A crucial match to overcome the three winless games and gain momentum at Ajinomoto Stadium

　Sec. 27 will be held as the second consecutive home game following the match in Kumagaya on the 10th (Sat). Kyoto Sanga F.C. will be welcomed at Ajinomoto Stadium. The previous match ended in a scoreless draw, and we only managed to gain 1 point in the last three matches. However, the players say, "Even though the opponents have studied us in the second round of matches, we have been able to find our rhythm by starting the game simply and calmly fighting."

　The challenge of lack of scoring power remains, but we must continue to persist in our targeted soccer and break through. Returning to the undefeated home ground of Ajinomoto this season, this will be a crucial match where we want to seize the opportunity for victory and build momentum.

　Kyoto, who currently has 27 points and is in 16th place. In the first half of the match, Tokyo won 4-1, but the players say that "the team situation has changed since then" when talking about Kyoto's impression. FW Miyayoshi, Ito, and other young players are leading the front three, and Takahashi says, "They play freely around them, and the front line is activated. In the 3-4-3 formation, it is difficult to catch the opponent and also difficult to manage the risk."

　Coach Okuma also said, "We are trying to stick to our style of soccer, which involves precise passing. We need to be cautious as they will try to take advantage of their strengths in the forward line." Both teams are inclined towards passing soccer and it is expected to be an attacking match. However, it will be crucial not to concede the first goal in order to prevent Kyoto from gaining momentum. We want to surpass Kyoto in terms of space utilization and care, and secure the victory.

　Tokyo, who had been away from the team due to activities with the Japan national team, also returned to the starting lineup. Gonda is on the bench. Nakamura is suspended, so Murahara is being used as the left fullback. On the other hand, Kyoto's forward Kubo starts on the bench. In the hot and humid weather that reminds us of midsummer, the match started with Kyoto's kickoff at 18:34.

Tokyo Seek Return To Winning Ways At Ajinomoto Stadium

Following the home game in Kumagaya F.C.Tokyo returned to Ajinomoto Stadium to take on Kyoto Sanga F.C. in the 27th.game of the season. Including the goalless draw against Tochigi in the previous outing Tokyo had earned only a single point from the last three games, yet the players remained upbeat, "We're playing teams for the second time this season now and although they've done their homework on us we're starting matches with a simple approach, keeping calm and finding a rhythm". 
The shortage of goals remained an issue but there was no alternative than to forge ahead with the style of football the team aspired to and hope to break the deadlock. With the side unbeaten at Ajinomoto Stadium this year the visit of Kyoto seemed an ideal opportunity to regain the momentum. 
Opponents Kyoto lay in 16th.place with 27 points at kick off. Tokyo had recorded a 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the year but, as the Tokyo players noted, "The team has changed drastically since then". According to Takahashi, youngsters such as Miyayoshi and Ito who constituted the 3-man strike-force were, "Looking at ease in a revitalised attack. They play a 3-4-3 formation, are difficult to pick up and risk management is tricky". 
Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma also issued a warning, "They'll be looking to play through us with intricate passing and play to their strengths in attack". With both sides committed to passing football an attacking encounter was envisaged; Tokyo would need to prevent the visitors from gaining any momentum and deny them space, while not conceding the first goal would be vital. 
Konno returned to the Tokyo starting eleven following his exertions with the Japan National Team while Sakata took a spot on the bench. Mukuhara switched to left back in place of the suspended Nakamura. Kyoto's young striker Kubo also started on the bench. 
Tokyo kicked off shortly after 6:30 pm on a hot and humid evening more akin to midsummer than early autumn. 

Despite conceding the first goal, Lucas equalizes and Mokuhara scores his first goal to take the lead

　In the beginning, Kyoto, who had more players in the midfield, dominated the ball. They connected passes smoothly and were able to move forward. Tokyo also tried to transition from a solid defense to an attack, and amidst the back-and-forth, in the 11th minute, they advanced from their own half and Kajiyama passed the ball to Yuzawa on the right side. This pass was targeted by Kyoto's defender Morishita, who immediately sent a pass to the front line. The ball reached Kyoto's forward Miyayoshi, who had perfectly timed his run, and he confidently shot the ball into the net from a one-touch. ... Tokyo conceded the opening goal due to a mistake, despite being cautious.

　Tokyo, which has not yet had a come-from-behind victory this season. Although an unpleasant atmosphere was looming, they tried to counterattack from the side without being shaken here. In the 23rd minute, Kyoto's right MF Komai made a powerful dribble but Morishige held him back. In the 25th minute, the ball was securely collected in the front line and DF Sakai took a shot, but it was saved by Shibata. Then, in the 31st minute, Kajiyama dribbled and passed to Tanabe who had drifted to the right. From the cross that Tanabe lifted, Lucas in front of the goal fell down but managed to shoot with his foot. The bouncing ball floated and was sucked into the net, equalizing with a goal full of determination.

　In the 36th minute, a counterattack was launched from their own half, and Tanizawa passed the ball to Mukuhara, who broke through from the left side after running a long distance. Mukuhara used his speed to get past the opponent's defender, boldly swung his right foot, and scored a spectacular goal! Mukuhara's first professional goal became the go-ahead goal, and they completed the comeback to end the first half.

Lucas, Mukuhara Overturn Early Deficit

Kyoto flooded the midfield and dominated possession in the opening minutes, exchanging neat passes and looking dangerous going forward. Tokyo defended stoutly and attempted to turn defence into attack. Possession changed hands frequently including an attempted feed down the left wing from Kajiyama to Yazawa in the 11th.minute. Kyoto midfielder Morishita read the move and intercepted the ball, then stroked a perfectly-weighted pass forward into the Tokyo area. Forward Miyayoshi outpaced the wrong-footed Tokyo defence, took a deft touch and drove the ball through Shiota to give his side an early lead. Despite all the warnings a mistake had led to the worst possible start. 
Tokyo had yet to post a come from behind victory this season and although the atmosphere hung heavy in the stadium, on the pitch the side set about launching a fightback. In the 23rd.minute Kyoto midfielder Komai embarked on a surging run until expertly stopped by Mukuhara and two minutes later Shiota was forced into a smart save at his near post to parry away a stinging drive from defender Sakai. Then, in the 31st.minute, Kajiyama drove forward from midfield and picked out Tanabe in space on the right. Tanabe curled a tempting cross into the danger area and Lucas met the ball with a jumping volley. The ball struck the bottom of Lucas' boot, hit the ground and ballooned over Mizutani's despairing dive to nestle into the back of the net. A sweeping, powerful move had brought the equaliser. 
In the 36th.minute a Kyoto move broke down and Tokyo launched a counter attack, with Yazawa finding Tanabe inside the Tokyo half. Mukuhara had made a break down the left through the Kyoto backline and raced forward half the length of the field to latch onto Tanabe's through ball. Mukuhara cut inside a defender some 25m from goal before unleashing a sumptuous right-footed drive that curled above and beyond Mizutani and inside the far post. Mukuhara's goal, the first of his professional career, gave Tokyo the lead at half time. 

Lucas scores a hat-trick, leading the team to a big victory with the most goals!

　Shortly after the start of the second half in the 47th minute, Hanyu made a move on the right front line and earned a corner kick. Mori Shige scored the third goal with a perfect header from Tanizawa's kick. With a two-goal difference, Tokyo then took control of the game. Tokyo raised their defensive line and quickly switched from defense to attack, launching a speedy and powerful offensive against Kyoto, who were trying to attack by pushing up their line.

　In the 57th minute, while connecting with the defense line, Morishige pushed forward and sent a ground vertical pass to Lucas in front of the goal. Lucas, who received the ball, skillfully feinted the opposing defender in front of the penalty area and scored in the top left corner, marking the fourth goal.

　Against Kyoto, who continued to attack by raising their line, we effectively used the space and showed our momentum. In the 71st minute, Ishikawa was substituted for Hayu, and in the 84th minute, Sakata was substituted for Tanabe. Immediately after in the 85th minute, Ishikawa, who was trying to break through the front line, was fouled and won a free kick from just outside the area on the left. Lucas skillfully converted this and achieved a hat-trick!

　In stoppage time, Inomoto and Takahashi connected, and Ishikawa broke through on the right front line with speed, attracting the opponent's DF to the right area and making a last pass to the center. Sakata smoothly put it in the goal! Although Kyoto took the lead, ultimately Lucas scored a hat-trick, Mokuhara scored his first professional goal, and Sakata also marked his first goal in Tokyo. They scored a total of 6 goals, the most in the league (the most since December 5, 1999 in the Emperor's Cup), and achieved their first come-from-behind victory of the season.

　【Player Comment】《Mukuhara》"(I was able to smoothly bring the ball to the shot. I thought I was assigned to the left today with the purpose of restraining the opponent in defense, but I was thinking of shooting if I could receive the ball in a good position. It was a turnaround goal, and I was able to get into a rhythm with that. We were scored against, but we didn't let the opponent do much, and I think I was able to tire them out by constantly moving forward. I think I was able to fulfill the minimum requirement as planned. I think being able to score a large number of goals at the Tosta Stadium will lead to future success, but from here on, each and every game will become more important. I want to give my all, both individually and as a team, to win the game right in front of us."

　"Lucas" "I have been starting in the past few games, but we have been unable to win. So I am very happy that the team won and I was able to score a goal. The goal came naturally. From now on, I want to prioritize the team's victory and contribute. It has been since the 2004 Nabisco Verdy game in Tokyo that I scored a hat-trick. I am happy with just one goal, so the joy is doubled. Normally, Morishige or Nakamura would take the free kick, but due to injuries and suspensions, I have been practicing since yesterday. I had a good feeling, so I was confident. Every game is not easy to win, and it will be a difficult game in the future. That's why support is necessary. I want to win together by combining our strength."

　[Summary of Coach Ookuma's Press Conference] "Kyoto will definitely come aggressively within the first 15 minutes, so we should not allow them to take advantage of us. It's very disappointing. It's good that we woke up and tried to score back ourselves, but we have struggled a lot in the past when conceding the first goal, and there were also some aspects of the game that we didn't understand in terms of competition. However, there were more movements crossing the ball from Lucas as a starting point than before. Mokuhara, who has never played as a left full-back, was able to surpass opponents and penetrate their defense, so there are things that we should continue in the future. It was a game with points to reflect on and new gains. Regarding Mokuhara, there were also crosses and early crosses that penetrated the left side. He did well considering it was his first time in that position. It's positive to have good competitors like Nakamura within the team. I think internal competition is a very positive thing."

　[Summary of Kyoto Oki's press conference] "I apologize to the supporters who came to support us from Kyoto. It wasn't bad until the first 20 minutes, and we even scored the opening goal. But after that, we started to defend a little and it felt like we were constantly passing the ball to the opponent until we conceded a goal. And then we conceded the second goal, and we couldn't connect the ball properly after winning it back, rather than our defense. It was still 2-1, so we entered the second half with the feeling that we could still turn it around, but we conceded a header shot from a corner kick. After that, it felt similar to when we played at home last time. However, we had the intention to attack until the end. I think MF Ando in particular was working hard. We had a red card and conceded a lot of goals, but we have no choice but to move forward. It may have only been 20 minutes, but how long can we continue the game from the start of the first half? I had confidence that we could do a little more, but unfortunately, it didn't go that way."

Lucas Hat Trick Earns Biggest Ever League Win

The second half began with Tokyo on the front foot again and Hanyu earned a corner as he pushed forward down the right in the 47th.minute. Yazawa stroked the ball into the centre where Morishige, entirely unmarked on the six-yard line, thumped a header past Mizutani to double the lead. With the two-goal cushion Tokyo began to dominate the game, forcing Kyoto to play a higher line and push forward in an attempt to salvage the game. 
In the 57th.minute, after playing the ball around in defence, Tokyo suddenly broke forward with Morishige clipping the ball up to Lucas on the edge of the Kyoto area. Lucas showed fast feet to feint past a defender, creating the half a yard of space he needed to fire off a left-footed shot. The ball took a slight deflection off a lunging defender's boot and beat Mizutani high to his right, stretching Tokyo's lead to three. 
Kyoto continued to push forward, leaving vast swathes of open space that Tokyo exploited ruthlessly. Ishikawa replaced Hanyu in the 71st.minute while Sakata went on for Tanabe with five minutes remaining. Ishikawa darted through the Kyoto defence in the 85th.minute before being flattened from behind some 25 yards from goal and slightly to the left. Lucas stepped up and drove a glorious free kick over the wall and under the bar to earn himself a hat-trick and Tokyo's fifth goal of the game. 
As the game moved into additional time Konno and Takahashi combined down the right, setting Ishikawa free behind the Kyoto defence once again. Ishikawa swerved into the penalty area and poked the ball through a defender's legs, presenting Sakata with a tap-in from the edge of the six-yard box with Mizutani completely stranded. Despite falling behind Tokyo had rallied with Lucas' hat trick, Mukuhara's first professional goal and Sakata's first for his new club. The six-goal haul was the first-ever in a league game ( although the team had scored six in an Emperor's Cup tie on December 12th.1999 ) and marked the first come from behind win of the season. 


Players' comments
Mukuhara
"For the goal I got the ball under control smoothly before I shot. Our objective in defence was to keep the opposition out today, I was played on the left and thought about trying to shoot if I got the ball in a good position. The goal gave us the lead and helped me find my own rhythm. They took the lead but didn't really break us down all that much and I was continually pushing forward to try and tire them out. We achieved what we were aiming to do in that respect. I think that running up such a massive score at Ajinomoto Stadium will have a good effect on future performances although we have to focus on each game as it comes even more than before. On a personal level I want to give everything I can to contribute to winning games".

Lucas
"I've been starting games recently but we haven't been winning so I'm thrilled that we won today and that I got on the scoresheet. We scored freely from the flow of play. Winning is the most important thing and I just want to make a contribution. That's the first hat trick I've scored since the Nabisco Cup game against Verdy back in 2004. I'd be happy to score even one goal so to score three is trebly satisfying. Usually Morishige or Nakamura would take the free-kicks but one had a slight knock and the other is suspended so I was practicing taking them in training yesterday. I had a good touch and felt confident. No games are easy to win and from now on they're only going to get more difficult so we really need strong support from the fans. We want to be united and go on to victory together".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Even though we knew that Kyoto would come out strongly for the first 15 minutes we still conceded in a way we never should have done. It was very disappointing. Having to recover really forced us to wake up but so far we've made hard work of pulling it back when we've gone a goal down so the outcome wasn't entirely easy to predict. However, with Lucas as the focus, we got players ahead of the ball far more than we have recently. Mukuhara had never played at left back before yet he beat his man and got behind their defence and that's something we have to carry on doing in the future. It was a game that presented us with both points to reflect on and new things to be pleased with. Mukuhara took to the position very well, getting in crosses and playing early balls and he's going to give Nakamura some competition for the place. It's very positive for the team that we have such competition for places".

Kyoto manager Takeshi Oki
"I feel like I have to apologize to all the fans who came to support the team today. For the first 20 minutes we didn't play badly at all and took the lead. However, after we got our noses in front I felt we became far too passive and allowed our opponents to play the ball around. And then, after we conceded the second goal we simply couldn't string our passes together. Even so, it was only 2-1 at half time and we felt we were still in the game but then we conceded from a corner soon after the restart. The remainder of the game was like watching a replay of the last time we met. We still attacked to the bitter end, though. In particular I felt that midfielder Ando fought very hard. We had a player sent off and suffered a heavy defeat but there's nothing to do except look forward to the next game. It was only a 20-minute spell but if we could have continued playing the way we did at the start then who knows. We had the confidence but couldn't keep it up, unfortunately".