I want to start the three-game series with a good start at the National Stadium

　Sec. 29 of the league will be held. Japan National Stadium will be the home ground, facing Yokohama FC. In the past two matches, they have won with a large number of goals. It can be said that they have been able to score goals in various patterns, including set plays, and have not allowed the opponents to focus on their tactics. Although it is the first match against Yokohama FC this season, they do not want to break this momentum for the upcoming three consecutive matches starting from this round.

　This week, Shimoda, who injured his left ankle in the Ehime match, will be absent to take care of himself. Gonda, who played in the Olympic qualifiers on the 21st, had a short time to join the team, but he mentally and physically switched and started for the first time in 16 games since June 12th. The field players will face the same opponents for the third consecutive match with the same lineup.

　Yokohama FC, on the other hand, is currently in 15th place with 30 points. They suffered a heavy defeat in the previous match against Verdy, but coach Kiyoshi OKUMA says, "They have many good players, especially in the attacking line, so we need to be cautious." FW Megumu NISHIDA is out due to injury, but FW Miura and MF Fujita Shou will start this match. FW Fransa will be on the bench. In response to this, we want to take care of the counter-attacks and prevent them from easily reaching our front line.

　In attack, we want to be conscious of depth in addition to side attacks, and increase our versatility by making runs from the second row. In order to get off to a good start in the three consecutive games starting today, we want to take the lead and accumulate 3 points by firmly grasping the initiative. The match started at 15:04 in Tokyo with a refreshing sunny weather.

Tokyo Looking For Good Start To Busy Week

Yokohama FC were the visitors to the National Stadium in Tokyo for the 29th.game of the season. Tokyo were on a roll, earning high-scoring wins in two consecutive games with the goals coming from a variety of patterns including set plays, as the side also became increasingly difficult for the opposition to pin down. The visit of Yokohama was the first game in a stretch of three fixtures in a week and the team was keen to maintain the momentum with another win. 
Shiota had suffered an ankle injury in the victory over Ehime and was rested, giving Gonda, fresh from his exertions with the Japan Olympic Team, his first start in 16 games. The side was otherwise unchanged for the third consecutive game. 
Opponents Yokohama FC sat in 15th.place with 30 points at kick off. Although the team had recently suffered a crushing 7-2 defeat by Tokyo Verdy, Tokyo manager Okuma issued a warning, "They have a lot of good players we will need to be on our guard against, particularly in attack". Striker Nishida was injured, his place taken by the evergreen Miura, with midfielder Yoshihito Fujita also starting, while forward Franca was on the bench. Tokyo would need to be aware of the visitors' threat on the counter attack and prevent them from moving the ball forward into dangerous areas. 
Going forward, Tokyo would need to make use of the flanks and runs from midfield as they attempted to further increase the variety in attack. A bright start and dominant performance was called for, with the opening goal of great importance, as the side aimed to begin a challenging week in the best possible way by taking all three points. 
The home side got the ball rolling shortly after 3pm on a sunny and fresh autumn afternoon. 

Kajiyama takes advantage of a set piece opportunity and scores first!

　Both teams showed a cautious start, and the early stages were evenly matched. However, in the 7th minute, Lucas initiated the play from the left side, Tanabe overlapped and brought the ball inside, and Mokuhara crossed it along the ground. Hayu jumped in near the goal and won a corner kick. From the flow of this left corner kick, Imano changed sides and Kajiyama took a shot from the right area, winning another corner kick. In the 8th minute, Kajiyama scored a powerful header from the right corner kick taken by Taniyama, taking an early lead.

　After taking the lead, we launched quick attacks to exploit the gaps against Yokohama FC, who started to counterattack. In the 25th minute, we allowed Yokohama FC's fullbacks to push forward, and Miyazaki, the left fullback, crossed the ball to Caio, the forward, in the far post. It resulted in a scramble in front of the goal, but we defended well and managed to clear the ball. In the 26th minute, we initiated a counterattack with Tanihara as the starting point, and Tanabe made a run into a great scoring opportunity with a through pass from Hayu. However, the opponent's goalkeeper came out slightly earlier and managed to block the shot.

　28 minutes, Tokunaga's long-range shot hit the bar. In the 30th minute, Lucas created a chance from Hayu's through pass. In the 34th minute, Taniyama took a shot from a counter attack. In the 36th minute, Tokunaga on the right passed to Kajiyama, who then passed it to Lucas in the center. Takahashi, who was on the left, received the ball and tried to aim for the goal, but lacked power and the goalkeeper caught it. None of these chances were converted into goals. The score remained 1 point difference as they entered the second half.

Set Play Goal Gives Tokyo Early Lead

Both sides made a cautious start, battling hard to gain the ascendancy. In the 7th.minute Lucas engineered a move down the left with Tanabe playing the ball forward to the overlapping Mukuhara, who crossed low into the Yokohama penalty area. Hanyu flung himself at the ball at the near post, earning a corner. Konno moved the ball across the field to Kajiyama on the right and his resulting shot earned another corner, this time on the right. Yazawa stroked the ball in and Kajiyama rose to power a header past Yokohama goalkeeper Seki at the near post. Tokyo had a vital early lead. 
With the visitors behind and forced to push forward, Tokyo looked to pick them of with fast-paced breaks. Yokohama attacked in the 25th.minute, sideback Miyazaki playing a deep cross beyond the far post that striker Kaio knocked back into the danger area. The ball bobbled around prompting a melee, but the Tokyo defence remained calm and cleared the danger, instigating a counter attack. Hanyu played a through ball for Tanabe to run on to and for an instant the young midfielder was away, until Seki sprinted off his line to clear the danger. 
In the 28th.minute Tokunaga pushed forward and unleashed a thunderous drive that left Seki clawing at thin air. The ball smacked the underside of the bar, struck the goalkeeper in the back and dribbled wide of the post. Another through ball from Hanyu allowed Lucas to create a chance in the 30th.minute while Yazawa finished off a counter attack in the 34th.minute with a shot on goal. In the 36th.minute Tokunaga and Kajiyama combined down the right and Tanabe, dropping deeper to collect the ball, played a vertical pass up to Lucas. Lucas knocked the ball down and Takahashi shot but the effort lacked enough power to trouble Seki. Despite their attacking intent and the number of chances created, Tokyo led by a single goal at half time.

Naotake HANYU's true essence! Scored 2 goals with smart running plays, leaving Yokohama FC behind

　In the 51st minute of the second half, Kajiyama made a cross from the left side, and Yazuwa directly connected, but the shot missed the top left corner, missing a great chance to score an additional goal, and the flow of the game remained balanced. Yokohama FC made two substitutions in the 59th minute. With the entry of FW Fransa, they tried to change the rhythm. Tokyo also substituted Ishikawa for Tanabe in the 61st minute. This brought some movement to the game.

　In the 64th minute, Yokohama FC forward Caio made a through pass, and substitute midfielder Nozaki ran onto it and took a decisive shot, but it grazed the post and Konda made a save, resulting in a corner kick. Immediately after escaping this pinch in the 66th minute, Kajiyama passed to Ishikawa running on the right side. Ishikawa brought the ball inside and timed his pass to the center. Hanyu, receiving the pass, calmly trapped the ball and evaded the opposing defender with a step to the outside, then swung his right foot. The well-aimed shot was sucked into the left side of the goal, and the second goal was scored!

　In the 68th minute, Kajiyama intercepted the ball from Yokohama FC forward França in his own half and launched a counterattack. From there, Hayu entrusted the ball to Kajiyama and dashed towards the front line. Lucas received Kajiyama's lofted pass with one touch and Hayu, who had run up the right side, shot the ball into the net with speed! With precise passing and Hayu's signature goal, they scored two consecutive goals and extended their lead.

　In the 74th minute, Sakata replaced Hanewa, and in the 80th minute, Uesato was substituted for Tanizawa as a defensive midfielder. Kajiyama aimed for an additional goal with a formation that pushed up one line. Despite the fast-paced game, they were unable to score a fourth goal. There were also moments in the final stages where Yokohama FC, who showed great perseverance, created scoring opportunities, but they were helped by mistakes and managed to shut down the counterattacks. They won 3-0 at the home stadium, Kokuritsu, and secured the top spot in the rankings once again.

　【Player Comment】《Hanyu》"(Regarding my second goal) It felt like it went too well, but I was able to shoot as intended. I'm very satisfied. For the third goal, I ran towards the goal after the movement of the third person. However, it was the result of Lucas and Nao connecting before that. I want to express my gratitude for them breaking down the defense carefully and connecting the ball to me. After taking the lead today, we decided to let Yokohama FC have the ball to some extent. As a team, I think our decision-making was good when our pressing didn't work from the front. Above all, I think it was good that we were able to communicate and unify our intentions on the pitch when we adapted to the opponent's rhythm."

　"Kajiyama" "It was my first goal from a corner kick, so I'm happy that the team was able to win. As for the content, both teams were cautious in the early stages. Yokohama FC kicked to FW Caio and Sho Fujita, but we also tried to pick up the second ball using long balls, which led to a "battle" between us. At halftime, we were instructed to "carry the ball forward a little faster when we win it back," and we were conscious of that in the second half. I think the intention became even clearer when Ishikawa entered the game. When Yokohama FC's FW França came on, we only had a one-goal lead, so I felt a little uneasy, but our first priority was not to be scored against. I thought it would be okay if we held on closely and took good care of it. It was good that we were able to score from a counterattack."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Yokohama FC had a high level of concentration from the first half, but our crosses and set plays have improved, and we were able to score from there. The opponent's concentration didn't break easily, but we held on firmly, which led to the second half. In that sense, it is very important for everyone to be involved in both offense and defense, to circulate the ball and create numerical advantages, and to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. It was a game where we felt it was important to express those things firmly and continue to fight in the remaining matches. We want to concentrate on each game, step by step, without thinking about the future. (What about the substitution of player Tanizawa?) It was because his leg cramped. It's not an injury issue."

　[Summary of Yokohama FC Manager Kishino's Press Conference] "We started today's game with the belief that the first goal would have a significant meaning. However, we conceded a goal in the 8th minute. When FC Tokyo takes the lead, they gain confidence. That's what happened. We managed to finish the first half with a score of 0-1, but we needed to take a gamble at some point. At that time, we couldn't catch the opponent in the same way twice, and we couldn't defend in the crucial moments. We were cautious, but there was a difference in strength. I don't think it was a game where we couldn't compete at all. I think we lacked confidence and courage, and we didn't move the ball at a fast tempo. We want to improve on moving the ball at a faster tempo and going towards the ball. We conceded 7 goals in the previous match and 3 goals today, totaling 10 goals in 2 matches. I feel sorry for the supporters, but the players did their best to show a different form from the previous match. We have another match in 2 days, so we will prepare well and win, and we want to share the joy with the supporters."

Sparkling Hanyu Double Seals The Win

In the 51st.minute Kajiyama sprinted down the left and cut the ball back to Yazawa whose first time shot sailed over the bar. Tokyo had failed to take a golden opportunity to double the lead and the game then ebbed and flowed. Yokohama made a double substitution in the 59th.minute, with veteran forward Franca attempting to alter the rhythm of their attacking play. Tokyo responded by replacing Tanabe with Ishikawa and the substitution proved to be an inspired one. 
The home side enjoyed a lucky escape in the 64th.minute as substitute Nozaki ran onto a through ball from Kaio and hit the post with his shot, Gonda scrambling back to force the loose ball over the goal line for a corner. Tokyo took full advantage of that piece of good fortune in the 66th.minute. Kajiyama moved the ball forward to Ishikawa on the right and the substitute cut inside, timing his pass across the face of the Yokohama area to perfection. Hanyu took a touch, sidestepped a defender and produced a superb, arcing right-footed shot that cleared Seki's despairing dive and nestled inside the left side netting. 
Two minutes later Kajiyama dispossessed Franca inside the Tokyo half and launched a counter attack. Hanyu returned the ball to Kajiyama and sprinted forward as the latter chipped a pass up to Lucas; Lucas played a delicate cushioned lay off into Hanyu's path as he raced into the penalty area and smashed the ball low across Seki into the far corner. A sublime passing move had allowed Hanyu to show his true value to the team with two stunning goals in only two minutes. 
Hanyu left the field to thunderous applause in the 74th.minute, replaced by striker Sakata. In the 80th.minute Uesato replaced Yazawa and moved into a defensive midfield position. Kajiyama played further forward as Tokyo went in search of a fourth goal with some high-speed attacking play. Yokohama fought fiercely to the bitter end and fashioned a few openings but poor finishing denied them a consolation goal. The final whistle blew on a 3-0 win that propelled Tokyo back to the top of the table. 

Players' comments

Hanyu
"For our second goal I felt that I'd gone too far but the shot went in just as I'd visualised and I was very pleased. I was the third person in the move that led to the third goal and my running got me into the area to meet the ball but it was Lucas' and Nao's interplay that created it. They opened up our opponents' defence beautifully and I'm very grateful. After we took the lead we decided it was fine to let Yokohama have the ball to some extent which was a good decision as it prevented us from being drawn into pressing from the front. Being able to discuss things on the pitch during games when our opponents have found a rhythm united our purpose, I think".


Kajiyama
"That's the first goal I've ever scored from a corner so I'm really pleased that we won. As for the performance, both teams started fairly cautiously. They were hoisting the ball up to Kaio and Yoshi Fujita and we responded by playing long balls and hoping to pick up the second balls. At half time we were told to move the ball forward a little faster. That was in our minds in the second half and after Ishikawa came on we were able to achieve it, I felt. When Yokohama's Franca went on there was still only a goal in it and the atmosphere was a little uncomfortable so I felt that defence was the most important thing and stuck close to him. That led to the counter attack from which we scored our second goal which was very pleasing".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Yokohama started off concentrating well and it was thanks to the improvement in the quality of our crosses and set plays that we were able to take the lead. After that we couldn't really break their resolve so we had to be patient and that paved the way for the second half. Our concept is that all players are engaged in defence and attack, that we move the ball around until we have a numerical superiority and then find a chink in our opponents defence. We displayed that very clearly today. It's important now that we continue to fight in the games that remain, not getting ahead of ourselves but taking each game on its own merits as it comes.
What was behind Yazawa's substitution? He had cramp. It wasn't an injury".

Yokohama FC manager Kishino 
"We thought about how important the first goal would be in today's game as we started. Unfortunately we conceded after just 8 minutes. The goal gave Tokyo breathing space and so it proved. We somehow kept the score to 1-0 at half time which meant we had to go for it at some point in the second half. When we did they caught us out twice with similar moves as we failed to protect ourselves where we should have. They were moves we were on our guard against. There was a difference in ability but it wasn't a game in which we failed to cross swords with the opposition, I felt. With a bit more confidence and bravery, and moving the ball at a higher tempo we could have made something more of the game. We let in seven in the last game and three again today for a total of ten goals in two matches. I feel sympathy for our supporters, although the players did do their best to avoid another display like the last one. We now have only two days to prepare for the next game where we aim to give the fans something to cheer about".