A match where we want to take 3 points even away and extend our winning streak

　In the 25th round of the league, we played against Tochigi SC away. In the previous match against Kashima, Roberto CESAR scored a penalty kick and secured a 1-0 shutout victory with a stable defense until the end. Coach Okuma looks back on the game, saying, "We couldn't score the second goal." We didn't give the opponent a chance until the end and created many scoring opportunities ourselves, but we couldn't convert them. However, we want to maintain the good aspects and make up for the shortcomings. The team's direction is determined, and now we just need to improve the quality and accuracy of each play one by one.

　Tochigi, who currently has 37 points and is in 4th place, continues to make progress from last season's 10th place. Ace forward Ricardo Robo, who is tied for 4th place in the J2 scoring rankings, returns from suspension in the previous match. It is also necessary to be cautious of the speed of new signing forward Sabia, who joined this summer. As Hanyu says, "The front line is strong, so we want to cut off the supply to them," it is important to continue to dominate the ball in the opponent's half and create space by using the entire pitch, as we have done so far, against Tochigi, who is skilled at short counterattacks from a solid defense.

　Tokyo, Lucas started in place of Roberto CESAR, who injured his foot during practice. Newly joined player Sakata also made it to the bench. Coach Okuma said, "I want the players who came in later to do specific tasks like scoring and assisting," and it is necessary for Ishikawa, Suzuki, Sakata, and others to demonstrate their strengths and activate the attack, and play with a strong focus on results.

　Furthermore, even if Tochigi takes the lead, they have a high scoring ability, so they want to actively aim for a second goal to determine the game. Konno said, "Scoring the second goal is an eternal challenge for any team in any world category. But we always want to pursue it," and in order to gain an advantage in the team's further growth and the rematch in two weeks, they want to extend their winning streak by earning 3 points. The match started at 18:03 with Tochigi's kickoff at the chilly Tochigi Green Stadium, where light rain was falling.

Tokyo Aim To Extend Winning Streak 

FC Tokyo made the short trip north to Tochigi for the 25th game of the season. A Roberto Cesar penalty and a solid defensive display lifted Tokyo to victory over Kusatsu in the previous outing, the only blemish on an assured display being the failure to score a second goal despite a plethora of promising opportunities. Manager Kiyoshi Okuma lamented the misses but hoped that the positive aspects of the team's current football would compensate for what was lacking, namely improved accuracy and quality in the final third.
Opponents Tochigi lay in 4th place at kick-off with 37 points, a marked improvement on their 10th place finish last season. Ace striker Ricardo Lobo, joint 4th in the J2 goal rankings, returned from suspension while Tokyo would need to guard against the speed of summer acquisition Sabia. Hanyu commented, "That's a powerful front line and to isolate them we need to cut the lines of supply." To deal with Tochigi's game of tight defense and short counter-attacks, Tokyo would need to control the ball in the opposition half and use the full width of the pitch.
Roberto Cesar had picked up a knock in training and was replaced by Lucas, with new signing Sakata on the bench. Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "I want the players who enter the game later to make a concrete contribution with assists and goals," meaning Ishikawa, Suzuki, and Sakata would be expected to produce immediately and contribute to winning the game. Given the ability of the Tochigi strike force, a single goal might not be enough for Tokyo and a second goal could be crucial. "No matter what the level and no matter where in the world, going for a second goal when you're one up is the eternal question I think. We're always going to go for it though," commented Konno. A win for Tokyo would mark a further growth in the team, keep the side at the top of the table, and constitute an advantage for when the teams face off again in two weeks' time.
The blazing heat of high summer had been swept away by the torrential rains that blanketed the country in recent days and Tochigi kicked off shortly after 6pm on a wet and unseasonably cool evening.

Create chances by connecting passes, but allow goals due to mistakes and concede the lead

　Tochigi pressed from the moment the game ended, with Takahashi and Kajiyama as the double pivot, aiming to disrupt Tokyo's passing game. Nevertheless, they continued to connect short passes in the center of the pitch and build up play from there to the wings. They tried to maintain their style of play, which they had built up until now, even in poor pitch conditions. However, in the 11th minute, Takahashi was dispossessed by Tochigi MF Paulinho, and ultimately, FW Sabia scored the opening goal.

　Due to early conceding, Tokyo calmly turns to counterattack. In the 20th minute, Tanizawa skillfully evades the opponent and passes to Hayu who was left in the front line. Hayu dribbles up and passes to Tanabe who came up the right side. However, the opponent's defender closes in quickly and they are unable to take a shot. In the 32nd minute, Tanizawa receives a vertical pass from Imano, turns forward with a one-touch, and quickly takes a shot but it goes wide to the left of the goal.

　While Tochigi is solidifying their defense in front of the goal, Tokyo is trying to break through by allocating more players to the attack, but they are unable to break through the determined defense. In the 34th minute, Lucas headed the ball down to Hayu, who returned the pass, but the opponent's goalkeeper blocked the shot. Furthermore, Morishige overlapped and broke through the left side to aim for the goal with his right foot, but once again, he faced a great save from the goalkeeper. They held onto the ball and created scoring opportunities, but they allowed Tochigi to take the lead as the first half ended.

Tokyo Create But Fall Behind

The hosts began by applying pressure on the Tokyo defensive midfield pairing of Takahashi and Kajiyama, preventing the duo from playing the ball around. Nevertheless, Tokyo looked to break the deadlock through short passes and moving the ball out to the flanks. Despite the poor condition of the pitch, Tokyo stuck to the type of game that had stood them in good stead thus far but were undone in the 11th minute when Tochigi midfielder Paulinho robbed Takahashi and forward Sabia finished the move off by beating Shiota to put his side ahead.
Despite the early setback, Tokyo remained calm and set about organizing a fight back. In the 20th minute, Yazawa shrugged off an opponent and played the ball forward to Hanyu in the front line. Hanyu dribbled forward then played the ball out to Tanabe on his right but solid defending prevented the young Tokyo midfielder from finding room to shoot. In the 32nd minute, Konno hoisted a long ball forward, Yazawa took it down neatly and shot in one swift movement but failed to hit the target.
Tokyo pushed men forward in an attempt to split the Tochigi defense but the hosts remained solid at the back. In the 34th minute, Lucas nodded the ball down to Hanyu, received it back and then shot, drawing a save from Takeda in the Tochigi goal. Morishige, overlapping down the left, hammered a right-footed attempt on goal but Takeda was equal to the challenge once again. Although Tokyo enjoyed considerable possession and created chances, it was Tochigi that led at half time.

Despite launching a fierce attack until the end, we could only score one goal in injury time... It was a frustrating defeat.

　In the second half, Tokyo further intensified their offensive. In the 54th minute, Tanabe entered the left area with precise passes and passed to Lucas in the center. However, the opponent's defender blocked his left-footed shot. In the 56th minute, Takahashi perfectly headed Tanizawa's right corner kick, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. After that, Coach Ookuma made consecutive attacking substitutions. In the 61st minute, Ishikawa replaced Hayashi, and in the 74th minute, Suzuki replaced Takahashi. They repeatedly carried the ball to the goal area and created scoring opportunities, but they were unable to shake the net.

　In the 78th minute, a direct free kick from the center, about 30m away. Nakamura aims directly without rotation, but the ball is caught by the goalkeeper. As Tokyo completely grasps the rhythm and becomes more aggressive, in the 79th minute, they are caught off guard for a moment and Tochigi MF Mizunuma, who came on as a substitute, scores with his left foot, adding another goal. Tokyo, who has no choice but to attack, brings the ball deep into the left side in the 85th minute, Nakamura receives a cross from Lucas and aims for the left net with his right foot, but it is also met with a fine save by the goalkeeper.

　In the 89th minute, Ishikawa dribbled into the center and took a middle shot with his left foot. He managed to catch the opponent's goalkeeper off guard, but the shot was saved with a great one-handed save with his right foot. Towards the end of the game, Suzuki, who had been free in front of the goal after a short pass, scored his first goal of the season and retaliated, but that was the extent of the counterattack. Tokyo, despite taking 22 shots, far surpassing the opponent's 8 shots, suffered their fourth loss of the season.

　[Player Comment] "The first goal was our own mistake. However, we need to develop the ability to turn around games like this, and that is our challenge. We want to continue to improve our precision until the end. We were conscious of playing soccer that we wanted to do more than the opponent, but the problem was that we couldn't score goals in that situation. The pitch was not necessarily good, but we must be able to play our game in any situation. I think there will be teams that will come at us with a thorough counterattack like today's game, so we want to continue to be aware of things like taking care of the counterattack, pressing back, and picking up second balls."

　"Suzuki" "(Looking back at the goal) When Nao-kun took the shot, I repositioned myself to aim for the goalkeeper's deflection and it came directly. I was able to react well, which was good. From the bench, I was thinking about how to bring the ball into a shooting situation in a tight space. The coach told me to be aware of the space on the side, and I think I was able to cleverly manipulate the ball. I will use the frustration from today's match in the next game against Tochigi and definitely get 3 points."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "I think the overall performance, including the first half, was not bad. In games like this where the outcome is at stake, we need to go for goals even if it means sacrificing balance. However, we couldn't withstand the opponent's second goal, which I believe was a factor that prevented us from equalizing or turning the game around. The fact that the new players kept fighting until the end and scored goals gives me hope for the future, and we must take these positive aspects with us. On the other hand, the scene where we conceded a goal due to our own mistakes in the first half was a self-destructive goal. I felt that we need to reflect on these aspects and make use of them for future games. As we prepare for the next match, it is important to review the good and bad aspects and take each game one at a time."

　[Summary of Tochigi Matsuda's press conference] "First of all, the most important thing is that we were able to win against FC Tokyo at home. The players showed discipline and expressed what the team is trying to do. In that sense, I think it was a happy victory. Although there were times when we were under pressure, the players made good decisions in each situation. Ultimately, the strength of our determination will lead to results, so I think they fought well as challengers. It was a goal in each half, but it makes a big difference whether a goal is scored or not during that time period, and it becomes difficult to continue working hard. However, scoring a goal in the first half gave courage to the players. Although it felt like our energy was running out in the second half, the desire to win prevailed because we had scored a goal in the first half, and we were able to give our best. And we were able to score a second goal before running out of energy. In that sense, I think both the first and second goals were scored at good times."

Late Goal Scant Consolation In Disappointing Loss

Tokyo increased the pressure even further in the second half. In the 54th minute, a neat passing move saw Tanabe dart into the Tochigi area on the left and square the ball to Lucas in the center. Lucas shot left-footed but a defender blocked his effort away. In the 56th minute, Takahashi met Yazawa's corner with a thumping header that flew straight at Takeda. Tokyo made attacking substitutions as the half wore on, replacing Hanyu with Ishikawa in the 61st minute and Takahashi with Suzuki in the 74th. The visitors pushed forward relentlessly but failed to take any of their chances.
Tokyo won a free kick some 30m from goal in the 78th minute; Nakamura stepped up and lashed a fierce non-spinning effort that flew straight at Takeda. The visitors were firmly in the ascendancy but Tochigi substitute Mizunuma exploited a chink in their defensive armor in the 79th minute, converting past Shiota to double his side's lead. With attack the only option, Tokyo continued to push forward, Nakamura drawing a fine save from Takeda with a fierce shot in the 85th minute after good work from Lucas.
In the 89th minute, Ishikawa dribbled forward, cut inside and shot left-footed across the goal. Takeda stuck out a boot and made yet another goal-denying save. Tokyo finally made the breakthrough in the 5th minute of injury time, Suzuki converting his first of the season following a decisive short-passing move, but it was too little too late. Tokyo had outshot Tochigi by 22 to 8 but suffered their 4th loss of the season.


Players' comments
Yazawa
"The first goal came from our mistake. We need to have the ability to come back though and that's an issue. We want the accuracy with the final ball to penetrate the opposition. We were able to impose ourselves on the opposition but not being able to score remains a problem. It's true that the pitch was in a poor condition but we have to be able to play whatever the circumstances. Since we're going to be facing many more teams who play a purely counter attacking game we have to focus more on pressing back and winning the second balls".

Suzuki
"Nao (Ishikawa) shot and I took up a position to take advantage of a save by the keeper. I was pleased to be able to react quickly. Watching from the bench it was clear there was no space so I was thinking about how to get the ball into shooting positions. The manager told me to concentrate on the space down the flanks and I thought we maneuvered the ball cleverly. We'll use today's disappointment as an incentive when we play Tochigi again next month and we'll take the three points".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma

"I thought the performance wasn't too bad overall. In games like these you have to go for goal even if it means upsetting the balance of the side. Not being able to prevent them from scoring a second goal was the difference between us drawing or even winning the game. We have to take something positive from the game and that was the way the fresh players fought to the bitter end and managed to get on the scoresheet. On the other hand, the goal we conceded in the first half came from a ruinous mistake on our part. That's also something to take away and bear in mind as we prepare for the next match. I think it's important to take each game as it comes, improving both the good and bad points".

Tochigi SC manager Matsuda
"Beating a team like FC Tokyo at home is the best. The team played with great discipline and showed everything we've been trying to do in the performance. In that sense it's a very pleasing win. We were under pressure at certain times but the win is the result of the players making the correct decisions in every situation. We maintained the will to win right to the end and played a good game I felt. We scored one in each half and it was the timing of the goals as well as the fact that we actually scored them that made the biggest difference, together with the way they continued to work hard. Scoring in the first half really brought out the courage of the team. It seemed we might be losing our nerve at times in the second half but that first-half goal gave us the spirit to win and allowed us to overcome our nerves and persevere. Then we managed to score the second goal. We scored both goals at crucial times, I felt".