Last Chance for Title Acquisition

　The 81st Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship, which concludes the year 2001 and leads to the beginning of 2002, has begun. The tournament has already had the 2nd round, and J1's FC Tokyo will make their appearance starting from today's 3rd round. After finishing the league matches, it has been decided that Coach Okuma will retire at the end of this season, making the team situation different from usual, but it is also a last chance tournament for winning the title. The opponent is Yokohama FC, who has advanced through the 1st and 2nd rounds. A definite victory is expected first at "home" Tokyo Stadium against the J2 league team.

Fujiyama, who fought through the league match, is out of action due to surgery. In addition, Ito, Sandro, Amaral, and others are also injured, and today's Tokyo lineup is Uemura, Komine, Yamao, and Minoru Kobayashi from the right side of the defense. Miura and Kina in the midfield. Sato on the right side, Masamitsu Kobayashi on the left side. Kelly and Toda are placed in the front line.

On the other hand, Yokohama FC has a "2-back" formation with two registered defenders. Of course, four midfielders cover the backline, while four forwards are positioned in an ultra-attacking formation. Up front, we can see the energetic presence of Kanno, who was once a member of FC Tokyo, and in the stopper position, we can also see the lively figure of Sakoi, who is currently on loan. It is a match where they also want to show their determination.

Struggling against Yokohama FC's clear soccer

　Immediately after the kickoff, Yokohama FC's FW Masuda took a middle shot and showed his enthusiasm for this match. In the 1st minute, Tokyo's Toda used his speed to break through the defense line, but couldn't shoot due to Yokohama FC's fast approach. Gradually, Yokohama FC takes control with aggressive pressing and quick counter-attacks.

　Yokohama FC's aim is clear, with FW Ono and Kanno receiving the ball at the post and spreading it to the side, or FW Yoshitake and left MF Morita breaking through the side and crossing into the middle, repeating the attack. Tokyo also distributes well-timed balls to left side players such as Kobayashi and Toda, starting from Kina, but they struggle to bring it to a shot due to the strict defense check by the opponent's DF. Especially on the right side, Sato is in a difficult situation as he is pressed by Yokohama FC's MF Morita. In the 16th minute, Toda drops a cross from Sato on the left side of the goal, and Kelly connects with Kobayashi in the penalty area, but fails to take a shot. In the 17th minute, when a pass is made from Kina to Toda, Kelly connects with Toda again, and Sato runs in, but the DF blocks it. In the following 18th minute, Toda breaks through with a long ball behind the DF and is challenged and brought down in the penalty area, but the whistle does not blow. In the 19th minute, a high heading shot from Yamao from a corner kick goes wide to the left of the goal.

　Yokohama FC quickly transitions to attack after stealing the ball under intense pressure, with the intention of boldly aiming for the goal permeating the players. In the 20th minute, Ono took a shot from Yoshitake's cross after a quick attack. In the 27th minute, Ono connected the ball from a corner kick. In the 32nd minute, Komine hesitated on where to send the ball and Ono stole it and took a shot. Then, in the 35th minute, midfielder Takagi took a shot without pressure in the midfield. Tokyo goalkeeper Doi initially blocked it, but Kamiya followed up on the loose ball and scored. Tokyo allowed the opening goal without being able to control the pace of the game. At the end of the first half, Yokohama had 7 shots compared to Tokyo's 2. Tokyo found themselves in a position where they were scored against as they were being robbed of the ball.

Despite showing fierce attacks, they were defeated in their first match, a regrettable loss.

　Tokyo replaced Toda with Kagami from the start of the second half. Kagami was placed in the forefront, finally starting to create an attacking shape. However, they were unable to find a decisive blow against the concentrated defense centered around Yokohama FC's stoppers Sakai and Komatsuzaki. In the 51st minute, Naruoka threatened the goal from the left side of the penalty area, but the opponent's goalkeeper quickly caught the ball. In the 54th minute, Kagami on the left side received a return pass from Miura and sprinted towards the goal. However, the final pass was cut off by the defender. In the 55th minute, the ball passed to Kina, who had moved to the left from Kelly, but was once again blocked by the defender. Then, Kina's well-aimed header from a right corner kick was saved by the goalkeeper. Following that, Yamao headed the ball raised by Miura from a short corner kick and took a shot. In the 58th minute, Yamao, who had remained in the front line from a counterattack, forcefully took a shot from a set piece. In the 60th minute, Kelly received the ball from a free kick in the front line and connected it to Miura, who took a shot. However, none of them were able to find the goal. Yokohama FC's pressure became even more intense, and in the 63rd minute, Kina dribbled into the penalty area from the left side, appeared to be fouled, but no foul was given.

　In the 64th minute, Fukuda was brought in as a top substitute for Kobayashi Nari, and Kagami was placed on the left half. In the 71st minute, Miyazawa was substituted for Umayama. Tokyo approached the game as a total war with Miura moving to the right full-back position. From around the 75th minute, Sato started to win battles on the right side and approached the Yokohama FC goal by controlling the ball. In the 76th minute, Kelly connected with a ground cross from Miyazawa on the left side, but the shot was poorly executed and the defender cut it off. Immediately after, Kelly connected with a cross from Miura, but the goalkeeper caught it. In the 81st minute, Kobayashi Minoru picked up the ball that Sato connected with while being brought down in front of the goal, and rushed into the penalty area to take a shot, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. On the other hand, Yokohama FC did not rush their attacks, but they had a thorough awareness of finishing with a shot, and there were also scenes where they advanced up to the goal.

　Tokyo, Sato continues to put the ball into the goal from the right side, but they just can't score. In the 88th minute, Fukuda's header goes over the top right of the goal. In the 89th minute and 58 seconds, Kelly's powerful overhead kick misses the target. Tense scenes unfold, but as time ticks away, the whistle finally blows... Tokyo FC, being on the back foot against Yokohama FC's aggressive soccer, end up losing in a single blow, making it a frustrating end to this season's last game.

Okuma Tokyo, carry this frustration into tomorrow

　After the match, Coach Okuma said, "It is a very disappointing result, but if any of the mind, technique, or physicality is lacking, the game will turn out like today. It became a game that can be called 'This is soccer.' Both myself and the players need to humbly accept this result and strive to improve individually from now on." On the other hand, Coach Shindo of Yokohama FC said, "Regardless of the opponent, I am proud that they consistently played a high-level aggressive soccer based on a clear style."

　Looking back, it can be said that the history of "Okuma Tokyo" began in this Emperor's Cup in 1994, when Tokyo Gas, led by interim coach Okuma, defeated Kashima Antlers, led by ZICO, who was supporting them, and advanced to the best 8. Since then, they have experienced numerous giant killings in cup competitions, as well as winning the JFL and promotion to J1. It is a fact that they have also become a target, surpassing two years in J1. Ironically, we see ourselves in last year's Kofu and this year's Yokohama FC. However, FC Tokyo, which has undoubtedly continued to progress from the JFL to the top league, suffered a bitter and disappointing defeat today. The achievements of Coach Okuma, who has tirelessly laid the foundation of FC Tokyo for seven years without resting a single game or day, both in the sun and in the shade, are immeasurable.

That is why we must move forward. Under the guidance of Coach Kiyoshi OKUMA, FC Tokyo has connected dreams in various ways. We must never forget this and not waste any of our experiences as we head towards the future and the next season. We must aim to be a team that always wins and now, in this new era, we will start a new challenge.

"From Coach Kiyoshi OKUMA to everyone"

"I'm sorry to have shown such a game in the end, but I realized that both myself and the players need to level up our mind, skills, and body as individuals. I think it's a challenge to see how much both myself and the players can endure and absorb everything from now on. If we can do that, we will definitely become a good team. I will do my best, so please continue to have high expectations and support."

　In the league matches of this season, we finished last in the 7th round of the 1st stage, but ultimately we were able to fight through and finish in 8th place in the J1 league. I think this was truly thanks to everyone's support. Whether it was good times or bad times, you always supported us. Just like with humans, it was during the bad times that we needed the support that would be a good medicine for the team. I am truly filled with gratitude.

　If asked whether I have continued to grow for 7 years, I have to say that I don't know. In the midst of soccer becoming more and more global, it has been a daily process of self-reflection and questioning towards my goals. Of course, there are regrets as well. However, each experience has taught me something, and I realize that from now on, I must continue to build up in order to be able to defeat any opponent.

　Now, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been involved in creating and supporting FC Tokyo for the past seven years, including the supporters, sponsors, and members of the media. Thank you very much.