2010 J-League Opening Match, Win at Home!

　Finally, the new season begins. We will have the opening match against Yokohama F.Marinos at home, Ajista. During the training and camp for about a month and a half under the new system, we have aimed to further build up "Moving Football" and improve positioning and ball movement more closely, as well as increase accuracy in both offense and defense. Yonehara injured his left knee and had to withdraw, but the attitude of "turning accidents into positives" remains unchanged. Although the time for training together was short due to the activities of the Japan national team, we have been preparing to enhance the team's common understanding and make the most of each individual's strengths under that situation. New additions such as Morishige and Matsushita have fit into the team without any discomfort, and Kajiyama and Ishikawa, who were also injured, are showing steady recovery. Although they started on the bench this time, they are a reassuring presence for the team. On the other hand, Yokohama FM welcomes new coach Kazushi Kimura this season and aims for "enjoyable soccer to watch and play" and to advance to the top. Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, whose transfer was announced, is currently not registered for the J-League, and defenders Kurihara and Matsuda are also injured, so the team is not fully assembled. In addition to their solid defense, this season they also have a characteristic of pressing from the front. In this match, it will be interesting to see how Tokyo can connect chances by utilizing their passing against Yokohama FM's intense pressing. On the other hand, it is necessary to coordinate and defend as an organization against Yokohama FM's attacks centered around forwards Watanabe and Sakata. In the practice matches leading up to this point, Tokyo has had many games without conceding a goal, so it can be said that their defense is stable. However, they have not achieved a victory in the opening match since 2006, and the players unanimously express their determination to "win and gain momentum". As stated, the starting lineup for the opening match, which is focused on winning, consists of Muroya at right back, Nagatomo at left back, Morishige and Konno as center backs, Tokunaga and Hanyu as double defensive midfielders, Nakamura and Matsushita as side midfielders, and Hirayama and Suzuki as the front two. Yokohama FM also starts with young players such as Ogura as center back and Hasegawa as forward. The average age of the starting lineup is 24 years old, which is younger than Tokyo's 24.55 years old. Both teams want to start the season well, and the match began at Ajista, with a kick-off in Tokyo at 14:01, amidst rain.

Missing a big chance right after the start, Yokohama FM is taken over...

　At the start of the match, in the first minute, Matsushita kicked a free kick from the right side, and Nakamura headed it in front of the goal. The shot hit the lower left post and bounced back. Morishige also reacted to the rebound, but couldn't quite reach it... In the 5th minute, Nagatomo advanced and crossed from the left. The loose ball in the penalty area was fought for, and Hirayama, who held on, turned around and took a shot, but it lacked power and was saved by the goalkeeper. After missing this chance to take the lead, Yokohama FM gradually took control of the ball and pushed Tokyo back. In the 7th minute, Yokohama FM midfielder Yamase moved to the right. A cross was sent in from the right, but it was easily cleared. The second ball was connected to Yokohama FM, and central midfielder Kanai took a shot from outside the box, but Tokyo blocked it. In the 9th minute, Yamase dribbled through the center and couldn't be stopped, and Karino sent in a sharp cross from the right. Watanabe in the center tried to create a good opportunity, but Tokyo's defense somehow cleared it. In the 11th minute, Tokyo sent in a cross from the right side again, and Watanabe in front of the penalty area tried to receive it freely, but couldn't control it well and couldn't finish. Even when Tokyo won the ball, they couldn't connect passes against Yokohama FM's intense press. They couldn't show their own style of play. In the 29th minute, Nakamura and Suzuki combined and entered the penalty area, and Nakamura took a well-timed shot, but it went wide. In the 43rd minute, Murohara advanced and sent a fast cross to Hirayama in the center. Hirayama headed it back, but Suzuki couldn't receive it due to the opponent's intense marking. Despite Yokohama FM dominating the first half, Tokyo patiently held on without getting frustrated and reached halftime with a 0-0 score.

Hirayama marks a dramatic winning goal from Ishikawa's pass, securing the opening victory since 2006!

　In the second half, we struggled to create attacking opportunities against Yokohama FM's solid defense. In the 56th minute, we built up from the holding midfielder, with Hanyu passing to Nakamura, who then set up Matsushita on the left. Matsushita aimed for Suzuki at the front, trying to break into the goal area, but a foul occurred in front of the goal, resulting in a Yokohama FM ball. In the 58th minute, we launched a quick counter from our own half, with Matsushita dribbling up the left side and passing into the area. Nagatomo made a fierce run, trying to finish, but was tightly marked by the opposing DF Nakazawa. In the 64th minute, we substituted Hanyu for Kajiwara, and in the 69th minute, Nakamura was replaced by Ishikawa. We tried to evade Yokohama FM's press and build our attack starting from Kajiwara. In the 73rd minute, from a restart, Hirayama received a right cross and brought the ball into the area, but was quickly surrounded by defenders. In the 76th minute, Akamine came on for Suzuki. Immediately after, Hirayama was fouled just outside the right area, earning a free kick. Kajiwara aimed for a volley from Matsushita's kick, but couldn't hit the target. Yokohama FM's energy began to wane, and in the closing stages, both teams exchanged counterattacks. In the 88th minute, Hirayama cut back against the opposing DF in the left area and took a shot, creating a decisive moment, but again failed to hit the target. Both teams held their ground, and just as it seemed the match would end in a draw, in the 3 minutes of stoppage time, Morishige and Kajiwara intercepted the ball low in our half. Nagatomo sent a long ball to Akamine in midfield. Akamine simply spread it to the right. Receiving the pass, Ishikawa accelerated with a dribble, skillfully evading a sliding tackle from the opposing DF and advancing to just outside the area. In response, Akamine drew the opposing DF towards him and ran centrally, leaving Hirayama free on the outside! Ishikawa calmly delivered the final pass to Hirayama, who coolly slotted it in with his right foot for the goal! In stoppage time, Hirayama marked a dramatic winning goal, pulling ahead of Yokohama FM and securing a victory in the opening match for the first time since 2006! The 2010 season started with a win. 【Player Comments】《Hirayama》 "I wanted to contribute to the victory by making the team's attacking shape function, not just by scoring. Of course, I was always aware of the goal, but in the first half, I couldn't play as I wanted. Yokohama FM, led by DF Nakazawa, was quick and strong in their pressing. I struggled to win one-on-one situations and feel that I still lack strength. However, before the match, we all discussed that 'not everything can go well at the start of the season,' so we aimed to play without rushing. Therefore, I didn't feel frustrated. Regarding the goal, I believe half of it belongs to Ishikawa. Winning today is the biggest achievement. Moving forward, I want to aim for the top and play football that represents Tokyo." 《Ishikawa》 "Today's victory was the result of everyone, including the substitutes, fighting without giving up throughout the match. (In my appearance) I often connected with Yokohama FM in midfield and had to defend, so I wanted to create more momentum when we regained the ball and set up plays up front. The opponent would tire in the second half, so I aimed to make effective movements then. I think we created a good flow towards the goal from solid defense. There was also the option to shoot, but I saw Sota's position, so I passed. That shot was by no means easy. That's why I put my feelings into the ball when I passed. I think he finished well, and when Sota scores, the team gets excited. In that sense, I feel I fulfilled my role. However, I believe Yokohama FM played better football overall. I want to reflect on that and improve for next time." 【Coach Jofuku's Press Conference Summary】 "In the rain, many fans came to support us. The opening match is not just for FC Tokyo fans, but also for Yokohama FM fans, so I prepared to have a good match. Last season's opener left a bitter taste, so this season, even if we couldn't score, we aimed to stay calm and not break our defense. If we kept a clean sheet, we could at least earn one point, and we entered the match with a unified mindset. The fact that we ended up with three points is something to celebrate. I truly feel it was great to share the victory with the fans who have been waiting for it. However, regarding the content, it was not a match where we could do what we wanted. The main reason we got three points was because we kept a clean sheet. In last season's opener, we played a nearly perfect match until the 44th minute of the first half, but after giving away a corner from the only time we allowed the opponent into our penalty area, we conceded a goal and fell apart. Football is like this. Even when things don't go well, if the team doesn't collapse, it's entirely possible to get three points. I believe what we built and learned last year was expressed in today's opening match. I want to use today's victory as a start, make solid corrections from here, and play the football we aim for throughout the year." 【Yokohama FM Coach Kimura's Press Conference Summary】 "I feel disappointed. Both teams had few shots and few decisive moments. Regarding being caught on the counter at the end, I have the impression that 'the J-League is not easy.' I think it was a baptism. The reason we couldn't create chances was that when the ball reached the front line, the triggers were too quick. The pitch was slippery, but we lacked creativity. We were too focused on getting to the opponent's goal quickly, which led to mistakes and prevented us from finishing. In the end, I was filled with regret that we couldn't play our football. The last five minutes felt long, and it was disappointing that we couldn't create many scenes near the opponent's goal. (Returning to the J-League stage after a long time?) I think being on the field is a good thing. I feel I need to enjoy this as a learning experience and switch gears from here.