Semifinal Round held at National, facing the league champion

Facing Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the semifinals of the Emperor's Cup. In the quarterfinals, they showed a strong determination to win and a never-give-up spirit, securing a dramatic victory. Although they were pushed back by Sendai and have some regrets about their performance, Shioda says, "Personally and as a team, we didn't panic in difficult times. We always have the consciousness of wanting to win and we are able to endure." At the same time, there are increasing weapons and positive factors for the team, such as Ota's free kick and Hayashi's first professional goal in the Sendai match. Building on what they have achieved so far, they aim to further enhance the team's unity and strive for the New Year's final.

Hiroshima has advanced to the semifinals by defeating Fukuoka University, Kumamoto, Kashima, and Kofu in the Emperor's Cup. Above all, they are the J1 champions who achieved a come-from-behind victory in the final match of this season's league. Their solid defense and never-give-up attitude can be considered as their epitome.

On the other hand, the key will be how much concentration and perseverance they can maintain. How they can suppress the movements of Hiroshima FW Sato, the starting point of the attack, and the attacking advances of MF Takahagi and MF Mikic. Even if they are cautious, they have enough power to surpass it, so it should be a development where they cannot let their guard down for a moment.

Today, Hirayama is suspended due to accumulated warnings. At the same time, considering Hiroshima's countermeasures, Kaga is starting as the right DF. Jang Hyun Soo is in the center, and Morishige is on the left, forming a 3-back formation. Watanabe is in the top position, and Hasegawa and Higashi are in the shadow. The match started at 15:04 with Hiroshima's kickoff on a calm and sunny day at the National Stadium, although the cold can be felt.

Both sides cancel each other's strengths, and the intense offense and defense continues

Both teams neutralize each other's strengths from the start. Tokyo's wingbacks, Tokunaga and Ota, also adopted a defensive positioning, but the entire defensive line aimed to maintain a high position. Even when Hiroshima had possession of the ball, Tokyo calmly regained it and connected it to their attack.

In the 12th minute, Ota's early cross from the left was headed by Higashi in the center. The ball was heading towards the goal, but it was cleared by the Hiroshima goalkeeper. In the 14th minute, Kaga passed to Tokunaga on the right side, creating space in the midfield. Takahashi moved forward and sent a shot towards the front line, but it went through the gap between Hasegawa in the penalty area and Watanabe in the foreground, crossing the line.

Hiroshima sends the ball to FW Sato without wasting time and tries to create a chance. In the 37th minute, FW Sato broke through the front line from a pass by Hiroshima MF Aoyama and moved towards the center. Furthermore, MF Fansoko brought the ball to the center and created a decisive opportunity, but the shot was blocked by Tokunaga's sliding tackle.

In the 44th minute, Tokyo stole the ball in their own half and Yamamoto launched a powerful counterattack. He passed to Hasegawa, who was advancing from the right side, but the pass was off target and Hiroshima intercepted it. Tokyo managed to contain Hiroshima's attacks and created some scoring opportunities through their typical teamwork, but they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense. The game reached halftime.

In the early stages of the second half, both teams had chances from set pieces. In the 57th minute, Morishige headed the ball from a right corner kick, but it went wide. In the 59th minute, Hiroshima was awarded a free kick, and Higaishi aimed directly at the goal from a central position about 30 meters away, but the shot flew into the frame and Shioda made a save with his right hand! In the midst of back and forth play, Hiroshima gradually gained momentum and seemed to be getting a hold of the rhythm. However, in the 64th minute, Watanabe seized the opportunity when the opposing defender failed to clear Morishige's pass and made a dash into the penalty area. He created a big chance, but his shot from the left area was blocked by the Hiroshima goalkeeper with his face...

In the 68th minute, Takahashi expanded to the left from Yonemoto's vertical pass. Morishige, who was advancing, crossed the ground ball to the center. It went through to the right area, and Tokunaga aimed for it, but only managed to get a corner kick by grazing the opponent's defender. In the 84th minute, Morishige controlled Hiroshima's long ball, but Sato, Hiroshima's forward, ran into Shioda in response to the back pass and connected with Mikic, the midfielder in the right area. It created a decisive pinch, but Morishige quickly returned and prevented a finish.

In the 86th minute, Hiroshima FW Sato was replaced by MF Notsuda. Tokyo also made a substitution in the 89th minute with Ishikawa coming on. However, both teams were unable to capitalize on their chances while maintaining their defensive resilience and focus, resulting in a scoreless draw and entering the fourth overtime of the tournament.

Failed to take advantage of the chance in extra time, and suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the penalty shootout

In the extra time, both teams used substitution cards to chase after "1 point". In the 93rd minute, Tokyo substituted Higashi with Hayashi. In the 104th minute, Ota sprinted up and made a low cross. Hayashi rushed into the goal area, but Hiroshima's defenders crowded around and he couldn't take a shot. Towards the end of the first half of extra time, Hiroshima launched a counterattack and Notsuda, a free forward, dribbled up to attack, but Morishige remained calm and displayed his strength, successfully taking the ball away and ending the first half.

Despite the deepening fatigue, they did not stop and continued to attack with all their strength in the second half of extra time. In the 106th minute, Mori Shige advanced and passed to Hasegawa on the left, who then dropped the ball to Hayashi in the center. Hasegawa once again charged into the left area, but was blocked in the midst of the scramble. In the 112th minute, Mita came on for Takahashi.

In the 118th minute, Yonemoto cut inside to the left area and made a last pass to the center. Mita stopped it with a trap and took a reverse shot, but it went wide. In the 119th minute, Ishikawa ran behind the opponent's defense line, following Mita's through pass, and created a decisive opportunity, but his strong shot was blocked by Hiroshima's goalkeeper's excellent save...

Throughout the 120 minutes, we fought tenaciously and did not allow any goals, but on the other hand, we were unable to score a goal, and the match was extended to a penalty shootout. In this penalty shootout, Ota, Morishige, and Jang Hyun Soo calmly scored. The first kick by Hiroshima's midfielder Aoyama was stopped by Shibata. The kick by Chiba, the third player, ended in a mistake, and at the end of the third player, Tokyo led 3-1, in a state of "just one more to go". However, Mita and then Hasegawa's kicks were consecutively saved by Hiroshima goalkeeper Nishikawa... The sixth player, Yonemoto, succeeded, but the seventh player, Ishikawa, was saved, and in the end, we allowed a goal by Hiroshima's midfielder Notsuda...

Despite advancing with an advantage in the penalty shootout, they were defeated in a comeback. They were unable to reach the finals and ended the season in the Emperor's Cup Best 4.

[Player Comments]
"Shiota"
"Since the result is everything, it's really disappointing that we couldn't move on. In the penalty shootout, we were reminded of the fear of soccer just one step away. We pushed Hiroshima to the edge of the ring, but they truly showed the strength of a league champion by bouncing back and pushing us back. They play fair and wonderful soccer, and they are a team that can be respected. On the other hand, we have to accept the reality of losing. I want to take this defeat as a learning experience and move forward."

"Mori Shige"
"It was a game where we both canceled each other's strengths and the outcome was determined by one chance. I think we both played good defense, patiently moved the ball, and looked for opportunities in the opponent's weaknesses. It's really disappointing to lose when there were chances to win, but penalties are no longer part of soccer. It was decided immediately that "those who are confident should take the kick," but anyone can miss and anyone can score. That's unavoidable. Through this Emperor's Cup, the team showed unity, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude until the end."

[Coach Popovich's Press Conference Summary]
"I wished to be here again on New Year's Day. There were big opportunities, and I was able to get closer to them. However, this game made me realize once again that this is football. It was a game filled with all kinds of emotions. We couldn't succeed, but I want to tell the players that they did well. They fought well not only in today's match but also over the past two years. They showed me their matured selves and it was a team that grew. We came so close to the title, and I think we are starting to produce consistent results."

And I really want to thank all the fans and supporters who are the 12th player. They have always supported us and been a source of strength for us. Although I am leaving the club after finishing my work here, the memories of the players, staff, and fans and supporters I worked with will always remain in my heart. I don't want to end on a sad note, and I am satisfied with the performance the players showed today. However, I hope they learn from not being able to decide the game when they had the chance and instead being decided by the opponent, and I hope they use this experience to enrich their lives as individuals. We continued to strive for victory until the end. It didn't result in a win, but I think that's also soccer."
 

[Hiroshima Manager Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary]
"It was a goal to fight at the Japan National Stadium in the New Year's final, and we were able to advance, which was ultimately good. Today was also a very difficult and tough battle, but I think the players' desire to win led to the result. The game could have gone either way, and it was a tough battle both tactically and physically, but we were able to prevail. The Japan National Stadium was like a home for Tokyo, but even in that situation, the players remained calm and continued the game. I feel that the fact that Hiroshima supporters came to support the team in large numbers and pushed us until the end was a factor. Above all, I am happy that we can share the joy with them."