Overcoming accidents, seizing victory with an all-out effort!

　After finishing a tough 5-game stretch and entering November, the 34th round match against Shonan Bellmare is held. We are going away. In the past 3 games, we haven't had a win, and there is also frustration, but even though each team takes "Tokyo countermeasures" against us, we can create chances from our own soccer and feel a sense of accomplishment. From here on, in the last 5 games, there will be pressure for promotion, but we will make adjustments for the next game without rushing and steadily accumulate points. That's everything. Starting from this round, Imamura from the Japanese national team is absent. And today, Takahashi and Kajiyama are suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Also, Tokunaga injured his neck during yesterday's practice and is forced to miss his first game of the season. As a result, Shimoda is used as a starter for the first time in a hurry, partnering with Darbou as a defensive midfielder. The center-backs are Jade North and Morishige. Nakamura is the right full-back, and Ishikawa and Tanabe, who are starting for the first time this season, are on the midfield sides. Lucas and Taniyama are in charge of the forward line. On the other hand, Shonan is currently in 11th place with 45 points. The possibility of promotion may be very slim, but their record so far is 12 wins, 9 draws, and 12 losses, which is balanced. Also, in the 13th round match on May 22nd, Tokyo took the lead but showed perseverance to catch up in the second half, resulting in a draw. This round is Shonan's home game, and they will surely come aggressively to secure a win. In response to that, we want to aim for victory with plays that focus on maintaining balance with Darbou and calmly assessing the situation. The team situation can be described as difficult, but we are truly challenging the "J2 final chapter" with all our strength. The game started at 16:03 with Shonan's kickoff at the Hiratsuka Stadium, where light rain had started to fall and it was getting colder.

Tokyo Call On Squad To Deliver

With the demanding program of five games in two weeks behind them, F.C.Tokyo traveled to Shonan to take on Bellmare in the first game of November. Despite a lingering frustration at being winless in three and the special approach taken by opponents when playing them, Tokyo were still creating chances with their style of football and had plenty to be positive about. As the season entered the final five-game stretch and the pressure mounted, the key would be to retain composure, focus on each individual game and slowly pick up the points. 
Konno was absent, called up to the Japan National Team, while Takahashi and Kajiyama were suspended. Tokunaga had suffered a neck injury in training the day before the game, forcing him to miss a match for the first time this year. As a result Shimoda made his first-ever start for the club, partnering Hanyu in a double defensive midfielder formation. Jade North lined up alongside Morishige in central defence, with Nakamura at right back, while Ishikawa made his first start of the year with Tanabe in midfield. Lucas and Yazawa were paired in attack. 
Opponents Shonan lay in 11th.place at kick off with 45 points from a W12 D9 L12 record. Promotion was probably beyond reach but in the reverse fixture in May the side had put in a gritty performance to equalise Tokyo's early goal and take a point. With home advantage they were expected to take an aggressive approach. 
To counter that threat Tokyo would need to retain their composure while adapting to the state of play. Much was expected of Hanyu in a central role, using his movement to control the team's balance. The side was in straightened circumstances and the squad was needed to take up the challenge as the final chapter of the season began. 
A light rain was falling on a chilly afternoon as Shonan kicked off shortly after 4pm. 

Both teams fought fiercely, and the first half ended with a scoreless draw.

　Both teams attacked from the start, and the game was a back-and-forth battle. In the 2nd minute, Tanabe took a daring shot from the middle. In the 7th minute, Shonan had a heading shot from a corner kick, but immediately after that, Tokyo also had a header from Morishige off a corner kick. In the 12th minute, Tanabe made a move on the right side and Nakamura followed with a right cross. Yawazawa in front of the goal made a perfect header, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. Both teams quickly switched to attacking mode, and from around the 20th minute, it became a counter-attack battle. In the 22nd minute, Tanabe's pass to Hayashi was intercepted, leading to a counter-attack by Shonan. However, Shimohira stopped midfielder Ajiel's central breakthrough, and Tokyo quickly launched a counter-attack from the defensive line. But from Lucas' pass on the left side, Yawazawa calmly trapped the ball in front of the penalty area, turned the opponent's defender, and took a shot with less power... just above the crossbar. In the 28th minute, Ishikawa also took a dribble shot using his speed, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 30th minute, Shonan allowed Kamada, a defender on the right side, to advance and was lured into the opponent's forward crossing movement in the penalty area, but Mokuhara threw himself to escape with a corner kick. In the 36th minute, it was Tokyo's turn for a quick attack. Ishikawa in the center moved to the right side. Tanabe dribbled smoothly, attracting the defender on the right side, and made a last pass to the center. From here, Ishikawa passed to Yawazawa directly, and in the end, sent the ball to Mokuhara who had moved up from the far side... but it was cut off one beat too late. Tokyo showed strength in winning the ball and had space and time to pass it around, but there were also moments when they had to defend against Shonan's strong attacks, and they couldn't fully take control of the game. However, they managed to stop Shonan's counter-attacks with focused defense, and the first half ended with a scoreless draw.

See-saw First Half Ends Scoreless

The game began in an open, attacking manner with play shifting from end to end. In the 2nd.minute Tanabe tried his luck from middle distance. Shonan won a corner in the 7th.minute, directing a header wide, while Tokyo responded by winning a corner of their own moments later, Morishige off target with his header at the other end. Tanabe pushed forward down the right in the 12th.minute and laid the ball off to Nakamura, following up in support. Nakamura crossed and Yazawa met the ball with a powerful header that drew a save from Nishibe in the Shonan goal. 
The sides exchanged counter attacks from the 20th.minute. The home side intercepted a pass from Tanabe to Hanyu, releasing midfielder Adiel who raced straight up the field until stopped by Shimoda, who in turn instigated a counter attack from the Tokyo defence line. Lucas took the ball down the left and picked out Yazawa on the edge of the Shonan area. Yazawa took the ball neatly, turned a defender expertly but then shot narrowly over bar. Ishikawa showed his pace with a dribble and shot in the 28th.minute, drawing another save from Nishibe. 
Shonan defender Kamata made a bold break down the right in the 30th.minute, racing into the Tokyo area before laying the ball off to a forward. Mukuhara flung himself in front of the resulting shot, blocking the ball out for a corner. Tokyo forged a fast-paced break in the 36th.minute as Ishikawa took the ball up the middle before finding Tanabe on the right. Tanabe took the ball into the Shonan area and drew a defender towards himself before slipping the ball through to Ishikawa. Ishikawa touched the ball on to Yazawa, who in turn moved it out to Mukuhara on the far side. A defender intervened and the promising move came to nothing. 
Tokyo were aggressive in their approach to the ball and enjoyed time and space to play in, yet Shonan's dynamism in attack prevented them from completely gaining control of the game. The Tokyo defence held firm throughout and the first period ended 0-0. 

Cover together! Cesar's two goals separate Shonan and take valuable 3 points

In the early stages of the second half, they created opportunities from the combination of Ishikawa and Nakamura on the right side. However, they lacked precision in the final play and failed to score. In the 53rd minute, they launched a quick attack and passed to Lucas, who was free in the left area. However, the timing of the shot was off, and Lucas attracted the attention of the defender and returned the ball to Ishikawa in the center. However, the shot from here was blocked.

　Unable to decide here, it ended up being pushed back by Shonan instead. Therefore, in the 60th minute, Roberto CESAR was substituted for Tanabe. The substitution strategy of trying to compete with speed proved successful. Shonan also brought in speedy forward Takayama in the 64th minute and tall forward Tahara in the 70th minute. However, in the 72nd minute, Tanizawa skillfully controlled the ball on the left side and sent a lofted pass to the far side. CESAR dove in with determination and headed the ball into the goal!! Taking advantage of Shonan's vulnerability, he scored the opening goal with a passionate diving header!

　However, immediately after that, Yu Hanyu was judged to have fouled Shonan's midfielder Nagaki in the area, and a penalty kick was awarded. In the 75th minute, MF Azier neatly converted it, equalizing the score... Shonan, gaining momentum, increased their attacking strength and put pressure on Tokyo's goal. In the 79th minute, from Shonan FW Takayama's left cross, FW Tahara struck a high header from above Tokyo's DF, but it narrowly curved to the left and avoided danger.

　The game became hectic, but Tokyo still switched quickly from solid defense to attack. And in the 81st minute, Nakamura boldly made a move, dribbling powerfully into the right area. He sent a minus pass to the center. Caio trapped it with his right foot, turned around, and struck an eye-opening shot with his left foot!

　The remaining time, including 3 minutes of injury time, was dominated by Shonan, and the line dropped slightly, but Tokyo maintained concentration, defended well, and the time was up. Tokyo grabbed a 4th consecutive victory by pulling away from Shonan with 2 goals from Cesar, overcoming Shonan's resilience. Above all, they covered well for the absence of players due to the national team and accidents, and took valuable 3 points away.

　【Player Comment】《Roberto CESAR》"It was a tough battle, but we were able to overcome it together. Personally, I have been playing less recently, and I felt frustrated about it, but I'm happy that I was able to express that frustration on the pitch with a goal. The second goal wasn't with my dominant foot, so I just hit it based on my feeling, but I was able to score. I'm really happy that I was able to score a goal that helped the team."

　"As expected, it was a fierce game and Shonan came to win with all their might. It was a tough match, but we also gave our all. There were moments in the first half where we were outplayed by Shonan, but we made adjustments at halftime and I think we were able to defend well with the combination of Morishige and also with Shimoda picking up the second ball and dominating in aerial duels. And we were able to take the lead with the strength of our attacking players and Cesar. I think it's a hard-fought 3 points that we all earned."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "It was a tough game today, just like the five consecutive games. Lately, there have been moments where our emotions have been running high and the players have been lacking in sharing and trusting each other's strengths. Each player has their good and bad sides, but it is important to trust each other and be patient with each other's weaknesses. I have always said that a team is not just 11 players, and today, even with many new members, I think our team has improved a little as a result of our struggles. Since taking on the role of coach, I have always emphasized the importance of each game in front of us, and that has not changed. We will continue to give our all in each of the remaining four games."

　Including the feelings of the rehabilitating players, we want to deepen our trust and continue to fight the remaining matches. (What is trust specifically?) For example, even for Caio CESAR, there are moments of "Why did he lose the ball there? Why didn't he defend?" When we get anxious in those moments, the words "Why?" come out on the pitch. When we are winning, those voices don't come out, and there is an atmosphere of everyone enduring and trying to make the most of Caio CESAR. However, when impatience or the desire to secure promotion quickly arises, those words become mixed. Today, we endured and shared together. It's strange that we haven't been able to score goals easily until now, but Caio CESAR scored a goal like today's, and I wonder if this is also soccer. It was a game that mixed difficulty and greatness.

　(What is Ishikawa's evaluation?) I wanted to start him anytime, but he keeps getting injured, so that's my patience. It was the same last season, but when it came to... Nao was gone. He has the atmosphere and threat of work that he brings to the team. It's great that his performance was good. He also defended well today and played worthy of the captain's armband. I want to keep him on the pitch until the end of the season, and I think he is a valuable player for FC Tokyo once again."

　[Shonan - Coach Hanamachi's Press Conference Summary] "It was a very tense and exciting game for those watching. I want to think of it as a good loser even though we lost, and I have to think that way. The players were given a significant tactical task, but they executed it well and showed a dynamic performance. I want to say "thank you" without blaming them for the defeat. We have been fighting hard since the beginning of the season towards our goal, but we couldn't achieve it after today's result. I feel responsible for that."

　(Did the feeling towards Tokyo's J1 make a difference in the outcome?) Tokyo is probably stronger. Even if the first half ends in a close game, there will be a difference in the second half. This is the reality of strength in society. Even today, at halftime, we turned the screw, saying "Don't give them a moment's chance because they are not an opponent to be deceived." Looking back at the scenes of conceding goals, the first goal may have been due to the opponent's foul. However, everyone stopped there and was taken advantage of. The second goal was our own ball after putting our bodies in, but then we rested and a slightly reckless play was born. It is not about blaming individuals, but a problem for the entire team. Without overcoming this severity, we cannot rise to the top.

　Today may have been just a coincidence, but there were many matches in the J1 last season where we were easily taken advantage of and ultimately lost. Even though we knew we shouldn't create openings in intense and tense matches like today, we somehow relied on our own complacency or the referee, and couldn't make clear plays. On the other hand, if we think about Tokyo, there are fewer opportunities for comparison. I always tell the players that I strongly hope they feel and grow through their own experiences. We must learn from our experiences and continue to study."

Cesar Brace Earns Hard-fought Win

Tokyo began the second half on the front foot with Nakamura and Ishikawa providing the main threat by linking neatly down the right. However, the final ball was frequently lacking accuracy. In the 53rd.minute Ishikawa led a fast attack, moving the ball out to Lucas on the left of the Shonan area. Lucas was unable to release a shot and instead drew the home defence towards himself before returning the ball to Ishikawa. Ishikawa shot but again the Shonan defence blocked the attempt. 
Tokyo's failure to convert their chances prompted a period of domination by the home side that the visitors sought to break by replacing Tanabe with Roberto Cesar in the 60th.minute. Shonan replied by introducing pacy forward Takayama in the 64th.minute and towering striker Tahara in the 70th. Tokyo's substitution paid dividends in the 72nd.minute as Yazawa skillfully took the ball down the left and floated a cross to the far post. Cesar met the ball with a diving header that bulged the net and gave Tokyo a vital lead. 
The lead proved to be short-lived, however. Just three minutes later Shonan midfielder Nagaki burst into the Tokyo box and went down under a challenge from Hanyu that the referee judged to have been a foul. Adiel converted the penalty and the game was all square again. Buoyed by the goal Shonan poured forward and put Tokyo under intense pressure. In the 79th.minute forward Takayama raced down the left and crossed, Tahara outjumped the Tokyo defence but placed his header narrowly wide of the post. 
Despite the increase in intensity the Tokyo backline remained calm, defended heroically and quickly switched into attack. Then, in the 81st.minute, Nakamura embarked on a surging run that took him inside the Shonan area on the right. Nakamura cut the ball back to Cesar who controlled it with his right foot before smashing it past Nishibe with his left. 
In the time remaining and three minutes of additional time Tokyo dropped deeper under the tenacious Shonan onslaught yet maintained their concentration to successfully seal the win. Cesar's double had earned Tokyo their first win in four games. In the face of injuries, suspensions and absences the squad had come together to put on a fine performance and dig out three vital points. 


Players' comments
Roberto Cesar
"That was a really hard game but everyone pulled together and we came through in the end. On a personal level I haven't enjoyed much time on the pitch recently which has been disappointing but I'm delighted that I was able to contribute with goals today. The second goal I hit with my weaker foot just as a matter of intuition and it went in. I'm really pleased that I could help the team with my goals today".

Jade North
"We'd expected a tough game and Shonan went for the win with everything they had. It was a hard match and we also played to the full extent of our power. We were losing out to Shonan at times in the first half and we tweaked things at half time, the combination of myself and Morishige in defence and Shimoda picking up the second balls following high balls into our box. And then Cesar and the attack won the game for us. It was a real team performance that earned the three points".


F.C.Tokyo manager Kiyoshi Okuma 
"We've just had five consecutive games and today's match was another example of how hard this season has been. We haven't been at our best of late, a little impatient and perhaps lacking some confidence. Persevering has been the key. I usually say that the team isn't comprised of only 11 players and we saw that today in an excellent, hard working performance by a team with several changes. Since I became manager I've always said that the next game we face is the most important one and nothing has changed there. We're going to take each of the remaining four games as they come. 
We want to increase the players' faith in each other. What do I mean by that? Well, for example take Roberto Cesar. Sometimes we have to say, "Why did you lose the ball there? Aren't you going to defend?" If we're impatient, if we're hurrying, then we get the answer, "Why?" 
If we're winning then we don't hear that because the mood is different. We played a very patient game today. It's strange how Cesar hasn't been scoring recently yet produced two goals today; I suppose that's one of the mysterious things about football. The game was a real mix of the brilliant and the extremely difficult. 
What about Ishikawa's value today? I always want to put him in the team but because of his recurring injuries I've had to be patient. It was the same last year; just we needed him the most he wasn't available. He adds a special mood to the team and carries a real threat in attack. I'm delighted with his performance today. He defended very well and it was entirely appropriate that he wore the captain's armband. We want him on the pitch until the end of campaign as he’s such an important player for F.C.Tokyo". 

Shonan manager Sorimachi 
"That was a very tense game and I'm sure it was exciting to watch. We lost and I suppose we have to be good losers but I don't feel like that. The players were set a great task tactically yet performed very well and I certainly can't blame them for losing. We've fought hard to achieve the aim we set for ourselves at the start of the season and which is beyond our reach now. I feel I have to accept the responsibility for that.
Did Tokyo's drive to return to J1 decide the game? Perhaps they are better than us in terms of ability. The first half was a struggle for domination but in the second half they were stronger; it's a competitive society, after all. At half time we told the players that Tokyo weren't a team we could fool easily so if a chance appeared they had to take it. Looking back at the goals we conceded, there was probably a foul in the build up to the first one. The players stopped momentarily and that left a space for the opposition to exploit. The second goal came after some careless play and a lapse in concentration. I'm not pointing the finger, it's a fault of the team as a whole. If we can't overcome these problems we won't be able to improve. 
Today was similar to many games in J1 last year where we made fatal mistakes that really cost us. Even with our motivation, the tense atmosphere and knowing we couldn't afford any mistakes we still relied on the referee and weren't decisive. You couldn't say the same thing about our opponents. I repeat this endlessly to the players because I want them to learn and to understand. They have to learn from their experience".