Despite the continued injuries, aiming for a winning streak since May

　Sec. 24 of the league is a match against Yokohama F.Marinos. The league season is already about two-thirds over, with 11 more matches to go. In the previous match, we won against the top-ranked Hiroshima away, bringing our record to 10 wins, 3 draws, and 10 losses. Building on this victory, we aim to achieve consecutive wins with the support of our home fans.

　However, Edmilson and Nakamura have been injured again recently, making it difficult to organize a scrimmage in this week's practice. In addition, Ishikawa developed a migraine and will be out of the lineup for this match. On the other hand, Hayu will be on the bench for the first time since May 6 (Sec. 10). Although he is not yet able to play for the full 90 minutes (according to Coach Popovic), it is reassuring to have a strong player returning.

　Yokohama FM, on the other hand, is currently in 6th place with 35 points. Although they lost to C Osaka in the previous match, they remained undefeated for 15 consecutive matches since April 28th (Sec. 8). They have been steadily accumulating points by utilizing their solid defense, the scoring ability of FW Marquinhos, and the precision of MF Nakamura's kicks in set plays. In this match, MF Nakamura started on the bench. The two forwards are FW Marquinhos and FW Ono, and they have chosen Nakamachi as the defensive midfielder.

　Tokyo is eager to show their soccer skills and seek revenge after losing in the previous away game. Kajiyama and Tanabe will play as attacking midfielders, and they will face the match with a 3-4-2-1 formation, just like in the Hiroshima game. The heavy rain that had been falling intermittently since morning has stopped, and the match started at 18:34 with Yokohama FM's kickoff at the sunny Ajinomoto Stadium.

Do not miss the mistake, Tanabe takes the lead! Lucas extends the lead with his second consecutive goal.

　Yokohama FM, which was on a roll at the start, attacked. In the 4th minute, Yokohama FM's right corner kick led to a left cross from MF Nakamachi, which was returned to FW Ono, and FW Marquinhos jumped in the center, but Tokunaga cleared it. Tokyo continued to give several set plays, but they responded with concentration. They also pressed from the front line, took the ball centered around Yonemoto, and connected it to a fast-paced attack.

　In the 11th minute, Kajiyama entered the left area with a strong dribble, and Lucas in the center area took a shot but missed the target. In the 22nd minute, Tokunaga launched a counterattack from Hasegawa's play and went up the right side, with Kajiyama in the center and Tanabe running towards the far side, but the final pass was blocked by the opponent's defender. After that, although Yokohama FM dominated the ball, they were resilient and did not allow any clear chances. In the 32nd minute, Yokohama FM was awarded a free kick from the right side of Tokyo's territory, but FW Marcinho's fast shot missed to the left.

　At the 35th minute, Lucas intercepted a back pass from the Yokohama FM left fullback Dutra to the goalkeeper, and connected with DF Nakazawa. From here, Lucas stole the ball and faced the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. Although the shot was saved, Lucas quickly reacted and regained possession, and Tanabe followed up to score a goal! Despite Yokohama FM dominating the game, they capitalized on the opponent's mistake and took the lead with a precise finish.

　In the 42nd minute, Yonemoto on the left side passed the ball quickly to Lucas, and Kajiyama turned skillfully with a reverse movement towards the front. He then passed the ball to Tokunaga on the right side with his right foot. Tokunaga took a step forward and sent a last pass to Lucas, who had advanced to the front of the goal. Lucas scored directly from this pass, extending the lead with his second consecutive goal, and the first half ended.

Lucas scores a brilliant FK and leads Yokohama FM to victory, extending their winning streak!

　Yokohama F.Marinos brought in MF Nakamura in the second half, allowing them to regain ball possession. In the 51st minute, Yokohama F.Marinos' MF Saito was cut inside the left area, and the shot from FW Marquinhos in the center was blocked by Morishige, but it was again taken away and a shot was taken from outside the area, which was saved by Gonda. Immediately after in the 55th minute, Murohara ran up the left side and entered the left area freely. He took a shot himself, but it was saved by the goalkeeper and resulted in a corner kick...

　And in the 66th minute, Yokohama FM, with MF Nakamura as the starting point, aimed for the back of Tokyo's right side with MF Hattori from the penalty arc on the left. Left full-back Dutra ran in there, and the minus cross reached the free MF Hattori in the area. He was able to score a sharp shot directly... and the goal was broken.

　Tokyo introduced Hanyu and Watanabe in the 69th minute. Immediately in the 70th minute, Yone Moto -> Watanabe launched a counterattack and rushed with a dribble, but was fouled just before the area and won a free kick. Lucas aimed directly at the penalty arc from just in front of it, and the opponent's goalkeeper couldn't move a step with the fast shot, and it went in to the right. With a brilliant direct free kick, they once again extended their lead to two goals.

　Yokohama FM tried to counterattack by bringing in forward Daiki Ogo in the 75th minute and forward Matsumoto in the 84th minute, but Tokyo also brought in Nemanja VUCICEVIC as a top player in the 80th minute. In the 86th minute, they won the midfield battle and VUCICEVIC broke free on a ball sent to the front and entered the left area. His shot was blocked by the goalkeeper... the rebound was headed in by Watanabe, but it was also saved by the goalkeeper...

　Although we couldn't score the fourth goal, we were able to create chances from effective counters and kept the number of goals conceded to a minimum in defense. The game ended with a win, marking our first consecutive victories in the league since May 20th.

　【Player Comment】《Lucas》"Scoring goals is important, but the most important thing is for the team to win and continue winning. I wanted to score a free kick from before the game, but in that situation, it naturally became my responsibility to take it. There isn't much difference even if the formation changes. I often play close to Kajiyama, and we have been playing together for many years, so we can make eye contact and understand what kind of play we want to make. Today, I think I had a couple of good passes and created chances. Tanabe also played well, and we are building a good momentum."

　"Tanabe" "With the freedom to change positions with Kajiyama, both Lucas and Kajiyama created opportunities for me to play easily. However, I felt that there were many challenges in the game. I didn't show my face in the midfield enough to receive the ball, and there were few moments when I could break through behind the defense with determination. Recently, the coach has pointed out that I am still far from my best, and my condition was not perfect, but it was good that I was able to score a goal in that situation. I want to work hard to contribute to the team's victory, taking this as a good opportunity."

　[Coach Popovich's press conference summary] "It was a game in which we were satisfied not only with the result but also with the performance. We apologize for the previous away game defeat in that manner, but today we were able to give something back. Yokohama FM is a fantastic team that plays good football. We were only broken down once when we conceded a goal. We made sure to score when we had to and got the result. On the other hand, there are also defeats like the Omiya game, and it is not easy to play good football and get results. I hope that everyone can develop an eye to judge not only the results but also the spirit and quality of the football we are playing."

　There have been injured players and national team activities, and for about two and a half months, half of the players have been absent. Nevertheless, we have continued to play our soccer and persevere. I think that the accumulation is starting to show, and it is an opportunity for players who have had few chances to come around. Since the beginning of the season, we have been saying, "Opportunities will come equally, so don't let them slip away." I wanted them to firmly seize the opportunity, but even though the number of players has been halved, they have filled in the gaps individually, and I feel that the results of their unwavering efforts are showing.

　We are grateful to all the fans and supporters who have continued to support us during difficult times. We appreciate that you have always been there for us. Many people have visited us even in distant away games, including the away game in Hiroshima, and it has given us courage. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again."

　[Yokohama FM Manager Higuchi's Press Conference Summary] "The result is truly disappointing. We couldn't respond to the loud support of many supporters. We lost the game, but I personally feel a slightly different meaning compared to the previous match. In the previous match, we have been working hard since the training camp, trying to take action ourselves and steal the ball, but we couldn't move the ball. As for today, I think the players showed an aggressive attitude from the start of the first half and it was reflected in both offense and defense. Of course, there are issues with how we conceded goals and the timing, and we need to make corrections, but I see it as a defeat that will lead to the next battle. I want to fight firmly in the remaining 10 matches."