Aiming for consecutive victories with the momentum from the previous match

　Sec. 12 of the league, Jade NORTH will play against Zaspa Kusatsu away. In the previous match, they secured their first goal and 3 points since the opening match with a goal from Hayu. They aim to build momentum from this victory and strive for consecutive wins. Coach Okuma reflects on the Toyama match, saying, "It's not that we can't aim because there is no space behind when the opponent pulls back, but we need to come up with ideas such as making frequent entries and exits to attack narrow spaces. We want to make use of movements like Tanihara and Hayu creating cushions in the middle, without relying solely on the sides."

　Kusatsu, on the other hand, finished 12th in J2 last season with 14 wins, 6 draws, and 16 losses. They have started this season with 2 wins and 3 losses, so they should be determined to achieve victory at home today. They will make good use of FW Rafinha's breakthrough ability and height, and MF Kumabayashi and others in the midfield will also make bold moves. MF Matsushita can also take shots from the middle range and will challenge "Orthodox (Coach Okuma)". In particular, MF Alex, who came on as a substitute in the preseason match, has abundant stamina and scoring ability, so we need to be highly cautious of him.

　Tokyo will face the match with a lineup that includes Tanihara instead of Nakamura from the starting members of the previous match. The team's common awareness has begun to emerge in order to support breaking through the solid defense and attacking the gaps in the defense, starting from the goal in the previous match. The key is how to shape it and connect it to the goal. In order to somehow score while maintaining the defensive strength centered around Imamura and Morishige, which has been demonstrated so far.

　Takahashi aims to not only play the role of closing the game by scoring first, but also to take advantage of the opportunity and go for the second goal. If we can keep up the pressure, the game should become easier to control. We want to take one step at a time, solve the challenges, and seize the victory. The match started at 16:05 with a kickoff in Tokyo at Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma.

Tokyo Aim To Retain Impetus

FC Tokyo traveled north to take on Thespa Kusatsu in the 12th game of the season, buoyed by Hanyu's late goal that earned a much-needed win in the previous outing. Looking back at the Okayama game, Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma commented, "When teams sit as deeply as they did there's no room to exploit behind the defense so we have to use our wits to create openings through the narrowest of spaces. We shouldn't be drawn to just one flank either but, for example, use Yazawa or Hanyu as a cushion in a central position."
Opponents Kusatsu finished 12th in J2 in 2010 with a W14 D6 L16 record. The side had won 2 and lost 3 so far this year and were expected to provide stern resistance at home. Tall, pacy striker Rafinha carried the attacking threat, supported by midfielders Kumabayashi and Matsushita, the latter possessing a powerful shot from middle range. During a pre-season match between the two teams, the hard-running and skillful finishing of midfielder Alex impressed and he was also one for Tokyo to guard against.
For the visitors, Yazawa replaced Nakamura in the only change from the team that started against Okayama. The manner of the winning goal in that match showed how Tokyo were beginning to develop ways to unlock massed defenses and creating openings would once again be the key issue. The Tokyo defense, led by Konno and Morishige, had been largely impermeable thus far so adding goals to solidity at the back was the next step.
Defender Takahashi commented, "If we can get our noses in front I don't want to just shut the game down but go for a second goal," as Tokyo sought to resolve the issues facing them step by step, earning a win at the same time.
Tokyo kicked off shortly after 4pm on a fresh and sunny afternoon.

Kajiyama scores a penalty kick, but is immediately caught up and the first half ends in a draw

　In the early stages, Kashima was pushed back by the momentum. Taking advantage of the intense defense around them, the speed and strength of the forward Rafinha and Alex threatened the Tokyo defense. On the other hand, Tokyo also struggled with mistakes in their passes, possibly due to the influence of the wind. However, they calmly responded and gradually started launching quick counterattacks. In the 15th minute, Tokunaga was fouled and won a free kick in the opponent's half near the center circle. Uesato aimed directly for the goal, but it hit the crossbar just above.

　In the 28th minute, Kajiyama in the area dropped Morihara's pass and Suzuki followed up, but was tripped in the area and awarded a penalty kick. Kajiyama calmly converted it and scored the opening goal. However, in the immediate 31st minute, Kashima FW Rafinha stole the ball and passed it to MF Kumabayashi in the center. From there, a through pass was played behind Tokyo DF, and Rafinha broke free and scored with a shot into the goal. The lead was short-lived as they were quickly equalized.

　After that, although the ball was carried forward, the attack ended in a single shot, and the scoring opportunity could not be created as time passed. In the 41st minute, Tokunaga, who supported Mukuhara, made an early cross from the right side. Takamatsu in the far post headed the ball while being marked by the Kashima DF, but the ball went outside the frame as the formation collapsed. Towards the end of the first half, Uesato's powerful shot from the right side was blocked by the goalkeeper, and Takamatsu couldn't follow up on the rebound. The match was carried over to the second half.

Tokyo Enjoy Brief Lead Through Kajiyama's Penalty

The hosts flew at Tokyo straight from the kick off, with Rafinha and Alex using their speed and strength to pen the visitors back inside their own half. The swirling wind and some inaccurate passing didn't help matters but Tokyo held firm under the early onslaught and slowly began to play their way into the game. A foul on Tokunaga earned Tokyo a free kick some 35 metres from goal in the 15th minute; Uesato hammered the ball goalwards and saw it fly narrowly over the bar.
In the 28th minute Tokyo earned a penalty as Suzuki tumbled under a clumsy challenge having collected Kajiyama's knock down from Morishige's long ball upfield. Kajiyama comfortably dispatched the ball past Kita, in the Kusatsu goal, to give Tokyo the lead. However, that lead lasted a mere three minutes. In the 31st minute Rafinha stole the ball in midfield and slipped it to Kumabayashi, then sprinted forward to receive the return and slot it past Gonda.
Tokyo continued to bring the ball forward but struggled to create any clear openings. In the 41st minute Tokunaga shadowed Mukuhara's run down the right and curled an early cross to the far post where Takamatsu, under pressure from a defender, headed wide as he lost his balance. Deep into added time Uesato unleashed a fierce drive from the right that Kita parried away and Takamatsu was unable to reach the loose ball. The first half finished 1-1.

Despite allowing a comeback and launching a fierce attack, they were unable to score until the end and suffered a defeat.

　They start attacking from the beginning of the second half. In the 47th minute, Suzuki brings the ball inside from the right side and takes a shot. In the 50th minute, Tanihara picks up a clearance and dribbles up from outside the box to take a shot, but it goes straight to the goalkeeper. In the 53rd minute, Roberto CESAR is substituted in and Kajiyama tries to take the lead with a formation where he plays as a defensive midfielder. However, in the 57th minute, from Roberto CESAR's pass, Takamatsu momentarily becomes free in the box, controls the ball with his chest, and attempts a volley, but it collides with a defender. An accident occurs, causing Takamatsu to get injured and be substituted.

　By this, Hanyu moved to the right MF in the 59th minute. Roberto CESAR and Suzuki formed a two-top. In the second half, they held the ball and spent a long time advancing in the Kusatsu territory. However, in the 66th minute, Kusatsu's right MF Goto overlapped with the right side back Furubayashi's minus pass, and it was scored by the central FW Rafinha... They conceded the second goal from a sharp counterattack. From there, Morishige moved up one row and Nakamura was also substituted. They launched an attack with thickness from the midfield and sides as the starting point.

　In the final stage, Morishige advanced to the front line and launched a power play. In the 89th minute, Tanizawa in the area passed to Kajiyama on the left, who was free, and then to Roberto CESAR. However, the shot crossed in front of the goal and Morishige from afar couldn't finish it. In the added time, Kanda also went up and tried to score the equalizer in a set-piece situation. However, despite launching a fierce attack, they were unable to shake the net until the end. They scored the opening goal but failed to score an additional goal from the flow of the game, resulting in a painful defeat.

　【Player Comment】《Kajiyama》"I tried to move forward as a forward and aim for the space behind the defense. However, because of that, I think there was a gap between me and the midfield. Kashima completely kicked the ball and our pressing didn't work... Kashima chose to have the wind at their back in the first half. I thought they were planning to take a gamble in the second half, but the ball they kicked stopped and created a situation where the two forwards were chasing after it. It feels like they cleverly used the wind to their advantage. It feels like we fell into their trap."

　It would have been better if it could have been a little more compact. I wanted to attack the opponent's back and also wanted the side half to break through vertically. When Kazu had the ball, there was a distance, and I felt like the pass from there wouldn't reach... It was difficult. (What about the atmosphere of "We can go right after scoring a penalty kick"?) We conceded a goal immediately, so I don't think we were able to overcome it.

　"Abé" "I think the goal we conceded right after taking the lead was the worst. We lost our rhythm at a time when we could have gained momentum. I think the opponent felt like they could catch up and thought 'we can do it'. That's the most regrettable part. Throughout the season, we will definitely concede goals and there will be times when we concede due to mistakes or irregular circumstances. That's why it's important not to be shaken and not to concede a second goal."

　Takamatsu-san got injured and lost height in the front line, so it became difficult to break through... Regarding crosses, not only precision is necessary, but also the sharing of ideas. Should we send the ball high to the far side or send a fast ball to the near side for someone to jump in? I think we need to work on those aspects."

　【Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference】"It is unfortunate that we conceded at a very bad time and the second goal was perfectly broken down from the right side. There were also some accidents, but we still couldn't finish well, especially in the final breakdown and shooting accuracy. We conceded such a goal when the opponent counterattacked because we couldn't break down the opponent who was sitting back. (Was the wind a factor?) I think there is some unfamiliarity, but that's mutual. However, I think we found our rhythm in the last 20 minutes while connecting passes, but there were still mistakes due to the unfamiliar wind, although it's not an excuse."

　(What was the effect of moving Morishige to the front line?) The opponents seemed to dislike it, and we were able to get close to scoring, so I think it had an effect. It wasn't perfect because it's an unfamiliar position, but I could feel the intention to make an impact and contribute to the goal by giving it my all."

　[Summary of Kashima Vice Island Coach's Press Conference] "Home game against FC Tokyo after 2 consecutive losses. An opponent and timing that we couldn't have wished for. Today's 3 points were a victory that we desperately wanted. The players worked really hard and followed tactical discipline, which led to the result. The next game is really important for us. We don't want it to end with just one match, so we want to prepare to continue."

　(What is tactical discipline?) I can't say everything, but we have conceded goals in stoppage time in the last two matches and dropped points. It is common to concede goals in the most physically demanding moments, but we wanted to break this trend by any means necessary and enter the midfield phase with physical comfort."

Late Surge Comes Up Short

Tokyo began the second half on the front foot. In the 47th minute, Suzuki dribbled down the right, cut inside, and shot, while three minutes later, Yazawa let fly from just outside the Kusatsu area, drawing a save from Kita. Tokyo made a change in the 53rd minute, with Roberto Cesar replacing Uesato and Kajiyama dropping back into midfield. In the 57th minute, Cesar picked out Takamatsu inside the Kusatsu area with a pass that momentarily left the Tokyo striker free and unmarked. Takamatsu trapped the ball on his chest and attempted a volley but was quickly closed down by a defender. Takamatsu was injured in the exchange and forced to leave the field.
Hanyu went on, taking Yazawa's place on the left, while Cesar partnered Suzuki in attack. Tokyo enjoyed the lion's share of possession and played largely in the Kusatsu half, but the hosts struck against the run of play in the 66th minute. Right-sided midfielder Goto moved the ball on to overlapping side back Kobayashi, who cut it back to Rafinha inside the Tokyo area. Rafinha finished past Gonda to give the hosts the lead for the first time in the match. Tokyo responded by moving Morishige forward and sending on Nakamura to bolster the midfield and the flanks.
As the clock ticked down, Tokyo pushed Morishige into the front line and launched the ball forward in a bid to salvage the game. In the 89th minute, Yazawa and Kajiyama combined to set up Cesar inside the area, but the striker screwed his shot across goal where Morishige narrowly failed to make contact at the far post. Deep in added time, Gonda made his way forward to lend his height to the attack at a set play, but Tokyo failed to find the net and the game finished 1-2. Although Tokyo had taken the lead, the inability to muster a second goal when in command of the game ultimately led to a painful defeat.

Player's comments
Kajiyama
"Playing as a forward I was trying to get behind their defence but that resulted in me being too far from our midfield and leaving space. Kusatsu were clearing the ball firmly and that prevented our pressing game from being effective. They chose to play into the wind in the first half which meant that in the second, when we were hitting the ball up to our forwards, the wind was slowing the passes up. They used the wind very skillfully I felt. I think that if we could have kept a more compact shape it would have been better. I was trying to get behind their defence yet when I managed to escape the side half I felt I was too far away to hit anyone with a pass.
Did I feel optimistic when we scored? We soon conceded though and I don't think we got over it".

Abe
"Conceding so soon after we scored hurt us the most today, I think. We should have been looking to push on but instead we lost our rhythm. After they equalised perhaps we felt that they were going to turn us over and that's the most disappointing aspect of today's game. During the season you're always going to make mistakes and concede goals but you have to rally and make sure you don't concede again.
After Takamatsu went off injured we lacked height up front and it was difficult to find a way to break the deadlock. We need accuracy on our crosses but also an understanding of where to put the ball; does it go high to the far post or harder to the near post for a player diving in. That understanding is something we need to work on".

FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"The first goal we conceded at the worst possible time and the second came from a complete collapse on our right side. It's very disappointing but that's what can happen if you don't put your chances away when you're on top against a team that defends deeply.
Did the wind play a part? You could say we don't have experience of it but the conditions were the same for both teams. We found our rhythm again in the last 20 minutes and the wind did interfere with some of our passing but you can't say that's the reason we lost the game.
What about Morishige playing in the front line? He gave our opponents a lot of trouble and came near to scoring so I think it was effective. He obviously doesn't have much experience of playing there but I felt he used his attributes to good advantage".

Thespa Kusatsu manager Soejima
"We lost two straight games and then had to host FC Tokyo. It was the worst possible opponent at the worst possible time. We wanted the three points today more than anything in the world and thanks to hard work and tactical discipline we managed to achieve it. This makes the next game extremely important for us. We don't want it to end here so we want to prepare well to retain the momentum from today.
What kind of tactical discipline? Well, I don't want to go into too much detail but in our last two games we conceded goals in added time. Conceding goals due to a lack of stamina is the hardest part of the game and we wanted to end that. We wanted to get through the middle period of the match with plenty in reserve".