Direct Confrontation!

"A direct confrontation between 2nd place (Tokyo) and 3rd place (Oita)!" This match on this day could be a crucial moment for Tokyo, as a loss would not only drop them to 3rd place but also potentially give Kawasaki Frontale, who are in first place and in good form, a chance to pull away. On the other hand, it is a match that Oita, who has persistently remained in the upper ranks, must win at all costs, as failing to do so could lead to regret later on.

Losing rhythm due to early goals conceded

In the previous match, both teams were unable to play the soccer they wanted and suffered a close defeat. On this day, both teams approached the game with an attacking formation. Tokyo deployed Almir, who was used as a defensive midfielder in the previous match, to increase the movement in the front line and create more chances. On the other hand, Oita started Choi, who along with Will, became the starting point of the attack, to enhance their offensive power.

In the first half, when the game started, Tokyo launched a strong attack. They quickly won a corner kick and Almir took a close shot. Tokyo smoothly connected the ball in the midfield with Yukihiro and Almir as the key players, and built up their attack. However, in the 6th minute, due to a momentary lapse in concentration, Tokyo fouled a player from Oita near the left penalty area, resulting in a free kick. Oita midfielder Will took the shot, which hit Tokyo's wall and changed direction, rolling into the goal. Tokyo, who conceded a goal at this early stage in the opponent's territory, lost their momentum and the game, which had been going at Tokyo's pace, suddenly shifted to Oita's pace. Oita, with Choi as the starting point, created numerous opportunities for Will to dribble and for forwards Kamiya and Shiokawa to use their speed to break through vertically and attack Tokyo's goal. In particular, Will's dribbling and passing were outstanding, making it difficult to stop him.

After that, although Oita had slightly longer ball possession, the attacking and defending were almost evenly matched. In the 18th minute, Fujiyama, who had been showing sharp dribbles towards the left side, cut inside towards the center and dribbled into the penalty area, causing the Oita defender to panic and commit a foul! They were awarded a penalty kick. Amaral calmly scored to equalize the score. However, the joy was short-lived as in the 27th minute, Oita's left side was easily penetrated and a cross was made. Oita defender Wakamatsu, who was overlapping, jumped in spectacularly and scored a diving header, once again reversing the score to 1-2.

Revival with Kagamiki's Entry!?

In the second half, the struggling Kobayashi was substituted for Kagamiki. Kagamiki effectively demonstrated his speed and agility, causing the previously flawless Oita defense to gradually shift. As a result, the midfield press weakened, allowing Tokyo's original passing game to start functioning. In the 58th minute, Fujiyama, who had the ball near the center circle, made a perfect through pass to Amaral running up front. The Oita defender competing with Amaral was a step behind and passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, who mistakenly caught it with his hands, resulting in an indirect free kick (near the penalty mark). Yukihiko passed the free kick sideways, and Sandro unleashed a powerful shot that hit the wall. In the midst of the chaos, Koike kicked the ball into the goal, equalizing the score to 2-2. Tokyo, fueled by momentum, earned a corner kick in the 67th minute when Kagamiki broke through the left side. Once again, in the midst of a scramble, Sandro volleyed the ball into the net, scoring the third goal. Finally, in the 82nd minute, from the center, Koike kept the ball and made a perfect through pass to Amaral, who ran up front. The opposing defender hesitated for a moment, allowing Amaral to cleanly break through and shoot! Tokyo secured the fourth goal.

Afterwards, Oita also received the support of local fans and showed a desperate counterattack. The defense, led by GK Suzuki, remained focused until the end, bravely cutting through the pinch and achieving victory with a long-awaited high-scoring match since the JEF match on June 19th (Levain Cup 2nd round, 2nd leg).

＜Coach Okuma's Comment＞In the beginning, instead of being broken by the opponent, we gave away a free kick due to our own mistake, and the flow changed. It was due to a lapse in concentration, and we need to focus more. In the second half, Kaburagi's efforts on the front line shifted the opponent's marking and allowed us to pass the ball. We were also superior in terms of stamina in the second half compared to Oita. I am pleased that the defense also worked hard and put their bodies on the line.