Approach the final battle of the 3-match series with all our might

Sec. 24 of the league, we will play against Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous match against Tosu, despite catching up with a 2-point difference, we allowed the winning goal in the final moments, resulting in a heavy defeat with 2 draws and 2 losses in the last 4 matches. However, we still had a powerful attack in the second half, with Hirayama and Watanabe scoring goals and achieving some results. Although it is a match with only 2 days of rest, we want to improve any points of reflection, enhance the team's strengths, and approach the last match of the 3-game series with all our might. It is an away game, but we are determined to win and bring back 3 points.

Hiroshima, who is currently in second place with 44 points, has always maintained a top position, but in the last three matches, they have failed to secure a victory and have relinquished the top spot. In particular, in the previous match against Kofu, they suffered a defeat with no goals, partly due to the substitution of players due to injuries to midfielder Mikic and consecutive matches. However, we must be highly cautious of Hiroshima's highly polished style. In particular, we must maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes and thoroughly challenge and cover the movements of forward Sato, who comes in at the perfect timing to connect with crosses from the sides and passes from midfielder Takahagi.

Tokyo, with the return of Lucas, who made a start in the previous match, as well as the lifting of suspension for Yonehara, will face the match with a change in system to a 3-4-2-1 formation. The key is to prevent the opponent's attacks by quickly creating a starting point in the midfield. In particular, putting pressure on the opponent's defensive midfielder Aoyama and not allowing them to play freely is likely to determine the outcome of the match. In terms of attack, we will take advantage of the lessons learned from the previous match and actively make moves, as well as show a willingness to make decisive switches at crucial moments and demonstrate a strong desire to score goals and achieve victory.

The match started with Hiroshima's kickoff at 19:06 at EDION Stadium Hiroshima.

Take advantage of the opponent's mistake and take the lead with WATANABE's goal

Tokyo showed a high defensive awareness and a cautious start. However, it was Hiroshima who dominated the ball. In the 3rd minute, Hiroshima FW Sato cut into the area from the right side. Ota cut the ball, grazing FW Sato, and Mori's clearance hit the post and went out. In the 13th minute, Hiroshima DF Chiba aimed for the space behind the DF line with a lofted pass. MF Ishihara made a decisive situation by jumping out to the ball, but Hyun Soo JANG chased and closed in, and the shot was saved by Gonda, escaping danger.

Hiroshima continued to be pushed back, but in the 16th minute, Hiroshima scored a goal from a goal kick. Chiba, the defender, pressed Nakagawa and stole the ball he was trying to connect in his own half. He shook off the chasing defender and slid in, scoring with his left foot in the left corner. Without missing the opponent's opening, they took the lead. Then Tokyo gradually created chances from counterattacks. In the 24th minute, Higashi flowed to the right front line and connected with Watanabe in the center, receiving a return pass and shooting from the center of the area. The goalkeeper made a great save, but Ota, who had run up the left side, picked up the rebound and took a shot, only to be blocked by the goalkeeper.

Hiroshima had more time moving the ball, but Tokyo calmly defended and waited for opportunities after stealing the ball. In particular, Morishige actively initiated attacks from the left side. In the 34th minute, Ota crossed from the left side. Lucas picked up the loose ball from the clearance and aimed for a shot from the center, but it went wide. In the 44th minute, Lucas ran to the right front line and Watanabe took a shot from a minus pass to the center, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. They maintained a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

Despite being caught up in a tie, victory is achieved with Yonehara's goal, the first since 2009

The development remains unchanged even in the second half. In the 50th minute, Morishige quickly switched to the right front line. Watanabe caught up and brought it to the right area, waiting for his teammate's attack and making a negative pass. Hasegawa directly followed up on this, but it went over the frame. In the 59th minute, Hiroshima took advantage of a chance from a free kick and tried to break through to the front line with FW Sato. Takahashi held him firmly, but they connected with a one-touch from this loose ball, and MF Ishihara shot from the right area, but Gonda blocked it with his body and avoided the danger.

However, in the 62nd minute, from Hiroshima's right corner kick, substitute MF Pak Hyun-jin's kick was sent inside by MF Fan Sohko on the right side, and Sato in front of the goal changed the course and conceded a goal. Even though the score was tied, Tokyo continued to play without panicking. In the 65th minute, Yonemoto dribbled past the opponent on the left side and crossed. Higashi from the far side made a perfect header, but it was saved by the goalkeeper and escaped as a corner kick. On the contrary, in the 71st minute, Hiroshima's MF Ishihara brought the ball into the area and took a shot, but it was caught by Gonda.

In the midst of the continued stalemate, Hiroshima was often pressed by a strong counterattack. In the 77th minute, Ishikawa was substituted for Lucas. However, the situation remained the same and they continued to be pushed back. But in the 81st minute, Morishige intercepted the opponent's ball in the center of their own half. He carried the ball up himself and passed it to the right forward, Higashi, in the center. Although it didn't quite reach Watanabe, who was running in, Yonemoto, who was free in the left area, calmly aimed and scored a precise shot to take the lead. From here, Hiroshima faced a fierce counterattack, but there was also a superb save by Gonda, and the match ended as it was.

They fought tenaciously throughout the game and secured 3 points, their first win in 5 matches (since the Oita game on 8/3).



[Player Comments]
"I was able to fight patiently. We were tied, but we were able to take the lead and I think it was a victory that the whole team won. At the time of the goal scene, everyone's feet had stopped a bit, and it had become a counterattack exchange. Before that, I had been talking with Arthur and Hide that 'we can't create chances unless one of the midfielders moves forward', so I boldly moved forward in that situation. Keigo's pass was probably a mistake (laughs), but I'm glad I was able to score."

"Watanabe"
"We were able to take the ball in a good shape and launch a counterattack, and we were able to finish with a shot. It was a difficult game, but in this kind of situation, I thought that one chance would decide the game. I think it was good that we didn't miss the opponent's mistakes and were able to make the most of them. There were several times when Hiroshima broke through our defense, but we were able to defend as a team. Even if we conceded a goal, we were able to stay calm and fight. Even though the formation changed, I think we were able to show our strength and achieve results. The team's victory is the most important thing. In the past, I couldn't be happy even if I scored a goal if the team lost, but I want to always strive to score goals and help the team win."


[Coach Popovich's Press Conference Summary]
"I think we were able to firmly grasp the victory we wanted. It was a closely contested match with chances for both teams, but I believe we showed plays that were closer to victory and today's win was necessary and important. It was indeed a big deal to score the opening goal against Hiroshima. If we had conceded the first goal, we would have been trapped in the opponent's strong point of tightening the defense and launching counter-attacks."

The flow of the game slowed down and there were times when Hiroshima had control, but Kanda showed his presence in such crucial moments. There were two big saves in the 2nd round and they also had an impact on the result. I believe it was the result of all the players fighting until the end, not just him. It was a game where either team could have won, but the result rolled in our favor because the players gave their all and showed their full strength."


[Hiroshima Manager Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary]
"I think the players did their best to meet the expectations I had for today's match. They ran with a high level of intensity, fought aggressively, and actively tried to steal the ball and attack whenever there was a chance. I believe they worked hard for 90 minutes to fulfill these demands. It's just unfortunate that we couldn't achieve the desired result. In terms of performance, we were able to move the ball well and create dangerous attacks from the first half, and we were also able to challenge the ball aggressively in defense and connect it to our attacks."

It became a chasing development, but I think the players executed what they should do in the second half. It is important to make decisions firmly in order to win. Minimize mistakes. We cannot win unless we fill in the small gaps. As I mentioned earlier, I am not pessimistic about the content of the game at all, and I think they played the soccer they wanted to play. I couldn't give the supporters 3 points, but next time, I want to do my best to respond to your support and give you 3 points to make you happy."