I want to break the losing streak and decorate the final home game with a victory

　Sec. 33 of the league will be held, marking the final home game. In the previous match against Chiba, we were forced to play with 10 players and suffered a defeat, dropping to 8th place for the first time since Sec. 27. However, Coach Jofuku has set the theme of "pursuing every possibility until the final match" and "showing our heartfelt play in front of many people at home." In the past two matches of the league, we have suffered consecutive defeats, so this is a crucial match where every member of the team must show a strong determination to aim for victory.

　Kobe, who is currently in 13th place with 38 points, will face Tokyo. Under the command of coach Toshiya MIURA, they have turned their situation around from a losing streak at the beginning of the season and remained undefeated in August. Although they have not been able to secure victories with 1 win, 3 draws, and 4 losses since September, their sharp counterattacks from a solid defense have allowed them to accumulate points steadily up to this point. If they win this match, they will secure a place within the top 15 of the season on their own, so they will come with a strong determination to capture the 3 points, just like Tokyo.

　In particular, the individual strengths of the attacking players such as FW Yu OKUBO and Shigeki MOGI are high, so we need to be cautious of counterattacks. In this match, Kobe will be without DF Kobayashi and full-back Matsuoka due to suspension. As a result, Kitamoto and Kawamoto will form the center-back partnership. Right full-back Ishitsubako has returned from influenza and will line up with MF Miyamoto and Kane as a double pivot in midfield.

　Tokyo's Kajiyama and Hirayama are suspended. On the other hand, Nagatomo, who had been injured in the ankle, has recovered and started as a left back. In consideration of Kobe's countermeasures, Hiramatsu was appointed as a center back. It is the first time he has started in the league since the second round. Hanyu and Yonemoto form a double pivot, Nakamura on the right midfield, Tanabe on the left, and Akamine and Suzuki as the two forwards. Recently, the passes have not been connecting in the front line, and chances have not been created. However, we hope to increase the dominance in the midfield, create opportunities from Tanabe's fluid movements, and make chances from the side.

　It was a perfect day, but as the evening approached, it started to get colder at Ajinomoto Stadium. The game, which could be considered the culmination of this season, started exactly at 5:00 PM with Tokyo's kickoff.

The first half ends with a scoreless draw despite both teams attacking swiftly

　The first half was a speedy exchange between both teams. Tokyo repeatedly switched the ball through Tanabe, and Suzuki exploited the space behind the opposing defenders. Akamine and Nakamura also combined well in their passing play, trying to create chances. In the 6th minute, Tanabe boldly initiated a central breakthrough and played a one-two with Suzuki. Despite being surrounded by defenders, Akamine got involved and Suzuki received Tanabe's final pass for a shot. Tanabe's dribble created a great opportunity, but the ball missed above the bar. In the 12th minute, Suzuki broke free to the left area from Akamine's well-timed pass. Carefully measuring the distance from the opposing defenders, he took a shot but it was saved by the goalkeeper.

　In the 19th minute, Nakamura made a move on the right side and Yamamoto followed with an early cross. Akamine in front of the goal headed the ball. In the 21st minute, Akamine received a pass from Tanabe on the left side and Nagatomo rushed up to the left front line. He took a shot from the left corner of the area with speed, but couldn't score. On the other hand, Kobe also had a fast start and launched a sharp counterattack. In the 26th minute, FW Okubo initiated the attack and RB Ishikura advanced to the right area. They made a brave attempt to score, but the Tokyo DF blocked it.

　Tokyo took their first corner kick of the day in the 35th minute. Suzuki's kick was cleared and another corner kick was awarded on the right side. Nakamura and Tanabe connected in front of the goal and launched a wave-like attack, but they were unable to finish it off. Just before the end of the first half, they lost the ball in their own half and suffered a speedy counterattack. Kobe forwards Okubo and Mogi made dynamic movements, and a pass was sent to the front line, but the Tokyo defenders quickly returned and blocked the pass. Despite the back and forth nature of the game, the defensive balance was maintained and the first half ended with a scoreless draw.

Shu HIRAMATSU scores his first goal in Tokyo! This goal puts Kobe Univ in the lead in the Final Round

　In the second half, Kobe made a substitution, replacing MF Miyamoto with MF Yoshida, and rearranged the formation with MF Botti moving to defensive midfield. However, Tokyo gradually took control of the ball and pushed the game forward. They connected passes and threatened Kobe's goal, creating a decisive scene in the left area with Tanabe and Akamine in the 51st minute. In the 53rd minute, Akamine connected a short pass with Nakamura from Hayu's vertical pass, and Suzuki broke through on the left side. However, Kobe's defense remained focused and managed to block the shot with a sliding tackle just before the shot...

　Substitute Kondo for Tanabe in the 70th minute. Immediately after that, they continued to pass the ball in the opponent's half, and in the end, they passed it to Imano, who had advanced, and tried to score a goal, but it went to the left. They continued to have opportunities but lacked accuracy in the finishing moments, despite having control of the game. In the 80th minute, Murihara was substituted for Nakamura, and Tokunaga moved to left full-back, while Nagatomo moved up to the midfield, aiming for a goal. As a result, this formation proved successful. In the 87th minute, Nagatomo received a through pass from Yonemoto, went around from the left to the right area, and took a shot, earning a corner kick.

　Suzuki kicks this right CK and sends a quick ball near, Hiramatsu stabs a header at the perfect timing and scores a goal! Hiramatsu beautifully scores his first goal in Tokyo and takes a valuable opening goal. After that, Kobe attacks the back and near the end, Kondo becomes free in front of the goal, creating a big chance, but the shot is too strong and goes over the bar. They couldn't score an additional point, but on the other hand, Fujiyama is substituted in the 89th minute. They shut out Kobe's counterattack and neatly close the game. They decorate the home final match with a 1-0 victory.

　【Player Comments】《Hiramatsu》"I was completely aiming for the goal. Scoring from close range is my specialty. I had confidence, so I talked to Suzuki to kick it near and he sent me a high-quality ball. In defense, we were careful not to let Kobe's FW2 players get behind us because they have speed. We had a long period where we couldn't score, but we didn't want to lose balance and concede a goal. It was thanks to everyone's risk management that we were able to keep a clean sheet. I spent a lot of time with Fujiyama and Asari in training outside the squad, and they have always given me advice and supported me both in terms of playing and mentality. I think it's not just today's victory, but also how I will continue to grow in the future that will be my way of repaying them."《Tanabe》"Fujiyama and Asari were playing their last home game, so I definitely wanted to get results and win. I haven't been able to play well recently, so I focused more than usual and put in more effort. We had a good flow, but I think both the good and bad aspects of our abilities were shown. We couldn't take shots even when we got into good positions. That's also part of our ability. I want to practice more and contribute to the team."

　"Fujiyama": "I am truly grateful to be sent off to the pitch in such a wonderful way. This season, I couldn't make it into the lineup and there were tough times, but I have kept the strong desire to play in the matches. I prepared to be in the lineup this week and faced Ajinomoto Stadium today. I want to express my gratitude to all the fans and supporters who have been cheering for me for a long time. I still don't feel the reality of taking off the blue and red uniform, and I will prepare well for the final match. Niigata is the place where J1 promotion was decided. I want to do my best to stand on that pitch." "Asari": "I didn't feel the reality of retiring, but before today's match, when I stepped onto the pitch, I received cheers from the stands and felt overwhelmed by the atmosphere. All my teammates were aware that this was our last match and they tried their best to win, which I am very grateful for. To the fans, supporters, and team staff, I have nothing but words of gratitude. I want to pursue possibilities until the final match and give my all for the team."

　[Summary of Manager Jofuku's Press Conference] "After the Nabisco Cup, we struggled a lot (due to injuries and suspensions). I don't intend to blame the players, but when players are absent, we have to think about how to play without them. We have reached this day in that situation. Therefore, in preparation for this match, I thought we should start by not allowing the opponent to show their strengths. With that in mind, we prepared by focusing on what is Kobe's biggest threat in the game. However, once we have the ball, there is no need to plan against the opponent, so we tried to play our own soccer while being conscious of penetrating the spaces. In terms of countering the opponent, it may not be perfect, but I think we were able to do it to some extent. The accuracy after we had possession of the ball was still lacking compared to when we had a full squad. However, when looking at both sides of not allowing the opponent to show their strengths and showing our own strengths, it was very good that we were able to do that with today's squad. We want to continue aiming for improvement in accuracy in the future. However, being able to add flowers to the ceremony of players Fujiyama and Asari with a victory was the best gift."

　About them, there were times this season when they couldn't even make it to the bench, but they always made the utmost preparations and stood on the practice ground the next day, even with some physical discomfort or tough areas due to injuries. While receiving injections and taking care of themselves, they never missed a day of practice, always maintaining the attitude of contributing to the team from the ground of Koyoshi... I think that was their soccer life. I believe that attitude itself is the greatest contribution to the team. When such players cannot play in a match, the players who do play have to carry that burden, and that attitude shapes the team's mindset. They have made many contributions on the pitch so far. I don't think this year they haven't contributed at all."

　[Summary of Kobe Miura's press conference] "I would like to express my gratitude to all the supporters who came from afar. As for the result, it was very disappointing, and it was a game that we had to draw no matter what the situation. At the beginning, Tokyo put the ball into the two forwards, fast players and strong players, and we were able to pick up the second ball after clearing it, and we were in a disadvantageous position and ended the first half. What I felt in that situation was that we were inferior in terms of physical contact and movement. I thought it would be tough if we just kept increasing the defensive time, so I tried to be a little more attacking and increase the time with the ball by placing MF Botti in the center. As for the second half, we gradually found a rhythm to defend, and I think there were moments when the opponent's attacks became dull. However, they scored the final big chance from the set piece after the goalkeeper saved it. I think it was a situation that we absolutely had to defend. It was a game that left us with the impression that we dropped points unnecessarily."