Challenge! Nabisco Cup Qualifying League Final Match

　Nabisco Cup, which has already secured a spot in the final tournament, took first place in Group 1 in the 5th round of the qualifying league held on July 17. In this round, which is the final round of the qualifying league, they will face Kashiwa without the presence of the Japanese national team players Doi and Kaji, as well as the Olympic team players Mogi, Konno, Ishikawa, and Tokunaga.

　However, Coach Hara said, "I want to try many things" and will approach the game with a fresh lineup. Jean and Mashima will be the center-backs. Fujiyama will be on the right side-back, and Kanazawa on the left. Miyazawa and Kajiyama will form a double pivot in midfield, with Kurisawa as the right midfielder and Abe as the left midfielder. Bamba will be in the center, with Lucas leading the attack. On the bench, there will be Endo, Miura, Toda, and Kelly, who has recovered from injury. Maeda, who will be registered for the first time since May 2002, will also be a substitute.

　Kashiwa, on the other hand, changed their coach after the end of the 1st stage. They will face the challenge as a new team under the guidance of Coach Hayano. Moreover, if they win this match, they still have a chance to advance to the knockout tournament, so their motivation should be high. Although the lineup on the team sheet shows a 4-4-2 formation, DF Hirayama will play as a left midfielder, and MF Roberto Cesar and FW Unozawa will form a two-striker partnership in a 3-5-2 formation.

　For Tokyo, it is important to not treat this match as a mere formality. It is also a chance to showcase the challenge and the new face of Tokyo in the official match at home after about a month since June 19. Although the heat during the day has slightly eased, the match started with Tokyo's kickoff in the midst of temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.

Although they tried to grasp the rhythm from the beginning...

　Tokyo took the lead from the start. In the 15th second, Baba aimed for a goal from the middle range, and in the 1st minute, Lucas entered the area after exchanging passes with Baba. In the 6th minute, Kajiyama picked up the ball that flowed to the far side from the right corner kick and took a powerful shot inside the area. He shot again after the opponent's goalkeeper saved the ball, but it was also blocked by the goalkeeper. In the following 7th minute, Kurizawa connected Baba's loose ball from the shot, and Miyazawa took a shot from just outside the area. It slightly curved to the right. In the 8th minute, Abe broke through the left side and crossed the ball, and Baba ran into the center and headed the ball perfectly timed! However, it was saved by the goalkeeper, and it did not become a goal. In the 9th minute, Kurizawa made a floating final pass to the front line from Kajiyama's side change. Although it was caught by the goalkeeper, Tokyo had been moving well so far, and they had taken 6 shots from speedy and wide developments, pushing Kashiwa back.

　However, Kashiwa did not become completely defensive. They persistently stole the ball and kept it, waiting for a chance to counterattack. In the 15th minute, they approached Tokyo's goal from a free kick on the right side. In the 16th minute, Hirayama, who had remained on the right side during the set play, moved to the center and took the first shot of the day, but it went over the goal. Until the 30th minute, both teams were unable to create decisive chances, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.

　At 30 minutes, Lucas dribbled up the right side, feinting past the opponent's defenders multiple times and entering the area to win a corner kick. In the 34th minute, Kashiwa also had a chance when Roberto Cesar broke through the left side and crossed the ball, but Unozawa jumped in front of the goal and Tokyo's defenders concentrated to prevent a shot. In the 36th minute, Tokyo had a chance. Baba jumped forward to meet Miyazawa's free kick, but unfortunately, it was offside. However, in the 38th minute, Tokyo was caught off guard for a moment. Kashiwa passed the ball multiple times in the defense line, waiting for an attacking opportunity. They connected with Meishin, the defensive midfielder, who quickly passed to Mohara on the right side. Despite being marked by two Tokyo players, Mohara passed to Otani, who had advanced from the defensive midfielder position. Otani was left unmarked and dribbled into the right area to take a shot. The ball went past goalkeeper Shioda's outstretched hand and hit the left post, resulting in a goal. Tokyo conceded the opening goal with the second shot of the day. Although the flow of the first half was not bad throughout the 45 minutes, it was unfortunate that they couldn't seize the early chances and gradually lost momentum. They need to regroup and prepare for the second half.

Kelly, Toda's entry to turn the tide

　In the second half, Kashiwa substituted FW Yamashita with Zehoberto and launched an offensive centered around set plays from the beginning. Although they didn't create any decisive shooting opportunities, Tokyo also made a move by substituting Kelly for Abe in the 52nd minute. Then, in the 53rd minute, Lucas on the left side passed to Kajiyama, who had moved up to support. Kajiyama evaded the defenders and entered the penalty area, sending a final pass to the center, but it was intercepted by Kashiwa's defenders. In the 55th minute, Kajiyama received a pass from Kanazawa and once again advanced into the penalty area, but he couldn't take a shot due to Kashiwa's quick check. In the 56th minute, Lucas jumped out into the penalty area while competing with the defenders, following Kelly's pass, and returned the ball to Kelly, who had run in from behind. However, Kelly's shot, taken freely, went over the crossbar. They missed a great chance to equalize.

　Kashiwa made a substitution in the 57th minute, with MF Masuda replacing MF Nagai. However, in the 60th minute, Lucas dropped a long ball from Jean in the front line, and Kanazawa, who had run up the left side, took a shot. Kashiwa's defense blocked the attack despite the early pressure. In the 66th minute, a pass was made to Masuda near the area from a free kick on the right side, but his shot missed the goal after hitting a teammate, resulting in no harm.

　During the continued offense and defense, in the 70th minute, Toda was substituted for Miyazawa, who injured his leg. Toda was placed as the right MF, with Baba on the left, and Kajiyama and Kurizawa as the double defensive midfielders. In the immediate 73rd minute, Toda received a pass from Fujiyama on the left side and used his speed to bypass the opponent's DF and cut into the center. The ball hit the Kashiwa DF and bounced off, but Fujiyama, who had moved up to support, passed it to Kanazawa in the center. Kanazawa controlled the ball well with one touch and took a shot, but it slightly curved to the left.

　In the 77th minute, Kelly tenaciously took the ball from his own half and dribbled up, passing to Lucas on the left side. Lucas challenged the defender one-on-one and seemed to be fouled when he entered the area, but instead, a foul was called against Lucas. Despite the tight marking and determined defense from Kashiwa, they couldn't connect to a goal in the final moments. With the introduction of Kelly and Toda, they gradually found their rhythm and the possibility of scoring became evident.

Launch a fierce attack against 10 Kashiwa players and bring the score level!

　The 81st minute arrived. Jean intercepted Kashiwa's pass. Kurisawa connected with Kurisawa, who sent a lobbed pass from around the center line to the front line. In response to this, Toda, who brilliantly broke free into space, took a shot near the penalty arc, but Kashiwa GK Minami blocked it with his hand. Minami was sent off in this play. Kashiwa had to substitute GK Shimizu for Unozawa and play with 10 men. From the resulting free kick, Lucas's direct shot was blocked by the opponent's wall, but just before this play, Maeda was substituted for Mashima. Maeda played as the right fullback and Fujiyama moved to the center.

　Maeda, who said "I was happy to hear my call. I was calm enough to hear it," showed great determination from the first play when he came on as a substitute. In the 87th minute, Kanazawa cut off a clear ball from the Kashiwa DF. Kelly sent it to the right side via Baba, and Maeda, who judged that he couldn't get past two opposing DFs in the area, chose to cross without hesitation. During this time, Kelly was brought down in front of the goal. Lucas calmly kicked the penalty kick he earned to the left and scored! He equalized in the last minute.

　Tokyo, which is gaining more and more momentum. To aim for 3 points, there was still remaining time, including 5 minutes of injury time. In the 89th minute, Kelly dribbled past the defender on the right side and took a middle shot, but it went over the goal. And it was during injury time. When Toda connected Kajiyama's pass to Lucas, it initially went to the opponent's defender. However, Baba picked up this loose ball and made a floating last pass in front of the goal. Lucas followed it and, despite colliding with the goalkeeper, floated the ball with his foot, drawing a graceful arc and scoring a goal! It seemed like an artistic winning goal by Lucas, but it was judged as no goal due to a foul by Lucas on the goalkeeper. It truly became a "phantom goal," but Tokyo continued to press Kashiwa's goal without giving up until the end. However, in the end, it ended in a 1-1 draw, despite coming close to equalizing Kashiwa until the very end.

　However, although we couldn't take the lead, the lively play of substitute players Kelly, Toda, and Maeda, along with numerous attempts, resulted in an equalizing goal, making it a rewarding and confidence-building match. It should be noted that we will be facing Gamba Osaka, who finished second in Group B, in the quarterfinals of the Levain Cup on September 4th.

【Player Comments】《Maeda》"I've always wanted to stand on the field of Ajinomoto Stadium and hear the cheers from the stands. I've been thinking that if I have the chance to play in the game after being included in the squad for the first time in two years, I will do my best without hesitation. (Regarding the scene where Lucas got a penalty kick) At the moment when I thought it wouldn't go through vertically, I saw Lucas inside. I actually wanted to send a ground cross... Personally, I think I played fairly well overall, but there were also moments where the ball flowed away, like the final cross. I want to pursue higher accuracy and not be satisfied with just one good game. I want to continue to work hard to achieve good results and always be able to play in the games."《Kelly》"I'm glad to be back on the field, and considering it's been a while, I was able to play well without any pain from the injury. My mindset is at 100%, but I still lack physicality and the rhythm of the game. We have no choice but to continue playing more games from now on. We want to practice together as much as possible and gain a sense of the game in order to enter the 2nd stage in a 100% condition.

[Summary of Manager Hara's Press Conference] "Six players were selected for the Japan national team and Olympic team, and considering their absence, we tried various things today. First, we placed Fujiyama as a side back and Mashima as a stopper. Miyazawa and Kajiyama, who have never started together before, were also in the midfield. Miura has more leadership, but we wanted to see how well the two of them could play together, so we tried it boldly. We also tested starting Abe and substituting Toda later. Speaking of Toda, I think his speed is more effective when he comes on as a substitute. Kelly is still not in top form, and his touch is still off and his finishing needs improvement. However, it's not easy to regain form through practice alone, so even though he was eager to start today, we brought him on at a crucial moment in the second half. He gradually got used to the game and showed his typical Kelly-like movements, slipping through the defense. Maeda is not particularly skillful, but he has been diligently practicing day in and day out. Although he is originally a midfielder, he can also play in the final line, so we were considering the timing of his appearance... (When substituting) we put Fujiyama in the center and told him to defend well and go up on the right side. As a result, we were able to earn a penalty kick from his cross. When players like him, who work diligently, produce results like this, it motivates other young players and makes the competition more intense. Being able to use Maeda in this way and seeing him play well will have a positive impact on the team in the future. Despite the heat and already securing first place in the qualifying league, we were able to make such attempts. In the end, I honestly thought we won, but (the disallowed goal due to Lucas' foul) that's our style. It's also becoming a favorite style for Lucas. Through the upcoming Spain tour and the match against Roma, we want to deepen the partnership with Kelly and improve our scoring ability as we head towards the second stage."

[Summary of Kashiwa Hayano's press conference] "There are challenges ahead in not being able to attract victory in a game where we went for a win in any form. We anticipated being pushed back by FC Tokyo for the first 15 minutes of the first half. There were times when we missed decisive chances, but we saw the team endure and recover from that. We haven't been able to score goals easily in the past, but we managed to score one. I think the players fought with concentration. However, I still feel a lack of scoring ability in not being able to take the final step towards victory and earn 3 points. Especially regarding the second goal and set plays, the accuracy still needs improvement. It's a challenge that we need to continue working on. However, I feel progress in the fact that we didn't collapse and held on after being reduced to 10 players. If we don't fight through, no matter how much tactics we have, our bodies won't move, and I think not being able to break through there will lead to the next step. Whether the focus is on the fact that we couldn't score in the past two games or on the fact that we fought tenaciously until the end, it depends on the perspective. I want to create the team's direction by considering both aspects."