Hoping for the first victory in the first home game at the National Stadium

"I want you to lend your strength this season as well. I want to fight together and show more than enough performance to match the support." The first home game in J1 started with a message from Coach Ookuma addressed to everyone in the stands. It represents the feelings of all the players and staff. And before the kickoff, Mr. Haruichiban's "1, 2, 3, Daah!" Even if we can't do anything fancy, we will compete with spirit and wisdom. The stadium became one with the opening event that truly represents the team's colors, and the curtain of the battle was dropped."

Avispa Fukuoka won the opening match against Kawasaki Frontale with a score of 2-1. They would want to build momentum by defeating the two newly promoted teams, but they cannot afford to ride the wave here. They fought together in the JFL during the Brooks era and are senior opponents in the J.League, having been promoted in the 1997 season. They cannot afford to lose to show their determination.

All Defense, All Attack

The starting lineup is the same as in the first match. We played defensively against Yokohama, but will we be able to play with even more intensity today...?

Immediately after the start, TUTO player intercepted the ball that Fukuoka DF tried to cut in the midfield, and Kobayashi, who connected the play, made an exquisite through pass. TUTO, who made a run, had a chance with a powerful shot, but it was saved by GK Kojima. However, the game continues at a good pace for Tokyo, showing a strong start. While Fukuoka struggles to create attacking opportunities, Tokyo pushes forward with a clear role, advancing their own style of football.

Amalao keeps the ball in post-play, TUTO runs using his vertical speed, and Kobayashi and Yukihiko actively participate in both offense and defense. Naito and Fujiyama, the two fullbacks, defend tightly and attack when necessary. In the 12th minute, Naito cut off the ball on the right side and TUTO dribbled it in, prompting Naito to move up and cross it into the middle. TUTO showed a coordinated wave attack with Asari taking a shot on the loose ball in front of the goal. However, it did not result in a goal due to a great save by GK Kojima. In the 17th minute, Fukuoka's Miura took a free kick that Montoja headed down, and Fujisaki took a shot. It hit the crossbar, an unlucky result for Fukuoka. However, in the 25th minute, Montoja took a shot when the ball that had come up from the left side overlapped and spilled over by GK Doi and DF Komine. It missed the target, but Fukuoka gradually took advantage of Tokyo's mistakes and launched a counterattack.

In the first half, as Coach Okuma mentioned, "There were many situations where we couldn't connect the ball well when the wind was blowing against us and the opponent was kicking the ball." After 30 minutes, both teams made mistakes and the offensive and defensive positions were reversed. In the 41st minute, a long ball from a free kick behind the center line was connected, and a shot was taken freely in the penalty area. Although Doi managed to avoid a direct threat, he was put in a vulnerable position.

Yukihiko, first goal of the season! TUTO, Amaral also involved in 2 goals for a comfortable victory

Even in the second half, Tokyo takes control of the game with a rich amount of energy. However, their attempts to break through the opponent's defense are repeatedly caught offside, resulting in a scoreless development.

It was a time when Coach Okuma said, "If it remains 0-0, I also considered putting Kamiya in and making it more like a 3-top formation," but in the 61st minute, from TUTO to the forward Amaral. Despite receiving a tough charge, Amaral immediately passed it back to TUTO. He broke through with a beautiful one-two, forcefully competing with the opponent's defenders and rushing towards the goal. He was almost stopped by Fukuoka GK Kojima's dive, but he passed it to Yukihiko who came up from behind. Yukihiko calmly observed the goalkeeper's movement and took a shot!! A brilliant counterattack for the first home game goal! In the 70th minute, TUTO received Sandro's long ball from a free kick and the defenders

Connected with a header to the back, Amaral scores a goal! In the first half, there was a slight difference in finishing and concentration compared to Fukuoka, who couldn't score in a similar way.

There were also parts where we were helped by the opponent's mistakes. As the numbers show, Fukuoka had 8 shots while Tokyo had 16 goal kicks, indicating that Fukuoka often failed to break through Tokyo's goal line. On the other hand, Tokyo still had room for improvement in the accuracy of their last passes and crosses, but their intention to finish with a shot was evident. The players had a common awareness of trying to break through from behind or the sides of the defense, and their speed in transitioning between offense and defense was outstanding.

Sole leader! Can't we dream too!?

Amidst the teams considered to be championship contenders, Tokyo stands at the top with a goal difference of +3 after consecutive victories without conceding a goal. It is a long season and there is no reason to celebrate yet, but it is a fact that they are living up to their pre-season slogan of "creating a whirlwind in J1". Standing on the field of the top league means that even as a team in their first year of promotion, they have the right to continue winning there. It is meaningless if they do not fight and connect their dreams, striving with all their might in every match in order to achieve victory.

There hasn't been a single game where Hoshi's performance can be calculated, and the battles in Tokyo in the past two games have made us realize that the real test is yet to come. This victory, obtained through a different style of play compared to the Yokohama game, should be a significant win that expands Tokyo's potential.

Coach's Comment

"PICCOLI Coach's Comment"

"I don't think there was much difference in ability, and I think it was a close game. In that, FC Tokyo was able to take advantage of their chances. There were times when our goal was blocked by the bar, and I think the result would have been different if the situation had been slightly different. I think that's something that can happen in the world of soccer. I don't think conceding in that situation was a major mistake, especially by the defenders. Certainly, after falling behind, we became very nervous and made some small mistakes, but it wasn't a way of playing that left us with challenges for the future. I think this year, the J.League will be tough for any team, whether they were constantly competing at the top, were in danger of relegation until last year, or have just been promoted. I think the number 9 player for FC Tokyo is a very talented player. I think he will attract a lot of attention this year."

"Coach Okuma's comment"

"There were few players who could make decisive passes, so it was probably easy for the opponents to defend in the first half. However, we didn't want to become impatient and have our defenders lose their balance and push forward just to create a numerical advantage. I think we were able to maintain a good balance between offense and defense in that regard. When the opponents' pressure is effective, there are times when we feel frustrated because we can't make passes in tight spaces between the passer and receiver. However, I believe we were able to consciously showcase Tokyo's characteristic fast vertical football. If we can supply passes accurately even in tight spaces like in the second half, I think we will have more chances. Winning two games in our first J1 experience is a confidence booster for the players, but as we play more games, we will be studied by our opponents. Each team has different tactics and systems, so we want to approach each game as if it were our first match against that particular team."