Challenging away for the first league 4 consecutive wins of the season

Sec. 27 of the league will be a match between Omiya Ardija. It will be an away game following the previous round, but this round is crucial for achieving the first 4 consecutive wins of the season. With the aim of further advancing to the top, they will strive to secure 3 points. On the other hand, Omiya is currently in 9th place with 39 points. Although they were in excellent form in the first half of the season, they have been experiencing a series of defeats since Sec. 22 (8/24) and tried to rebuild the team under the new coach, Mr. Ogura. However, they have suffered 1 win and 4 losses since then, and are currently on a 2-game losing streak.

Taking into account the current situation of both teams and the previous away match records (Tokyo has won all 7 matches since 2005 in J1. They have won all 5 matches at NACK5 Stadium), favorable data for Tokyo emerges. However, as Morishige says, "We will fight while firmly conscious of the balance as a team, considering various things. We want to focus on the results by utilizing what we have accumulated and learned, and give our all for victory in each match."

This round, Higashi, who did not have a chance to play in the previous round, returned to the starting lineup. He played on the left side and was positioned as a top midfielder, just like in the previous round. The match started at 19:04 with Tokyo's kickoff, under the coolness that makes you feel the deepening autumn.

Despite allowing a comeback, they managed to score a crucial equalizer just before the end of the first half.

Both teams fiercely clashed from the start, and the fast-paced game continued with quick transitions. Omiya, who launched sharp counterattacks, tried to connect chances by swiftly moving the ball forward with Tokyo.

In the 6th minute, Hasegawa expanded to the left area from Watanabe's post-play. From the cross by Higashi, Watanabe in the right area took a shot. It was blocked by the left post, but in the 7th minute, they approached the Omiya goal in a similar way. The ball initially went to Omiya, but East on the left side cleared it and passed it to Hasegawa who was moving up the center. Hasegawa broke through deep into the left area. Lucas in the right area followed up with a pass and shot it into the goal.

The team took the lead early in the game, but Omiya also had a quick start in both attack and defense. In the 13th minute, right midfielder Watanabe broke through the right side. The cross from here was cleared by Hyun Soo JANG, but the ball that spilled into the left area was connected with a heel pass by Omiya midfielder Choi Hyeongchan and crossed to the left side, where it was put in by defender Shimodaira who had moved up. Gonda parried it with one hand, but this time it was picked up by Watanabe in the right area and he scored a shot that went through the Tokyo defense, resulting in a goal against.

Tokyo continued to create chances through Yonehara's interceptions and side changes, but were stopped by Omiya's strong defense in front of the goal, resulting in counterattacks. In the 37th minute, Tokyo was unable to fully defend against Omiya's quick attack on the right side, and a header by Novakovic, who was left unmarked after a left cross, was touched by Gonda but ended up in the back of the net. They conceded the second goal.

Omiya Ardija was pushed back by the momentum, but they didn't give up. In the additional time of the first half, Watanabe from the east side sent a perfect ground pass to the center. Hasegawa jumped in with his whole body, but it was saved by the goalkeeper and escaped to a corner kick. However, from the left corner kick taken by Higashi, Lucas from the far side scored with a header. With a determined goal, they equalized again and headed into the second half.

Lucas, who is active in both offense and defense! Mita and Hirayama continue, scoring a season-high 5 goals

In the second half, both teams quickly switched from tough defense to attacking, and there was a rapid exchange of offense and defense. However, Omiya gradually became stretched in their defensive line, and there were more instances of Tokyo being stopped by fouls, as they maintained their energy and speed.

In the 65th minute, from a free kick obtained on the left front line, Morishige dropped the ball to the far side, which was then snatched by Hyun Soo JANG in the right area. He feinted past the opposing defender and took a shot near the goal, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper. Then, in the 66th minute, from the resulting right corner kick, Ota placed a ball with shooting potential in front of the goal from the left area. Lucas received it at his feet, evaded the Omiya defender with a slide trap, and pushed the ball into the goal with a shot.

Lucas himself scored his first hat-trick in J1 and took the lead. In the 70th minute, Hiraoka was brought in. He skillfully evaded Omiya's press and tried to score another goal. Towards the end, Tokyo brought in tall FW Tomiyama and FW Hasegawa one after another against Omiya's continuous substitutions. They also brought in Nemanja VUCICEVIC and Mita. Fresh players, along with Lucas, pressed and tried to thwart Omiya's counterattack.

Defensive play from the front line worked in the 90th minute. Mita stole the ball from the Omiya DF and GK's coordination mistake and kicked it into the open goal to score the fourth goal. In additional time, Lucas continuously dribbled past the tired Omiya players and made a through pass into the area. Hirayama, who broke free in response to this, stabbed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal and scored the fifth goal to seal the victory. They fought until the end with energy and focus, scoring 5 goals and achieving their first 4 consecutive wins of the season.


[Player Comments]
"Lucas"
"Although we were temporarily overtaken, we had the desire to win even when we were behind. I think we were able to achieve good results by fighting with confidence. I am very happy that many supporters came and we were able to make a decisive impact in such an important match in such a good environment. Although I am originally a forward, I don't mind working hard both in attack and defense on the side under the coach's instructions. Scoring a hat-trick today in a position that is not my usual role may have a slightly different meaning and value than before."

《Hirayama》
"(Regarding playing) The key was to keep the ball in front, so that the opponent couldn't jump out from the second row. Also, I received instructions to compete one-on-one when the opportunity arises. The transition between offense and defense was fast from the first half, and there were many situations within the area for both teams. In the second half, the opponent came forward, but we were able to coordinate well in both offense and defense, including the goalkeeper and defenders. Omiya was pressing high, and their defensive line was also high. We could see their press back, so we were able to score the fifth goal by getting through that. Personally, I feel like we finally did it. It was also good to win in this way."


[Coach Popovich's Press Conference Summary]
"No words can describe what my players have shown me. That's my honest impression right now. There were times when we lost control and the opponent turned the game around, but we were able to play at a high tempo throughout the 90 minutes. The important thing is to continue showing this kind of game. To continue playing our own style of football. We must grow and show a matured form with each game. I think it's important to build on the growth we have achieved through the game and move on to the next one."

And the big thing for the team is that the young players have been scoring goals. That's Lucas and Mita (laughs). If you just look at the play, Lucas is young. His attitude and approach to daily training are something that all young players in the club should learn from. He leads the team and always takes the lead in practice, setting an example. His humble attitude and effort every day have led to today's result. And today, thanks to everyone who gave us a big support, we didn't feel like we were playing away. I want to express my gratitude to all the fans and supporters."


[Summary of Omiya Ogura's Press Conference]
"No matter what I say, we suffered a big defeat... However, at the point when it was 2-2, I felt that victory could have gone either way. But I keenly felt how the flow changed in an instant due to an accident. As for the last goal conceded, it was the result of taking a risk in the attack. It is not the players' fault, but my responsibility for making such a decision."