In pursuit of the first ever ACL quarterfinals

ACL Round 16 will be a match against Shanghai SIPG (China). This Round 16 is Tokyo's first challenge to advance to the ACL Best 8, and it will be a tournament match played in a home and away format from here. The first match will be held at home, Tokyo Stadium.
 

Due to Maruyama's suspension for accumulated warnings, Tokyo appointed Yoshimoto as the right center back. Morishige is on the left. Hashimoto serves as the right fullback, and Tokunaga moves to the left. On the team sheet, it appears to be a 4-4-2 formation, but Takahashi acts as the anchor, with Hayashi and Yonemoto in the midfield. Maeda is in the center of the front line, with Mizunuma and Higashi on the sides, approaching the game with a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Shanghai, FW Asamoah Gyan is absent. Starting with FW Ewerton in the center of the front line. FW Lu Wenjun on the left, FW Wu Lei on the right. MF Dario Conca at the top. Double pivot with MF 6 Tsai Huang and FW 21 Yu Hai in a 4-3-3 formation.
 

It goes without saying that we aim for 3 points at home, but in order to advance to the quarterfinals, the number of away goals is also taken into consideration, so we need to keep in mind "how to play in the tournament" and approach this match.

The rain that had been falling since the afternoon has stopped, and the game started at 19:30 with a slightly chilly weather in Tokyo.

Tokyo Aim For First Appearance In ACL Quarter Finals

Having qualified from the group stage of the AFC Champions League, Tokyo were drawn against Shanghai SIPG in the first round of the knockout tournament. The first leg of the home and away tie was held at Tokyo Stadium, with the hosts aiming to reach the final eight of the competition for the first time.
Tokyo were without the suspended Maruyama with Yoshimoto taking his place at right-sided centre back. Morishige played on his left, Hashimoto started at right back and Tokunaga moved across to play on the left. The team sheet showed a 4-4-2 formation but Takahashi played as midfield anchor while Hanyu partnered Yonemoto in central midfield. Mizunuma began on the right of midfield, Higashi on the left and Maeda plowed a lone furrow as the most advanced of the attackers.
Shanghai were without striker Asamoah Gyan. Elkeson began as central striker with Lu Wenjun on the left, Wu Lei on the right and Dario Conca in the hole. Midfielder Cai Huikang and forward Yu Hai played as double defensive midfielders in a 4-3-3 formation.
While Tokyo aimed to take the three points they also had to take into account the necessary tournament tactics, in particular avoiding away goals, in their quest to reach the quarter finals.
The rain that blanketed the city during the day had finally stopped as Tokyo kicked off at 7:30pm on a slightly chilly evening.

Seize the rhythm in offense and defense with a fighting spirit, and take the lead with Mizunuma's free kick

They surpassed Shanghai in terms of speed from the start, switching their footwork quickly and showing strength in ball contests, pushing the opponent into their own territory.
5 minutes: Hashimoto, who took a high position on the right side, made a diagonal pass into the area. Maeda controlled it and Mizunuma, near the area, took a shot. They created a good opportunity, but the ball was blocked by the opposing defender who stretched his leg in front of the goal.
7 minutes: Maeda in the center of the area, from a cross from Yonemoto on the left side, headed the ball but it went over the bar.

11 minutes: On the right side, Hanyu exchanged passes with Maeda and sent a soft cross to the left area and the space behind the opponent. Yonemoto rushed in, but couldn't finish the shot and only managed to earn a corner kick.

21 minutes: East intercepts a pass from the opponent's center back, dribbles it to the left area, temporarily held back by the opponent but persistently recovers it, and makes a negative pass. Yonemoto, who ran to the left area, took a shot but it was caught by the goalkeeper in front.

They pushed their fighting spirit to the forefront, maintaining intensity and hard work in the battles for the ball, not allowing Shanghai to play freely. They aggressively initiated attacks and created offensive opportunities, but there was a period of time when they couldn't capitalize on those chances.

24 minutes: Yonemoto dribbles on the right side and crosses to the left area. Higashi attempts a volley but fails to make contact. Then, Maeda heads the ball from Mizunuma's cross in the left area. The ball seemed to be heading towards the right side of the goal, but the goalkeeper saves it.

35 minutes, Mizunuma on the right feeds the ball to Maeda in the area. Maeda securely controls it and passes it to Hayu, who runs into the right area. Hayu is challenged by the opposing defender and skillfully hits the defender's leg from a shooting position, which seemed to result in winning a corner kick, but it was ruled as a Shanghai ball.

41 minutes: The scoreless time continued, but Hashimoto, who ran into the second ball from Mizunuma's right corner kick, took a shot from the left area just in front of the goal. The ball was blocked by Shanghai FW Ewerton, but it hit his hand, resulting in a free kick.
 

In the 43rd minute, Mizunuma aimed directly at the left corner of the penalty area from the free kick, and the low trajectory shot passed through the legs of the wall and Takahashi, entering the left side of the goal! Mizunuma successfully took advantage of the free kick opportunity to take the lead. 1-0. They went into the second half leading by one point.

Mizunuma Free Kick Gives Tokyo Lead After Gritty First Half Display

From the kick off Tokyo were faster to the ball and sharper in the transition from defence to attack than the visitors. The game was played largely in the Shanghai half as the hosts settled into a rhythm.

5th.minute: Hashimoto took the ball down the right, almost to the Shanghai byline before cutting an oblique cross back into the centre. Maeda cushioned the ball neatly into Mizunuma's path and his low drive was goalbound until a defender stretched out a leg to block the effort. It was a promising move from the hosts.

7th.minute: Yonemoto crossed from the right and Maeda outjumped a defender but directed his header over the bar.

11th.minute: Hanyu exchanged passes with Maeda down the right before feathering a delicate cross behind the Shanghai defence towards the far post. Although Yonemoto failed to make firm contact as he flung himself at the ball Tokyo still earned a corner.

21st.minute: Higashi intercepted a loose pass from an opposition centre back and dribbled towards the left side of the penalty area. He ran into trouble, losing the ball once but then regaining possession after stubborn persistence and cut a cross back to Yonemoto. Yonemoto checked inside and drove in a low shot that flew straight at the goalkeeper. Tokyo continued to play with great fighting spirit and their hard work prevented Shanghai enjoying any freedom to play their own game. Tokyo maintained an aggressive attacking approach and created chances. The only thing missing was a decisive finish.

24th.minute: Yonemoto dribbled down the right and lifted a deep cross beyond the far post. Higashi attempted a volley but failed to make a solid contact with the ball. Tokyo regrouped and Mizunuma lifted in another cross that Maeda met with a firm header, drawing a save from the goalkeeper.24th.minute: Yonemoto dribbled down the right and lifted a deep cross beyond the far post. Higashi attempted a volley but failed to make a solid contact with the ball. Tokyo regrouped and Mizunuma lifted in another cross that Maeda met with a firm header, drawing a save from the goalkeeper.

35th.minute: Mizunuma found Maeda inside the penalty area. Maeda knocked the ball down to Hanyu, racing into the box from the right. Hanyu battled with a defender and seemed to have won a corner by driving the ball against the opposition player's leg, but the referee awarded a goal kick.
41st.minute: Half time drew near with the game still goalless. Mizunuma swung in a corner from the right that was cleared to Hashimoto, outside the penalty area on the left. Hashimoto shot and the onrushing Elkeson blocked the effort with his hands, giving Tokyo a free kick almost on the line itself.
43rd.minute: Mizunuma took the free kick himself, driving a low effort through the wall, between a defender and Takahashi's feet and into the net. Mizunuma had taken advantage of the chance to give Tokyo the lead with perfect timing. The first period ended 1-0.

Although the score was equalized, Mizunuma scored the second goal and won the competition!

In the second half, Shanghai, who is facing a counterattack, holds the ball. They have come out attacking by exploiting both sides of Tokyo.
47 minutes: Julian is released behind the right full-back Hoofwan, following a feed into MF Konka's area.
50 minutes: FW Lu Wenjun, FW Ewerton, and MF Conca exchanged direct passes inside the Tokyo team's defense, and FW Ureli broke through.

55 minutes: Opponent MF Conca holds the ball just outside the area and times it to pass through the Tokyo DF. With excellent coordination, FW Lu JUN breaks free in the area, slightly to the right. The decisive shot was saved by Akimoto... but the ball spilled to the right of Akimoto, and FW UREI closed in... resulting in a goal. 1-1.
Tokyo, who was caught up in a tie, launched a quick attack after a fierce defense without being shaken, aiming to take the lead.
 

62 minutes: Takumi ABE is substituted in for Higashi.
64 minutes: Tokunaga carries the ball and passes it to Hanyu, who was positioned in front of the goal. Hanyu aimed for a shot, but it went over the bar.
65 minutes: Yonemoto → Tokunaga enters the left area. He cuts back against the opponent, measures the distance, and sends a left cross. Mizunuma runs into the right area from the outside of Maeda in the center, and Hashimoto runs into the right area. The ball goes to Mizunuma. Mizunuma volleys with his right foot and unleashes a powerful shot that attacks the goalkeeper, piercing the goal. They successfully take the lead. 2-1.
The time spent on defense has increased since then, facing Shanghai's counterattack again.

79 minutes: Tanabe replaces Mizunuma. Maeda and Abe form a two-top. Tanabe on the right side, Hayu on the left. Takahashi and Yonemoto change to a 4-4-2 formation in the central midfield, trying to change the flow of the game.

87 minutes: Shanghai builds their attack from MF Konka, who utilizes the speed of FW Urelei and charges into the area.
90 minutes: From Shanghai FW Ure's dribble, FW Ewerton expands to the right. Jumping one after another in front of the goal, following the right cross. In additional time, Ure broke through behind Tokyo DF from MF Conca's through pass, but Tokyo concentrated and defended until the end of the game.

Although they conceded one goal, they kept going until the end and won a tough match, giving them the advantage for the second away game.

Shanghai Equalise; Mizunuma Wins It With Second Goal

The visitors came out fighting in the second half, enjoying more of the ball and pushing forward down the flanks.

47th.minute: Shanghai midfielder Conca played a pass into the Tokyo box for overlapping right sideback Fu Huan to take behind the Tokyo defence.

50th.minute: Shanghai forward Lu Wenjun, Elkeson and Conca combined with some slick passing to release forward Wu Lei.

55th.minute: Conca skillfully retained possession outside the Tokyo box before slipping a pass through the home defence. Striker Lu Wenjun darted onto the ball and shot left-footed for the far corner. Akimoto charged off his line and made a fine reaction save, dropping to his right. The ball ran loose and striker Wu Lei pounced, firing home from close range. Although Shanghai had drawn level Tokyo remained solid in defence and broke forward at pace in search of another goal.

62nd.minute: Abe replaced Higashi.

64th.minute: Tokunaga pushed forward and found Hanyu in a central position, just outside the Shanghai box. Hanyu crashed a rising shot just over the bar.

65th.minute: Yonemoto found Tokunaga pushing forward down the left flank. Tokunaga checked back inside and lifted a right-footed cross beyond the penalty spot. Mizunuma met the ball on the run with a side-footed first-time volley that left his boot like a rocket. The goalkeeper was unable to stop the shot and Tokyo were back in the lead once again. Shanghai pushed forward in search of another equaliser and the hosts spent more time defending.

79th.minute: Tanabe replaced Mizunuma and Abe partnered Maeda in a two-pronged attack. Tanabe played on the right of midfield and Hanyu on the left, with Takahashi and Yonemoto in the centre in a 4-4-2 formation. Tokyo sought to change the flow of the game.

87th.minute: Shanghai midfielder Conca constructed a move and forward Wu Lei made inroads inside the Tokyo box.

90th.minute: Wu Lei dribbled forward and Elkeson took the ball down the right before crossing into the danger area. Several Shanghai players flung themselves at the ball but none were able to make contact. In additional time Conca managed to play Wu Lei in behind the Tokyo defence one final time but the hosts held firm and cleared the threat. The final whistle blew on a hard-fought 2-1 win. Although Tokyo conceded they battled to the bitter end, never stopped running and could look forward to the return fixture in a week's time.

[Player Comments]

"Mizunuma"
"The free kick was a bit too close, but I kicked it intuitively based on my own sense. I'm glad I was able to score. (Regarding the second goal) I had a feeling that I would be the one crossing the ball. I knew that if I crossed it to the far post, the opponent would become a ball watcher. So when Tokunaga made the cutback, I ran to the far post as planned, and the ball came exactly as I intended. I was conscious of hitting the shot firmly. I think the distance between the players and the understanding of what we wanted to do was good from the start of the game today. We were able to share the image of making runs behind the defense and connecting with short passes."

"Yoshimoto"
"Losing an away goal is something to reflect on. I considered it my job to keep the score at zero, so I feel regret. However, I haven't been able to win in the games I've played so far, so today I approached the game with the mindset of 'If I can't get results here, I don't deserve to play in Tokyo anymore.' So I'm relieved that we won. Especially in the first half, it was a fantastic game. Everyone was strong in the challenges, and I think the desire to win was conveyed to the spectators."

Players' Comments

Mizunuma:
"The free kick was a bit too close to the goal so I just went with my gut feeling and fortunately it went in. The second came from the side I had originally put a cross in from. When you play a cross to the far post often the opposition get caught ball watching so when I saw Tokunaga cut back inside I made my run towards the far post. He put a perfect cross in and I watched it all the way onto my boot. From the start of the game today the distance between the players was just right and I felt we managed to achieve what we wanted to do. We got behind the opposition defence and linked up well; we shared a vision of how we wanted to play".

Yoshimoto:
"We have to look at ourselves for the way we conceded. Our job in defence is to keep a clean sheet so it's very disappointing we couldn't manage it tonight. However, so far this season we hadn't managed to win a game that I've played in so I felt that if we couldn't get a result tonight then I wouldn't be qualified to ever play a game for the club again. I'm very relieved we won. In particular I felt our first half performance was fantastic. I'm sure we managed to convey our desire to win to everyone watching".

[Summary of Manager Hiroshi Jofuku's Press Conference]

"We knew that if we didn't win the first match and head to Shanghai, the second match would be tough. Everyone performed their roles with a strong determination. (Regarding Hashimoto's use as a right back and Takahashi's role) Hashimoto has great versatility. In a high-pressure match like today's, facing strong opponents individually, he fought well despite being beaten a few times. It was possible because of the defensive support from the front line. The front line pressed well from the first half. Takahashi had a clear role in maintaining the defensive balance and aggressiveness in attack. He concentrated well to make the team function. We intended to play a match where we don't let the opponents score and we score ourselves. It's regrettable that we conceded a goal, but the players gave their all for the full 90 minutes. We want to celebrate this victory with the fans and supporters. We will prepare for the next match and face the second match in Shanghai with determination."
 

[Shanghai SIPG - Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's Press Conference Summary]
"It was a good game today. In the first half, I think FC Tokyo was slightly better than us. Tokyo had a very good start and played very aggressively in the duels. However, in the second half, we also picked up the pace and had no problems physically. We were able to control the ball and apply pressure. It was a performance that leads to the second match next week. As for the first goal we conceded, it was our own mistake. In a free kick from that distance, the wall should not have jumped. That's the bottom line. Of course, mistakes are inevitable in football. If there were no mistakes, every game would end in a 0-0 draw. I want to play well for the second match."

F.C.TOKYO manager Hiroshi Jofuku

"We knew that if we didn't win today the second game in Shanghai would be very difficult. The entire team played with tremendous spirit and fulfilled their individual roles to perfection.
What about Hashimoto at side back and Takahashi's role? Hashimoto really is a very versatile player. In a high-pressure game like today's against a strong opponent he fought really well, getting behind their defence several times. He was everywhere, from defence to attack. He pressed really hard from the first half. Takahashi has a clearly defined role in both maintaining the defensive balance and pushing forward aggressively when called upon. In order to make the team function he plays with great concentration. As usual our aim for the match had been to score without conceding. Letting in a goal is disappointing but otherwise it was an excellent performance over the whole 90 minutes. We're very happy we could share the victory with our fans and supporters. We're going to prepare to the best of our ability for the second game to make it to the next round".
 

Shanghai SIPG manager Sven Goran Eriksson

"That was a very good game. I felt FC Tokyo edged the first half. They started well and were very aggressive to the ball. However, our speed showed in the second half and we had no problems with our physical conditioning. We controlled the ball and pressed hard. I think it was a performance that we can take into the next game. Their first goal came from our mistake.
The wall shouldn't jump at a free kick so close to the goal. That's in the past, though. Of course there are mistakes in football, if there weren't then every game would finish 0-0. We're looking forward to the second leg and aim to put in a good performance".