I want to finish the series of consecutive battles with a victory at home

　Sec. 19 Gainare Tottori match will be held on Jul 2 (Sat). We will face them at home. In the previous match, we achieved victory by maintaining our concentration despite the heat and the tough schedule of two consecutive away games, wearing down the opponent. Since the defeat against Kusatsu on May 14, we have remained undefeated in the last 7 matches with 5 wins and 2 draws, but this match will be crucial in order to aim for a higher position and end the consecutive matches with a victory.

　From the away night game to the second day. Along with a tough schedule, Ishikawa and Suzuki complained of discomfort in their legs and will be absent from this match. However, Coach Okuma said, "The overall organization of the team is not bad, so I don't want to move the DF line too much and want to make changes up front. We have tried this before, and there are options such as using Otake and using Abe in the midfield." He is determined to overcome the consecutive battles with a united effort. The starting lineup will be the same as the previous 4 matches.

　Tottori, on the other hand, is currently in 13th place with 4 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses. They are a team that entered J2 from this season, but under the guidance of coach Takeo Matsuda, they have cohesion and are known for their organized style of soccer. They mainly use a 4-3-3 formation, with midfielder Jitsunobu scoring the most goals for the team with 4. Defender Togawa has also scored 3 goals already, and set plays have become their weapon. Therefore, we want to maintain focus, coordinate well, and hold them back.

　Tottori boasts a solid defense with a total of 12 goals conceded so far. The key will be how to break down their 3-man midfield anchored by MF Hattori and 4-man defense. It seemed like they struggled against Okayama, but as Kono says, "If we take control and play the kind of passing that the opponent dislikes, they will definitely tire out." Even if we can't score first for a while, it's important to continue playing our own style of soccer without rushing. We want to surpass Tottori through a persistent battle that lasts for 90 minutes and achieve victory.

　Evening comes and the humidity lingers at Ajinomoto Stadium. The match started at 18:34 with Tottori's kickoff.

Tokyo Aim To Extend Winning Streak 

Gainare Tottori were the visitors to Ajinomoto Stadium for a fixture scheduled as the 19th game of the season. Tokyo had won their second consecutive away game in three days on Wednesday by exhausting Okayama on a brutally hot and humid evening, a win that extended the side's unbeaten streak to seven games since the May 15th loss to Kusatsu and propelled the team up to third in the league.
The intense run of games had taken its toll as both Ishikawa and Suzuki were missing with leg twinges. Tokyo manager Okuma commented, "The team's organisation is fine and I don't want to tinker with the backline so we'll be thinking about some variations up front. It's something we tried before and we have the option to play Otake or Abe in midfield". The starting eleven named was unchanged for the fourth straight game.
Opponents Tottori lay in 13th place with a W4 D4 L5 record at kick off. The side, a newcomer to J2 this year under second-season manager Takeo Matsuda, had a reputation for playing systematic, consistent football. Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation midfielder Sanenobu was the leading scorer with four while defender Togawa's three goals testified to the team's threat from set plays. Tottori also boasted a parsimonious defence, having conceded only 12 goals, with a bank of three defensive midfielders led by veteran Hattori protecting the back four. How well Tokyo would be able to unlock that defence would be the key to the game. When asked whether the heat and hard work of Wednesday's game would have any effect Tokyo captain Konno dismissed the idea, "If we can seize the initiative then we'll wear the opposition down with the way we retain possession and play the ball around". If the opening goal failed to appear then patience and perseverance would be vital.
The heat and humidity of the day still lay heavily on Ajinomoto Stadium as the visitors kicked off shortly after 6:30pm.

Although they took the lead, the first half ended scoreless.

　The start of the match saw both teams attacking from strong defenses. However, neither team was able to create clear scoring opportunities. Tokyo gradually took control and started passing the ball around. In the 21st minute, Tanabe created an opportunity on the left side, and Takahashi attempted a shot from outside the box but missed the target. In the 23rd minute, Hayashi advanced with a powerful dribble from the opponent's half, and Cesar on the right side took a shot after entering the right area, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.

　In the 27th minute, Tanizawa kicked a left corner kick, and Morishige in the far side dropped the ball inside. Inamoto then performed an overhead kick. Takahashi in front changed the angle with a heel touch, but it went wide. Tottori's defenders and midfielders continued to hold their defense in the center, making it difficult to break through.

　Without panicking, they continue to attack wide from the overlapping runs of both fullbacks. In the 35th minute, Tokunaga moved up on the right and Kajiyama ran towards the center, drawing the defenders. A pass was then played to Tanabe, who was free on the left side, creating a great scoring opportunity. However, Tanabe's shot went straight to the goalkeeper... In the 37th minute, Kajiyama himself dribbled past the opponent and took a shot from just outside the box. In the 40th minute, Taniyama broke through on a through pass from Hayashi. Although they couldn't convert the chances into goals, they gained momentum and headed into the second half.

Tokyo Dominate Scoreless First Half

Both sides began carefully and chances were at a premium as the defences dominated. As the half progressed Tokyo slowly started to take control and pass the ball around. In the 21st minute, Tanabe began a move down the left that ended with Takahashi shooting narrowly wide from middle-range. In the 23rd minute, Hanyu played Cesar in down the right channel and the Brazilian drew a save from Kobari, in the Tottori goal, with a firm drive.
Tokyo edged closer in the 27th minute as Morishige headed down a corner from Yazawa and Konno attempted an overhead kick from near the penalty spot. As the ball flew towards the goal, Takahashi attempted to alter its course with a heel flick but diverted it over the bar. The visitors' solid defence prevented Tokyo from creating any further clear-cut chances.
Nevertheless, Tokyo refused to panic and the sidebacks lent their weight to the attack from wide positions. In the 35th minute, Tokunaga steamed down the right before clipping the ball inside to Kajiyama; Kajiyama drew defenders towards him before neatly dummying the ball which reached Tanabe, unmarked on the left inside the area. Tanabe shot first time but the ball was at a decent height for Kobari to parry to safety.
In the 37th minute, Kajiyama dribbled his way into the Tottori area and shot while in the 40th minute, Hanyu slipped a pass through the visitors' defence for Yazawa to chase. Neither effort produced a goal and the first period ended 0-0.

Caesar takes advantage of the opponent's opening and scores a goal! Takahashi and Morishige's consecutive shots lead to a 5th consecutive victory!

　In the 49th minute of the second half, a foul was given to FW Umeda, who entered Tottori's post-play, and a free kick was awarded from slightly to the right in front of the area. FW Mio aimed for it with a powerful kick that skimmed the ground, but Shioda caught it firmly. After that, Tokyo dominated the ball and took the advantage.

　58 minutes, Nakamura, who made a breakthrough on the left side, was fouled and won a free kick. Tanizawa took a quick restart at the right timing. Hayu, who received the ball, carried it forward and crossed it, and Roberto CESAR in front of the goal pushed it in with his right foot to score a goal! Taking advantage of the opponent's gap, Tanizawa, Hayu, and CESAR achieved the opening goal through their combination play.

　At the 67th minute, Hanyu received a big side change from right to left and overlapped with Nakamura. Nakamura's left cross was intercepted by the opponent's defender, but Takahashi intercepted the opponent's pass from here and skillfully dribbled past the opponent to the outside, aiming precisely with a middle shot! The ball was sucked in perfectly to the top right corner, and with Takahashi's splendid goal for the second consecutive game, they added another goal in a relentless manner.

　Tokyo, which widened the lead, completely dominated the game. They skillfully avoided Tottori, who came to take the ball, and connected passes as planned. In the 85th minute, they substituted Roberto CESAR for Otake. Then, in the 89th minute just before the end of the game, Tanabe made a move on the right front line from Kajiyama to Tokunaga, earning a corner kick. Otake kicked it, and Morishige, who had run near the goal without being marked, jumped high and scored the third goal in his own three consecutive games.

　Afterwards, Tottori hardly gave any chance for a counterattack. In the 90th minute, ABE was brought in as a left midfielder, and in injury time, Uesato was brought in as a defensive midfielder to close the game. They achieved a convincing victory and secured their fifth consecutive win.

　【Player Comment】《Mori Shige》"For corner kicks, I adjust my approach according to the kicker. In the case of Otake, if I can get free from my marker, he will kick it there for me. Today, it was right on target again. If we can score from set pieces, it will make the tough battles in the summer easier. Today, we were able to take advantage of the gaps while circulating the ball and take the lead. If we can do that, our football becomes easier to play, and if we don't give away any chances, we won't lose. I want to keep making the most of our opportunities and give it my all."

　"I was happy to score after a long time, but I'm also happy that other players scored and we won as a team. The goal came from the flow of a set play, and Hayabusa saw an opening and crossed it for me. I was able to get past the defenders and score before the opponent. I think the team is improving, but I believe we can get even better. Our goal is to promote to J1, and we haven't achieved that yet. We shouldn't get carried away and continue to give our all in each game, aiming to keep winning."

　[Summary of Coach Ookuma's Press Conference] "In the first half, we struggled to break down the opponent who defended well, but in the second half, we created space and were able to play our desired style of football. In the heat, it is necessary to exploit the opponent's weaknesses, including set pieces. Being able to do that will lead to the next step. However, in the tight spaces, we need to find opportunities behind the defense and break through with combinations. We want to improve our level and team strength a little more so that we can show the courage to compete from the first half."

　[Tottori Matsuda's press conference summary] "In the third game of the three-game series, I felt that physical issues affected the game. However, in the first half, we were able to keep the score at zero by effectively using pressure from the front and defending well in our own half. The ball was moved slightly, but we were able to progress as planned. In the second half, we expected to be pressed to some extent, but we did not intend to sit back and defend with a block. We aimed to win by taking the ball away in a high position. That is always our concept. However, we were caught off guard by a quick restart at a crucial moment and were unable to switch effectively. The game fell apart from there. If we could have had more possession, many things would have changed, but that is not the current situation. That became clear in today's game. There are many areas where we are lacking, not just physically, but we should view them as points to be corrected as we move forward and approach the next game with a positive mindset."

Cesar Breaks The Deadlock As Tokyo Extend The Winning Streak To Five 

In the 49th minute, Tottori forward Umeda drew a foul just outside the Tokyo area on the right. Forward Mio stepped up and drove a fierce, low drive through the wall that Shiota saw late but quickly got down to save. After that brief scare, Tokyo asserted themselves and dominated the game.
In the 58th minute, Tokyo launched a break down the left and Nakamura was fouled as he raced forward. Yazawa reacted sharply while Tottori were still making their preparations, prodding the ball down the line to Hanyu who took a couple of touches and curled a superb cross into the area between Kobari and his defenders. Roberto Cesar flung himself at the ball and made contact on the half-volley, spearing it into the roof of the net to give Tokyo the lead.
In the 67th minute, Hanyu sprayed a crossfield ball to Nakamura, overlapping down the left. Nakamura crossed but a Tottori defender intercepted the pass then moved it on to a teammate just outside the penalty area. Takahashi darted in, whipped the ball away from the dithering Tottori player, took a touch and stroked a perfectly-hit curling shot high into the top right corner of the goal with Kobari rooted to the spot and able to do nothing as the ball sailed into the net.
With a two-goal cushion established, Tokyo entirely controlled the game, moving the ball around almost at will. Otake replaced Roberto Cesar in the 85th minute and contributed almost immediately. Kajiyama, Tokunaga and Tanabe linked up down the right in the 89th minute, eventually winning a corner that Otake curled in to the near post. Morishige got in front of his marker and glanced a header down and beyond Kobari to extend Tokyo's lead to three.
Tokyo introduced Abe and Uesato as late substitutes and ran the clock down until the final whistle blew on a comprehensive 3-0 win that extended the winning streak to five games.


Players' comments
Morishige
"I've altered my approach at corners depending on who's taking them. If it's Otake and I lose my marker he'll put the ball where I am and that's what he did today. It was a pinpoint corner. It's definitely true that if we can score from set plays it makes these difficult summer games much easier. Today we moved the ball around and probed until we found an opening for the first goal. It makes it easier for us to play our own game and if we can create and exploit openings like that then we aren't going to lose. I want to continue to do my best and keep taking the chances as they come".

Roberto Cesar
"It's my first goal for a while so I'm happy and I'm also delighted that the other guys scored and we won. Hanyu spotted a gap in their defense from the quick free kick and played a great cross in and I managed to get in faster than their defenders and score. Naturally the team is improving and we can improve much further I think. Our aim is to return to J1 but we haven't achieved that yet. We can't afford to lose our focus and must play to the best of our ability in each game to keep on winning".

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Our opponents defended deeply in the first half so it was fairly difficult to open them up but in the second half we found space and played the way we wanted to. In this kind of heat we need to be able to find those chinks in our opponents' defensive armor and I think the performance today will have an influence on the next game. However, we do need to improve overall to play in narrow areas, to get behind defenses and to make the combination moves that can break the deadlock in the first half of games".

Gainare Tottori manager Takeo Matsuda
"This was the third game in a week and I felt that the physical side had an influence on the game. Even so, in the first half our pressing and defensive organization went well and we kept the score to 0-0 at half time. The first half went as we imagined with them moving the ball around and the second half too, where our plan wasn't to defend deeply in blocks but to win the ball high up the field. That's our usual plan. Unfortunately though we conceded from a quickly taken free kick and our game plan went out of the window. If we could enjoy more possession then we could change aspects of our game but we can't and that's our situation right now. That was plain to see in today's game. We're lacking not only the in physical side of the game but in many area as well. There's no point in being downhearted so we have to fix what we can and look forward positively to the next game".