Aiming for consecutive victories, we will invade the away Saitama Stadium!

　Urawa Reds showcased their attacking football in the opening game, which can be called the best game in the J-League. To prove that their strength is not a fluke, they need to secure another victory in the upcoming match. However, more than anything, their ability to play attacking football and the quality of their football will be tested. Although it is an away game at Saitama Stadium, they want to defeat Urawa Reds with a fighting spirit that is not inferior to the previous match.

　However, key player Sato from Tokyo's side attack is absent due to injury. As a result, Hoshi, who will make his J1 debut in this match, will start as the right side midfielder.

Streaking into Saitama

With the accolades from last week's stirring victory over the Antlers still ringing in their ears, F. C. Tokyo made the short journey to Urawa looking to prove it was no fluke. Could they reproduce the same form in the intimidating atmosphere of the Saitama stadium? Dashing winger Sato was sidelined by injury, allowing Daisuke Hoshi to make his first team debut on the right of midfield.

Unable to establish a rhythm due to intense ball battles

　Connecting the kickoff ball, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI suddenly breaks through from the left side and competes. The cross ball was caught by the opponent's goalkeeper, but it was a first play that raised expectations for today's game. However, after that, the game was evenly matched. Both teams crushed each other with intense checks in the midfield and final line, and neither could establish a rhythm.

　Tokyo's Kobayashi, Hoshi, and Miura create chances from the side, but the crosses are cut off by the opposing defenders and do not result in shots. In the 12th minute, Hoshi picked up the loose ball from a corner kick and took the first shot of the game for both teams combined. In the 16th minute, Miyazawa's direct free kick from about 30 meters hit the crossbar. In the 22nd minute, Jean took a powerful shot from a free kick, but it missed to the right of the goal.

　Urawa also attacks with FW Emerson moving to the side, but the following combination does not work well. They were frequently sent passes from the back to exploit the space on the side, but the Tokyo DF responded firmly and did not allow them to take a shot.

　Within that, 30 minutes in, Kobayashi takes a bold mid-range shot. The opposing goalkeeper loses momentum and spills the ball, which Kelly follows up on and lifts towards the goal. However, it narrowly misses to the right, missing a close opportunity.

　Intense ball battles continued, and in the 34th minute, Miura got injured, while Shimodaira received a warning for rough play in the 36th minute. As a replacement for the injured Miura, Asari came in the 39th minute. However, the first half ended with a score of 0-0, and the teams switched sides for the second half.

Both Sides Struggle to Find Rhythm

Straight from the kick off Masamitsu Kobayashi raced down the left wing and curled in a centre; the Reds keeper held the ball but Tokyo seemed to have started the way they finished the previous game. Unfortunately this proved to be a false dawn as neither side was able to seize control of the midfield and the Reds defence dealt comfortably with the crosses Tokyo could muster. Twelve minutes had elapsed before Hoshi managed the first shot of the game. Four minutes later Miyazawa blasted a 30 metre free kick over the bar and in the 22nd. minute Jean fired narrowly wide. 
Despite Emerson's promptings the Reds attack was toothless and barely threatened the Tokyo goal. Tokyo nearly took the lead in the 30th. minute after the home keeper spilled Kobayashi's sharp drive, but Kelly's toe poke sailed just the wrong side of the post. 
The midfield battle heated up with Miura suffering an injury after 34 minutes and Shimotaira receiving a yellow card soon after. Asari replaced Miura and the first half ended 0-0. 

Assisted by Hoshi, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI scores in two consecutive matches to take the lead!

　46 minutes, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI cuts the loose ball, Amaral, Kelly, and Seigo KOBAYASHI quickly switch from defense to attack and rush up to the goal. Star's cross is cut by the defender, but they showed a quick play switch. In the 47th minute, Asari advances and spreads the pass to the side, picking up the loose ball persistently and sending it to the front line. The second half started with such a good play.

　And in the 50th minute, Shimodaira passed a vertical pass to the drifting Hoshi on the left side, and Hoshi dribbled to the center and quickly crossed the ball in front of the goal. At the moment the ball was falling, Kobayashi Sei ran in, jumped, and connected with the ball, which rolled into the goal! In Kobayashi Sei's second game, he scored his third consecutive goal, tying for the top scorer! It wasn't a beautiful goal, but it was still worth "one point". Always waiting for a chance and putting in effort - including Hoshi's assist, it produced a fantastic goal with a strong desire to score.

Hoshi Lays On The Opener for Kobayashi

F. C. Tokyo began the second half in determined mood. A lightning fast counter attack in the 46th. minute set the tone with Asari joining in and battling to regain possession after it broke down. Tokyo took the lead in the 50th. minute as Hoshi cut inside on the left and launched an early cross to the far post where Masamitsu Kobayashi leapt to direct the ball beyond the keeper with the faintest of touches. Three goals in two games and joint top scorer status for Kobayashi, a valuable assist on his debut for Hoshi. Not the most beautiful goal ever scored but they all count.

Strong defense! We persevered together through difficulties and earned 3 points.

　Tokyo, who wanted to take the lead and build momentum, suddenly encountered an accident. In the 55th minute, Shimodaira stopped Urawa's right winger Yamada's charge with his body. With this play, Shimodaira received his second warning and was sent off. With Tokyo reduced to 10 men, in the 58th minute, Komine was substituted for Hoshi and placed on the left side. Narumitsu Kobayashi moved to the right side. On the other hand, in the 60th minute, Urawa substituted the speedy forward TUTO for midfielder Adilson.

　Tokyo's disadvantage was inevitable, and in the 62nd minute, TUTO and immediately after, Emerson had consecutive header shots. In the 64th minute, a through pass from Shiroyotei to TUTO was made, and GK Doi made a fine save by jumping out with good judgment. In the 68th minute, a superb pass from TUTO to Emerson was passed, and Doi bravely jumped in but was avoided. It was a desperate pinch, but Emerson's shot was cleared by Komine who returned with all his strength. Tokyo defended well without losing concentration.

　Urawa made a substitution in the 81st minute, replacing MF Dobashi with FW Tanaka to form a front four. On the other hand, Tokyo made a substitution in the 84th minute, bringing in Fukuda to the front line in place of the injured Ito. Amaral was moved to the midfield, with CB Komine and left side Asari forming the lineup. However, despite cutting and clearing the ball, they struggled as it was constantly taken back and dominated by the opponent. In the midst of this, Amaral dropped back to the final line to defend whenever Urawa sent the ball in. And even when under attack, he seized the few chances that came and pushed forward to the front line. He led the team passionately and calmly, not sparing any effort.

　Tokyo, who did not panic until the end, defended against Urawa's fierce attacks with all members and the time was up. With a defensive soccer that was completely different from the previous match, they protected the one-point lead. Although they couldn't show the attacking soccer they aspire to, it can also be said that they showed "how to fight in an away game". This year's Tokyo has demonstrated that they have the ability to "not only attack, but also defend". They achieved a valuable victory by demonstrating a solid defense built on the "base" that Okuma Soccer has built so far, and Sei Kobayashi, a midfielder, scored a goal by diving into the goalmouth, showing an "attacking" new soccer.

[Summary of Manager Hara's Press Conference] "It was a tough game. We were able to attack against Kashima, but Reds started throwing the ball in early. Ideally, we should have connected more with Miyazawa and Miura, but perhaps due to the condition of the turf, we couldn't find our rhythm in the first half and got tangled up, losing the ball and allowing them into space. Amaral and Kelly were marked man-to-man by the defenders, so at halftime, we talked about trying to easily find the space on the opposite side that those two created. It was good that we were able to score with the formation of Hoshi and Kobayashi as planned, but we had a player sent off and injuries occurred, so despite the chaos, the players defended well. I think it's an asset from last year. I want to express my gratitude to the players, but there are still many areas that need to be corrected. Next, we'll be playing at home, so we'll go all out."

Ten man Tokyo Weather Red Storm for Vital Win

Buoyed by the goal Tokyo were looking to press their advantage but suffered a blow just five minutes later as Shimotaira received his second yellow card for a block on Yamada. Tokyo reshuffled quickly; Komine replaced Hoshi and Masamitsu Kobayashi switched to the right. The Reds brought on speedy forward Tuto in place of Harison. 
The expected bombardment of the Tokyo goal began with Tuto flashing two headers wide and Doi pulling off a superb save from the same player a few minutes later. In the 68th. minute a glorious through ball from Tuto set Emerson free in the area; Doi smothered his first attempt and Komine was on hand to clear the follow up off the line. Desperate for an equalizer the Reds brought on Fukuda in the 81st. minute for a four man front line. Tokyo responded by replacing Ito with Fukuda and dropping Amaral back into midfield where he performed heroically, joining in the defence and racing forward when Tokyo regained possession. 
The Reds were unable to find a way through the solid Tokyo defence and the game finished 1-0. Not the sparkling attacking football of the opening game but an object lesson in away game tactics: the defensive tenacity developed under previous manager Kiyoshi Okuma, coupled with another goal from midfield by Kobayashi won the day, and the three points, for Tokyo. 

Manager Hara: That was a tough game. The Reds are a fast breaking team and in the first half Miura and Miyazawa didn't quite link up so well, the pitch was in poor condition and we couldn't find our rhythm. The defenders manmarking Amaral and Kelly were tiring so at half time I told the players to use the space this created for us on the opposite side. They did and Hoshi found Kobayashi for the goal. The red card and injuries were distractions but the team defended very well, and I appreciate that. There are still many areas to work on but we'll be going flat out at the next home game.