The crucial match that determines promotion! A battle that tests what has been built up so far.

　In the 36th round of the league, we played against Gainare Tottori away. In this round, we have the chance to secure a place in the top 3 with a draw or better, but we played extra time in the Emperor's Cup Kobe match and then had to play again after only 2 days of rest. "Some players played 120 minutes for the first time in their professional career. It's undeniable that there is fatigue, but Tottori is in the same situation. Physically, it shouldn't be any different, so the mental aspect becomes even more important," said Coach Okuma. He also expressed his determination, saying, "It is without a doubt an important match with promotion at stake, but we also want to play these next 3 matches to help the team grow even a little bit more." On the other hand, Tottori is currently in 19th place with 31 points. Despite their position in the lower ranks, Coach Okuma said, "Regardless of the ranking, we have always struggled against the opponent's style of play and their high motivation." Tottori also has the goal of "beating the top team" and they also have the desire to play for the local community at home." Among them, MF Hattori and DF Togawa are experienced players in J1. MF Jitsunobu, wearing the number 10, is a key player for Tottori's attack. FW Hamado and Abe have the ability to score a decisive goal, so they cannot be underestimated. Tokyo welcomed back Japan national team player Imamura, who returned after playing full matches in the World Cup qualifiers away. On the other hand, Kanda left the team to participate in the activities of the U-22 Japan national team. The starting lineup consists of GK Shioda returning, Imamura and Morishige as center-backs, Tokunaga as right full-back, and Tanabe and Yawata on the wings. Although there was not enough time for sufficient preparation, Hanyu said, "This is the culmination of this season," and what they have built up until now will be tested and challenged in this match. They have been resilient so far, calmly observing the opponent's approach and making adjustments during the game. The ability to make decisions based on the situation will also be key in this round, but in order to do that, they want to fight without reducing their intensity. Of course, they will aim for all 3 points until the end and not give up, but even a draw will secure a place in the top 3, so they are in a favorable position. They will not be overwhelmed by the intense atmosphere away from home, and they will go for victory confidently and with their own style of play. The match started at 17:03 with Tokyo's kickoff at the Torigin Bird Stadium.

Tokyo Face Key Game In Promotion Challenge

FC Tokyo made the long trip to Tottori to take on Gainare in the 36th round of games. Only two days after overcoming Vissel Kobe in extra time in the Emperor's Cup, Tokyo faced a vital game in their quest to regain J1 status, as a draw or better would see the side gain promotion. Manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "For some of the team it was the first time they'd ever played 120 minutes. Mind you, it's the same for Tottori. We can't do anything about the physical side but the mental side will be important. There's no mistake that this is an important game in the promotion race but we also want the team to show progress over the final three games of the season."
Opponents Tottori lay in 19th place in the league with 31 points at kick-off. "Despite their position they've caused teams trouble this year with their playing style and their high level of motivation. I'm sure they'll be very keen to knock us off our perch and they're playing for local pride as well," was Kiyoshi Okuma's view on the opposition. Midfielder Hattori and defender Togawa both had lengthy careers in J1, while midfielder Sanenobu, sporting the number 10 shirt, was the face of the team and its attacking orchestrator. Forwards Abe and Hamed were both capable of conjuring a goal from nothing.
Tokyo welcomed back defender Konno from National Team duty, fully fit after playing two consecutive away games in the World Cup qualifying round. Gonda was absent with the Japan Olympic team, meaning a start for Shiota in goal. Konno teamed up with Morishige in central defense, Tokunaga appeared at right back with Tanabe and Yazawa on the flanks. The side had little time to prepare together during the week but, as Hanyu pointed out, the game was a challenge for the team to show what it had learned over the course of the year so far.
A gritty display, responding to the in-game situation was called for and although a win would be preferable a draw would ensure promotion, a comfortable position for Tokyo to be in. The side was looking for a confident, unhurried performance, not unduly worried by the fierce local atmosphere. The visitors kicked off shortly after 5pm on a cool and cloudy afternoon.

It was a difficult development, but Morishige scored a direct free kick and led the team to the halftime break.

　From the beginning, Tokyo dominated the ball and tried to attack by connecting passes, but Tottori defended with a formation close to a 5-back and put numbers in defense. As a result, there was a continued inability to create scoring opportunities. However, in the 21st minute, Kajiyama in the right area used his ball control skills and passed to Yazawa in the center. Yazawa tried to break free into space by feinting past the opposing defender, but he was fouled and won a free kick just outside the penalty arc in the center. In the 23rd minute, Mori Shige flashed his right foot in this situation! He brilliantly scored a direct free kick to the right and took the lead. With this momentum, in the 31st minute, Kajiyama dribbled past three opponents and connected with Hayashi in the center, who then passed to Yazawa. Tokunaga, who had moved up the right side, unleashed a powerful shot, but the goalkeeper made a save and it resulted in a corner kick. In the 33rd minute, Tottori launched a quick counterattack, and a low cross was met by forward Mio, who broke into the area, posing the biggest threat, but Imakawa cleared it with a sliding tackle! Even when a shot was taken from the loose ball, Imakawa made the cut! Tokyo also brought the ball into a spectacular counterattack. However, when Tokunaga crossed, Kajiyama in front of the goal slid to make contact, but the shot hit the post. In the 35th minute, Lucas made a perfect header from Tokunaga's cross, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper's save. In the 41st minute, Tottori midfielder Jitsushin broke through the Tokyo defense, but Imakawa and Shioda reacted quickly to defend and held off the danger, maintaining a one-goal lead as they entered the second half.

Morishige Free Kick Gives Tokyo First Half Lead

Tokyo began by dominating possession and pushing forward but a near five-man Tottori backline prevented them gaining a clear site of goal. After struggling to create clear-cut chances the game suddenly burst into life in the 21st minute. Kajiyama held the ball up just outside the Tottori area on the right before slipping it inside to Yazawa, who attempted to feint past a defender and into the box. Yazawa went down under the challenge, giving Tokyo a free kick in a central position. Morishige stepped up and smashed the ball past Kobari to give Tokyo the lead.
Tokyo had their tails up and Kajiyama showed great skill to dribble past three opponents in the 31st minute, before Hanyu and Yazawa set up the overlapping Tokunaga on the right. Tokunaga unleashed a fierce drive that Kobari palmed around the post for a corner. In the 33rd minute Tottori launched a quick break down the right wing, striker Mio darted clear of the Tokyo defence and attempted to reach a low early cross. Konno put in a superb sliding tackle to prevent Mio shooting and then leapt back to his feet to block a shot as the ball ran loose.
Tokyo then regained possession and launched a counter attack. Tokunaga raced down the wing and turned in a cross that Kajiyama met at full stretch, only for the ball to strike the post and rebound to safety. Lucas met yet another Tokunaga cross with a thumping header in the 35th minute, Kobari producing a fine save to deny Tokyo a second goal. Konno and Shiota were called on again in the 41st minute as Tottori midfielder Sanenobu darted through the defence, the pair teaming up to disperse the threat. The first period ended 1-0.

Victory with a massive 5 goals including Uesato's first goal after transfer! Secured J1 return in just one year!!

　Shortly after the start of the second half in the 51st minute, Lucas near the area received a pass from Hayu, controlled the ball with one touch, turned around, and took a shot! The ball found the bottom left corner of the net, expanding the lead with Lucas' skillful goal. In the 62nd minute, Suzuki replaced Tanabe, followed by Roberto CESAR replacing Lucas. They approached the Tottori goal with a variety of attacks. In the 70th minute, the opponent's defender cleared the ball to CESAR in the center of the area, and from CESAR's drop, Tanizawa struck a powerful shot.

　In the 72nd minute, Uesato replaced Kajiyama. In the 80th minute, Uesato floated a pass to the left front line. Suzuki ran into the area with speed, turned the opponent's defender, and scored a goal. The combination of the two substitute players resulted in the fourth goal. However, Tottori, who showed perseverance, had their right side broken through in the 85th minute by Tokyo, and a decisive shot was taken by central midfielder Okano. Shioda initially made a save, but Fukui quickly reacted to the rebound and conceded a goal...

　However, in injury time, Cesar rushed into the right area from a long feed. His shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, and Suzuki's shot from the opposite side was also blocked again, but Uezato neatly pushed it in at the end, resulting in a goal rush of 5 goals. They stuck to their own soccer until the end and won away. As a result, they accumulated 74 points and secured a place in the top 3 of the season. They took back their J1 return with their own hands.

　【Player Comment】《Imano》"I am more hot than happy to have achieved the minimum goal of promotion this season. I felt sorry for the fans and supporters last year when we were relegated to J2, so I wanted to show good soccer and get promoted this year. Many people came to support us even away games, and they gave us strength and created a home-like atmosphere. Tokyo supporters are truly the best! It was a really tough year this season. There are many good teams and players in J2, and at first, we didn't get results, but we talked together and our unity increased, and I think we became a good team. It was really long and tough. The travel was also difficult."

　This season, being the captain has been a good experience for me, and I think it has had a positive impact because I am actively trying. I have started to think a lot about not only myself but also the team. I have started to talk to and care about players who are not playing in the matches. It's little by little (laughs), but our motto is "to become stronger and return to J1," so I want to show the changes. Depending on the result of tomorrow's Tosu match, the championship may be decided, so for now, I can only pray for that (laughs).

　"Hanyu": "(What were your thoughts when you were on the pitch at the moment of promotion?) I was really happy! Yohei also had cramps in his legs and he was the third substitution, but he said to me, 'Are you okay, Nyu-san?' But I really wanted to be in that situation, so I was fine. In the end, I also had a little cramp, but it was good to be able to play the full game after a long time, and above all, it was good to be able to be in that situation. Today, before the game, it was a bit tense or rather, a quiet atmosphere. I think everyone had their own thoughts. In that, I also talked about trying to raise the tension a little by saying, 'Let's remember the feeling of last season's Nishikyogoku.'"

　Last season, there were times when we couldn't achieve what we should have been able to on our own and had to rely on others. That's why we said, "Let's win it with our own hands!" Looking back on this season, there were various challenges as a team, but we overcame them together. We have come this far by supporting each other. I am grateful to my teammates, and it was a season where I felt the importance of "connection". (Towards J1?) We need to sincerely accept the results of this season and think about what is necessary to further improve. There are still many things that are lacking, and I also want to take another step forward and level up."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "The opponents have also changed their system. The same was true for the Shonan match, but we have been making efforts. This season, we have developed the ability to adapt and overcome difficulties, and the players have become able to make adjustments on their own. It can be said that we have gained some self-reliance as we have become able to respond to the opponents without needing much advice. In matches where we don't know which way it will go, we have also developed the team's ability to secure victories and pull them towards us. The team consists not only of 11 players but also of 31 players, and I truly believe that the team's strength has grown, including the Shonan match."

　When Hirayama and Yonemoto return, the competition and unity will further strengthen. In the remaining two matches, we will do our best to aim for the championship, strengthen ourselves for J1, and strive to become stronger and return to J1. (Although many fans and supporters came to support us) They created a home atmosphere even in the away games. Last season, we couldn't win even at home, and it was extremely frustrating. In the midst of not abandoning us, they came all the way to this distant away game, which cannot be expressed in words. I can only express my gratitude."

　[Summary of Tottori Matsuda's press conference] "First of all, congratulations to FC Tokyo for securing promotion to J1. In today's game, we intended to take on a big challenge. We made some changes to the system and wanted to explore various possibilities rather than just focusing on FC Tokyo. We prepared for the game with that in mind. We often found ourselves in defensive situations, but in terms of the possession that we are committed to, we were able to create a lot of time against FC Tokyo. In that sense, it was a challenging endeavor with risks, but first and foremost, I think the players did well."

　We still don't have the power, but it's a game that I feel has great potential and I want to improve the accuracy of each one and aim higher. In the game, FC Tokyo was clearly superior in one-on-one strength. I think that was a game where that really showed. It is necessary to improve both the overall strength of the team and the individual strength. That was also a game that strongly felt."

Uesato Bags First Goal As Tokyo Run Riot

Tokyo wasted no time in doubling their lead as the second half unfolded. In the 51st minute, Lucas received the ball from Hanyu just outside the penalty area in a central position. The Brazilian striker deftly controlled the ball with his first touch, then spun and cracked a low drive into the bottom left corner of the goal. Suzuki replaced Tanabe in the 62nd minute while Lucas made way for Roberto Cesar in the 67th. Tokyo continued to attack inventively and it wasn't long before another goal arrived. In the 70th minute, Cesar controlled a defensive clearance inside the Tottori area and neatly laid the ball off to Yazawa who hammered it past Kobari to put Tokyo 3-0 ahead.
Tokyo replaced Kajiyama with Uesato in the 72nd minute and the young midfielder soon made an impact on the game. In the 80th minute, he floated a ball over the Tottori defense, Suzuki raced away then cut inside a defender and finished comfortably past Kobari. The two substitutes had combined to extend the lead to four. Despite the scoreline, Tottori continued to battle on and were rewarded with a consolation goal in the 85th minute as Shiota made a fine save to deny midfielder Okano but was unable to prevent Fukui from reaching the rebound first.
As the game moved into additional time, Roberto Cesar latched onto a long feed down the right, burst into the area and shot. Kobari saved, the ball running out to Suzuki on the left. Kobari again saved Suzuki's effort but Uesato was on hand to force the ball over the line for his first goal for Tokyo, and the fifth of the afternoon. Tokyo had been able to play their own game all afternoon and a handsome victory was the reward. The three points earned gave Tokyo a total of 74 and guaranteed a return to J1 in 2012.


Players' comments
Konno
"We've achieved our minimum aim for the season by winning promotion and although I'm happy I'm more relieved. We felt terrible about disappointing the supporters by getting relegated last season and so we wanted to play some good football for them and go straight back up. It was fantastic that so many of our fans made the journey today and they gave the side a real boost, making it feel like a home game. Our fans really are the best! It's been a long, hard season. The travel involved was difficult as well. There are a lot of good teams and good players in J2; we weren't getting the results at first but put our heads together and developed into a good team, I think.
Being captain this year has been a great experience for me and trying things in a positive way has been a real plus. It's made me think more about not only my own game but the team as a whole. It's made me pay attention to things like talking more to the players who aren't appearing in games. Little by little we're living up to the season's motto of becoming stronger and getting back into the top flight. We want to show what's changed in our game. Depending on the Tosu result tomorrow we could be celebrating winning the league so we'll be wishing for that first".

Hanyu
"How did it feel being on the pitch at the moment we won promotion? I was incredibly happy, of course. Yohei ( Kajiyama ) had cramp and was our third substitution; he asked me if I was OK and I said I was as I really wanted to be on the pitch for the final whistle. I had a little cramp myself since it was the first time I'd played the full 90 minutes for a while but I'm really pleased that I was on the pitch at the end. Before kick off everyone seemed a little tense and the mood was quiet. I thought I'd try to raise the mood and told them to remember how we'd felt at Nishikyogoku after the final game last year.
Last year we should have been able to do it for ourselves but couldn't and were forced to depend on outside help. This time I talked about going out and winning it by our own ability, with our own hands. Looking back over this season various things happened to us as a team but we overcame them. Supporting each other has brought us here today. I'm very grateful to the lads and it's been a season that made me realise how important relationships are.
What about J1 next year? We'll need to think about how to improve the team. There are many areas we need to work on and I'll be working hard to improve my game as well."


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Our opponents changed their system, just as Shonan did the other week. We've suffered this year but now the players have developed the ability to make adjustments themselves on the field, without being given much advice. The game was fairly even for a long time but again the team has developed the ability to dig out or grind out a win. The team isn't just 11 but 31 players; I said this after the Shonan game and again today we saw that the team is increasing in strength.
When Hirayama and Yonemoto come back that will further increase the competition for places and the overall unity of the side. We want to win our two remaining games and return to J1 in a stronger position than when we left it.
Our supporters were incredible today, they really made it feel like a home game. Last year we hardly won at home and left them with nothing but bad memories yet they didn't abandon us and to see so many make the long trip here to support the team leaves me speechless with gratitude. There's nothing to say except thank you".

Tottori manager Matsuda
"First of all I'd like to congratulate FC Tokyo on their promotion to J1. We saw today's game as a real challenge for us. We changed the system slightly for this game but beyond that we're looking at various possibilities for the future. We prepared for the game with that in mind. We spent a lot of time defending but we were also able to enjoy some periods of possession. As I said, the game was a challenge for us but I felt the players gave their best. At the moment we're not up to the task but I felt it was a performance that showed great possibility if we can improve our quality in every area. In the individual duels during the game it was clear that Tokyo were better than us. We need to improve the individual ability of the players at the same time as we improve the team overall. I think the game made that quite clear".