Continuing the momentum from the previous match, aiming for consecutive victories

　Sec. 31 of the league, we will play against Nagoya Grampus away. In the previous match against Sapporo, we scored 5 goals and achieved a resounding victory. However, Kajiyama says about the content of that match, "There are many things that are not useful as a reference in terms of Sapporo's ranking and fighting spirit," but he continues, "It is a fact that we have left the possibility of third place by winning. The team's atmosphere is good and the motivation is high. I have reaffirmed my commitment to give my all to win all four matches from here on. Today, we have the consciousness of the first match and we pledge to fight for 3 points."

　Nagoya, on the other hand, is currently in 5th place with 46 points. In the previous match against Yokohama FM, although they were dominated, FW Tamada scored the opening goal in the 87th minute. However, they conceded a goal in injury time and the match ended in a draw. Despite struggling with FW Kennedy's injury, they have found a breakthrough by using DF registered player Toiro as a FW, and he himself has shown an impressive performance by scoring goals, resulting in a three-match unbeaten streak. They have demonstrated perseverance and competitiveness, and have risen in the rankings. In this match, MF Taguchi is suspended in the midfield. In his place, MF Danilson has entered the lineup.

　Tokyo will face the match with the same starting lineup as the Sapporo match, as Hasegawa is suspended again this round. Hanyu is also prepared and on the bench. The focus will be on how Tokyo can score the opening goal, just like in the previous round. Ishikawa said, "Nagoya is good at set plays, so it is essential to suppress their height. On the other hand, if the situation becomes a stalemate, it will be easier for us if we can score from set plays. Lately, we have been aiming not only for a direct shot but also for picking up the second ball and creating opportunities from there. We want to seize those chances and convert them into the opening goal."

　Coach Popovic said, "Nagoya has individually talented players, so it's not just a matter of marking only Toriwang. On the contrary, there are team circumstances that force us to use Toriwang as a forward. While understanding that, we want to show our quality and win." In the first half of the home game, Tokyo achieved a come-from-behind victory with a score of 3-2. Although both teams have different circumstances at this point, it is also a match where we want to show growth. The match started at 19:03 with Tokyo's kickoff at Nagoya Mizuho Athletics Stadium.

Despite the flow of the game in Tokyo, they conceded a goal from a set piece and ended the first half one point behind.

　Tokyo actively seeks goals and creates opportunities from the start of the first half. In the 2nd minute, Tanabe kept the ball in the opponent's half and passed it to Kajiyama who moved up the center. He then sent a through pass to Kitto who ran inside, but they couldn't connect. In the following 3 minutes, Ishikawa quickly circulated the ball and cut inside from the right, aiming for a goal, but couldn't find the target due to the defense. In the 9th minute, Ishikawa crossed the ball from a side change by Yonemoto. It was intercepted, but Tanabe pressed and won the ball from Fujimoto in the center of Nagoya's half. Yonemoto took a shot from the middle, but it curved to the left.

　In the 11th minute, Ishikawa dribbled up the right side and passed to Lucas in the center. He turned and got into a shooting position, but the Nagoya DF blocked it. Kajiyama, who took the loose ball, used his strength to bring it to the right area near the goal line and crossed it negatively. It was sent into a decisive space, passing through the opponent's DF, but it narrowly missed Lucas near the goal and Tanabe in the center... However, in the 30th minute, from Nagoya MF Ogawa's left corner kick, the ball flowed to the far side, and FW Toriwaki entered in front of Morishige and was pushed in with his left knee, conceding the first goal.

　Still, Tokyo calmly attempts a counterattack. In the 35th minute, Nakamura, who had moved up to the left area from Ishikawa's cross to Yamamoto behind, shoots a header, but it goes straight to the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, Nagoya counters after Mori's vertical pass is intercepted. Nagoya MF Fujimoto on the right side sends a through pass behind Tokyo's DF, and FW Kanazaki is released into the area and takes a decisive shot, but Gonda makes a save! They escape with a corner kick and defend until the end. In the end, they finish the first half with a one-point deficit.

Despite continuing to attack until the end, they fell short by one point and suffered a defeat with no goals.

　In the first half, Nagoya Grampus threatened the goal from the beginning. In the 47th minute, Yonemoto -> Kajiyama -> Lucas on the left side sent a pass to the center, but it was blocked by the Nagoya DF and spilled into the left area. Tanabe, who took it, took a step forward and bravely attempted a shot, but it was off target without an angle. In the 48th minute, Takahashi's cross flowed to the far side, but Tanabe -> Yonemoto followed up with a shot from the center, but it couldn't hit the target and went to the right... In the 61st minute, Kajiyama's pass was initially taken by the Nagoya DF, but it was immediately regained and a shot was taken from just outside the area. However, it was off target.

　In the midst of a stalemate, in the 62nd minute, Nemanja VUCICEVIC replaced Kajiyama on the left side. Tanabe moved to the attacking midfield position. Nagoya Grampus brought in forward Nagai. In the 23rd minute, from Nagoya's free kick, midfielder Danilson passed the ball to the front line. Nagai managed to break through from an offside position and took a decisive shot from the left area, but Kanda made a superb save. In the 72nd minute, Butchevitch -> Tanabe in the penalty area tried to make a run behind the defense line, but the pass was slightly too long and couldn't lead to a shot.

　Tokyo replaced Ishikawa with Kono. Then, in the 78th minute, Nakamura, who had moved from the side to the center, took a composed shot. However, it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper, and from the resulting rebound, Lucas -> Vucicevic on the left side crossed the ball, but Kono's header went over. In the 86th minute, Vucicevic brought the ball in from the left side and attempted a shot. It was blocked twice, but the shot he finally took from the left corner of the area was saved by the goalkeeper and resulted in a corner kick. Despite persistently attacking until the end, they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense and suffered a defeat with no goals scored.

　【Player Comment】《Yonemoto》"A game that symbolizes Tokyo this season. We lost in the usual pattern... We started the game well, but then conceded a goal out of nowhere and ended up losing. That's been the way we've been losing this season. I think we need to start from the point of not conceding any goals. We have to keep it at zero until we score. As for the attack, even though we were able to create opportunities from the sides, there weren't enough players in the box for crosses. So, I think we need at least one midfielder to push forward... That's something I reflect on."

　In the double pivot with Hide-san... I don't want to use the phrase "both defensive"... but if Hide-san can maintain the balance, I should have pushed forward. (After conceding a goal, am I able to fight without panicking?) The coach also says "don't panic" and that awareness is there. But I think we also need to commit numbers on the counter. It's frustrating to have so much possession and lose without scoring...

　"Lucas": "I knew it would be a tough match against Nagoya, who are higher up in the rankings. It's disappointing that we conceded a goal in the first half when the game was flowing well. However, I think the reason for our defeat lies in our inability to break through Nagoya's defense in the second half. We know that it's tough to secure a spot in the ACL, but we are all united and determined to strive towards that goal. It's unfortunate that we couldn't produce results, but I also think that's football... It's been a challenging season, but we have three matches left. Especially with two home games, we should make the necessary adjustments and work hard to grow and win."

　[Summary of Coach Popovich's Press Conference] "We came here today to win, so it's disappointing that we couldn't get the result. The opponent is a team that has achieved top-class results in recent years. There were parts where we were able to compete against such an opponent, but there were also areas where we were inexperienced. Looking back on the game, our approach to the game was good. We moved the ball well and took control, not allowing the opponent to do what they wanted. I think we were able to do that. As for the goals conceded, we shouldn't have allowed them to be scored in that way. We conceded goals due to careless mistakes. We need to make corrections in that area."

　It was a serious match where both sides fought fiercely, and it also became a tactical game. There were times when we were able to take the initiative, so there are aspects that can be evaluated in terms of how we moved and progressed the game. As for the result, I sincerely congratulate Nagoya. Regarding the scene of conceding a goal, some people may say that it was just by chance that it hit DF Torio, but I don't think it was a coincidence. I believe it was a goal born from DF Torio's determination to score. Our players must learn from him in terms of their determination and desire for goals. Goal-scoring players are always aiming for the goal and hungry for goals.

　Because there is an obsession with the goal, I am in a place where I can score. I think DF Taro Katsuragi showed that today. We didn't give the opponent a chance until we conceded a goal. I think that giving the opponent a goal first was everything in today's game. However, the good point was that we were able to challenge to equalize and fight offensively. Unfortunately, it didn't result in a win, but I think that such an attitude can be appreciated. I think we need to carry this reflection over to the next game."

　[Nagoya Stojkovic coach's press conference summary] "First of all, I would like to congratulate the players who fought in today's match. It was an important match. We achieved our goal and got the result we wanted. Last week, we were unlucky and missed out on points, so it was important for us to get 3 points in front of our supporters today. I think our style of play and approach were all good. We ended the match with a 1-0 victory, and we were able to win by playing in a way that truly deserved that result. However, we must not forget that MF Fujimoto, FW Kanazaki, and FW Nagai had clear chances."

　There were chances for it to be 2-0 or 3-0, but Nagoya is satisfied with this today. (What does DF Tatsuo bring to the team?) There is no need to hide it, he is a very important player. We won 1-0 today, and it was a goal he brought. It was a wonderful goal full of intelligence. His position is DF, and he fulfills it firmly. He also has quality in other aspects, such as attacking power. And he can feel and predict. When he needs to be there, he is there. To shake the goal net, you have to sniff it out and be there. I think that's the essence of DF Tatsuo."