FC Tokyo aims for its first ever top 4 finish

　The Emperor's Cup quarterfinals will be held at Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium, where Sanfrecce Hiroshima will face off. In the 5th round match against Sagan Tosu, they conceded the first goal under the opponent's pressure, but later secured a come-from-behind victory with a composed game. Although the performance was not good, it can be said that they fought greedily for victory. Kanazawa, who missed the match against Tosu, is preparing to return in good condition. Lucas has been following a different training program due to a cold, but he is included in the lineup. In 1997, they reached the semifinals as Tokyo Gas FC, but now as FC Tokyo, they aim for their first Best 4.

　Hiroshima, who will be relegated to J2 next season, has advanced this far in the Emperor's Cup by defeating Shonan and Iwata. Although FW Weslley has left the team, young players performed well in the Iwata match, and Kohei Morisaki scored two free kicks to secure the victory. In the Emperor's Cup, the team continues to play the same style of soccer, maintaining a high position for the side backs in a 3-5-2 formation, connecting passes from the defensive line, and utilizing the speed of the forwards for attacking. In particular, FW Toshihisa has had limited playing time in the league matches, but he is currently in good form and can be considered the most dangerous player.

　The former coach said, "At this time of year, contract talks come up with the players, and each individual has different thoughts and motivations. However, I will select players who can cut through their doubts and express their desire to win on the pitch." Among them, Kawaguchi, who will leave the team after this season, is in great shape. He himself is determined to "do his best to contribute to the team's victory and only think about winning."

　Moiniwa says, "Hiroshima is thoroughly focused. It's not scary when they pass the ball around in the back, but their counterattacks, where they quickly take the ball and attack, are a threat. The important thing is to not have the ball taken away halfway." Against Hiroshima, who connect their passes, we want to press them compactly from the front line and disrupt Hiroshima's defenders with aggressive movements from Kawaguchi, Ishikawa on both sides, and Noriyuki Suzuki, aiming for a goal. The match started with Hiroshima's kickoff at 15:04.

Conceded 2 goals from Hiroshima's favored formation and ended the first half

　Deploying a passionate play from the start. Pressing from the front line, they would steal the ball and launch attacks from the sides, with Kajiyama as the starting point. In the 8th minute, the ball flowed to Kawaguchi on the left side from Mogi. Although it was cleared by the opponent's defender, Kanazawa picked up the loose ball and took a shot. It missed above the goal. However, in the 13th minute, Hiroshima's forward Hirashige dropped the ball from a counterattack, and midfielder Morisaki Hiroshi crossed it from the left. Sato, the forward in the right area, skillfully connected with it, and midfielder Kashiwagi, who was free in the right area, was able to score. They were scored against and conceded the opening goal.

　Tokyo quickly turns to counterattack without looking down. In the 14th minute, it was passed from Kajiyama on the left side to Kanazawa in the center. He took a direct left-footed shot from outside the area, passing Kawaguchi and Ishikawa on the front line, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. In the 18th minute, Kanazawa passed to Kurizawa from a counterattack and took a long-range shot, but it went over the crossbar. In the 26th minute, Kajiyama headed the cross from Kanazawa on the left side, but once again the ball went over the crossbar. Although they are connecting passes and pushing into the opponent's half, they are unable to score a goal.

　In the 29th minute, Kajiyama on the right side crossed to Imakano, who was free on the opposite side. He hit a powerful left-footed volley directly, but unfortunately it hit the bar and went outside the frame. It was a decisive opportunity, but not a goal. In the 32nd minute, Suzuki Nori passed to Kawaguchi, who dribbled into the left area and created a decisive moment, but his shot missed the target. Then, in the 37th minute, Hiroshima quickly changed sides from right to left, and midfielder Kashiwagi dribbled forward. He attracted Tokyo's defenders in the area and passed to Komano, who came up from the right. He scored, allowing an additional goal.

　Hiroshima, leading by two points, did not forcefully attack but instead passed the ball in their own half and strengthened their defense. Tokyo also tried to steal the ball from the front line, but the opponents skillfully evaded them, and only time passed. Even if they managed to steal the ball, they couldn't easily penetrate into the area and take it to the finish. In the 44th minute, Imamura took a long shot from outside the area, but it hit the opponent's defender and deflected to the left. In the end, they went into the second half still trailing by two points.

Failed to reach the semifinals due to lack of finishing accuracy

　From the beginning, they didn't lose in the pressing game and persistently picked up loose balls to threaten the Hiroshima goal. In the 50th minute, Hirayama and Asari were substituted for Kawaguchi and Kurisawa. Kajiyama was moved up one line. With this momentum, they completely dominated the ball. In the 52nd minute, Hirayama became the starting point and passed to Ishikawa on the right side. He sent a cross but it couldn't be finished in the middle. In the 55th minute, Kajiyama headed a liner-like cross from Tokunaga on the right, but the opponent's goalkeeper made a save. In the 60th minute, Suzuki Nori dribbled in from the left side and tried to break through into the area with a one-two with Hirayama, but the opponent's defender blocked him and he couldn't finish.

　In the 63rd minute, Lucas was substituted for Kanazawa. Suzuki Nori moved to the side back position. In the 66th minute, Ishikawa sprinted from the sideline to receive Kajiyama's through pass on the right side and crossed the ball. Lucas and Hiroshima's defender competed for it, and Kajiyama followed up on the loose ball, but his shot missed the target and hit the crossbar. In the 68th minute, Kajiyama's right corner kick went in front of Imano. He quickly turned around and took a shot, but it went over the crossbar. In the 72nd minute, Lucas passed to the right to Tokunaga, who crossed the ball. Hirayama headed the ball, but couldn't find the target.

　Tokyo surpassed with their spirit, snatched Hiroshima's ball, connected passes to approach the goal, and created chances by crossing from the side. However, the shots all missed the target, and the chances from corner kicks were blocked by Hiroshima's determined defense. As time gradually ran out, they showed their last persistence. In the 89th minute, Tokunaga on the right passed to Kajiyama in the center, who then played a through pass to Hirayama who had run into the area. However, the shot lacked power and was caught by the goalkeeper.

　In the end, Ishikawa made a move in the right area and took a dribble shot, but it missed above the bar and all hope was lost. Despite shooting 18 times compared to Hiroshima's 9 shots, they lacked accuracy and suffered a defeat with no goals. They ended the season in the Emperor's Cup Best 8.　

　[Player Comments] {Konno} "I fought with all my might, but the frustration of losing still remains. I was thinking that I didn't want to concede first, but if I had followed a bit closer for the first goal... I ended up being marked where I shouldn't have been. In the second half, we attacked and I think we were able to play our football, but we couldn't score a single goal. I don't think the content was bad from the first half, but I got frustrated when Hiroshima was passing the ball around at the back. I reflect that it would have been better to have the mindset of just letting them pass. At halftime, we all talked about how we had to go for it from the front and turn the game around. I think we were able to create good shapes by keeping the distance between the players on the sides and in the middle close, but our final accuracy was lacking. We couldn't score a single goal. I wanted to win for the supporters who came all the way to Kumamoto and cheered for us until the end. We also didn't give up until the end, but I can't make excuses. I think we lacked strength. (Reflecting on this season) I still can't organize my thoughts. If I look back on each match, there are many thoughts, but right now, all I feel is the frustration of today's defeat. There are many things that I, each player, and the team as a whole need to reflect on and think about. I believe there are things we gained this season, but I feel there are still many areas where we are lacking. That's what concerns me the most. I want to go back to Tokyo, think carefully, and reflect slowly. To all the supporters, I am always grateful for your support, whether away or at home, from the beginning to the end. You gave me courage and strength. I am filled with gratitude. " {Kawaguchi} "Today, from the moment we were in the locker room before the match, I could hear the supporters' songs, and everyone was in the mood of 'Alright, let's do this'... Our feelings were in it, but we couldn't produce results, which is frustrating. My own performance was also terrible. Hiroshima started quickly and came to press from the front, so it might have been necessary to use space and attack simply. We couldn't get to the goal in a short time. As a team, we were shooting, but we couldn't score when we needed to. The opponent scored two goals with their first two shots in the first half. That was a big difference. However, even with the difference, if we don't win in a tournament, we can't advance. Throughout this year, it has been a frustrating season where we couldn't produce results. Not just today, but in the league, we often couldn't win important matches, and I strongly felt that winning is not easy. We lacked the ability to finish. I personally need to be more focused on winning and grow; otherwise, I won't have good experiences as a football player. (Reflecting on my two years at FC Tokyo) I feel sorry for not being able to produce results and not being a strength for the team. However, I fought alongside new teammates in a new place and learned a lot. I only have gratitude for the supporters. I still remember the support I received in last year's opening match, and since then, you have continued to send warm cheers until today. I am sorry that I couldn't respond to that feeling. I will be leaving the team, but I hope you will continue to support Tokyo, both strictly and warmly, forever."

　[Summary of Manager's Press Conference] "The Emperor's Cup is a tournament where if you lose, the season ends. I am very disappointed that we couldn't win today. In the second half, the players fought without giving up. I think that attitude can be highly evaluated. The overall match was symbolic of this season. In the first half, we attacked well but couldn't hold on until the end and conceded a counterattack that took time. I think both of Hiroshima's goals were the way they intended. I am very proud to have led this team for a year. I want the players to believe in their teammates and play more. Even Kajiyama today seemed to have played difficultly because he felt strongly that he had to do something. He has grown a lot this season. Shiota is the same, and Tokunaga has been called up to the Japan national team. My time ends today, but I hope the players will continue to grow under a different manager. We wanted to win for the fans who came to support us, but unfortunately, we couldn't score and ended with a disappointing result. However, we fought until the end without giving up."

　[Summary of Hiroshima Petrovic's press conference] "I think today was a great victory. In terms of content, it was a game that we won because we had to win. We were able to endure, control the game, and score chances. Our current situation is still affected by the shock of relegation, but the team is able to play great games and regain the confidence that we almost lost, game by game. We have taken another step forward towards Tokyo (Final Round at Japan National Stadium), but we also want to win the next Gamba match. Hirahashi is a young player. He performed exceptionally well in the recent Júbilo match, but he seemed a bit tired today. As for Morisaki, he had some tightness in his hip joint, so we made some adjustments during practice. Makino got injured in a contest. Everyone knows that Gamba is a good team. However, since our relegation was decided, we have been playing with the mindset of going all the way to the Emperor's Cup final. All that's left is to keep winning."