'Kirin Oolong Tea CHALLENGE MATCH'

The 2016 Meiji Yasuda Life J3 League Sec. 28 match, which took place in perfect weather with a temperature of 21.4℃, drew a crowd of 7,653 fans and supporters, the largest home game attendance of the season.
Tokyo will be without Hirayama and Namiji this round due to accumulated warnings.
GK is surrounded, with Sakaguchi and Okazaki making their first appearance and first start in J3 in the center of the DF line. Yagami on the right, Ogawa on the left.
Insoo YU in the center, Koyama on the left, and Hayakawa, who made his first start in the previous round, in a double volante with Nozawa and Suzuki on the right side. Lin will play as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.
Kubo from U-18 will be on the bench for the first time, waiting for his chance to play. The average age of the registered members is 19.29 years old, making it a young lineup.
Nagano, on the other hand, is listed as 4-4-2 but in reality plays 3-4-3.
In the center of the midfield, former Japan national team player Hashimoto adds pressure to the team with simple attacks towards the front line.
Experienced players are registered in each position, with an average age of 28.27 years old.
Tokyo, who fights with an aggressive attitude both in attack and defense, and Nagano, who still has a slight chance of promotion.
The game started with the kick-off in Tokyo, watched by many fans and supporters.

[First Half]

Nagano, who has been attacking since the start, is approaching the Tokyo goal with simple long balls, long throws, and set plays.
2 minutes, a long throw from the right side, but the keeper makes a save after allowing a shot.
In addition, a long throw from the right side in the 7th minute. The opponent FW jumps in with his whole body from this flow, but it goes outside the frame.
Nagano's long feed from the inside of the 12-minute mark allows for a direct shot, but it goes outside the frame.
In the 17th minute of the opponent's time, they were given a right corner kick and scored a high header in the center, allowing them to take the lead.
Tokyo, who couldn't quite grasp their own rhythm, gradually began to possess the ball around the 20-minute mark.
Pick up the second ball and create time to push back into the Nagano field while keeping the ball.
27 minutes, picking up the second ball and connecting at a fast pace, Insoo YU's lateral pass from the left PA, and Hirakawa in the center aimed for a shot from in front of the opposing DF, but it went to the left.
Defensively, the defense centered around Okazaki puts their bodies on the line to defend and wait for their teammates' counterattack.
However, at the 32nd minute, when our time had just begun, we conceded a goal when Nagano threw a long throw from the right side and it was headed into the center.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, holds the ball but cannot launch a smooth attack due to slight discrepancies in accuracy and coordination.
Unable to create any real chances, including the additional minute of stoppage time, the first half ends with a 2-point deficit.

【Halftime】
Coach Nakamura's Comment
"Let's make sure to challenge and cover in defense."
Let's play aggressively on both offense and defense. The opponent is picking up second balls, so make sure to predict and pick them up.
Use the sides well and launch an attack.

【Second Half】
Tokyo substitutes Kobayashi for Kubo in the front line.
Insoo YU in the center, along with Hayashi on the left, form a fluid front three.
Double volante is served by Hirakawa and Suzuki, with Ogawa on the left MF and Yanagi on the right.
DF changed to a 3-4-3 with Sakaguchi, Nozawa, and Okazaki from the right.
Kubo made his debut at the age of 15 years, 5 months, and 1 day, breaking the J3 record for youngest appearance held by Hirakawa.
Tokyo, which regained the initiative from this system change, will launch a comeback in the second half.
Although Nagano was given chances through set plays and simple long balls in the first half, they responded tenaciously.
Hirakawa, who is gradually positioned in the center of the midfield, receives the ball and expands to the left and right, and the three players in the front line start to connect passes precisely by changing positions from the center.
In the 63rd minute, Lin passes to Ogawa and attacks the left side, and crosses from a high position. The ball goes over Insoo YU in the center and goes to Yanagi, who has moved to the far side.
Immediately entered the shooting position, but was blocked by the opponent's block and got a corner kick. This right corner kick is bounced back.
In the 67th minute, Kubo in the center exchanged passes with Insoo in the area and advanced into the box. He tried to shoot from a one-two, but the strong return pass caused the ball to bounce and he couldn't finish it off.
70 minutes, Suzuki on the left side of the midfield skillfully controls the ball and passes it to the left front line. Ogawa sends a precise cross, and Hayashi heads it into the top right corner for a 1-2 lead.
Tokyo, who is increasing their offensive pressure, in the 78th minute, Insoo YU makes a run behind the opponent's defense after receiving a through pass from Kubo on the right side.
It seemed like it was going to be a decisive one-on-one situation with the GK, but it was blocked by a one-beat delay.
82 minutes, Ogawa feeds vertically and Kubo breaks through the left front line and enters the PA.
He dribbles and feints against the opponent he is facing, sewing through the gap in the DF, and sends a decisive last pass to the front of the goal, but it narrowly misses Insoo YU.
In addition, Insoo YU picked up the second ball and connected it, but in the end, he aimed for a middle shot, but it went outside the frame.
As both teams play openly and engage in intense attacks and defenses, additional time is added.
Insoo YU was fouled on the left side of the opponent's field, earning a free kick. Although it was deflected by the opponent, Kubo picked up the ball and passed it to the left area from the right area.
Okazaki was ready, but it didn't go through and went over his head.
Unable to score an equalizer, the game ended as it was. It was the first defeat since Sec. 23.

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

[Summary and Comments from Manager Nakamura's Press Conference]

"We are grateful for the many fans and supporters who came to our home game."
As for the match, just like the Toyama match three games ago, in the first half, the opponent's quick press and three-back were very strong in heading, and we couldn't hold the ball, couldn't move forward, and couldn't show our good points.
We conceded 2 goals from the opponent's weapon, set pieces, in the process.
In the second half, we made some adjustments to our positions, made a substitution, and tried to control the pace of the game. We also wanted to be able to move the ball and attack from the outside.
The players moved the ball very well and there were moments where the opponent's legs stopped, but the attacking time increased and we were able to score one point, but unfortunately we couldn't score a second point and the game ended.

【Player Comments】
《Sakaguchi》
「We started the game in a passive manner, but the coach gave us a boost during halftime and in the second half, we were able to play our own game.
I wish we could have played the second half like we did in the first half.
(My play) In the first half, I was a little nervous and stiff, but with the support and encouragement from my senior teammates, I gradually got used to it.
I think I was able to get used to the speed and quickness of preparation, so I was able to put myself in a good position in the second half.
(What are your strengths?) I am focused on winning in the ball game. In the first half, there were some parts where I lost in the competition, but in the second half, even if I couldn't win in the competition, I was conscious of not letting the opponent play freely.
(What is your enthusiasm for the next game?) If I have another chance, I want to contribute to the team's victory by playing with all my heart from the first half.

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