Entering the Golden Week Battle

　The J1 League resumed after a two-week interval. In this round, we will face JEF United Ichihara Chiba, who are currently on a two-game winning streak, at home Tokyo Stadium. Ichihara has been boosted by the return of South Korean forward Choi Yong-Soo, who joined the team this season after recovering from an injury. Although we had a good record against them last year with two wins in two matches, this season's Ichihara presents a completely different challenge. We must not underestimate them, but with the support from the stands, we aim to secure a solid victory. This is also an important match as we want to build momentum for the busy schedule in May. Amoroso, who has recovered from injury, made his first appearance on the bench in four matches and kicked off the game.

Conceding an early goal, facing a difficult situation

　Early in the game, GK Doi's kicked ball hit Chiba FW Oishi directly. The rebounded ball missed the goalmouth, but in the following 2 minutes, Murai, the left wing of Ichihara, intercepted a pass from Miura to Naito. He quickly ran up to the goal and the game started with a somewhat ominous mood. In response to Tokyo's disjointed play, Ichihara pressed aggressively and controlled the ball well. In the 4th minute, after a quick pass in the midfield, left MF Muichin dribbled into the center and passed to FW Oishi, who had run into the goal area from the right side. Oishi threaded the needle between the pulled-back Sandro and the advancing Komine, running into the open space and taking a shot. This goal was scored, and Tokyo was quickly caught off guard and conceded the opening goal. It was a contrasting play between Tokyo's distracted defense and Oishi's excellent decision-making, once again putting Tokyo in a difficult position, trailing by one goal.

　However, Tokyo also showed an attacking form with Lopes and Kelly as the starting point. In the 5th minute, Masuda took a shot from a side change ball connected from the right side. In the 11th minute, Miura ran into a loose ball in front of the goal and took a shot. In the 22nd minute, Lopes was fouled and Fujiyama quickly restarted the game and crossed the ball, but Kelly's header was unsuccessful.

Tokyo, which cannot decisively break through, is being pressed for a long time, and even when it comes to my ball, Ichihara's press is tough, and they cannot pass the ball forward from the backline. In the 29th minute, after cutting off Choi's shot and launching a counterattack, Lopes → Kelly connected and Toda crossed the ball, but the Ichihara DF cleared it. After that, Toda struck a header shot from a free kick, but it missed the goal, and although they create chances, they cannot equalize.

Concede an additional goal in a dangerous time

　Ichihara moves quickly from the front line to the defense and maintains a compact line. However, they do not allow decisive shots and Tokyo gradually gains control of the ball. However, just when the rhythm was improving and they wanted to score a goal before halftime, in the 42nd minute, the Tokyo defense cleared the ball but it was picked up by Ichihara midfielder Nakanishi, who dribbled brilliantly from the right and cut inside. Nakanishi evaded the defense and passed the ball. Hasebe, who came to support Nakanishi, received the ball and made a good decision to shoot. The ball drew a beautiful arc and was sucked into the goal, allowing Tokyo to concede an additional point with Hasebe's clean shot.

"In the most dangerous time zone of football, which is the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes, Tokyo conceded 2 goals... in other words, in the time zone where they absolutely must not concede. Tokyo now faces a big deficit and will have to turn it around in the second half."

Amaral's entry does not show Tokyo's "uniqueness"...

　In the second half, Tokyo substituted Amaral for Toda and Kina for Masuda. Miura moved to the right midfield, and Kina entered the center, forming a formation to aim for support at the top. However, in the 46th minute just after the start of the second half, Ichihara's Murai broke through Tokyo's right side with a dribble. Naito was left behind by the overwhelming speed, and Murai made a sharp cross in front of the goal! Although GK Doi initially deflected the loose ball, Oshiba, who had run in, took a shot. The ball floated softly and seemed to enter the unguarded goal, but Fujiyama desperately attempted to clear it with a sliding tackle, only to slightly cross the goal line and score. The team had the third goal, which determined the outcome of the match, taken away.

　Tokyo, who still tries to counterattack, had a good chance in the 55th minute when Miura and Asari combined for a one-two, and Asari broke free in front of the goal for a shot! It was a great play that showed their intention to push up in the midfield, but unfortunately, the shot missed the goal.

In the 65th minute, Sato was substituted for Naito. Sato was placed as the right midfielder, and Miura was placed in a high position as the right side back, launching a fierce counterattack. In the 77th minute, Amaral connected the ball from a free kick and delivered an exquisite cross, but Sato's header did not result in a goal. Amaral fought hard and became the starting point, but struggled to finish, and in turn, in the 79th minute, Choi took advantage of the forward position and was able to take a free shot in front of the goal, but it missed the target and no additional points were scored. However, in the end, the game ended without any changes. It was a bitter game for Tokyo, as they conceded 3 goals for the first time this season and failed to score a single point.

　Coach Okuma said, "Amaral has been able to create a 'starting point' by coming in, but I think it would be better if he stayed a little longer as the lone striker and created more starting points near Robisu, who is still remaining. I want to review the attacking part again, focusing on the two forwards. Also, it is a challenge to support the top faster, including the speed of support and the mentality. Right now, we need a breakthrough strategy for scoring. Although it is a short period, I want to start over and prepare for the upcoming consecutive matches."

[VERDENIK Coach's Comment]

"Not only the score, but also the content was good. We were able to play the soccer that we have been aiming for since the second half of last year, which includes creative attacks and disciplined defense. Especially in terms of the attack, the timing and decision-making in relation to the ball movement were the challenges, but I think we were able to demonstrate that in today's match. If we can move the ball more accurately, create chances, and score goals, we will be able to showcase a higher level of soccer. It was a game where the team's direction could be expressed."

[Coach Okuma's Comment]

"Despite taking care of the attack from the sides and preventing the creation of opportunities for the two forwards of Ichihara, we allowed the opponent to fully showcase their attacking characteristics. That is very disappointing. In terms of the start of the match, Ichihara was a step ahead both in attack and defense. We need to reevaluate our mindset of defending first and then attacking, as well as our start to the game, and approach the next match."