Exciting opening, new stadiums, first Tokyo Derby

　When encountering something new, it always feels exciting. The opening of the 2001 J-League, a new home stadium, and a packed crowd... The first Tokyo Derby, the opening match against Tokyo Verdy 1969, is an important game that will also determine the course of this season. While the players feel the joy of being able to play on this stage today, they cannot afford to lose in the competition. It was easy to imagine that it would be a match where the determination of both teams would collide.

　The starting lineup is as follows: GK=Tsuchi, both fullbacks=Naito, Fujiyama, CB=Sandro, Tetsuya Ito, defensive midfielder=Asari, Miura, attacking MF=Sato, Kobayashi, FW=Amaral, Wagner Lopes. Lopes will play as a target man, with Amaral providing support from midfield to attack in a vertical and horizontal manner. On the other hand, Verdy is playing in a 4-5-1 formation. They are aiming to attack from a strong midfield with a double defensive midfielder, similar to FC Tokyo's formation.

Despite dominating, we conceded the first goal due to Verdy Miura's individual skill.

　The match started with both teams pressing each other, resulting in a fast-paced development without either team being able to dominate the ball. FC Tokyo, who have a strong vertical awareness, actively attacked with Amaral, Miura, and Fujiyama, but they were unable to break through Verdy's solid defensive line. In the 7th minute, they stole the ball in midfield and passed it from Asari to Lopes. Amaral, who received a direct pass, dribbled and took a shot that hit the crossbar. Sato rebounded and took a shot, but it was cut off by the defender, missing the first big chance of the day. However, this was an opportunity for FC Tokyo to gradually connect their passes. In the 16th minute, Sato broke through the right side, but the cross was unsuccessful. In the 19th minute, Amaral won a header against the opponent's defender from a pass sent by Uchida from a free kick. However, it was caught by Verdy's goalkeeper Kikuchi without much power, but FC Tokyo continued their offensive.

　However, in the 22nd minute, they gave Verdy a direct free kick near the center circle. The kicker was MF Atsuhiro MIURA. The shot missed the goal, but in the following 25th minute, there was another FK situation for Verdy about 30 meters in front of the goal. Miura, luring Okura, unleashed a powerful shot that went straight into the goal, taking the lead with Verdy's second shot of the day. After that, FC Tokyo continued to attack but couldn't score, ending the first half behind.

FC Tokyo, Amaral, and Wagner Lopes show their strength in motion

　Shortly after the start of the second half, Wagner Lopes picked up a clearance ball from the defense and took a shot from the right side of the penalty area. The ball missed the goal, but the bold play created a rhythm. In the 46th minute, Masamitsu Kobayashi broke through the defense with a one-touch pass, leading to a shooting opportunity for Wagner Lopes and Amaral. In the 50th minute, Seigo Kobayashi made a killer pass to Miura, who ran into the middle of the penalty area. The Verdy defense quickly recovered and cut off the chance, but they continued to create opportunities.

　However, gradually slowing down. FC Tokyo is caught up in Verdy's cunning and slow rhythm, unable to take advantage of their speed. And FC Tokyo is moving. In the 58th minute, Kina was substituted for Kobayashi. In the 71st minute, Kelly, a new addition who joined the team just last week, was substituted for Sato. Immediately after this unseen player entered the field, he quickly reacted to a loose ball in front of the goal. The ball shook the net, but unfortunately, it was offside. Although the first touch shot ended up as a phantom goal, it showed a glimpse of play that couldn't help but expect something.

　Verdy replaced Ogura, and MF Ishizuka entered the top position, but in the 74th minute, FW Iio was substituted for MF Nagai to counter with speed. FC Tokyo, who desperately wanted a goal, substituted Masuda for Asari in the 82nd minute. Using all three substitution slots, they launched a counterattack with a lineup that focused more on attacking. Each member has different strengths, but they maintain balance and Kinami attacks the Verdy goal with sharp passes from Masuda's dribbling. Then, in the 87th minute, Miura, who had advanced through the center with a dribble, passed to Amaral, who had broken free in front of the goal. Amaral tried to beat the GK one-on-one in the penalty area, but GK Kikuchi couldn't help but commit a foul. He was then sent off. In the 89th minute, FC Tokyo equalized with a penalty kick earned from this, which Robisu decisively scored, bringing the match to extra time in the nick of time.

Dramatic ending... Soccer that never gives up until the end of the season

　In the 4th minute of extra time in the first half, Verdy substituted Maezono for Nishida, who was injured. Maezono, Ishizuka, Kitazawa, and others showed determination, and in the 13th minute, Ishizuka made a header shot, but GK Doi caught it easily. Immediately after that, FC Tokyo's Lopes dribbled into the penalty area and took a shot. In the following 14th minute, Amaral missed the goal again from a pass sent by Naito on the right, but the difference in momentum between Verdy, who was reduced to 10 players, and FC Tokyo became apparent.

　In the 4th minute of extra time, using the new rule introduced this season that allows up to 4 substitutions in extra time, Umayama was substituted for Naito. Immediately after that, Amaral headed Kelly's free kick but missed the goal. However, in the 6th minute of extra time, Kelly and Masuda exchanged passes well in the midfield, and Kelly sent a ball from the right side to the front of the goal, which Robisu shot! It was a beautiful goal and they clinched the victory in the opening match with an impressive V-goal.

　Amaral and Robisu's strength shone in the game, but the team also functioned well, including the substitute players. All the players joined forces and made a good start to this season.

[Verdy 1969, Manager Matsuki's Comment]

"For us, who are fighting with only Japanese players, we have considered not giving up until the end as the basis for this season. In today's game, there were countless judgments and details to be said, and there were various incidents, but the players never gave up and fought actively until the end, even with one less player. I believe that this will lead to the next step. Unfortunately, we couldn't earn any points in this highly anticipated match, but we want to approach the next and remaining games with solid adjustments once again."

[Coach Okuma's Comment]

"I don't think we played bad soccer from the first half, but I was prepared for conceding a goal, including that free kick. After that, I thought it was a battle of how much we could endure as a team and make a gear change after the second goal. In that sense, I think it was good that the players endured in the defensive part and gradually showed their good parts to equalize. I also think it was thanks to the fans who supported us so hard with this many spectators. However, the season has just begun, so I want to fight each game without getting too excited or disappointed."