Home losses are not allowed, aim for victory by running against Iwata

　Sec. 27 of the league is held. Continuing from the previous section, we will face Júbilo Iwata at home. The loss against Kawasaki was influenced by conceding 2 goals at the start of the second half. Considering that we dominated Kawasaki in the first half, the damage was significant. However, there is no time to dwell on it. Takahashi said, "The performance and the result are not separate. We have no choice but to continue believing in ourselves and striving for good results with good performance." With further determination, we aim for a victory at home in this section.

　Iwata, on the other hand, is currently in 4th place with 42 points. And their total goals are '51', which is the 2nd highest in the league after G Osaka. Their attacking power is astonishing. In particular, the "Hotline" between the Japanese national team's forward Maeda and right-back Komano is Iwata's biggest weapon. However, they not only create opportunities from the right side, but also score goals through the movement of midfielders like Yamada and set plays, showing a variety of scoring patterns.

　In addition, one of Iwata's characteristics is the press from the front line based on abundant physical activity. The key to victory is how to avoid it and take control, and bring it into our own rhythm. Even if Iwata has the ball, we should persistently defend and not allow them to finish, which will create anxiety for the opponent. We want to compete without losing in ball contests and running, connect from good defense to attack, and win the competition.

　Tokyo, Mukuhara started as a left back for the first time in three games since September 5th. FW Edmilson also started, with Lucas on the left side. Hyun Soo JANG, who has recovered from injury, also made the bench for the first time since June 30th. It was sunny and hot at Ajinomoto Stadium. The match started with Iwata's kickoff at 14:04.

Conceded the first goal in the beginning and struggled against Iwata's press

　Tokyo created a chance right after the start. In the 5th minute, they quickly moved the ball forward and Ishikawa on the right side made a fast pass to the center. Kajiyama, who moved up the center, controlled the ball with one touch and took a volley shot, but it hit the goalkeeper's face. In the 6th minute, Yonemoto advanced and earned a free kick on the right side. Lucas headed it, but it went wide of the goal.

　The start was pushed forward, but in the 7th minute, Maeda, the FW, managed to get past the offside line and into the right area, following a long pass from the Iwata DF line. Tokyo DF quickly contained this, but it was connected to the right side, and Matsura, the MF, headed the ball from a cross. The ball was then shot by Iwata DF Miyazaki from the rebound of the DF. In the following 9th minute, Suginuma, the central MF, Matsura, and Yamada, the right MF, were able to put a soft cross behind Tokyo DF. Tokyo DF lost sight of Suginuma, who had jumped out to the left area, and he was able to score a free header shot... and already conceded the first goal.

　Iwata, who is riding on the momentum, took possession of the ball in their own half but struggled to connect it forward against Tokyo's tough press. However, in the 26th minute, Tokunaga forcefully cut into the area after passing to Edmilson in front and won a corner kick. From the right corner kick taken by Ishikawa, Takahashi headed the ball with a low posture, but it hit the post... Lucas' shot from the rebound was also blocked.

　In the 35th minute, Iwata DF Komano overlapped and brought the ball inside, and a shot was taken but Gonda caught it. In the 38th minute, Nakamoto pressed in the midfield and was stolen, and Maeda quickly broke through to the right area and entered a shooting position, but Morishige blocked it from a close distance. Although they raised the defensive line and caught the offside to prevent additional goals, they couldn't create chances in the flow of the game. In the first half injury time, Iwata obtained a free kick and then a left corner kick from Ishikawa's breakthrough, and Lucas near the goal made a sharp header, but it was saved by the goalkeeper's quick reaction.... Iwata defended well in the set piece opportunity and ended the first half trailing by one goal.

VUCICEVIC switched on and scored 2 goals for a come-from-behind victory!

　Tokyo brought in Nemanja VUCICEVIC in the second half. Ishikawa moved to the left side and launched a counterattack with a formation close to a two-top with Lucas and Edmilson. This strategy worked, and VUCICEVIC created consecutive chances with a speedy attack. In the 46th minute, Edmilson cut inside from the left side and Lucas aimed for the goal. In the 47th minute, VUCICEVIC in the central area just outside the box executed a sharp turnaround shot from a trap. In the 48th minute, Kajiyama broke through on the left front line and earned a free kick. Ishikawa played it short, and VUCICEVIC in the middle delivered a cross. Hasegawa near the goal attempted a header.

　In the 54th minute, from Hasegawa's development, Ishikawa pushed the left front line and Vucicevic attacked the inside and took a shot in the area. The goalkeeper saved it, but Edmilson followed up and scored with his right foot. They equalized with a speedy combination play.

　After that, both teams aimed to take the lead and the transition between offense and defense was fast-paced and hectic. In the 57th minute, Iwata's DF Komano's right cross reached FW Maeda in front of the goal perfectly, and his header shook the net... but it was offside. In the 60th minute, Ishikawa dribbled up the left side, pushed the opposing DF he faced, and forcefully took a shot, but the ball aimed at the near post hit the post...

　In the 62nd minute, Chang Hyun Soo replaced Kajiyama as center back, and Takahashi moved to defensive midfield. Iwata also made an attacking substitution, and in the 76th minute, Abe, who had broken through on the right side, attracted Tokyo's defenders and passed to Yamazaki, who was free in the far area. They created a clear opportunity, but the shot was blocked by Tokunaga, avoiding a dangerous situation. In the intense battle, both teams had chances, but in the 80th minute, Watanabe was brought on. With Iwata's momentum slowing down, they increased the pressure in the forward line and continued to push towards the goal.

　And in the 85th minute, starting from their own half, Hasegawa in the midfield connected a pass to Watanabe in the right area. Watanabe skillfully trapped the ball with his heel, bypassing the opponent's defender, and carried it to the goal line before delivering a minus cross to the center. Lucas in front of the goal attracted the attention of the defender, creating space behind him for Vucicevic to make a perfectly timed run and calmly strike a powerful shot, GOAL!! After that, everyone ran tirelessly, including the 5 minutes of added time, and managed to hold off Iwata's counterattack until the final whistle. The substitutions also worked well, as they scored 2 goals in the second half to secure a come-from-behind victory.

　【Player Comment】《Edmilson》"I am delighted that I was able to score a goal and help the team come from behind to win. I didn't expect to start today, but I was always prepared, so I didn't have any problems at the beginning. The most important thing is to give your best when the opportunity arises. I believe this victory was not just my own achievement, but a result of everyone's hard work, including the defense."

　"Nemanja VUCICEVIC": "I have been playing well for a few games, but the results have not been coming, and I have felt responsible and under pressure. Results are important in football. In the first half today, Iwata played well and we were struggling, but in the second half, we were able to regain our true form and fight back. I think that led to the comeback, and I'm glad I was able to contribute to that. (About my goal) Watanabe sent me a wonderful ball. He is also an attacking player who wants results, but this time he assisted me. And the most important thing in such a scene is to stay calm. You could say that's everything."

　【Coach Popovich's press conference summary】"We showed a different appearance in the first half and the second half. However, I think the game was open and attacking for both teams, so I hope you all enjoyed the game. Compared to usual, the movement in the first half was slow and stiff. I don't know why, but we often found ourselves on the back foot. It was a first half where our movement was stiff rather than the opponent being much better than us."

　In the previous match, we had a very good start to the game, and I thought that if we could play like we did in the first half of the previous match, there would be no problem. However, the first half turned out like this, so at halftime, I said, "Don't get too tense. Just relax and do what you have been doing. Believe in your own abilities and give it your all." We brought in Nemanja from the start of the second half and were able to turn the game around and secure a victory in the end. But until we reached that point, every player fought without giving up, and I think the second half was the result of each of us doing what we could do."

　[Summary of Iwata Morishita's press conference] "Despite being away, we had nearly 2,000 supporters come and support us. I think the players played very well, and we want to unite and aim for higher places in the next game, using this experience."