A match against C Osaka for the first time since 2006, we cannot afford to lose to a promoted team!

　In Sec. 3 of the league, we will face Cerezo Osaka at our home ground, Ajinomoto. In the previous match against Urawa, we faced a numerical disadvantage and suffered a defeat. However, to fight through the season towards our goals for this season, it is crucial not to look down and to avoid consecutive losses here. The players are all shifting their mindset, saying, "We will not dwell on the defeat, but will focus on the challenges ahead and aim for victory." This match will see Hiramatsu starting for the first time this season as a center-back due to Morishige's suspension. At the same time, the lineup will be rearranged, with Kim Yong-gun making his J-League debut as a left-back. Nagatomo will move to right-back, and Akamine and Ishikawa will also be in the starting lineup. Additionally, new signings Takahashi and Otake will be on the bench for the first time this season. Coach Jofuku stated, "It’s a process built on daily accumulation. We can share the image as a team, so we will bring out each other's strengths and give our all in various situations." On the other hand, Cerezo Osaka has returned to J1 for the first time since 2006 this season. So far, they have one draw and one loss in two matches, with no victories yet, but their motivation to aim for their first win as challengers is likely high. The 3-5-2 formation, which places FW Inui and MF Kagawa as shadows, has matured since last season in J2, where they marked a total of 100 goals. Moreover, this season, new offensive talents such as FW Adriano, Ienaga, and Bando, as well as MF Takahashi, have joined, making their attacking power a significant threat. In response, Tokyo aims not only to defend without showing gaps but also to apply pressure from high positions and create chances. Typically, newly promoted teams have momentum, but we must not fall back against that; we need to outplay Cerezo Osaka in terms of our approach and game management throughout the 90 minutes to secure a home victory! Although the wind blows during the match, Ajinomoto remains warm even as the sun sets, and the game started with Tokyo's kickoff at 19:04.

Unable to seize the opportunity while grasping the rhythm

　In the first half, we aggressively went for the opponent's ball, not allowing C Osaka to create any real chances. In the 6th minute, Konno passed to Hirayama, who turned the opponent's defender in the right area and took a shot freely. Following that, from a throw-in, Hirayama connected with Akamine, who took a shot. In the 12th minute, we launched a counter-attack after Tokunaga's ball recovery, with Akamine passing to Tokunaga as they advanced into the area, but it ended in a corner kick. In the 21st minute, Hirayama on the left passed to Hanyu, who advanced and took a mid-range shot. The shot was on target, but it was caught by the GK. In the 28th minute, we initiated a speedy attack from our own half, with Hirayama passing to Hanyu, who then passed to Ishikawa, who dribbled up to the area. A powerful shot was saved by the GK. Hanyu aimed for the rebound, but couldn't connect, and the ball went to Akamine in the right area. From there, he took a shot from close range, but it was also blocked by the GK. We couldn't capitalize on the chances during a good flow of play. Then, just before the end of the first half, C Osaka created a chance by pulling back and solidifying their defense in front of the goal, aiming for a counter-attack. In the 40th minute, we allowed C Osaka's MF Kagawa to advance deep into the left side, leading to a cross in front of the goal. Gonda rushed out towards the goal, and C Osaka's MF Omata, who came in from the far side, took a shot. However, Ishikawa and Nagatomo returned in time to cover in front of the goal, escaping the danger. In the first half, while C Osaka had 3 shots, Tokyo took 6 shots but couldn't convert any into goals, heading into the second half.

Maintaining a solid defense, C Osaka's attacks are shut out but end with no goals

　Even in the second half, the press from the front line was effective, and in the 48th minute, Tokunaga showed strength in ball contests. After winning the ball, Hayu connected it, and Ishikawa took a dribbling shot, but it was caught by the goalkeeper. In the 54th minute, Hayu intercepted in the opponent's half. Matsushita immediately sent a lob pass to Ishikawa, who was trying to break through to the front line, winning a left corner kick. In the 57th minute, Ishikawa, who won the ball high up the pitch, took a shot. In the 58th minute, Hirayama took a precise shot just outside the area, but it was blocked by the left post... Right after that, in the 58th minute, Ohtake came on for Matsushita, and in the 69th minute, Ricardinho was brought on for Ishikawa. They tried to attack more aggressively by using substitutions. However, while they held the initiative, they gradually lost the ball during their attacks, and scenes of being countered by C Osaka began to stand out. In the 72nd minute, C Osaka's MF Omata entered the left area. He headed the ball to MF Kagawa in response to a cross. In the 75th minute, from the left side, MF Kagawa's pass led to a shot by MF Omata, but it was blocked and went out for a throw-in. In the 80th minute, Suzuki came on for Hayu. Ohtake moved to the defensive midfield position, trying to connect passes and attack. However, in the 82nd minute, Kim Yong-gun's left cross was perfectly controlled by Hirayama in the center, and Ohtake, who ran in from behind, took a decisive shot, but this was also thwarted by the opponent's goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyun's repeated great saves... After that, although they could win the ball, they could not bring it to a finish. C Osaka's counterattacks were concentrated and suppressed by quick defense, but ultimately they could not score and the match ended in a scoreless draw. 【Player Comments】《Ishikawa》"It was good to keep the score at zero, but we couldn't take risks to score. I wanted to attack with a bit more intensity, but unfortunately, we couldn't. When we were attacking, the opponent had several players remaining in their half, and as a team, we couldn't push forward. Personally, my movements were in good shape. Even if the ball doesn't come, I think it's important to continue that kind of play. Today was a frustrating match, but we defended well, so I want to improve the intensity and quality of our attack and score next time." 《Ohtake》"In my appearance, I wanted to receive the ball more often in midfield, touch the ball a lot, and get involved in the attack, aiming for a goal. (Did you take a decisive shot?) I aimed perfectly, but... The wind was strong, so I tried to carefully target the course, and it flew to the intended spot. I thought it would go in, but the opponent's goalkeeper also got a touch, and I couldn't score. I wish I could have connected more calmly after winning the ball, but in the latter stages, I lost the ball often and spent more time defending. As a team, I wanted to have more time with the ball, and personally, I regret that I needed to touch the ball more to create rhythm." 【Coach Jofuku's Press Conference Summary】"I wanted to take all three points, so the result is very disappointing. I think the players fought well, turning the ball into our possession from aggressive defense in the first half. Ideally, we wanted to score in the first half. There were opportunities for that. However, it wasn't perfect in the first half, and if we could have created some pauses as a team or individually in that speed, we would have had more decisive scenes. The speed from aggressive defense was good, but we need to work on the change of speed and rhythm as a team from there. Of course, I want to work on developing players who can bring that out individually. In the second half, I thought we would definitely have chances by continuing the way we played in the first half. However, after using all three substitutions, the balance was disrupted, and I think that is also my responsibility. I didn't want to be satisfied with a 0-0 draw, so I made substitutions to go for a goal, but I was prepared for some balance to be disrupted there. However, we must bring positives rather than negatives. I believe that in the last 15 minutes of the second half, the team needed to fight like that. However, if we weigh the negatives of losing balance against the positives of utilizing the characteristics of the substitutes, honestly, I think it was a negative. I want to firmly accept that and apply it to the next match. If we can continue the way we fought until about the 60th minute while also bringing changes in rhythm as a team, we will definitely find a chance to win. I want to connect this frustration to the next match." 【C Osaka Coach Levy Cruyff's Press Conference Summary】"Since the opening, we have faced tough opponents, and in the last match against G Osaka and today's match against FC Tokyo, we had chances to win both. I think we can positively view that we were able to play such games. I believe it will take a little more time for MF Amarau and FW Adriano to fully fit into the team, but I want to evaluate that we were able to create winning opportunities even with those players. We continue to face tough opponents, but I feel that we can turn these games into winning ones. There were plenty of chances to win in the latter stages, and the players expressed our season's slogan, 'Attack until the final whistle blows,' during the game. In stoppage time, including just before it, we had three decisive chances. I believe that if we had better finishing accuracy, we could have won."