Win at Home!

　In the 2nd stage, Tokyo has been in good form with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss so far, despite losing to Shimizu S-Pulse in the 3rd match. In the previous match, they defeated the tough opponent Gamba Osaka for the first time and now they want to continue their winning streak and gain momentum.

　Hiroshima, on the other hand, has suffered two consecutive come-from-behind losses in the last two matches, but they have not had any scoreless matches and boast a strong attacking formation of 4-3-3. Tokyo lost to Hiroshima 0-3 in the 1st stage of this season and also had a draw and a loss in the Nabisco Cup, so they have not had a win in their previous matches. They are not an easy opponent, but we want to somehow secure a victory in this home game! Tokyo has had two victories at home so far. Everyone knows how important it is to win at home. Both the staff and the front office have made various efforts and preparations for this match. The team, hungry for a victory at home, has also included Fukuda, a newly transferred secret weapon, as the left midfielder. The match kicked off after a minute of silence to mourn the victims of the tragic simultaneous terrorist attacks that occurred in the United States on the 11th of this month.

Despite conceding an early goal, they launch a counterattack

　Tokyo continues to prioritize side attacks and tries to shake Hiroshima's defense by incorporating significant side changes from the start. In the 2nd minute, Sato repeatedly crosses from the right, but fails to make a shot. Hiroshima also shows a strong awareness of moving forward and demonstrates a determination for the ball without being easily taken away under intense pressure. Then, in the 4th minute, Hiroshima advances the ball to the goal with a fast development from a counterattack by FW Fujimoto -> Kubo, and Fujimoto, who attacked from behind, aimed for the right corner of the goal from outside the penalty area with a skillful shot, using FW Ogi as a decoy. Although Tokyo's defense was in position, they were unable to apply pressure, and the ball pierced into the goal, allowing Tokyo to concede the opening goal early.

　Tokyo, who counterattacks, sometimes pulls back and sometimes tries to create chances by flowing to the side. In the 13th minute, Kelly was fouled and got a free kick near the penalty area, but Sato's shot went over the bar. In the 17th minute, Kelly received a pass from Fujiyama after a throw-in and took a powerful shot, but goalkeeper Shimoda caught it. Hiroshima also built up their play in the midfield and sent passes to the front line, but they couldn't create any clear chances. Daiki's shot in the 20th minute also missed the goal by a wide margin.

　After that, Tokyo started with Amaral in the 26th minute, and Fujiyama, who went up the left side, sent a last pass to the penalty area, and MF Fukuda took a shot. However, the powerful ball was blocked by the goalkeeper's great save. In the 29th minute, they picked up a loose ball in the midfield and launched a counterattack. In their favorite pattern, Sato sent a ground cross from the right to the goal, but Amaral's shot was saved by the goalkeeper again. In the 37th minute, Amaral forcefully headed a long free kick from the back, but the goalkeeper managed to deflect it and it escaped as a corner kick. They continued to attack but couldn't score a goal, and ended the first half behind.

Fukuda scores first goal after transfer, but...

　In the second half, Hiroshima tried to build up from the midfield with Morisaki as the defensive midfielder. On the other hand, Tokyo tried to create chances from Sato, just like in the first half. The attacking and defending continued to go back and forth until around 10 minutes into the second half when the game started to change. In the 13th minute, Kelly dribbled from the midfield to the penalty area all by himself and took a sharp shot after a fake. Although the goalkeeper initially deflected the ball, it rolled in front of Fukuda, who was positioned in front of the goal. Fukuda calmly evaded one defender and took a powerful shot. The ball forcefully pierced into the net, resulting in a goal!! Fukuda had been involved in few chances so far, but he demonstrated his decisive finishing ability at a crucial moment.

　Tokyo, who wants to catch up with the tie and gain momentum, but in the 64th minute, Hiroshima's MF Morisaki passed from the left side of the midfield to the space in the front line. FW Oki caught up and Corica shot the ball back. In the 66th minute, Tokyo also had a fast development, Sato broke through the right side, but the cross did not reach Fukuda in front of the goal. In the 69th minute, Amaral ran up the right side and took a shot from the counter, but it crossed the goal. In the 74th minute, Hiroshima brought the loose ball from the CK into a quick attack, but in the end, it was caught offside, gradually pushing Hiroshima back.

　However, in the fast-paced and humid conditions, both teams lost their pressure in the midfield, resulting in more defensive battles along the defensive line. In the 77th minute, when DF Komine committed a foul near the penalty arc in front of the goal, Hiroshima took a free kick and MF Korika took a middle shot. The ball hit the left corner of the goalpost and bounced back into the goal. Tokyo quickly found themselves behind once again.

Amaral, Kagami! A great comeback in the last 5 minutes

　However, in the 79th minute, KAGAMI was substituted for FUKUDA, and KINA was substituted for ASARI. Then, in the 85th minute, YAMAO was substituted for KOMINE. Tokyo tried to counterattack by stealing the ball in the final line and somehow connecting it to the front line. In the 86th minute, MF MIURA, who had run up the left side, passed to KAGAMI, who had moved up for support. KAGAMI sent a well-aimed cross in front of the goal, and AMARAL, who was waiting free, headed the ball! The ball shook the net, and once again, AMARAL and KAGAMI's combination seized the opportunity and equalized the score!

　Tokyo shows resilience even with less than 5 minutes remaining. In the 89th minute, Hiroshima, anticipating extra time, substitutes Fujimoto for a fresh FW Takahashi. It was at that moment. Kagami passes the ball to Sato on the right side in front of the penalty area, and Sato calmly sends a direct through pass behind the defensive line. Kelly, who made a run, quickly and perfectly crosses the ball in front of the goal as Hiroshima's defenders chase after him. Kagami jumps in and easily volleys the ball into the goal with his right foot!! With a flowing direct pass and Kagami's second consecutive goal, Tokyo takes the lead for the first time at this late stage of the game.

　Hiroshima took the lead twice, but they seemed discouraged by this goal and their counterattack was limited. Tokyo managed to endure a long injury time that lasted for 5 minutes and ultimately secured the victory. On this day, Tokyo approached the victory at Tokyo Stadium with exceptional determination, ingenuity, and preparation. They fought together as a team until the very end without giving up. Tokyo believed in the victory, showed perseverance and determination until the end, and demonstrated the difference in decisiveness through Kaga's consecutive goals in the final two matches. They celebrated the victory at home, Tokyo Stadium, and rose to 4th place.

[Coach Okuma's Comment]

Kensuke KAGAMI, Kenichi KAGA, and Kelly, who are substitute players, are definitely changing the flow and making a positive impact on the team. Results have been achieved since the previous match, and both as a team and individually, we have gained confidence, so I think we will continue to move in a better direction. With this momentum, I want to do my best in the remaining league matches.