A packed home! Defeat the strong Júbilo in an intense game!

　After the previous round's big win, expectations are high for this round. The opponent is the strong Júbilo Iwata, currently in 2nd place. Iwata, who cannot afford to drop any more points in their pursuit of the championship, will face a Tokyo Stadium filled with a crowd of 45,925, the second largest in the club's history. Despite the scorching heat with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees during the day in Tokyo, we, the home team, will show a battle of Tokyo's attacking football filled with fervor and aim to secure victory.

　The starting lineup, like the previous match, kicked off with Fukuda as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Full House For Visit Of Star-Studded Jubilo

Following the demolition of Sanfecce in the previous game expectations ran high at Tokyo Stadium for the visit of perennial powerhouse Jubilo Iwata, currently lying second in the League and desperate for three points to bolster their title challenge. The mercury topped 36 C in Tokyo at lunchtime but the sweltering heat failed to discourage a bumper 45,925 crowd, the second highest in club history, from turning out to roar on their team.
Tokyo remained unchanged from last week with Fukuda as lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Unable to shoot under intense pressure, conceding the first goal

　A cautious start, carefully observing the opponent's movements. However, in the 3rd minute, Miyazawa chased after a loose ball from deep in the midfield and entered the penalty area. In the 4th minute, Tokyo continued to press and won two consecutive corner kicks, putting pressure on Iwata's goal. In the 5th and 6th minutes, Iwata also tried to create opportunities by sending forward Takahara and midfielder Yu Fujita into the space on the right side and launching attacks from there.

　In the 8th minute, Fukuda received a pass from Fujiyama and connected with Kelly, who made a through pass in front of the goal. In the 11th minute, Ishikawa chased and held onto a side change pass that seemed to go out, and made a through pass after cutting inside. They showed good form, but Toda, who had jumped out, unfortunately went offside and missed the chance.

　However, Iwata gradually takes control. They steal the ball from the fast pressure and connect it simply without forcing it in the heat. Also, the ball they steal in the DF line is quickly sent to the forward line, waiting for a chance for players like Grau and Takahara.

　And in the 16th minute, MF Nami, who received the ball from a free kick in front of the penalty area, lifted a high lob in front of the goal. MF Fukunishi and GK Doi collided while chasing, and as the ball spilled, it flowed back to the right side to Fukunishi again. The cross ball hit the DF but went towards the center of the goal. Takahara, who was waiting for it, neatly pushed the ball into the goal, allowing the first shot and conceding the first goal for both teams.

　Iwata, who showed brilliance in passing, dominated the game. In the 35th minute, Grau broke through the defense line and faced Doi one-on-one, but Doi's fine play prevented an additional goal. Then, in the immediate 36th minute, Tokyo's Ishikawa broke free from the right side after receiving Kelly's through pass with amazing speed and charged towards the goal. He aimed carefully from the dribble and took a shot. However, unfortunately, the ball crossed the goal.

　Including this, Tokyo had only 2 shots in the first half. Iwata's strong midfield completely stifled Tokyo's early momentum, and while Tokyo switched to a defensive stance, they entered the second half trailing by one goal.

F.C.TOKYO Pinned Back, Fall Behind 

The home side began brightly, Miyazawa finding some space in the Jubilo area after three minutes and winning a pair of corner kicks. Jubilo countered, looking to free forward Takahara and midfielder Fujita down the right. Some sterling work by Ishikawa set up Toda in the 8th. minute but he was given offside. 
Slowly, however, Jubilo began to exert a grip in midfield, winning challenges, playing short, simple passes and aiming for front runners Gral and Takahara. 
The visitors took the lead in the 16th. minute with a scrappy goal. Nanami lobbed a free kick into the Tokyo area; Fukunishi and Doi leapt for the ball which then ricocheted off various players and fell kindly to Fukunishi who found Takahara, again via a deflection, a yard in front of the goal line for the simplest of tap ins. Jubilo took the lead with the first shot on target by either team. 
The visitors were controlling the game, content to retain possession, force F.C.TOKYO to chase the ball, and wait for their opportunities. The best chance of the game fell to Gral in the 36th. minute as a fine through ball sent him clear of the home defence with only Doi to beat. The Tokyo keeper stood his ground and then dived sharply to his right for a superb save to 
deny Jubilo a second goal. Tokyo were inches away from an equaliser moments later as a defence splitting pass from Kelly saw Ishikawa outpace the Jubilo backs with a dazzling burst of speed and hammer a shot wide of the left post. 
Including that attempt Tokyo managed only two shots during the first half which finished 0-1, due to the stifling Jubilo midfield which had effectively denied them any time and space on the ball. 

Caught in the thread of counterattack...

　At the event "Fireworks Night" held on this day, fireworks were launched spectacularly during halftime, which was supposed to boost the battle towards the second half. Tokyo wanted to substitute Amaral for Fukuda and use him as a starting point for a counterattack, but it was Iwata who controlled the pace in the second half. The Japanese national team duo of Fukunishi and Hattori, who played as defensive midfielders, aggressively pressed and stole the ball with quick closing down, gaining control of the game.

　In the 53rd minute, Ishikawa passed a one-two with Kelly on the right side and quickly attacked the penalty area, daringly shooting. In the 56th minute, Amaral received a pass from Miyazawa and shot. Although there is a conscious effort to move forward, they were unable to shake the goal net. Toda's speedy breakthrough was well taken care of by the solid three-back line. Crosses from the side were also anticipated and cleared every time.

　Iwata substituted a speedy MF Kawaguchi for Grau in the 57th minute, adding to their comfortable game control and putting pressure on Tokyo with a speed contest. Tokyo substituted Kina for Shimohira in the 63rd minute, but in the immediate 65th minute, Iwata's MF Kawaguchi broke through Tokyo's shallow defensive line with blazing speed and took a shot from close range. However, Tsuchihi reacted well and saved it, resulting in a corner kick.

　However, from the left corner kick obtained from this, Takahara, who connected on the near side, headed the ball and scored a goal. Tokyo's counterattack mode was disrupted and an additional point was taken away.

Fightback Smothered

The crowd were treated to an explosive fireworks display at half time and anticipated some fireworks on the pitch as Amaral replaced Fukuda for the second half. The expected fightback failed to materialise though as the Japan double defensive half duo of Hattori and Fukunishi battled unremittingly for the ball. Ishikawa played a neat one-two with Kelly in the 53rd. minute but shot wide in Tokyo's first serious attempt of the half. 
Three minutes later Amaral seizes on a Miyazawa through ball and managed a shot. TOKYO switched their attention to the wings but the Jubilo backline dealt comfortably with the crosses. Jubilo replaced Gral with the speedy Kawaguchi after 57 minutes; TOKYO responded by introducing the equally fast Kina for Shimotaira a few minutes later. Kawaguchi hared past the TOKYO 
defence in the 65th. minute, veered into the area and smashed a shot from point blank range at Doi. Takahara headed home the resultant corner at the near post to kill off TOKYO's nascent fightback. 

Unable to break through Iwata's defense, the disappointing first home defeat of the season

　Tokyo, who still wants to retaliate, created opportunities even while being dominated. In the 72nd minute, Kelly brought the ball into the right goal area after a pass cut by the DF line, and Toda closed in on the goal, but narrowly missed the shot. In the 74th minute, Amaral headed a cross from Toda, who had broken through on the left side, with perfect timing. However, it narrowly missed to the left.

　From around the 75th minute, Toda was positioned at the top, Ishikawa on the left, and Kelly on the right. In the 76th minute, Toda made a run into the goal area from a superb cross by Ishikawa on the left side, but it narrowly missed.

　Ishikawa's struggle, which takes advantage of speed, shines, and the offense and defense unfolds in a fast-paced manner. However, the final line of Iwata cannot break the wall due to lack of concentration. In the 80th minute, Moino was substituted for Fujiyama and waited for the last chance without giving up until the end, but it was a cruel time up. It became a frustrating defeat, the first at home this season, with no goals.

　However, although the difference was shown, it was not a defeat without motivation. I want to take this result as a nourishment for the future battles without being pessimistic. I will switch my feelings and face the Verdy match in the next round, which is in 3 days.

[Summary of Manager's Press Conference] "It was a complete defeat. We wanted to put pressure on Júbilo, but they were one step ahead and were able to connect their passes even when we tried to press them. We especially struggled with the movement of their front two and second line. Júbilo were able to execute their game plan thoroughly. We wanted to build up from our fullbacks, but when they put pressure on us, we panicked and ended up kicking the ball forward. I think that's when Júbilo took control of the rhythm of the game. We had a good crowd today and wanted to be more attacking, but we were demoralized by Júbilo's well-balanced football, especially from players like Fukunishi and Hattori. Honestly, my impression is that the opponent knows football well. However, we want to catch up somehow before our next match."

[Summary of Coach Suzuki's Press Conference] "In order to win the championship, we needed to secure 3 points today = a victory in the 90 minutes, and I mentioned this in the pre-match meeting. It was significant that we fought together as one and achieved victory, which will lead us to the next match. Although there are some minor points to reflect on, it was good that we managed to keep a clean sheet (no goals conceded). We want to continue using the strong collaboration with the goalkeeper and the defensive line as a major positive factor."

F.C.TOKYO Fall To Season First Home Loss

TOKYO were down but not out and continued to push forward despite limited possession. Toda was inches away from a spectacular leaping volley after 72 minutes and two minutes later Amaral headed a Toda cross fractionally wide.
With 15 minutes remaining TOKYO reshuffled the attack; Toda up front, Ishikawa on the right and Kelly on the left. The pacy Ishikawa caused problems for the Jubilo backline, now visibly tiring, but still a goal wouldn't come. Minowa replaced Fujiyama as a last throw of the dice but Van Zwam repelled the best efforts of the TOKYO eleven and the game finished 0-2.
TOKYO may have posted their first home defeat of the year but certainly didn't lack motivation and battled to the bitter end. They hope to bounce back against Verdy in the Tokyo Derby on Wednesday night.

F.C.TOKYO manager Hara :
" A comprehensive defeat. We were hoping to attack them down the flanks but they closed those avenues down and when we came
through the middle we ran into Fukunishi and Hattori, who were outstanding. I was hoping for a more attacking display for the fans; it wasn't to be but we'll learn from this and give them a better game next time ".

Jubilo manager Suzuki:
"We really needed a win within the 90 minutes to maintain our title challenge and we achieved it by playing as a team. The
defense and goalkeeper did very well and we were delighted to keep a clean sheet."