Team aims to advance to the semifinals together!

　The second leg of the Nabisco Cup quarterfinals is against Shimizu S-Pulse away. Since the first leg on September 1 ended in a 1-1 draw at Ajinomoto Stadium, a 0-0 draw today would result in elimination based on away goals. Therefore, it is necessary to score at all costs. The second leg is held in the midst of consecutive matches, starting from the Emperor's Cup second round on September 5 with only two days of rest. However, Coach Jofuku considers today's match as a "big game" to advance to the final and held a closed practice session the day before. On the other hand, Shimizu will face the match without FW Okazaki and FW Fujimoto, who played in the Japan national team match the previous day, but MF Ono and FW Edamura, who missed the first leg, will start. Their attacking power must be highly cautious. Coach Jofuku also said, "Of course, the point is to avoid conceding goals and score as much as possible. However, considering Shimizu's attacking power, we are prepared to concede goals. Nevertheless, we want to assess the flow of the game and adapt our tactics accordingly, calmly fighting for the full 90 minutes." Tokyo will be without Konno and Kim Young-gwon, and Heavy Matsushita will be absent due to the activities of the U-19 Japan national team. However, Hanyu will return to the starting lineup after making a comeback in the Emperor's Cup. In central defense, Tokunaga and Morishige will play, with Kajiyama and Takahashi in the defensive midfield, and Ohguro and Ricardinho as the two forwards. Today, everything is demanded for results. With the absence of national team members and injured players, the team situation is difficult, but they will bet on this match as a united front. In the Emperor's Cup match against Komazawa University, Tokyo was able to convert aggressive soccer into goals with the participation of Hanyu and Tokunaga. Based on the gains and confidence accumulated from that match, they will launch a tenacious battle as a united team and aim to advance to the semifinals. The match started exactly at 7:00 PM at Outsourcing Stadium Nihonbashi, despite the rain stopping and the humid environment due to the influence of a typhoon.

The score remains 0-0 as we head into the second half with both teams playing cautiously.

　Tokyo seizes the opportunity against a slightly defensive Shimizu from the start of the match. In the 2nd minute, Ricardinho is fouled and Tokyo earns a free kick near the opponent's goal. Nakamura aims directly for the goal, but Suzuki follows up on the rebound and misses the target. In the 6th minute, Takahashi takes a shot from the center, but it hits the crossbar. In the 9th minute, Ricardinho keeps the ball inside the left area after Kajiyama's side change. Suzuki takes a shot, but fails to make solid contact. However, Shimizu gradually gains control and dominates the midfield, pushing Tokyo back. In the 16th minute, Hyodo crosses the ball from the left side after Hattori's pass. The ball falls in front of the goal, but Gonda catches it. In the 18th minute, Yonese and Hyodo connect near their own goal, and a shot is taken but misses the target. After that, Shimizu keeps passing the ball around, extending their time on the offensive, but Tokyo remains patient and defends without panicking. They start to create chances by taking advantage of Shimizu's vulnerabilities. In the 35th minute, a vertical pass from Hayashi reaches Okubo. He quickly turns and takes a left-footed shot, but it hits the opponent's defender and results in a corner kick. From this right corner kick, Takahashi passes to Nakamura, who takes a shot, but it is blocked by the opponent's defender. In the 43rd minute, towards the end of the first half, Mutoh attacks the opponent's defense from the right side after Kajiyama's play. He sends a low cross in front of the goal, which Suzuki meets and shoots directly. The ball hits the left post and goes out. Tokyo continues to fight tenaciously, and the first half ends with a 0-0 score. The game is carried over to the second half.

Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities, they were unable to score... It was a frustrating goalless draw.

　From the start of the second half, Shimizu came out aggressively, but they were unable to play freely due to strict defense. The time continued with both teams exchanging set plays. However, Tokyo also showed a willingness to attack the goal, and in the 63rd minute, a pass from Miku Hara found Ricardinho, who broke through behind the right-side DF. From there, Hanyu took a well-aimed shot, but it was blocked by a great save from the GK. In the 65th minute, another cross from Miku Hara saw Oguro dive in for a header, but it hit the bar... After that, Ishikawa, Matsushita, and Hirayama were brought on. With Hirayama at the front line, Matsushita and Kajiyama in the second line, and Takahashi as a single defensive midfielder in a 4-1-2-3 formation, they aimed to score. This strategy paid off, and in the closing stages, they launched a fierce attack. In the 84th minute, Hirayama cut in from the right side and took a left-footed shot. In the 85th minute, from Matsushita's right cross, Kajiyama had a chance, and in the 90th minute, Ishikawa's cross found Ricardinho for a diving header, but all were thwarted by the GK's excellent saves. In the stoppage time corner kick from the right, Gonda also pushed forward, continuing to show intensity towards the goal until the end. However, Ishikawa's volley from Matsushita's cross was blocked by the opposing DF. Connecting the loose ball, Hirayama took a decisive shot in the area, but it was blocked by a covering DF... Following that, Hirayama's high header from Tokunaga's return pass continued the relentless back-and-forth, but this too was caught by the GK... They fought hard in a fierce match, but were unable to shake the net, ending the game scoreless. Although they were tied on points and goal difference with Shimizu, they could not advance to the Semifinal Round due to the away goals rule. 【Player Comments】《Hirayama》 "I think the first half was a tight match. I came on in a situation where we absolutely had to score, but I think I was able to show a willingness to attack the goal. (Were there any decisive headers or left-footed shots?) I think it’s rare to have a match where not only I, but throughout the game, hit the post or were stopped by the GK... Still, finishing is my job. It’s the most important thing, and I have a strong desire to shake the net." 《Tokunaga》 "It was a match we could have won. However, since we can't change the result, I want to switch to the league immediately. It was my first time partnering with Morige at center back, but he communicated well, allowing us to play without panic. In the first half, rather than rushing to score, I really didn’t want to concede. Even so, we created chances, just as planned. In the second half, the opponent dropped back, and we switched our formation to turn things around. Of course, it might be because Shimizu didn’t take risks and didn’t attack, but I think we were able to play aggressively. I didn’t feel rushed throughout the match, but I thought Shimizu's GK was wonderful. In that sense, it could be said we were unlucky, but it’s important to carry this fight into the next one." 【Coach Jofuku's Press Conference Summary】 "I really wanted to advance to the next round, and I’m disappointed that this wish didn’t come true. I wanted to share joy with the fans who came in weather like today. I can’t find the words. However, I want the players to hold their heads up. I believe we prepared as best we could, and the players who stood on the pitch did what they could. If there’s something lacking, it may be my issue. (Which was bigger, conceding one goal at home or not scoring today?) In 180 minutes, that one goal from the corner kick. From the football we aim for, I think that scene reflects the frustration of not being able to break the goal line this year. Of course, we shouldn’t have conceded that goal, and if we hadn’t, we could have fought in extra time. As a priority for regret, I want to help this team realize their current efforts and thoughts, whether it should be said from the area or from the goal area." 【Shimizu Coach Hasegawa's Press Conference Summary】 "First of all, when the match ended, I think DF Iwashita was in pain, and I feel really sorry for FC Tokyo's players, staff, and supporters for not lining up and bowing. I spoke sternly to him, and I think he is reflecting on it. I want to take this opportunity to apologize. Regarding the match, I anticipated it would be a very difficult game. Even though we had the advantage of an away goal with a 1-1 draw away, it was also a part that didn’t matter, and conversely, it made the game development very difficult. Overall, I think we were able to control it, but in the last 10 minutes, when the opponent increased their numbers to attack, it became a difficult time. However, since it was at home, I didn’t want to end it with a 0-0 draw, which is against my policy. I tried to play while cutting attacking players, looking for chances, but I really think we were helped by GK Nishibe. He made several crucial saves with his body, which led to this result. I want to express my gratitude, and I think we wouldn’t have advanced to the Semifinal Round without his performance. We have a match against Omiya in two days, but I want to switch my mindset and prepare for the next game. I really appreciate the many passionate supporters who cheered until the end, even on a weekday. Thank you very much."