League play resumes! Let's start the 5-game stretch with a victory and ride the momentum.

　After winning the Emperor's Cup with a calm game play, the league matches resume. Sec. 31 is approaching, and we will face Fagiano Okayama at Ajinomoto Stadium. There are 10 more matches in the league. As we enter the final stage, this match marks the start of a 5-match series. It will be difficult to recover if we lose our rhythm in the short interval between matches. Therefore, it is crucial to achieve victory in the first match of this consecutive series and gain even more momentum.

　Okayama, who they are up against, is currently in 17th place with 31 points. They haven't won any of their last 4 league matches, but they advanced to the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup by defeating Zaspa Kusatsu in extra time. With a formation of 3-4-2-1, their organized defense and quick movement after sending the ball forward can be considered as significant strengths. They have achieved unity among all players, and although they struggled against their determined performance in the first half away game, if they fail to press effectively in the forward and midfield positions against Okayama, they will create opportunities for them.

　As usual, I want to use scenes where I boldly go to steal the ball according to the situation, and scenes where I create solid blocks to defend, in order to not let the opponent take the initiative. FW Tiago, who is Okayama's source of goals, and DF Stoyanov, who is a key player in defense, are absent. In addition, MF Kan, the central midfielder, starts on the bench. Tokyo welcomes back players like Imamura and Gonda, who have played in the World Cup qualifiers for the Japanese national team, and they are in the starting lineup. Above all, it's a home game. We aim to surpass Okayama not only with one play in attack and defense, but also with our passion and fighting spirit, and strive for victory.

　Sunny Ajinomoto Stadium. Under the strong sunlight, the heat could be felt as the match started with Okayama's kickoff at 13:04.

Tokyo Aim To Start Demanding Run With Home Win 

Following a break for the Emperor's Cup the J.League returned with the visit of Fagiano Okayama to Ajinomoto Stadium. The Cup win over FC Kagoshima last weekend marked six straight victories for Tokyo, and with the side facing a tough schedule of five games in two weeks a win over lowly Okayama was seen as vital to maintain the momentum as the final push for promotion began.
The visitors lay in 17th place in the league with 31 points. The side had failed to register a win in four games but had managed an extra-time victory over Kusatsu in the Emperor's Cup. The preferred line up was a defensive 3-4-2-1, with an emphasis on hitting the forwards with long balls and engaging support at pace from midfield. Tokyo had struggled against this approach in the first half of the reverse fixture earlier in the season and would need to maintain strong pressure from the front and in midfield, while taking care not to leave themselves exposed at the back.
As usual, Tokyo would need to respond to the game situation, to win the ball cleanly and defend in blocks, and not to cede the initiative. The home cause was boosted by the absence of Okayama's top scorer Thiago, along with defensive lynch-pin Stoyanov. Defensive midfielder Kim started on the bench. Gonda and Konno had returned unscathed from duty with the Japan national team and went straight into the Tokyo starting eleven. A forceful, commanding performance was required to dispatch the visitors and set the tone for the demanding stretch of fixtures to come.
Torrential overnight rain had given way to brilliant sunshine by the time Okayama kicked off shortly after 1pm in hot and humid conditions.

Mori's opening goal was followed by Takahashi and Kajiyama adding points to widen the lead.

　From the beginning, they dominated the ball with dynamic play and went on the attack. In the 3rd minute, Tanabe entered the left area with a drop pass from Kajiyama to Lucas and took a shot. In the following 4th minute, Hayashi received a pass from Taniyama, who had dribbled up the right side, and took a well-aimed shot after turning around, but it narrowly missed to the left. In the 9th minute, Hayashi advanced up the right front line and earned a corner kick from a cross. In the 10th minute, Taniyama's corner kick skimmed the opponent's defender and fell into the area, but Morishige kicked it in with his right foot and scored the opening goal.

　Without easing the attacking hand, we boldly aimed for the second goal, but in the 13th minute, Tokunaga, who overlapped, had his shot from the right area saved by the goalkeeper. In the 17th minute, Tanabe persistently connected on the left front line and headed the cross in front of the goal, but it went over the bar. As the time of not being able to decide continued, in contrast, in the 28th minute, Okayama's left midfielder Kobayashi shot a looping shot from the side. The ball, which Konda let go, hit the bar. In this rebound, Okayama MF Sawaguchi closed in on the ball and took a shot from close range, but Konda made a splendid save!

　When we survived a pinch, in the 35th minute, Mokuhara on the opposite side took a shot from Tokunaga's cross. Although it was cleared by the defender, Takahashi, who followed up on the loose ball, skillfully turned past the opposing defender and scored with his right foot! Expanding the attack from the full-backs' forward runs on both sides, we scored an additional goal. In the final minutes of the 41st minute, Hayashi and Tanabe exchanged passes on the left side, and Hayashi floated a pass into the area. Kajiyama ran into the goal area to meet the pass and skillfully evaded the opposing defender with his first touch and scored with his left foot! We extended our lead and headed into the second half.

Morishige Opens The Scoring In Dynamic First Half

Tokyo made a lively start to the game, controlled the ball and were soon on the attack. In the 3rd minute, Kajiyama chipped the ball forward, Lucas knocked it down and Tanabe registered the first shot on target. A minute later, Yazawa dribbled down the right flank before moving the ball infield to Hanyu. A slick half-turn took Hanyu past a defender and his spooned shot from just outside the area flew narrowly wide of the far post with Mago, the Okayama goalkeeper, scrambling to cover. Hanyu was again in the thick of the action in the 9th minute, pushing forward into the right channel and earning a corner after his cross was cleared behind. Yazawa stroked the ball into the middle where it cleared the ruck of players rushing in at the near post; Morishige, unmarked on the six-yard line, thrust out a leg and directed the ball past Mago to give Tokyo an early lead.
Tokyo continued to press forward. In the 13th minute, Tokunaga raced down the right, cut inside and unleashed a firm low drive that Mago tipped around the post at full stretch. Yazawa spurned another chance in the 17th minute, heading over the bar from an unmarked position six yards out after Tanabe's battling run and fine cross from the left. The home side nearly paid for their profligacy in the 28th minute when Okayama midfielder Kobayashi suddenly produced a deft lob from the left side of the Tokyo penalty area. The ball sailed over Gonda, struck the bar and rebounded kindly into the path of onrushing midfielder Sawaguchi. Sawaguchi struck first time at point-blank range but Gonda was equal to the task, showing lightning-fast reactions to beat the ball away.
Following that narrow escape, Tokyo continued to forge ahead. In the 35th minute, Tokunaga crossed, a defender cleared the ball out and Mukuhara lashed it goalwards from the left. Again a defender blocked the ball away. Takahashi used his strength and speed to reach the loose ball ahead of an Okayama player, then produced a sublime turn to create some room before swiveling and driving a low shot beyond Mago and into the far corner of the net. Both side backs had been involved in a sweeping move that earned Tokyo a two-goal cushion. As half time approached, Tokyo extended their lead to three with another expertly taken goal. Tanabe and Hanyu exchanged passes down the left before the latter spotted Kajiyama's run towards the Okayama penalty area and chipped the ball forward. Kajiyama took the ball down neatly with the inside of his right boot, shifting it across his body and throwing a defender off balance in one deft movement before rifling the ball hard and low across Mago and into the corner. Tokyo entered the half time break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Despite being troubled by Okayama's intentional soccer, we achieved our first 6 consecutive wins in the league this season!

　In the second half, there was a decisive moment at the start. In the 53rd minute, Mokuhara intercepted the ball in his own half. After exchanging passes, he received a return pass and dribbled into the opponent's half, sending a last pass to Tanabe, who followed freely. Tanabe released a focused shot, but the ball grazed the bar and went out... We missed a decisive chance. In the 58th minute, Ishikawa was substituted for Hayu. With Tanizawa in the center, we aimed for a fourth goal.

　However, it was difficult to create effective chances. In the 59th minute, Okayama's left side MF Imo was stuck on the goal line, and a shot was taken by DM Chimei from the drop of left MF Kobayashi, which also allowed Okayama to gain momentum. Therefore, in the 67th minute, Sakata was substituted for Tanabe, and in the 71st minute, Roberto CESAR was substituted for Lucas. They tried to utilize the speed of the front line, but due to the heat, the line became stretched and there were many instances where the continuous attacks could not be carried out and ended in single attempts.

　In the 72nd minute, Ishikawa made a short and sharp left cross from the flow of a free kick. Konno from the far post hit a header that was just inches away from the post and went into the side net. On the other hand, there were more scenes where Okayama connected passes and advanced towards the goal. In the 83rd minute, Okayama MF Sengoku made a through pass to the right area. He was about to be shot from a close distance by MF Sawaguchi, but Kanda made a quick dive and saved the ball with his whole body.

　Unable to clear Okayama's FK even in injury time, a quick reaction shot was taken by MF Sawaguchi in the area, but Gonda saved it and the time was up. In the league match, they achieved their first 6 consecutive victories of the season with 5 consecutive clean sheets.

　【Player Comment】《Takahashi》"(Regarding the goal) I was conscious of aiming for loose balls. The opponent's start was also fast, so I made a turn to counter and focused on quickly swinging my leg below the knee when shooting. We were able to score a second goal and our rhythm also became longer, so I think it was good."

　"As a defender, the first priority is to prevent goals. However, it becomes easier if we can score from set plays. So, it was good that we were able to do that."

　"Kajiyama" "(Regarding the goal) When Hayabusa faced forward, the opponent was biting. There was a similar scene in the Emperor's Cup, and that image remained, so I ran to the goal. A good pass came, and I was able to dodge the opponent well with my first touch and shoot."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Okayama can have 5 top players in attack and 5 backs in defense. Our style of play hasn't changed. There were some instances where our marking was off or we let the opponent do what they wanted, but in the first half, we were able to play the soccer we aimed for. The starting players did their best, but in the second half, the opponent also got tired and created space, yet we couldn't play good soccer. We need to think about that. It's understandable that when it becomes 3-0, we start focusing on defense mentally. However, if we allow chances to be created from our own mistakes and can't establish a rhythm, we won't improve. There were many scenes like that in the second half. It's not always going to be a game that goes well like today, so we need to thoroughly consider the combination of players. It's also necessary to have the awareness and effort to reduce unnecessary mistakes in practice."

　(About Okayama) There were instructions to make big side changes and to take the space between the defenders. In response, we also paid attention to not allow side changes. The intention to launch a bold attack from an orthodox side change and break through while taking the space between the defenders was conveyed. As expected, when we left them free in the second half, they created decisive opportunities. We want to continue pushing each other to improve in the future."

　[Summary of Okayama-Kageyama's press conference] "Every team will face a tough schedule of 5 consecutive games starting today. We were going to approach the game against FC Tokyo, who are currently leading in terms of strength, results, and performance in J2, as challengers. The result is that we have to admit that there is indeed a difference in strength. However, regarding the goals conceded, I think there were also mistakes on our part. Of course, there were also decisive moments created, but the goals conceded should have been preventable. We couldn't stop them even though we were going with two players against their one. In terms of those aspects, it is possible to stop them through communication and perseverance. We want the players themselves to be able to delve into the details."

　Although we conceded 3 goals in the first half, we were able to fight tenaciously against FC Tokyo in the second half. It is positive that we were able to create several chances. We don't have much time, but we want to fight with all our might for the remaining season, aiming for continuous growth both individually and as a team. Especially because we can play three consecutive matches with strong supporters at home, we want to achieve good results there."

Tokyo Hold Off Gritty Okayama To Earn Sixth Straight Win

The home side began the second half as they had finished the first. In the 53rd minute, Mukuhara intercepted the ball in midfield, exchanged passes, and strode forward before laying it off to Tanabe, who was following up behind. Tanabe picked his spot but saw his carefully aimed shot clip the crossbar. Ishikawa replaced Hanyu in the 58th minute, with Yazawa switching to a more central position in the midfield three.
Even so, Tokyo struggled to create clear-cut chances. In the 59th minute, Okayama's left-sided midfielder Usui took the ball to the Tokyo byline and cut it back for Kobayashi to knock down and create a shooting chance for defensive midfielder Chiaki. The visitors began to find a rhythm, prompting Tokyo to replace Tanabe with Sakata and Lucas with Roberto Cesar. Using their speed in attack was the intention, but the heat began to take its toll, causing the side to lose its shape and attacks to peter out.
In the 72nd minute, Ishikawa struck a fast, wickedly curling cross to the far post where Konno came in behind the last defender and got his head to the ball but was only able to direct it into the side netting. Okayama drew closer to the Tokyo goal and threatened in the 83rd minute as midfielder Sengoku played a pass through the Tokyo defense to Sawaguchi. Gonda was quickly off his line to block Sawaguchi's point-blank shot with his body.
Gonda pulled off his third superb save of the game in additional time as the Tokyo defense failed to clear a free kick and the loose ball fell to Sawaguchi. The final whistle blew moments later. Tokyo had earned their fifth consecutive clean sheet and their sixth consecutive win.


Players' comments
Takahashi
"I was looking to take advantage of loose balls. The opposition player was fast so I took the ball the other way, pulled it back quickly and shot. It was the second goal and came at a good time when our rhythm was getting stretched so I was pleased".

Morishige
"As a defender the most important thing is keeping a clean sheet. However, if we can score from set plays it makes the game a whole lot easier. It was great that we scored from that position".

Kajiyama
"For the goal, when Hanyu had the ball and was moving forward I had a defender sticking to me. Exactly the same thing happened in the Emperor's Cup last week so the image was still fresh in my mind. I made the run forward, Hanyu played a great ball and I got a good first touch to take it away from the defender, then slotted it into the corner".


FC Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma
"When Okayama attack they push five men forward and when they defend they put five at the back. They haven't changed that system at all. On occasions we lost our marking and they nearly made us pay but in general we achieved the kind of game we intended in the first half. The players who started the game did well but in the second half when our opponents began to tire we weren't able to take advantage of the space that created or play particularly well. That's something we have to think about. I understand that when you're 3-0 up you start to think a little more defensively. Even so, our own mistakes led to chances for the opposition and if we can't create our own rhythm then we won't improve. I had that impression a lot in the second half. Games don't always go as smoothly as today's so we need some consistency from the groupings of players selected. We also need to work harder in training to reduce the number of unnecessary mistakes.
The Okayama bench was telling the team to change the play from side to side and to get between our defenders. We were trying to stop them from switching the play from wing to wing. We told the players to try orthodox side changes, to attack boldly and open them up by splitting their defence. Even so, they still created clear cut chances. We have to continue to learn from here on".

Okayama manager Kageyama
"From today there are five games in two weeks and that's a tough schedule for any side. Having to play the first match of that stretch away to the best team in the league is a challenge and that's how I told the team to approach the fixture, as challengers. Looking at the result though, we have no choice but to concede the difference in quality of the two sides. Regarding the goals we conceded, you could say they were inevitable but we also made mistakes. They created other good openings as well but the goals were defendable. We had two of our players against one of theirs but we still couldn't stop them. Maybe it's possible to stop them with more grit and better communication. I want the players to think this through in details for themselves.
Although we let in three in the first half we put in a tenacious performance in the second. That's a positive, as is the number of chances we created. There's no time between games now for details but we want the players and team to give it their best to develop as far as they can from now to the end of the season. We have three home games coming up in front of our very vocal supporters and hope to produce good results in those matches".