A match aiming for 3 points and a 5th consecutive victory away from home

　Sec. 30 of the league will be a match against Tokushima Vortis away. In the previous match, despite being troubled by Kitakyushu's hard work, we achieved a 4-game winning streak by surpassing them in tenacity and the "quality" of offense and defense. This match will be the last of the 3 consecutive matches, but Coach Ookuma vows to fight with the feeling of a tournament and aims for a victory in this match, even away, to secure 3 points and achieve a 5-game winning streak.

　Tokushima, on the other hand, currently sits in 3rd place with 49 points. The point difference with Tokyo is 5. The difference with 4th place is 2, and it can be said that they are in a state where they don't want to lose a single game towards promotion. Moreover, this round is a home game, and "we should approach the match with the feeling of the final round (Coach Okuma)". Tall FW Sato, FW Tsuda, and left-side FW Kakitani have each scored 6 goals, and it is important to not let the attacking line, including right MF Hamada and Eto, gain momentum.

　In Tokyo, Nagai started his first game after transferring in place of Tanabe, who was suspended due to accumulated warnings. Tanizawa wants to find scoring opportunities by calmly taking control of the midfield, saying, "In the absence of Sotan, I want to be conscious of the balance and make use of the characteristics of the players on the opposite side." Takamatsu, who has recovered from injury, has shown good form and made it to the bench. From here on, we want to fight each battle in a total war and cherish each one as we head towards the end of the season.

　Both teams are eager to score the first goal, but Tokyo has been able to maintain a strong performance since making player substitutions. Even if the score remains tied, Tokyo should be able to seize the opportunity by creating situations that put pressure on the opponent. As Tokunaga said, "We need to have confidence and stick to our style of play to earn three points." By controlling the game, we want to break Tokushima's fighting spirit and secure a victory. The match started at 16:04 with Tokyo's kickoff at POCARI SWEAT Stadium.

Aiming For 5th. Straight Win In Tricky Away Fixture 

F.C.Tokyo traveled south to the island of Shikoku to take on Tokushima Vortis in the 30th. game of the season. In their previous outing Tokyo had been made to work hard by a resilient Kitakyushu team but quality at both ends of the pitch and sheer perseverance produced a well-earned 2-0 win. Going into the third game in a week, Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma had urged his team to, "Play like it's a cup game," and in turn the players had vowed to win and extend the winning streak to five games. 
Opponents Tokushima lay in 3rd.place at kick off, 5 points behind Tokyo. In turn, Tokushima were 2 points ahead of the fourth-placed club, making the game a vital one for their own promotion hopes. With home advantage, "They're going to come at us as though it were the last game of the season," commented the Tokyo manager. Towering striker Sato, his partner in attack Tsuda and left-sided forward Kakitani had all notched 6 goals apiece so far, and together with midfielders Hamada and Eto would provide a stern test for the Tokyo defence. 
For Tokyo, Tanabe was suspended, earning Nagasato his first start since his arrival at the club. Yazawa commented, "Since Sotan is out I'll be looking to keep the balance on my side and let the guy on the opposite side play to his strengths". Forward Takamatsu had returned from long-term injury and was sufficiently recovered to take a place on the bench. As the league prepared to enter the final stretch playing to the full extent of the available strength in each game became vitally important. 
Although both sides would be desperate to score first, in recent games Tokyo had shown an ability to ask questions of the opposition with their substitutions. Further, if the game remained deadlocked at 0-0 the opposition's impatience to find a goal could leave them open at the back. Tokunaga was bullish about the match, "We want to play our own game with confidence and take the three points." 
Tokyo kicked off shortly after 4pm on a cool, windy afternoon in the Pocarisweat Stadium.

Leading with Nagai's goal in his first start after the transfer, the first half ends

　Tokushima, who started energetically from the beginning, was pushed back. However, they calmly responded and endured without conceding a goal. In the 9th minute, a quick restart led to Lucas passing to Muhara on the left side, who won a corner kick from a cross. However, no one was able to connect with Tanihara's kick. In the 11th minute, Tokunaga intercepted on the right side. He connected with the forward line, and Hayashi passed to Lucas in the center, who made a through pass to the right area. Tokunaga made a run up to this point, but his shot was blocked.

　Then, in the 15th minute, Kajiyama won the ball against the opponent in response to a feed to the front line and sent it to the middle. Then, Tokunaga followed up and Tanizawa's cross hit the Tokushima DF, resulting in a corner kick. From this right corner kick taken by Tanizawa, Imakano in the left area sent the ball forward, and Nagasato in front of the goal changed the direction of the ball and pushed it in for a goal! They took advantage of the set piece opportunity and took the lead.

　It was a moment where we wanted to grasp the rhythm, but we couldn't stop the flow of Tokushima's counterattack, and the flow completely went to Tokushima. MF Kakitani and Kurakuni were quickly brought to the front line, creating chances one after another. However, Tokyo defended fiercely at the last moment and did not let the goal break. On the other hand, we couldn't create a shape in the attack, and in the first half, Tokyo only had 3 shots compared to Tokushima's 12. Nevertheless, we maintained a one-point lead and headed into the second half.

Nagasato Gives Tokyo Crucial Lead

As expected, Tokushima flew at Tokyo from the kick off and penned the visitors back. Tokyo held firm and coolly weathered the early storm before breaking out of defence in the 9th.minute and earning a corner from Mukuhara's left-wing cross. Yazawa stroked the ball into the danger area but was unable to find a teammate. In the 11th.minute Tokunaga intercepted a pass on the right, laid the ball off and continued his forward run. Hanyu found Lucas infield and the Brazilian rolled the ball into Tokunaga's path on the right of the area. Tokunaga let fly but a defender blocked his drive away. 
In the 15th.minute Kajiyama won an aerial duel for a long ball, Tokunaga collected the knock down and attempted to find Yazawa, the ball striking a Tokushima defender and going out for a corner. Yazawa took the corner on the right, Konno headed the ball back across goal from the left and Nagasato, on his first start for the club, twisted athletically to hook the ball into the net. Tokyo had made a set play count to grab a vital early lead. With the breakthrough in the bag Tokyo were looking to impose their rhythm on the game but the hosts fought back strongly to dominate proceedings. 
Tokushima midfielders Kakitani and Kuranuki used their pace to move the ball forward quickly as the hosts began to create chances. In response to the intensifying pressure, the Tokyo defence flung themselves into the breach, denying Tokushima an equaliser. The home side mustered 12 attempts on goal to Tokyo's 3, yet it was the visitors who led at half time.

Ishikawa scored a goal neatly from the counter and secured a 5th consecutive victory.

　Tokyo creates a chance from the start of the second half. In the 47th minute, Kajiyama steals the ball from Tokushima MF Kakitani in his own territory and counterattacks. He receives a return pass from Lucas and advances, sending a through pass to the left area. Nagatomo broke free and took a shot while competing with the defender, but couldn't find the target. In the 49th minute, from a combination between Tokunaga and Hayashi on the right side, Hayashi breaks free into the right area and shoots low towards the far post. Nagatomo was positioned behind, but couldn't step forward in time to connect with the ball.

　After that, the pass to the front line did not connect, and it was stolen, leading to a counterattack. In the 57th minute, Ishikawa replaced Nagatomo. In the 66th minute, Takahashi and Hanyu connected in the center, and Lucas in front of the area turned around and took a shot, but it hit the goalkeeper's face. In the 71st minute, Sakata was substituted for Hayu. However, Tokushima also made attacking player substitutions and came out even more aggressively. In the 77th minute, as Tokyo faced Tokushima's high press, they launched a counterattack, with Lucas→Sakata utilizing their speed to run up the left side.

　Sakata did not pass the opponent, calmly waited for his teammate to move up, and passed to Nakazawa in the center. While Nakazawa was moving up, he attracted the defender and went to the right area. Although it was a slightly long and risky pass, Nao, who ran into the box, beautifully shot the ball into the near corner! They scored their second goal with a powerful counterattack. They did not give up and continued to attack Tokushima, while also defending strongly in a tough match. They secured 3 points away from home and achieved their 5th consecutive victory!

　【Player Comment】《Nagazato》"(Regarding the opening goal) I could see the position of the goal, so I adjusted it with my right instep. Everyone said, 'I thought it was an own goal' (laughs). It's shocking (bitter smile). I wanted to showcase my strengths of making runs behind the defense and initiating dribbles when I played. I thought that was what was expected of me, but I struggled against Tokushima. Everyone must have been tired, and we had little time to connect the ball, but we were able to win by basing our game on defense. A good team won't lose if everyone works hard. I feel that way myself, and I think this game clearly demonstrated it."

　The starting lineup was very nervous. I think that playing as a starter in Tokyo is a responsibility that cannot be compared to others. It is an honor to be able to play there as a player, but I have to get more used to it. Of course, we have to aim for good content and winning soccer, but there will also be games where we can't find our rhythm or the opponent shows their strength. I want to take today's two goals and use it as confidence to continue in the upcoming matches."

　"In the midst of a series of must-win games, we absolutely wanted to win today as well. Since it was an away game, we were careful about how we started the match and tried to bring it into our own rhythm. The bench had the same mindset. Even after I entered the game, I couldn't quite find my rhythm, but I was conscious of bringing speed to both offense and defense. (About the goal) They created a good rhythm on the left side and connected it to me, allowing me to showcase my strengths. Everyone is saying that Yaza's pass was 'too long' (laughs), but if it was a little shorter, I could have aimed for both the far and near posts, and there would have been less confusion in the trajectory."

　With the speed I had, I chose to make it a near option, so the course was clear. It was just a matter of kicking it in with determination. Yaza created an opportunity for me and it was a good pass in the sense that it eliminated any hesitation. (Did you produce results as a substitute?) I think the opening goal was crucial today, but I also wanted to score myself and the team wanted to get the second goal quickly. It will be a collective effort towards promotion, but whoever plays, I want to play FC Tokyo's football and in the end, the mindset is also important. I have my own pride. While taking tough matches like today as a learning experience, I want to play aggressive, FC Tokyo-style football."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "As expected, Tokushima is a focused and strong team, so it was a tough match. We endured the first half with solid defense, with Kenta as the key player, despite the wind conditions. By persevering and enduring together, we were able to shift the momentum in the second half. Since both teams have consecutive matches, we wanted to bring the momentum to our side, including through substitutions. I think Naoya's goal was significant both in terms of his role and the overall flow of the game. With the Emperor's Cup coming up, the schedule in November will be even busier than this consecutive match, so it will be a battle of all our resources. Being able to use players other than the starting eleven at any time, starting from practice, will lead to results like today. We want to focus on each game, including the Emperor's Cup, and give our best."

　[Summary of Tokushima Minobe's press conference] "Today, we had a match against FC Tokyo, and I am very grateful to all the people who came to watch. It is very disappointing that we couldn't produce results. However, the players did their best in terms of the overall game content, controlling the game, and the number of chances and shots. I think we were able to create a good game and content, so it is very unfortunate that we couldn't achieve the desired results. (What was good?) Without being afraid of FC Tokyo, who is the strongest in J2, we set a high line and approached the game, resulting in a faster transition between offense and defense and creating many attacking opportunities."

Ishikawa Goal On the Counter Seals 5th. Straight Win

Tokyo created the first chance of the second half. Kajiyama robbed Tokushima midfielder Kakitani inside his own half, exchanged passes with Lucas and strode forward before releasing the ball into Nagasato's path inside the opposition penalty area. Nagasato held off a defender and shot but failed to hit the target. Tokunaga and Hanyu combined down the right in the 49th. minute, Hanyu darted into space inside the penalty area on the right and drove a low cross to the far post where Nagasato failed to connect by the narrowest margin. 
After that brief burst Tokyo struggled to connect their passes in attack and once again the pendulum swung back to the hosts. Ishikawa replaced Nagasato in the 57th.minute. In the 66th.minute Takahashi and Hanyu combined in midfield and moved the ball on to Lucas on the edge of the Tokushima area. Lucas swiveled and shot in one movement but his effort flew straight at Oh in the Tokushima goal. Sakata replaced Hanyu in the 71st.minute. Tokushima made attacking substitutions themselves, pushing further forward in search of an equaliser. Then, in the 77th.minute, Tokyo caught Tokushima on a counter attack. Sakata received the ball from Lucas and used his pace to drive down the left wing, then held the ball up as he waited for support from the midfield. Sakata slipped the ball inside to Yazawa, who drew the home defence towards himself before moving it out to the right, to meet Ishikawa's run. Yazawa seemed to have overhit the pass at first but Ishikawa met the ball at full speed and drove it firmly inside the near post from a tight angle. A deft and lightning fast counter attack had given Tokyo a two-goal cushion at the perfect moment. Tokyo blunted the Tokushima attack with a tenacious defensive display while clinically dispatching their own chances, taking the three points and extending the winning streak to five games. 


Players' Comments 
Nagasato 
"I saw where I was in front of the goal and caught the ball with my right instep. Everybody said they thought it was an own goal ( Cries ). I was shocked ( Bitter laugh ). When I knew I was starting I wanted to show what I'm capable of: using my movement to get in behind the opposition defence and my dribbling ability. That's what was wanted from me but Tokushima pushed us back and put us under pressure. I'm sure everyone was suffering from fatigue and we really didn't spend a lot of time moving the ball around but we started from a defensive base and managed to see out the win. If you're a good team and everyone works hard then you're not going to lose. That's what I felt and the game made it clear, I thought. 
I was very nervous about starting the game. You can't really compare the sense of responsibility you feel starting a game for Tokyo with anything else. It's an honour and it's something I have to get used to more. Of course we want to play attractive, winning football but there are going to be more games where we can't find our rhythm and the opposition play well. Scoring twice and winning today will give us confidence for the upcoming games". 

Ishikawa 
"The games we can't afford to lose are coming thick and fast and today was another one we absolutely wanted to win. Since we were away we were very careful about the way we started, about keeping our rhythm, and that was the same for us on the bench as well. After I went on we still couldn't really find our rhythm so I was focusing on using my pace in both defence and attack. For the goal the guys created a nice rhythm down the left and worked the ball across to me, where I was able to show what I can do. Everyone said Yazawa's pass was too long, ( Laughs ). If it had been a little shorter I could have gone for the far post as well as I was a little undecided as I ran onto the ball. 
At full speed there was only the near post I could go for but I saw the path clearly and just hit the ball. The way Yazawa held the ball up and made the decision of where to aim for me meant that it was a good pass. Did my substitution decide the game? The first goal was very important but I've been after a goal for a while and I just wanted the team to score again as quickly as possible. We need to play to the limit of our ability to achieve promotion and want to play F.C.Tokyo-style football regardless of who is in the team, so spirit is the most important thing. I've got the backbone for the fight as well. We want to take the performances from tough games like today's and use them as we carry on playing aggressive Tokyo-style football in the future". 


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"Just as we expected Tokushima concentrated well as they're a good team and it became a difficult match. We had the wind in our favour in the first half but we defended perfectly, with Gonda at the heart of it. Everyone was tenacious and persevered, then in the second half we controlled the flow of the game. Nao's role off the bench and goal was massively important in shaping the outcome today. With the Emperor's Cup game in there as well, the November schedule is even harder than this run of games so we'll need everyone to play their part. Apart from the first eleven the other players have to be ready when called upon and what we work on in practice is reflected in results like today's. We want to carry taking each game as it comes".

Tokushima manager Minobe
"Today was the showdown with FC Tokyo and that drew a lot of people to the stadium so it's very disappointing that we couldn't get the result. But if you look at the performance, the game control, the numbers of chances created and those on target, then you can see that the players fought hard. It was a good game and we played well so it's disappointing not to take anything away from it.
What was good about the performance? Many things, I felt. Tokyo are the best team in J2 yet we played without fear, kept a tight high line and developed our moves. We went out to win the ball, switched over from defence to attack quickly and created a lot of chances".