The 2002 season begins, "attacking football", and we are the main characters

　The long-awaited opening game of the 2002 J1 League welcomes Kashima Antlers to their home ground. Tokyo, who had the honor of hosting the prestigious opening game before other teams, will face off against the J-League champions from last season. This is a great opportunity for Tokyo to become the "main character" of the match. It is exciting to see how Hiromi HARA, the new head coach, will bring his "attacking football" philosophy to fruition in this chance.

　The starting lineup is DF=Minoru KOBAYASHI on the right, Jean, Ito, Shimodaira. MF=Miura, Miyazawa as a double pivot, Sato on the right, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI on the left, Kelly as an attacking midfielder. FW=Amaral. They kicked off with the same formation as last year.

Thrilling Football Highlights Opening Day Victory Over Champions! 

After a long, long wait the 2002 J-League season finally arrived with the first game against last years' champions Kashima Antlers providing a stern test for the much-trumpeted attacking football of new manager Hiromi Hara. Expectation reached fever pitch as the new season kicked off in brilliant sunshine at a packed Tokyo Stadium.

Masamitsu KOBAYASHI, in great form! Each player overwhelms Kashima by utilizing their strengths

　From the start of the match, both teams played a high-pressure style of football. Neither team was able to easily approach the goal, but in the 7th minute, Miyazawa took a shot from outside the box, showing a determined attitude against Kashima. Furthermore, in the 9th minute, Sato broke free from Miura's one-two pass and took a shot in front of the goal. The ball unfortunately hit the goalpost, but they showed speed in their counterattacks and found their rhythm.

　And in the 11th minute, after stealing the ball in the midfield, Sato received a pass from Kelly and dribbled down the right side, sending a perfect ground cross from a deep position near the end line. Kelly was also closing in from the center, but Seigo Kobayashi ran in from the left behind him and scored by getting between the Kashima DFs! Kobayashi also scored in last week's training match against Hallelujah, using the same tactic, and successfully took the lead as planned!

　After that, Miura and Miyazawa, the defensive midfielders, were the cornerstone of both offense and defense with their tireless work rate. In the 17th minute, Miyazawa connected with Kobayashi, and the final pass went to Ito, who had been involved in the set-piece play. Ito calmly finished it off, showcasing his quick decision-making and scored an additional goal.

　Helped by the slow movement of Kashima's mistakes, the game progresses with Tokyo's pace throughout. Kashima attempts a counterattack centered around Augusto on the left side, but the defense line, centered around Jean, responds firmly. In the 41st minute, Suzuki connects the ball from Augusto, and Ogasawara, who was free in the penalty area, takes a shot. It was a decisive pinch, but goalkeeper Doi makes a fine save! Tokyo's players each demonstrate their individual abilities. In the 44th minute, when Amalao passes to Nariyoshi on the left, Kelly receives the ball after running into the center and easily shoots it into the goal! With a direct play that bewilders Kashima's defense, they score the decisive third goal and end the first half.

Masamitsu Kobayashi Shines as Tokyo Run Riot!

The game began at a frantic pace as both teams battled for the upper hand in midfield. Neither were able to impose themselves until the 9th. minute when Miura and Sato played a neat one-two, allowing the latter to run on unmarked and thunder a shot against the corner of post and bar; suddenly F. C. Tokyo had found their rhythm. 
They took the lead 2 minutes later as Kelly set the sparkling Sato away down the right side. His low cross provoked a leisurely discussion among the Antlers defence as to who should clear it and Masamitsu Kobayashi raced in to flick the ball past the disgusted keeper. 
The Antlers had no answer to the power and hard work of Miura and Miyazawa in midfield with the latter instrumental in the second goal just 6 minutes later. He picked out Masamitsu Kobayashi whose perfectly timed pass put Ito through inside the box. Ito kept his cool and deftly beat the goalie for a 2-0 lead. 
The sluggish Antlers were struggling all over the field and their sporadic attacks, led by Augusto, were repelled by the Tokyo back line with the formidable Jean at the centre. In the 41st. minute Suzuki slipped the ball to Ogasawara whose cracking shot was superbly tipped over by Doi at full stretch. A crucial save, it proved, as two minutes later the Antlers defence again stopped to admire F. C. Tokyo's marvelous approach work, leaving Kelly with the simplest of tap-ins from Masamitsu Kobayashi's cross. The first half ended 3-0 and the F. C. Tokyo players left the field to a standing ovation. 

Despite receiving Kashima's counterattack, the offensive attitude remains strong and ends with a victory!

　Tokyo's fighting spirit did not waver in the second half. In a one-on-one situation, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI actively competed, while Miyazawa aimed for through passes with a wide view. In response to side attacks, Amaral, Kelly, and Miura also launched a strong attack by jumping into the goal area. In the 52nd minute, once again, a cross from the left by Sato, and this time Amaral jumped in the center and Seigo KOBAYASHI got the loose ball with his left foot! Tokyo scores their fourth goal, contributing to all of Seigo KOBAYASHI's goals.

　Even though the point difference was four, there was no sense of relaxation. However, from this point on, the physical activity naturally decreased and the defensive line became stretched. Amaral was substituted by Fukuda, Sato was substituted by rookie Baba in an attempt to hold on, but in the 79th minute, Kashima took advantage of a momentary gap and scored a goal with a cross from Motoyama, which was entered by substitute forward Hiraishi. In injury time, Akita's determined header, which was in response to Motoyama's cross, allowed an additional goal, but the time was up at this point. There are certainly challenges, but they were able to achieve victory in the opening match of the J1 League for the third consecutive year with an attacking soccer that more than compensates for them!

　A wonderful performance that fully demonstrated the attitude of "This is Tokyo's attacking football" in the first match, and above all, the transition to "attacking football" based on the "tenacious" and "never give up until the end" football that former coach Kiyoshi OKUMA built until last year. Not only pursuing ideals, but also a sense of reality was felt. It was a wonderful victory that gives great expectations for the new season.

[Summary of the press conference by Coach Hara] "Since taking on the role of coach, I have always talked about wanting to play an attacking style of football. But when we actually started, I could feel the players' earnestness, and at that moment, I was convinced that we could play the kind of football where we go on the attack and quickly recover even if we lose the ball. Today, the players did what we practiced without fear. I am happy that they responded to what I wanted to do and showed that attitude. It's not easy, but I want to continue to pursue this style of football. As for the two goals we conceded, I was prepared for them to happen, so if I were to give a score to today's game, I would give it a hundred points. The players really did a great job."

Antlers Fightback But Tokyo Claim Stunning Victory!

Even with a three goal lead Tokyo didn't ease up in the second half, pressuring the Antlers right across the park, and Masamitsu Kobayashi reaped more reward for his splendid contribution to the game when he smashed a loose ball through the Antlers keepers legs in the 52nd. minute to make it 4-0. 
At last Tokyo began to show signs of fatigue and Amaral and Sato were replaced by Fukuda and Baba respectively. A few chinks appeared in the hitherto water tight defence; Hirase headed in Motoyama's cross after 79 minutes and in the 89th. minute Akita gave the visitors a late consolation with another header. The final whistle blew for a memorable 4-2 win, the third consecutive year F. C. Tokyo have won the opening game. 
The tenacity instilled under former manager Kiyoshi Okuma still remains; new manager Hiromi Hara's vision of attacking football has been welded to it and the results were clear to all - a breathtaking display of fluent, attractive football and solid defending. Expectations for the season are sky high. 

Manager Hara: Well, as manager I preach attacking football and sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is. Today the players brought everything we had worked on in training to the game and applied it without fear. It's not an easy thing to do-forget the late goals we conceded, I'd give this performance full marks. The players did very, very well.