A battle that aims for victory without stopping, facing forward

Following the previous match, we will face Nagoya in an away game. G Osaka took control of the game and scored two painful goals. However, the substitution strategy worked, and Matsuda, who came on as a substitute, scored his first professional goal, showing a comeback. However, the multiple goals conceded since the 22nd round against Kashima on August 30th had a negative impact, resulting in a defeat. We also dropped to 7th place in the rankings, and the possibility of winning the championship this season disappeared. Additionally, there was an accident where Kanda injured his neck, which added to the team's "depressed" atmosphere after the game.

However, as Morishige says, "If we stop here, this season's battle will be meaningless," no one is giving up on victory. Shiota also says, "The defeat against G Osaka was regrettable, but this week we have been focusing on training for tomorrow. We will do our best to improve our position and strive for victory in the upcoming match."

Tokyo, GK Shiota starts for the first time this season, DF Yoshimoto starts for the first time since the Sendai match on October 5th. Hayu is used in the midfield. The front line starts with FW Watanabe, Edu, and Muto as the top three.

Nagoya, on the other hand, is currently in 12th place with 40 points. In the middle of the season, MF Leandro Domingues and FW Kawamata joined the team. Since then, they have recorded a six-game unbeaten streak, and the team's condition has been improving. However, they are currently troubled by injuries, such as MF Leandro Domingues. In addition, MF Danilson and Taguchi will be suspended due to accumulated warnings in this match. On the other hand, FW Nagai will return from suspension and start in the lineup. The lineup consists of FW Matsuda and Kawamata as the two forwards, MF Tanabe and Nagai on the sides, and MF Isomura and Yada as the central midfielders.

Covered by clouds, there is occasionally a hint of light rain in Mizuho. However, under a mild climate, the match started with a kick-off in Tokyo at 13:04.

Conceded 2 goals from an own goal and a free kick. 1 goal behind going into the second half.

Although there were moments when the opponent attacked immediately after the kickoff, Tokyo gradually took control of the ball without giving up the initiative. Although they were unable to create scoring opportunities, they were trying to find a breakthrough through various challenges.

In the 19th minute, Nagoya's right SB Yano advances and crosses. Mori's posture, trying to clear the ball, slightly collapses and the ball is sucked into their own goal... They allowed the opening goal from an own goal... However, in the 21st minute, Ota advances to the front line and crosses parallel to the goal. Edu jumps in from the far side and stabs a high-heading over the opponent's head, GOAL!! They immediately succeed in equalizing the score.

29 minutes, Takahashi fouls against opponent FW Nagai. Giving Nagoya a free kick from the left side. Nagoya MF Yada takes a sharp kick. In response, DF Tori-oh in the right area scores a powerful header... Goal conceded. We allowed the first goal in an unfortunate way, but immediately equalized with Edu's header from Ota's cross! After that, we continued to dominate the ball and Tokyo's time was continuing, but Nagoya took advantage of a chance from a set play... and we are once again one goal behind.

In the 38th minute, Nagoya FW Ryo NAGAI broke through the left front line. Tokunaga was facing him, but a cross was lifted and Nagoya MF Tanabe headed the ball from above Ota. It was a decisive moment, but Shioda made a big save to avoid danger!

In the first half, Tokyo had more possession of the ball, but they conceded 2 goals due to an own goal and a free kick opportunity... Tokyo could only score 1 goal with Edu's goal, and they entered the second half trailing behind.

The game ends in a draw without a victory

Entering the second half, 49 minutes. The ball sent vertically by Ota slipped from the opponent's DF and reached Muto. Muto rushed into the left area. He turned around the opponent's DF who came to close him down, but... in the end, he chose to pass. He sent a short floating ball to the far side, but it flowed over Watanabe and there was no one there, and they couldn't create a scoring opportunity. In the 51st minute, Muto broke through the left front line again. However, the final cross did not reach Edu and went to the right. In quick succession in the 52nd minute, Watanabe, who received a wedge from the right in the center of the area, went directly to the right front. In a coordinated manner, Edu broke through, but he couldn't shoot in front of the quick jump of the GK... Although they created a chance, they couldn't create a decisive situation and time passed. On the contrary, the opponents were launching counterattacks.

In the 59th minute, Matsuda replaces Hanyu on the right side. Takahashi and Yonemoto form a double pivot similar to a 4-4-2 formation. Furthermore, in the 62nd minute, Mita is substituted for Yonemoto. He continues to play in the central position.

In the 76th minute, following Mita's vertical pass, Tokunaga put in a wedge from the right to the center, but it was cut off. However, he tenaciously snatched the loose ball and Muto dribbled through the left area, utilizing his strength. It was a dribble that seemed to move away from the goal, but he changed his body position and shot the ball into the bottom right corner, scoring a Super GOAL!! It's back to 2-2. Muto headed towards the goal with a strong determination and marked his 13th goal, equaling the record for the most goals by a rookie!!

In the second half, after being stolen while attacking, there was a continuous period of receiving Nagoya's counterattacks. However, with Yoshimoto, Morishige, and Shiota at the core, no additional points were allowed. They approached the counterattack using player substitutions, and Muto marked his 13th goal of the season, equaling the record for the most goals by a rookie, bringing the score to a tie! In the end, it became a back-and-forth of counterattacks, but they were unable to take the lead... and only managed to earn 1 point away from home.

[Player Comments]
"Muto"
"It was good to be able to aim for a "one-shot" and score. However, we couldn't win and even though I scored a goal, I think my performance throughout the game was just "mediocre". I couldn't make plays that would help the team win, except for scoring goals. The Nagoya DF player, Yano, whom I faced, was very physical and had speed. I had a hard time dealing with him. Regarding the first goal we conceded, it was a situation that I should have defended. I tried to cut off the vertical pass against Yano's dribble, but I couldn't stop it and ended up in a situation where I had to face Ota. If I had stopped it, there wouldn't have been a cross and it wouldn't have been an own goal, I think. I also couldn't convert the chances from counterattacks and there were moments where I chose to pass instead of taking a shot. I feel sorry that we couldn't turn the game around, despite the defense putting their bodies on the line."
（Tied the record for most rookies?）
I often get asked about that, so I'll honestly say that I feel relieved (wry smile). However, I have higher goals for myself. I want to raise my awareness and score even more goals to help the team win above all else."

《Shioda》
"It's frustrating to have conceded 2 goals in the first half. However, the attacking line did their best and managed to equalize twice... As a defender, I should reflect on the two goals conceded. However, it might be a positive outcome that we didn't let the score go from 1-2 to 1-3 and instead brought it back to a draw. In the second half, the game opened up a bit too early and we couldn't organize ourselves properly, so we need to reconsider that. However, the midfield and defense put their bodies on the line to protect the goal. Nagoya created many dangerous situations, but we were able to patiently defend and prepare for counterattacks. I think we were able to prevent them from scoring at crucial moments. There are still lessons to be learned from the details of how to attack and how to bring the score level when we are behind, but I want to use today's challenges to improve in the future."
（There was also a great save by Shioda)
Personally, I have been away from playing for a long time and I didn't have enough game sense, so I felt frustrated in the G Osaka match. That's why I approached today's match with the feeling of "let's do it". However, I couldn't produce results. Still, even though we conceded 2 goals, we were able to hold on until the end without collapsing, and I think that led to earning 1 point. The voices from the stands reached us and it was a great source of strength."

[Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference]
"Regarding the first half, we played very well but conceded two goals. In the second half, we had a strong desire to equalize and ended up giving the opponent too much space. The team believed in victory until the end and created chances until the very last moment. After equalizing, both teams fought with the desire to win."

[Nagoya - Akira NISHINO's press conference summary]
"It was a frustrating game where we couldn't win at home as usual. We created numerous scoring opportunities and played aggressively, but when we couldn't convert those chances, we ended up being tied and the overall image of the game became negative. In this situation, the team's strength was tested. It was important to see how much the players could fight, but it was not satisfactory."