I want to repay the debt, Nabisco Cup 2nd Round

　The 2nd section of the Nabisco Cup is a match against Yokohama F.Marinos, following the previous section. As the top 1 and 2 of Group B will advance to the finals tournament, we should consider the overall qualification in the qualifying league, but since they were unfortunately defeated in the 1st section, we want to repay the debt. It is also a match where the content will be questioned as we approach the opening of the J.League 1st Stage next week.

　Tokyo, Kanazawa, a new addition, started as a left back. Other than that, the starting lineup remains unchanged from the previous match, but U-20 Japan national team candidates Baba and Suzuki are also listed as substitutes. On the other hand, F.Marinos started with Shunji replacing injured forward Kubo. The match started at rainy Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium with F.Marinos' kickoff.

Despite conceding the first goal, Jean and Takumi ABE's goals put us in the lead!

　At the beginning, F.Marinos received a pass from MF Oku and DF Dudu moved up to the left side space and won a corner kick. MF Sato, who met the corner kick kicked by Dudu himself, hit a header shot and scored a goal right in front of the goal. Tokyo couldn't mark properly and conceded the opening goal in the early stage of 1 minute.

　However, Tokyo never felt discouraged here. They aggressively went for the ball, showed fast attacks, and in the 3rd minute, Toda broke through the defense line and won a corner kick with persistence. In the 4th minute, Miyazawa aimed directly for the goal from a free kick in front of the goal. And in the 6th minute, F.Marinos earned a free kick in the left side of the field, and Jean headed the sharp ball kicked by Miyazawa in the center, goal! With precise play that shook the morale of F.Marinos, they quickly caught up to an equal score.

　After that, Tokyo, who was leading the game, gradually pushed the opponent back from the right side throw-in by Kaji. In the 14th minute, Ishikawa received the ball from that throw-in and kicked it into the center, where the ball went up high and bounced in the middle. Abe jumped in from the far side and pushed it into the goal with a header! In the previous match, Abe had hit the post with a decisive shot, and it seemed like a matter of time before he scored a goal. He said, "I was wondering if it would come. I was thinking about the firmness of the ground and how much it would bounce, and I anticipated that the defenders might cover it." Abe's perseverance and good positioning shine in this delightful first J-League goal, and Tokyo took the lead.

Creating rhythm from tough defense Tokyo

　Tokyo, which grasps its own rhythm and dominates the game from a tough press. On the other hand, F.Marinos also sends the ball to the front line in desperation and the game progresses with fast developments from both sides. In the 17th minute, Jean receives a yellow card, and in the 18th minute, F.Marinos DF Dutra also receives a yellow card, intense offense and defense.

　In the 29th minute, Yokohama F.Marinos showed brilliant passing play with Endo, Matsuda, and Dutra involved in the midfield, but Tokyo's pressure was tough and they were forced to drop the ball. On the contrary, Toda chased after the back pass from the defender to the goalkeeper and induced a goalkeeper's mistake. In the 35th minute, Oka saved a cross from the left by Oku towards the goal, and Kanazawa cleared the ball after Marcinhos jumped in. F.Marinos aggressively attacked from the left with Dutra, but Tokyo's defenders were waiting in front of the goal and did not allow any goals.

　On the contrary, in the 38th minute, Toda threatened the F.Marinos goal by receiving a long ground pass from Miyazawa in the midfield and breaking through the penalty area. In the 43rd minute, Ishikawa courageously attempted a dribble shot towards the goal, after Abe persistently connected the play despite being surrounded by defenders in the center, following Kaji's interception. Although they couldn't score an additional goal, they dominated the game and ended the first half with a score of 2-1.

Pressed into F.Marinos' passing play...

　30 seconds into the second half, Miyazawa aggressively took a shot after stealing the ball from Marinos' Sato, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. Immediately after that, Marinos' Shimizu also took a shot from the left penalty area, trying to create a rhythm, but Ozawa made a save. However, Marinos' excellent passing game led to a direct pass in the 50th minute, threatening Tokyo's goal. Endo, coming from the right, received a through pass from the center back and was in front of the goal. Tokyo failed to catch this breakthrough and allowed a free shot, resulting in an equalizing goal.

　Unlike the first half, Tokyo struggled against Yokohama F.Marinos' fast passing and attacks from Sato on the right side. In the 64th minute, Baba was substituted for Toda. In the 66th minute, Abe jumped to intercept a cross from Kanazawa on the left, and Ishikawa ran in from the right side of the penalty area to try to score, but the shot missed the target. Unfortunately, they missed a chance. In the 78th minute, Kajiyama was substituted for Asari, and in the 84th minute, Suzuki was substituted for Ishikawa, but they lost the ball frequently and couldn't create shooting opportunities.

　In defense centered around Ozawa, F.Marinos did not allow any additional points, but ultimately the second half ended with only one shot from Miyazawa. Despite advancing the first half of the game advantageously, they left challenges in the second half battle, resulting in a disappointing draw game.

【Player Comments】《Jean》"In the second half, the team's movement slowed down. Some of the goals were conceded due to the defense pulling back too much, and there is still a lack of communication. We need to fix these areas and aim for our first victory."《Abe》"It was good to score my first goal. I think it will have a positive impact on my future. However, after scoring, our play from the front line became sloppy."

[Summary of the press conference by Coach Hara] "If we concede goals at that time in both the first half and the second half, it becomes difficult. We were scored against at the time we should not have been, so I want to fix that first. However, even after being scored against today, we were able to attack more aggressively afterwards. The ball was moving, we scored a goal and got the second one. I want to play that kind of soccer. In terms of today's lineup, for example, Kelly was looking forward and then Toda, Abe, and Ishikawa in that formation. I want to create as many formations like that as possible in the future. The young players fought and scored two goals. We really wanted to win with this, but I think there is team growth in being able to create formations like this even without Amaral. It is a fact that young players like Kajiyama, Baba, and Suzuki have good qualities but also weaknesses. I want to give them opportunities in the game and have them seize their positions within that. And even for players who didn't play today, if they feel that they have a chance to play if they show good performance in practice, I think the team's strength will increase even more. In the two matches of the Nabisco Cup, we have seen both good and challenging aspects, so I want to take advantage of that and win cleanly next time."

[F.Marinos Okada Press Conference Summary] "It was very disappointing that we couldn't win, but in terms of the game, we were able to do what we intended to do to some extent. Especially in terms of attack, we were able to move the ball quickly and aim for the goal, so I am satisfied with the content. However, both goals in the first half were conceded from set plays, and especially in the first half, our concentration waned when it became a set play. There were situations where we rested, so I think that is a major point to be corrected. However, overall, I am very satisfied that the players showed the attitude of aiming for the goal until the end for the full 90 minutes."