Sec. 22 Tama River Classico, Betting on Determination and Pride

Sec. 20 of the league is being held. Kawasaki Frontale will compete in the 22nd Tama River Clasico. In the previous round, they determined the flow of the game and switched to attack, resulting in a victory with 2 goals from Watanabe. They finished the past month's 5 matches without a loss and also kept a clean sheet against Shimizu and Oita. It is a match where they want to achieve consecutive victories with the defensive momentum and the "unbeaten" spirit.

Kawasaki, on the other hand, is currently in 8th place with 28 points. Although they have suffered consecutive losses to Shonan and Sendai in the past two matches, their total of 40 goals is the highest in the league. In particular, they have only had one match this season where they ended with no goals, which was the Tokyo match on 4/27 at Ajinomoto Stadium, and their attacking power is formidable. Forward Okubo, who is currently in 2nd place in the goal ranking following Watanabe, as well as forward Renato on the side and newly joined forward Alan Pinheiro, have quickly fit into the team. They have been scoring goals through their collaboration and individual skills in the front line, utilizing the passes from midfielder Nakamura in the attacking midfield position.

On the other hand, the total number of goals conceded is 36, which is the second worst in the league (tied with 3 teams). However, it will be crucial to see how well they can press from the front line, win the ball in the midfield, and create many opportunities to transition into attack against Kawasaki, who will surely come out attacking in an attempt to prevent consecutive home defeats.

It is not easy to maintain control for 90 minutes under the heat. Even if there is a chance of conceding a goal first, it is important to remain calm and show perseverance throughout the 90 minutes. The Clasico is a battle of pride and determination, and it is necessary to play calmly both in attack and defense, aiming to secure 3 points. In the midst of the hottest weather of the season, with the sweltering heat continuing even at night, the match started at 19:04 with Kawasaki's kickoff.

Although they conceded the first goal, they equalized with a skillful goal by Watanabe.

Concentrating on the game, they showed a strong defense and quickly switched to attacking. In the 4th minute, Yonemoto took a shot from the middle. In the 6th minute, from Ota's left throw-in, Ishikawa -> Hasegawa pushed forward, and Watanabe followed up by bringing the ball to the center and taking a shot from the middle. It was a controlled shot, but it slightly curved to the right. In the 16th minute, Takahashi regained the ball that was taken from him and passed it to Yonemoto on the right side, who then crossed it long, and Watanabe headed the ball for a shot.

Kawasaki also showed speedy passing and sharp counterattacks, with both teams showcasing their strengths. Among them, Tokyo gradually took control of the ball and tried to break down Kawasaki. In the 25th minute, starting from the left side, Lucas took a shot in the center. In the 30th minute, Ishikawa dropped a side change from Lucas to the right, and Takahashi unleashed a sharp middle shot that curved to the left.

However, they couldn't make a decisive move here, and in the 33rd minute, Kawasaki MF Renato and MF Nakamura quickly connected passes and moved forward. FW Okubo in the center hit FW Pigneyro on the right side, behind the Tokyo DF in the right area. They connected with a one-two and FW Okubo scored. They couldn't contain Kawasaki's skillful fluidity and conceded the first goal.

However, without looking down, he calmly counterattacked. In the 39th minute, he passed the ball and advanced, and Morishige → Yonemoto, who broke through on the right side, sent a perfect floating ball to the right area. Watanabe controlled it with one trap and stabbed it into the goal with his right foot. As the intense back and forth battle continued, they caught up in the first half and the match was carried over to the second half.

The intense and heated match ends in a draw with Ota's free kick equalizer

In the second half, Tokyo lost possession of the kickoff ball and allowed Kawasaki to create a numerical advantage through a pass exchange on the right side. From there, they broke through the side and delivered a right cross, which was headed by FW Yu OKUBO. Goalkeeper Konda made a one-handed save, but the rebound was picked up by MF Nakamura. Tokyo conceded a goal due to a lack of concentration at the start.

In the 49th minute, Mita comes in. Immediately after, Mita's initiative earns a left corner kick, and Morishige heads it perfectly, but the goalkeeper saves it in front of the goal... In the 54th minute, Lucas is fouled on the left front line and earns a free kick from outside the area. Ota's kick is avoided by a throw-in, but in the following 56th minute, Lucas is fouled again and earns a free kick from just outside the right area. Although there was a distance of about 25-6 meters, Ota's aimed shot is sucked into the top right corner of the goal! From Ota's direct free kick, they successfully equalize again.

After that, Kawasaki, who was aiming to take the lead at home, launched a sharp attack and there were moments when they were pushed back mainly through dribbling. However, we endured and tried to connect to the front line. In the 68th minute, Nemanja VUCICEVIC was brought on. Tokyo also aimed to take the lead. Even in the late stages when both teams were showing signs of fatigue, they attacked each other with all their strength.

In the 87th minute, Kawasaki pushed forward from a wide play, and Hasegawa broke free in the area from Watanabe's post, but was cut off by the Kawasaki defender just before a big chance. The intense and heated match ended in a draw as neither team gave in until the final whistle.


[Player Comments]
《Kiyoshi OTA》
"I scored a free kick in yesterday's practice. Today, the distance was a little far, but it was a similar angle, so I aimed for it. Just as I imagined. I think it was perfect. The coach gave me confidence from our regular practice and allowed me to kick in the game like this. I'm glad I was able to score there. As for the game, it was the toughest so far. In the first half, we all talked about 'defense first' and tried not to push forward too much. However, we conceded a goal first, so we had to balance between defense and pushing forward."

"Hasegawa"
"It was a fierce match. In this heat, I think we both showed our intensity in the game. I wanted to win, and I had chances to score and make a difference, so I can't be satisfied with just one point, but I want to consider it as a positive. Today, I played as an attacking midfielder, so I was thinking about playing near Watanabe. I tried to receive the ball as much as possible in front of the opponents and make runs behind them. I think we were able to push their defensive line back. When we return home, we want to prepare well to get three points against the top teams."


[Coach Popovich's Press Conference Summary]
"Both teams gave their all under these conditions. The stadium was filled with supporters from both teams, creating a great atmosphere, and there were plenty of chances. We fought to win and score goals. It was an exciting game. The moments we conceded goals were when we were caught off guard. Our approach to the ball was half-hearted, allowing the opponents to create numerical advantages on the sides and break through. That is something we need to reflect on. We conceded another goal right after the start of the second half, which shows that we are not yet a mature and complete team. We need to grow and improve firmly. However, allowing two leads and ending the game in a draw is a result that can lead to future success."


[Kawasaki - Manager Kazama's Press Conference Summary]
"It was a good game. It was very good in terms of both teams valuing the ball and scoring goals. However, it was a regrettable 2-goal difference for us. We need to improve not only as a team, but also individually in terms of tactics and techniques. However, we have been able to score goals cleanly in our attacks. We have also been able to break down the opponent's defense quite a few times. If we can increase the frequency and improve the quality of our decision-making, I thought it would be a game where the team would become even better."