Kajiwara, showed strength. They bounced back the opponent and regained the ball, passing it to Higashi on the left. Higashi carried it forward and sent a slightly negative floating cross. Mizunuma, who ran in from the far side, took a shot. They created a great chance, but the shot went well over the bar.
44 minutes: Omiya - A pinpoint cross to the left side FW Kaneko found FW Murja, who was free in the center, but... this also went wide to the right, avoiding the crisis and ending the first half.
Withstanding Omiya's counterattack tenaciously, they created a chance for an additional goal, but were unable to convert it, entering the second half with a one-point lead.

Fought patiently, achieved four consecutive league wins without conceding a goal, finishing in 9th place

In the second half, there was a period where Omiya pressed forward in their counterattack.
48 minutes: Tokyo formed a block and had enough defenders, but they were held by Omiya forward Kaneko, who delivered a left cross. This allowed Omiya midfielder Yokotani to be free in front of the goal, resulting in a header.
53 minutes: This time, the press that tried to take the ball forward was evaded, and a direct pass was connected to Omiya MF Izumisawa, who delivered a cross. It caught the wind and reached FW Murja, who was free at the far post. It seemed like a clear chance was created, but Akimoto rushed out and punched it away with one hand. Furthermore, they lost the second ball and were attacked in the right area, but Akimoto remained focused and ultimately held it off.

Tokyo launched a counterattack, but the ball could not be controlled in the front line, leading to an immediate counter from the opponent. Time and again, Omiya delivered crosses and attacked from set pieces, but despite this, they did not lose their resilience, and the tense moments of holding on continued.

68 minutes: Takahashi is substituted in for Kajiyama.
75 minutes: Nakajima skillfully evades the opponent's press, connecting the ball forward even while falling down. Tanabe passes to Mizunuma, who earns a free kick from the right side near the touchline in the opponent's half. From Mizunuma's kick, Maruyama heads the ball, and then Maeda on the right tries to aim for it. Both attempts were blocked, but the number of plays in the opponent's half increases.
77 minutes: From Tanabe's through pass, Maeda in the right area turned and aimed for a right corner kick. Mizunuma sent it into the area with a tricky ground pass, but... it was cleared.

They had consecutive set-piece opportunities but were unable to score additional points.
78 minutes: Kono was substituted in for Mizunuma. They aimed to regain momentum and flow.
81 minutes: Muroya slipped through to receive a pass into the left area, switched direction to take on the opponent, and sent in a cross, but... it went to the far side. Hashimoto followed this up. He cut in and sent a floating ball to Higashi in front of the goal, but Higashi's chest trap hit his hand, resulting in a ball for Omiya.

In the final stages, there was a fierce battle between Omiya, chasing a goal, and Tokyo, trying to defend, and signs of fatigue began to show gradually.
86 minutes: Nathan BURNS was brought on. Maintaining the attitude to exploit the opponent's gaps, in stoppage time, Nakajima on the left side made a through pass from a distance to the front line. BURNS caught up and aimed for the goal from just inside the left area, but missed the target. This was the only shot for Tokyo in the second half, and although they continued to face a tough situation, they remained patient and defended Hashimoto's goal scored in the first half until the time was up.
Concluding the final match with four consecutive league victories, this result brought the total points for the year to 52, finishing in 9th place for both the 1st and 2nd stages as well as for the year.

[Player Comments]
《Hashimoto》
"(Regarding the goal) Usually, I enter the area as a decoy. Today, a wonderful kick was sent to that spot, and I was able to head it. I was aiming for the goal, but I also felt that at the very least, I wanted to connect it inside, hoping someone would finish it off. It found a good course, and I'm a bit surprised myself, but I think it's because we executed the movements as a team. Looking back on the season, it didn't go exactly as I had envisioned. However, in terms of gaining 'confidence' while challenging various things, including my position, it has been the best season. With the Emperor's Cup and next season in mind, I want to build on my daily practice with a constant desire to improve and grow further."

Nakashima
"Looking back on this season, there were many matches where we were scored on just before the end. We learned from that experience, and today everyone had a strong desire to defend our goal. I think that was really good. I do want to attack more, but creating those opportunities is my role. I want to switch gears and increase the plays where I can score or assist next time."

【Summary of Coach Yoshiyuki SHINODA's Press Conference】
"It is wonderful that we ran hard for 90 minutes and ultimately earned 3 points. We were able to play patiently and resiliently against an opponent that is above us in the standings. We scored the first goal, and although there was a feeling of stagnation afterward, if we could have scored the second and third goals, our morale would have increased further, and we could have played more wisely and solidly. Still, the support from our fans and supporters was amazing, and the entire team earned the 3 points. In the league, there were tough situations, but the players kept up with the difficult training so that they could showcase their strengths on the pitch once again. I am grateful to the players, staff, and fans and supporters. It was good to finish with consecutive wins, and I want to prepare positively for the Emperor's Cup."

[Press Conference Summary of Omiya Coach Hiroki SHIBUYA]
"Over the past year, both the team and staff have prepared thoroughly to compete, and I believe we were able to achieve good results in the league thanks to the support of many people involved with the club, starting with our fans and supporters. I am happy that, having been with the club since its early days, we have continued to strive for higher goals and produced such results. Including the players who experienced tough times last year and those who joined this year, I want us to build on this achievement as a team and aim even higher in the coming seasons. Regarding today, I felt strongly that we must win when it matters most to move up. I feel sorry for our fans and supporters, but the players showcased what they have worked on throughout the year in the game. Although things didn't go well at first, we started to draw out the ball and attacked in a good way, but we couldn't break through Tokyo's defense."