J2 Final Chapter! A decisive match that we want to end with a victory, built up with soccer until now.

　The final match of the league was against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo away. In the previous match against Chiba, we struggled to break through their defensive play, but we made adjustments in the second half. With Lucas' amazing goal, we achieved our fourth consecutive win. This match is crucial for Sapporo as they are fighting for promotion. They will face the intense atmosphere and pressure of an away game, but they must prove their strength as the championship team and earn 80 points. Furthermore, they want to end the season on a high note in order to gain confidence for the Emperor's Cup and the next season. On the other hand, Sapporo is currently in 3rd place. They have the same 65 points as 4th place Tokushima, but they have a better goal difference of "2". They have been able to find their rhythm through their strong defense and their speedy attacks led by their top striker. In this match, they will have their well-known forward, Kondo, as their top striker, with midfielders Uchimura and Furuta, and winger Sunagawa supporting him. They will create chances through their teamwork and never give up until the end. Tokyo will have Genki back from his activities with the Japan national team and he will start the match. On the other hand, Kajiyama will be absent due to his foot condition. In midfield, Hanyu will start again, and Sakata will be in the attacking midfield position. Coach Okuma says, "Sapporo's game plan will change depending on Tokushima's match, so it will be a difficult game. This is a good opportunity for us to show our true essence as a team without losing our focus. We want to increase our concentration and bring home a good result." The atmosphere in the dome is unique and it is difficult to hear instructions from the bench. That's why "the players themselves need to communicate and play with a clear goal as a team (Coach Okuma)." The last game of J2 will truly test our adaptability and concentration. In order to win, we need to maintain our composure as always and have a stronger determination than our opponents. The match started at 12:32 PM at Sapporo Dome with Sapporo's kickoff.

Tokyo Aim To End Season With Flourish 

Sapporo was the destination for the 38th and final game of the 2011 season. Tokyo had struggled to prise open a deeply defensive Chiba side in the first half of their previous outing, but an improved second half performance, capped by a supremely skillful Lucas winner, had seen the team earn a fourth straight win. Sapporo would provide a different kind of test of the champions' credentials as the home side was still in the running for promotion, and the expected bumper crowd and tense atmosphere would challenge Tokyo's attempt to reach 80 points for the season. With the Emperor's Cup on the horizon and with thoughts moving ahead to next year, a confidence-enhancing win and a performance to highlight the progress made over the course of the long season was called for.
Sapporo lay in 3rd place at kick off on 65 points, level with 4th place Tokushima, but ahead by virtue of having a better goal difference. The side was noted for building a rhythm from its stubborn defense, playing a single striker system and breaking forward at great pace. Former Tokyo man Kondo filled the lone striker position, supported by midfielder Uchimura and wide men Furuta and Sunakawa. The interplay between those four was seen as carrying the greatest threat, together with the side's motivation given the nature of the match.
Gonda returned unscathed from duty with the Japan Olympic Team to reclaim his position in goal. Kajiyama was rested again owing to a leg injury, meaning that Hanyu continued in a defensive midfield role, while Sakata earned a place in the starting eleven in support of Lucas. Tokyo manager Okuma commented, "Depending on the situation in Tokushima's game, Sapporo may well have to alter their tactics and this could make things more difficult for us. We'll have to show our true quality and the game will provide a good test for the future. We want to increase our concentration and grind out a win."
The acoustics peculiar to domed stadiums meant that instructions from the bench would be largely inaudible to the players on the field, increasing the need for mutual understanding and a clear grasp of the strategy. To overcome a serious challenge in their final J2 game, Tokyo would need to remain composed while exceeding their opponents in every area of the game. Sapporo kicked off shortly after 12:30 pm.

2 goals conceded from the counter... trailing at halftime

　From the start, Sapporo has been aggressively defending and taking advantage of quick counterattacks against Tokyo's ball. However, Tokyo has been able to respond calmly. Even when they were able to bring the ball forward by avoiding the press, they struggled to create clear chances against Sapporo's focused defense. In the 19th minute, Tanizawa tenaciously took the ball that had become loose in the opponent's half and passed it through to the left area. From there, Takahashi crossed the ball from the far side, but he narrowly missed the ball as he slid in to try and score. In the 25th minute, there was a good combination play between Lucas on the left side and Tanizawa in the center, who then passed it through. Hayashi, who was behind them, made a wide play to the right and dribbled into the area. He tried to score, but was blocked by the opponent's defense. In the 28th minute, there was a big side change from Takahashi to Tanizawa on the left side. He boldly dribbled and earned a left corner kick, but the chance did not continue. As the game gradually became more intense with the exchange of offense and defense, Sapporo was also taking good care of their counterattacks. However, in the 40th minute, Tokyo was able to penetrate deep into Sapporo's territory from the right side and make a last pass into the goal area. Then, Sapporo's midfielder Uchimura was slid in from the far side and they conceded a goal... This gave Sapporo even more momentum. In stoppage time of the first half, Sapporo's forward Kondo broke through on the right side and passed it to Uchimura in the center, who then made a well-timed shot into the bottom right corner of the goal. They ended the first half with a 2-0 lead.

Tokyo Stung On The Counter Attack 

Sapporo began with grim determination in defence, regaining possession and looking to counter at high speed. Tokyo remained calm but on the occasions when they were able to bring the ball forward the home defence proved a formidable barrier and clear openings were scant and far between. In the 19th minute, Yazawa battled hard to win a loose ball inside the Sapporo half, then rolled a pass down the left channel for Tanabe to chase into the penalty area. Tanabe took the ball on and drove a low centre across the goal that evaded Takahashi's slide at the far post by the narrowest of margins.
In the 25th minute, the Tokyo frontline combined neatly as Lucas slipped the ball inside from the left channel, Yazawa dummied and Hanyu stroked it into Tokunaga's path as the right back stormed forward. Tokunaga let fly with a fierce drive that a defender blocked away. A sweeping crossfield ball from Takahashi found Tanabe on the left in the 28th minute; Tanabe took on a defender and crossed, the ball being cleared out for a corner. The chance came to nothing and Tokyo struggled to create further openings. Despite the gradually intensifying end to end nature of the game, Tokyo coped manfully with Sapporo's attempts to counter attack.
Then, in the 40th minute, Sapporo broke down the Tokyo right, took the ball almost to the byline and crossed. Midfielder Uchimura slid in at the far post to force the ball over the line and Tokyo found themselves behind. The goal emboldened the home side who continued to pour forward and grabbed a second on the stroke of halftime as Kondo darted through the Tokyo defence before picking out Uchimura in a central position. Uchimura controlled the ball deftly before dispatching it into the right corner with a neat finish. Tokyo entered the break two goals down.

Yasuzawa scores a goal, but unable to score additional points and ends the game.

　In the second half, Roberto CESAR replaced Sakata, and Ishikawa replaced Tanabe. They approached the game with an attacking formation. They launched a speedy attack starting from the sides while connecting passes. In the 65th minute, from Murahara's cross, Lucas in the center changed the side by connecting with Hayu, and Tokunaga, who went up on the right, took a powerful shot, but it hit the goalkeeper's face. Cesár on the right side seized the rebound and attempted a shot after dribbling past, but the momentum was weak... and it went back to the goalkeeper again.

　In the 68th minute, Tokunaga brought the ball in from the right and took another powerful shot. However, it was cut off and resulted in a corner kick. Yanazawa took the right corner kick and Inamoto dropped it to Morishige, who made a sliding attempt, but Sapporo's strong defense prevented the goal... Immediately after that, Uesato replaced Takahashi. They aimed to score from a set piece and went on the attack.

　At the 80th minute, Morishige sends a lofted pass aimed at the central area behind the opponent's defense. Caio CESAR breaks free at the perfect timing, controls the ball in mid-air, and takes a shot, but the lack of momentum is stopped by the goalkeeper's save. However, Taniyama, who ran into the loose ball, powerfully strikes it into the right side of the net for a goal!! The deficit is now reduced to one point.

　After that, Sapporo continued to threaten the goal, but Sapporo also remained focused. In injury time, Tanizawa hit a shot from Lucas' post near the area, but it went wide... Furthermore, Uesato sent a cross from the right side, and Morishige headed it towards the goal, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. Despite launching a fierce attack, they were unable to score a goal until the end. In the end, they couldn't score a second goal in the face of Sapporo's determination. The two goals conceded in the first half had an impact, and they couldn't finish the final match with a victory.

　【Player Comment】《Yazawa》"I expected Sapporo to come and make it difficult for us from the beginning, but they didn't come as extreme as I thought. They were fast vertically, but we conceded a few counterattacks and they were able to score their chances. At halftime, we tried to attack using both sides of the field. The ball tended to stop, so in the second half, there were many instances where we used the space behind the opponent's defense. However, I think we needed to create those kinds of scenes from the first half. The league is over, but in the Emperor's Cup, we want to have a game where we can compete against J1 teams and strive for it."

　"Konno: "I wanted to win and didn't want to concede... but it was a complete defeat. It was difficult to get to the point of shooting even though it seemed like we were attacking. In the second half, we aimed for the goal using the sides and were able to score one point, but the opponent also concentrated for the full 90 minutes, so I think it was Sapporo's game throughout the 90 minutes. I want to reflect on what needs improvement and make adjustments for the Emperor's Cup. I want to reset and approach it with a new mindset. (Thoughts on the promotion of the former team?) The supporters who cheered for me were probably here today. I want both of us to do our best in J1."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "I don't think it's about the content. The opposing supporters pushed us and we conceded because we had a vulnerability in our hearts. There were also great plays in Sapporo, but we needed to have the concentration to counter them. That's where the vulnerability arose. J2 and J1 teams have the concentration to exploit that vulnerability. If we don't do that properly, we can't accumulate victories. We can't change the past, so we need to retrain ourselves to come together in a positive way, as there is also the Emperor's Cup that leads to Asia in the future. (Could you conclude with the best soccer?) We had control over this match as well. However, J2 and J1 teams have strong counterattacks. We, including myself, need to take care of that as a team. Based on the first half of today's match, I felt that a reconsideration of the members, including my own thoughts and mentality, is necessary for the Emperor's Cup and J1."

　[Summary of Sapporo Ishizaki's Press Conference] "Before the game started, I told the players that we must win and finish. Depending on the result of the Tokushima game, there was a possibility that winning alone would not be enough, but we had to win no matter what. I really think the players did their best. This season has had various challenges from the beginning, but I think the players have overcome them and become stronger. (Did the pre-game instructions go well?) In yesterday's press conference, I was asked, "Which player should we be cautious of?" and I mentioned player Tanihara. I thought he was the key player for FC Tokyo. He scored one goal against us, but other than that, I think the players around him responded well without committing fouls. However, I am still very frustrated that we were beaten by Tanihara. I think this is what they call repaying kindness with enmity (laughs)."

Yazawa Goal Insufficient As Fightback Falters

For the second half Tokyo replaced Sakata with Roberto Cesar and Tanabe with Ishikawa as they sought to bolster the attack. They continued to play the ball around but the emphasis shifted to the flanks where they attacked with pace. In the 65th minute Mukuhara crossed, Lucas and Hanyu combined to move the ball out to the right and Tokunaga, arriving at full speed, lashed a shot goalward. The attempt flew straight at Lee in the Sapporo goal but he was unable to cling on to the ball and Roberto Cesar pounced as it ran free. Cesar dribbled into a shooting position but his attempt lacked power and Lee claimed comfortably.
Tokunaga produced another driving run and ferocious shot in the 68th minute, the ball striking a defender and flying out for a corner. Yazawa floated the ball to the far post, Konno headed it back into the danger area and Morishige slid in but his attempt was blocked away by some solid Sapporo defence work. Uesato replaced Takahashi shortly after as Tokyo attempted to profit from set plays.
In the 80th minute Morishige floated a ball over the Sapporo defence and Cesar's run was perfectly timed to beat the offside trap. Cesar controlled the ball neatly and shot; despite the effort lacking real power Lee failed to hold the ball and Yazawa was on hand to smash it into the net and give Tokyo a way back into the game.
Although Tokyo continued to attack the home defence held firm. In additional time Lucas held the ball up and Yazawa shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area while Morishige headed Uesato's free kick straight at Lee. Despite Tokyo’s best efforts Sapporo managed to hang on until the final whistle and claim the win. Conceding two goals late in the first half had been Tokyo's undoing as the side failed to end the season with a fifth straight victory.


Players' comments
Yazawa
"We had expected Sapporo to press very hard from the front but they didn't press as hard as we thought they would. They played a lot of straight early balls, countered a few times and took their chances when they came. At half time we discussed using the wings and stretching the play more. It felt like it was easy to make the ball stop and in the second half we made much better use of the space behind their defence, something we should have done more in the first period. The league is over now but the Emperor's Cup is still to come and we'll be up for the challenge regardless of who we play".

Konno
"We had wanted to win and not concede any goals. It was a total loss. We seemed to attack a lot but didn't manage many attempts on goal. We aimed to use the wings more in the second half and pulled one back but overall Sapporo concentrated well and deserved to win, I felt. We'll reflect on where we went wrong and look to put things right for the upcoming Emperor's Cup game.
How do I feel about my former club gaining promotion? I imagine some fans who supported me came to the game today. I hope we can both do well in J1 next year".


FC Tokyo manager Okuma
"The performance was neither here nor there, I think. Our opponents were well supported by their fans, we had a chink in our armour and they exploited it. Although Sapporo played some excellent football we should have had the concentration to withstand them. That's where the openings came from. The top teams in J2 and in J1 have the concentration to take advantage of weak points. If you can't keep it tight then you aren't going to rack up the wins. We can't change the past and have the Emperor's Cup coming up soon so we'll be trying to forge ahead in training.
Did we play our best game today? Well, we seized the initiative again. However, the top teams in J2 and J1 have real force on the counter attack. The team and myself have to be more aware of that. Looking at the first half today I can't help but think we have to reconsider the line up for the Emperor's Cup and J1 next year".

Consadole Sapporo manager Ishizaki
"Before the game we told the players we absolutely wanted to finish the year with a win and then sent them out onto the field. Depending on the Tokushima result just a win might not have been enough in itself, but anyhow we wanted to finish by winning. The lads played incredibly well, I think. Various things happened at the start of the year yet the players overcame the setbacks and have toughened up because of it.
Did our gameplan work out? I was asked in the press conference yesterday about players we had to watch out for and my answer was Yazawa. I think he's the key player for Tokyo. He scored one but apart from that we managed to stop him without resorting to fouling him.
It's still disappointing that he scored though. I guess this is what returning evil for good means"