The joy of defeating the championship contender!

The J1 League, 3rd round, which is two weeks after the previous round, will be an away game against Júbilo Iwata. During these two weeks, Júbilo participated in the Asian Club Championship in Indonesia, and key players such as Nabu, Hattori, and Takahara represented Japan in the match against France. Looking at the starting lineup, all field players are experienced representatives in their respective categories, but fatigue and poor condition due to consecutive matches are also expected. If we are going to strike, now is the time. In the first stage of last year, we undermined this strong team with a thrilling counterattack, but in the second stage, we were defeated, showing the difference in strength. Today, we hope for victory and are curious to see how Tokyo will confront this number one contender.

Tokyo, with Shimodaira making his first appearance this season, formed a double pivot with Asari in the midfield, Miura on the left, and Masuda on the right. Kelly replaced the injured Amaral in the forward position. The match kicked off at Júbilo Iwata Stadium, where the sun had cleared up in the afternoon.

Respond with a tough press that captures the opponent's strengths

As if both teams were demonstrating the importance of today's match with their bodies, a fast and intense play has unfolded from the beginning. Both teams are trying to take control with a tough press. Júbilo has high individual abilities and set plays are also a concern, so they continue to compete for the ball in the midfield, avoiding fouls in dangerous zones. In the midst of that, in the 6th minute, Júbilo sends an exquisite cross from the center's Fujita to the left's Nabe. Nabe dribbles up the left side and sends the ball between Tokyo's GK and DF line. The ball just missed Nakayama's head, but they showed a fast combination play. On the other hand, Tokyo also responded in the 8th minute, as Kelly dribbled up the left side and connected a direct pass from Fujiyama to Shimodaira to Lopes in front of the penalty area, and finally, Masuda took a shot from the right. Unfortunately, it missed to the left of the goal, but they responded firmly.

However, Júbilo gradually bypasses Tokyo's press and launches attacks. In the 15th minute, Nakayama receives a direct free kick from Nabe. In the 16th minute, after consecutive corner kicks, Fujita's header shot fails to find the back of the net, but Júbilo continues to dominate the game. On the other hand, Tokyo is not being overwhelmed by fast passing plays, but they are struggling to penetrate the opponent's territory. In the 22nd minute, Nabe attempts a long-range shot with individual skill. In the 27th minute, Oku plays a long ball to Nakayama from a deep left position, and Fujita connects it to Oku again for a mid-range shot. Júbilo's attacking style, which combines short and long passes and can be assembled from anywhere, is effective like body blows... Immediately after, Tokyo also reacts to Shimodaira's pass, and Naito runs into the space left by Júbilo's three-back formation and prepares for a shot, but the defense cuts it off. Kelly moves to the side for a wide attack, and Shimodaira tries to make a move from the center, but their finishing in front of the goal is poor, and they fail to create a decisive chance.

A momentary gap? An accident? Easily conceding the first goal

The accuracy of passes and shots, among other things, Júbilo is not in top form, but Tokyo has been fighting well up to this point. However, in the 28th minute, Sandro passed the ball to GK Doi from a deep position near the goal line, and Júbilo Nakayama chased after it fiercely. Doi kicked the ball in desperation, and it ended up at the feet of Júbilo Takahara. Takahara, who tried to dribble it into the penalty area from the right, was stopped by Doi's foul... In the 29th minute, Júbilo scored a penalty kick obtained from this play, calmly taken by Hattori, and Tokyo conceded the first goal from Nakayama's cunning play.

Once the tension was released for a moment, in the following 30 minutes, Júbilo Nakayama dropped the ball in the post-play and Takahara shot freely. The ball narrowly escaped to the right of the goal, but it became a vulnerable situation that allowed for a decisive chance. However, Tokyo regained their composure and counterattacked. In the 37th minute, Masuda and in the 43rd minute, Miura -> Masuda connected, and Kelly, who had run behind the defensive line from the left penalty area, took a shot but couldn't break the goal. In injury time, Shimohira dived for a header from Masuda's cross on the right, and Robisu followed up, but couldn't take a shot. On the contrary, Júbilo counterattacked quickly, and Takahara flew out behind the Tokyo DF in an offside position and shot freely. However, Tsuchihi made a super save with one hand, and Takahara shot again, but Tsuchihi saved it with his body! Tokyo showed their determination and did not allow an additional goal, ending the first half.

Trampled on the bud of counterattack

Although they conceded the opening goal, the halftime instructions from Coach Okuma were "There is nothing wrong. Keep going as chances will come someday." However, right after the start of the second half, Júbilo's kickoff ball passed to Nakayama running on the left side, and Nishi sprinted with tremendous speed for a side change to the right and took a shot, causing a close call. When Iwata sees an opportunity, even their defenders, including Hattori, dribble up to the penalty area, truly launching an all-out attack and defense. In the 53rd minute, Nakayama once again snatched Naito's back pass and took a shot, but it was caught by Doi. Tokyo counterattacked with a quick attack, and Rokusu in the front line dropped the ball at the post, connecting it to Kelly for a shot. However, they couldn't threaten the goal with their wave-like attacks.

In the 63rd minute, Sato was substituted for Asari. Miura was positioned in the center, with Sato on the right and Masuda on the left, forming a formation. Immediately in the 65th minute, Rovissu received a through pass from Sato with his back to the goal and turned his body to take a shot, but the ball hit the goalkeeper's face. However, around the 70th minute, Tokyo seemed to rush their attack and their balance started to collapse, resulting in numerous shooting opportunities for Júbilo. In the 72nd minute, Nakayama connected with Takahara after Nabe's cross, and Nakayama took a shot. In the following 73rd minute, Nakayama faced the goalkeeper one-on-one again after Sandro's clearance mistake and took a shot. Time passed with Júbilo's missed shots helping them. In the 74th minute, Kina was substituted for Shimodaira, and in the 83rd minute, Matsuda, who made his first appearance this season, was substituted for Naito. At times, Miura also moved up to the front line with an ultra-attacking formation, but they couldn't break the situation. They also prevented Júbilo's persistent attacks in defense, and although the game content was not necessarily bad, they ended the 90 minutes without a decisive moment.

In the end, Tokyo had 5 shots compared to Júbilo's 15. The difference in numbers was clear, but Júbilo's ace, Namekawa, spoke about the impression of Tokyo, which has become stronger since last year, in a post-match interview, saying "Tokyo is a well-trained, good team, and it was a tough match." Kelly's outstanding technique, Robisu's post-play, and the increased depth in the midfield composition. If the energetic KING Amalao had been added to this... Although it is pointless to discuss "what if" scenarios, it is certain that the difference has definitely narrowed compared to the match last year. The speed of restarts and transitions, the approach to loose balls, the speed of passes, and the awareness of scoring goals... Júbilo was slightly superior in all aspects, but what is needed to close that gap? Despite suffering consecutive defeats following the Kobe match, it was significant to feel a "definite sense of accomplishment" even in tough matches. The confidence to hold on against the champions of Asia... The focus is already on the next match. It will be the first home game in three matches. The excitement of 3.10, which is still fresh in our memories, should be etched in the minds of the players, staff, and fans. Tokyo Stadium, our home, is also eagerly awaiting the return of its "master". Tokyo is strong at home... We will definitely win the next one!

[Coach Suzuki's comment]

The team is satisfied with the victory in a tough situation where both the condition and combination were difficult, with a score of 1-0. We must win in any situation. Otherwise, we cannot achieve our goal for this season. In that sense, today's victory is considered a point in this stage.

[Coach Okuma's comment]

I think we were doing well before conceding. In terms of direction, I think we were doing well at the time of the starting lineup. I wanted the substitute players to function a little better. Let's not get discouraged and face the next challenge.