Score and win in the final match of the Golden Week consecutive games against Toyama!

　Sec. 11, which concludes the Golden Week consecutive matches, will be held on May 8 (Sun). We will face Kataller Toyama for the first time at home. Although we have been unable to score in the past three matches, in the previous match, despite being at a numerical disadvantage early in the second half, our energy increased and we continued to attack towards the goal. We were unable to capitalize on our chances, but we should have gained some confidence from that battle.

　Taking into account the reflection, Coach Okuma said, "I want to settle down the midfield first so that we can play forward as much as possible." At the same time, he expressed his intention to use Kajiyama's power up front. Due to Roberto CESAR's suspension, this time Takamatsu will be positioned at the forefront and Kajiyama will be closer to the top. In the midfield, Tokunaga and newcomer Uesato will form a partnership, with Suzuki on the right side and Nakamura on the left, creating a formation similar to 4-4-2.

　Toyama, who finished last in J2 last season, is in 18th place. Although Takayoshi Amma took command in the middle of the season, it can be said that the team was unable to recover. However, gradually "Amma Soccer" has been spreading. This season, they lost to Tochigi but currently they are in 9th place with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Their unique formation of 3-3-3-1 is characterized by pressing from the front line, the speed of FW Kokeguchi, and quick attacks centered around the attacking midfielder Kurobe. In this match, MF Hirade, who plays a connecting role in the center of the midfield, will not be able to play due to his contract with Tokyo, his loan club. Instead, Esoe will be deployed as the center MF. Yong Duk Seo, who was with Tokyo last season, will start as the left MF.

　Coach Okuma said, "The game is 90 minutes. Up until now, we have been rushing too early and self-destructing from mistakes due to impatience. We should reduce mistakes and increase possession rate, which will make our attack more fluid. While being cautious of Toyama's counterattacks, we want to calmly take our goals and victory with our own style of soccer." On the final day of Golden Week, under a weather that reminds us of summer with the highest temperature of the year, the match started at 16:04 with Toyama's kickoff.

Tokyo Face Toyama Aiming To End Golden Week With Win

The final game of the Golden Week holiday period saw Kataller Toyama visit Ajinomoto Stadium for the first ever meeting between the sides. The main talking point was whether Tokyo would fail to score in the three-game stretch or would the improved second-half performance in Wednesday's match, after being reduced to ten men, be a pointer to a brighter future. Tokyo had failed to find the net against Verdy but the increased forward momentum and positive approach shown surely boded well.
Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "We have to attempt to get forward as much as possible but first we want to be settled in midfield. We also want to use Kajiyama's power up front". Kajiyama started in a withdrawn position slightly behind striker Takamatsu, while Uesato made his debut partnering Tokunaga in central midfield. Suzuki started on the right and Nakamura on the left in a 4-4-2 formation.
Opponents Toyama had finished 18th. and last in J2 in 2010. However, incoming manager Takayoshi Amma's fresh approach was slowly permeating the side and, despite a loss to Tochigi, the team lay in 9th.place at kick off with a W2 D1 L1 record. The team lined up in an unusual 3-3-3-1 formation, pressed hard from the front and was noted for the speed of its attacking play. Pacy forward Kokeguchi was the principal threat, ably supported by Kurobe playing off the main striker. Tokyo midfielder Hiraide was on loan at Toyama and had played a key role in linking defence and attack for the team but the terms of his contract prevented him from playing against his parent club and Ezoe took his place. Former Tokyo player Seo Yong Duk appeared in midfield.
Kiyoshi Okuma cautioned before kick off, "The game is 90 minutes. Recently we've been in too much of a hurry early on and mistakes have cost us. We have to reduce the number of mistakes, increase our time in possession and attack fluidly". He also urged his team to beware of the pace the visitors showed on the counter attack and to maintain their composure.
The final Sunday of Golden Week brought the warmest weather of the year so far to Tokyo. Toyama kicked off shortly after 4pm. on a hot and slightly humid afternoon.

Although they start to grasp the rhythm, they are quickly countered by Toyama...

　Toyama, who started the game, was seized by momentum. They struggled with the intense press from the front line and the quick transition between offense and defense. In the 5th minute, Toyama's MF Egami took a long shot from a distance of about 35 meters. In the 8th minute, a speedy connection was made to the front, and a powerful shot was taken by MF Kurobe from outside the left area, but Kanda escaped with a punch.

　But when they endured what they had to endure, Tokyo gradually evaded the press and connected to side attacks. In the 12th minute, Nakamura dribbled from the left and cut inside to shoot. In the 15th minute, Kajiyama quickly reacted to the loose ball from Mokuhara's throw-in and volleyed with his left foot just outside the box. In the 18th minute, Kajiyama dribbled into the box. He passed to Takamatsu on the left, but was surrounded by defenders and couldn't finish. In the 19th minute, Kajiyama dropped MoriShige's feed and Mokuhara took a shot.

　However, Toyama DF quickly returned, and they couldn't make a decisive scene during this time. So far, Toyama has had 5 shots compared to Tokyo's 3 shots. However, towards the end of the first half, MoriShige regained momentum and boldly aimed for a middle shot at the 38th minute. He connected from the GK save and Uezato also took a long shot, but it went over the bar.

　In the 40th minute, Nakamura passed the ball to Morishige, who was advancing up the front line, with a one-two pass. Morishige then connected with Kajiyama near the left area, and Kajiyama entered the penalty area. He made a decisive shot after turning the opponent's defender, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper's excellent save... The score remained 0-0 as the second half began.

Tokyo Find Rhythm As Toyama Defend In Depth

Toyama began brightly, pressing hard from the front and swiftly changing from defence to attack. In the 5th minute, midfielder Ezoe tried his luck with a drive from 35m and three minutes later Gonda punched away another powerful long-range effort from Kurobe, following some rapid passing interplay by the visitors.
Tokyo withstood the early pressure and slowly began to take control, linking play along the flanks. Nakamura dribbled down the left, cut inside and shot in the 12th minute, while Kajiyama deftly spun past a defender and volleyed narrowly wide from the edge of the Toyama area in the 15th. Kajiyama burst into the visitors' box in the 18th minute and only a timely interception prevented his pass reaching Takamatsu. Kajiyama was involved again moments later, knocking down Morishige's long ball to Mukuhara whose shot flew wide.
The Toyama defence regrouped quickly and after that burst of activity Tokyo found it difficult to create shooting opportunities. In fact, the visitors had outshot Tokyo by 5 to 3. However, as half time approached Tokyo picked up the pace. Morishige unleashed a fierce drive in the 38th minute that drew a scrambling save from Naito, in the Toyama goal. The ball rebounded out to Uesato who smashed it back, but narrowly over the bar.
Tokyo produced the best move of the half in the 40th minute. Nakamura played a neat one-two with Morishige and cut the ball back to Kajiyama on the edge of the Toyama area. Kajiyama neatly side-stepped a defender and drove a low shot towards the bottom corner that drew a full-length, fingertip save from Naito. The first period ended 0-0.

Winning with a goal that showcases "Hanyu's style"!

　Toyama had an accident in the early part of the first half where two players got injured and had to be substituted. In the second half, Tokyo replaced Nakamura with Tanizawa in the 56th minute. Shortly after that, Toyama's defender, Ikeuchi, also got injured and had to be substituted, using up all the substitution slots. Perhaps due to this, the defensive line of Toyama became stretched in the second half. Tokyo was able to move the ball well and put pressure on Toyama. In the 66th minute, Takamatsu dropped Kajiyama's pass, and Takamatsu, who ran to the right area, aimed but hit the goalkeeper's face.

　Substitute Hayabusa for Uesato in the 68th minute and put him directly into the defensive midfield. In the 69th minute, Imakano and Morishige quickly connected in their own half, and Kajiyama made a long side change to the left front space. Suzuki took it out freely and entered a shooting posture from near the left area corner, but the defender blocked it. In the 72nd minute, Tanizawa, Suzuki, and Kajiyama connected, and Mukuhara crossed parallel to the goal. Abe slid in at the far post, but it didn't connect.

　In the 81st minute of the 7th match, we obtained a left throw-in in the opponent's territory, and Kajiyama threw the ball to the front while facing away from the goal, which was caught by Taniyama in the left area. Hayashi on the outside received the ball near Taniyama with good timing, broke through the opponent's defense and entered the area. The shot with his right foot deflected off the opponent's goalkeeper's hand and pierced into the goal! From a simple restart, Hayashi's characteristic movement came to life and we finally scored the opening goal. It was the first goal in 380 minutes since the opening match.

　Overwhelming Toyama, whose movements have slowed down, they launched a wave attack in front of the goal. In the 83rd minute, Kajiyama entered smoothly from the left front line and passed to Suzuki, who was free in the far area. However, Suzuki's shot was too powerful... In the 85th minute, Takamatsu headed the ball with a high point of contact from a cross by Hayashi → Mukuhara. In the 89th minute, Hayashi in their own half fiercely defended and stole the ball, and Kajiyama countered. Suzuki, who was running alongside, entered the area and took a shot, but it was blocked by the defender. They couldn't score an additional point, but immediately after that, Takahashi replaced Suzuki. They closed the game tightly and achieved their first victory since the opening match with a score of 1-0.

　【Player Comment】《Hanyu》"(About the goal scene) I cleanly broke through until the goal. I was focused at the moment of the shot. At first, I tried to aim for the right side, but instead of aiming for a difficult spot to hit inside the frame, I changed the course a little. I think it was a goal that I pushed in with my feelings, even though the goalkeeper touched it."

　(When participating) I was asked to make changes in front of the goal. So I thought it was necessary to move when the third person moved or when the switch was turned on, or when the ball seemed to enter the wedge. Until now, it felt like each person was challenging the game with their own efforts at a certain rhythm. In order to score points from there, I wanted to somehow express that it is important for the surrounding people to help. Even at the age of 30, I don't intend to remain as the team's leader. I wanted to show that Tokyo's number 22 is here."

　"In the first half, there were some easy mistakes and we couldn't fully capitalize on our attacking opportunities. However, we were still conscious of taking shots from the middle and trying to draw out the opponent's defense. I believed that if we could put the ball on target, we would create chances. I want to learn from these reflections and apply them in the next match."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "There were some parts where we couldn't break down the opponent who defended deep until now, but today we were able to tire the opponent while passing the ball and move forward to some extent. However, there were moments where we could have come up with more solid ideas around the penalty area and used our numerical advantage. I think if we could have used those moments well, we could have created more decisive opportunities. Hanyu's goal was a result of off-the-ball movement. I want other players to refer to that movement, which is not on the ball, and it will be necessary in the future."

　[Summary of Toyama Anma's press conference] "First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the supporters who came to the away matches during this consecutive holiday and fought together with us. As for the match, we fought well as a team. We don't intend to show off, and I think this is our current strength. In the third match of the consecutive matches, we were able to run until the end and give our all to the point of collapsing in the dressing room. We want to continue that. Everyone is aware of the areas where we are lacking in technique and is training, so we want to be able to give FC Tokyo a tough match next time."

Hanyu Shows His Class To Grab Vital Winner

Toyama had been forced into making two substitutions in the first half due to injury and had little leeway left for changes as the second period unfolded. Tokyo replaced Nakamura with Yazawa in the 56th minute, shortly before Toyama's Ikehata picked up a knock and had to leave the field. The changes contributed to the side losing its shape, allowing Tokyo to reassert their control of the game. In the 66th minute, Takamatsu knocked down Kajiyama's long ball to Yazawa and continued his run, receiving the ball back and shooting from the edge of the area. The effort flew straight at Naito who held onto the ball.
In the 68th minute, Hanyu replaced Uesato, taking his place in central midfield. In the 69th minute, Konno and Morishige upped the passing tempo in their own half before Kajiyama hoisted a long diagonal ball for Suzuki to chase down the left channel. Suzuki latched onto the pass and cracked a fierce drive from the corner of the penalty area that struck a defender and bounded to safety. In the 72nd minute, Yazawa, Suzuki and Kajiyama combined smoothly to create a crossing opportunity for Mukuhara. The onrushing Abe flung himself at the ball but failed to make contact at the far post.
Tokyo won a throw in inside the Toyama half in the 81st minute and Kajiyama found Yazawa with his back to goal just outside the penalty area. Hanyu began a run on the outside of Yazawa, timed perfectly to collect a delicate heel-kick layoff, then accelerated between two defenders before smashing the ball right-footed across the keeper. Naito got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball nestling inside the far post. Although a simple move from a quick restart, Hanyu showed the quality of his movement and a fine finish to earn Tokyo their first league goal in 380 minutes since the opening game of the year.
The goal deflated Toyama and lifted Tokyo, who poured forward in waves. Kajiyama drifted inside from the left in the 83rd minute and picked out Suzuki, unmarked on the right, but Suzuki overhit his shot. Hanyu found Mukuhara in the 85th minute, Takamatsu looping a header over the bar from the resulting cross. Hanyu was in the thick of the action again in the 89th minute, battling feverishly to win the ball in midfield before launching a counter attack that ended with a Toyama defender blocking Suzuki's shot from inside the penalty area. Takahashi replaced Suzuki in the closing minutes as Tokyo comfortably ran down the clock to earn a 1-0 win, their first since the opening game of the season.

Players' comments
Hanyu
"For the goal I managed to get myself cleanly through on goal. I was concentrating fully as I hit the ball. At first I thought about going to the right, the more difficult option, but I changed course slightly and hit it across the keeper. He got a glove to the ball but I put a lot of emotion into it and he couldn't keep it out. When I went on I felt we needed some variation in front of goal, some extra movement when the ball was played in low to feet. We were playing with a constant rhythm and everyone was working hard to win the game. I was able to go on and show how important it is to help each other in that kind of situation.
Even though I'm 30 now I still have a role to play for the team. I wanted to show that Tokyo's Number 22 is still here".


Uesato
"I made a couple of simple mistakes in the first half and couldn't really contribute much in attack. However, I was looking for a chance to get forward and shoot or pull the opposition defenders out of position. I knew that if I could keep the ball on target I would have a chance. These are aspects of my game I want to look at and improve on in the future".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"We've had some trouble breaking down opponents who defend deeply so today our plan was to move the ball around, tire them out and get forward and I think we succeeded to some extent. We showed more invention around the penalty area and dominated in numbers at times. If we can use those elements better then we should be able to create more clear-cut chances. Hanyu's goal came from his movement off the ball. I want the other players to pay close attention because we need more of that kind of movement".


Kataller Toyama manager Takayoshi Amma
"First of all I'd like to show my appreciation of our supporters who followed the team on our two away games during Golden Week. As for the match, I thought we played very well today. I don't want to overstate the case but I thought we showed the current level of our team. This was the third game in week and the players ran themselves into the ground, fighting to the very end. I want them to continue to play like this. We're aware of our technical limitations and are working on them in training, in the hope that we can give FC Tokyo a really big shock the next time we meet".