Finishing with a 4-game winning streak, "I want to send Muto off with a good feeling"

Approaching the final match of the 1st stage, facing Shimizu S-Pulse at Ajinomoto Stadium. In the previous match, they caught up with a draw with Nakajima's first J1 goal and achieved a comeback with a penalty kick, securing a 3-game winning streak. As a result, they are in 3rd place, and if they accumulate 1 point in this match, they will secure their highest position of 3rd place. There is also a possibility of rising to 2nd place with the help of others, but it is essential for us to seize the victory first. It is also the final game before Muto's transfer to Germany, attracting attention. We want to conclude the 1st stage with a victory, with concentration and unity.

Shimizu, on the other hand, is currently in 18th place with 13 points. They had a big victory in the 14th section against Kawasaki with a score of 5-2, but they suffered consecutive losses against Urawa and Kofu, and it can be said that they have not been able to overcome their difficulties. However, they have scored 20 goals so far. It is not much different from Tokyo's 21 goals, and they are a team with attacking power. With forwards Omae and Peter UTAKA as the focal points, they launch speedy attacks, and they also have midfielders with technique and running ability. The key is how long they can hold off conceding goals. They have been conceding goals in 8 consecutive league matches, but they want to endure the crucial moments and take the lead by exploiting the weaknesses of their opponents who are pressing forward.

Tokyo will face the match with the same starting lineup as the previous round, with Mita and Higashi on both sides in a 4-4-2 formation. In addition, Hayu, who has recovered from an injury, will make a comeback to the squad for the first time since the May 27th Nabisco Hiroshima match and will be on the bench.

Every teammate praises Muto as a player who is "fun to play with and reliable," and says, "We want to win and send him off on a good note." The remaining time as the "current team" is only 90 minutes. Ajinomoto Stadium will gather over 40,000 spectators for the third time this season, and we will unite as one on the greatest stage to achieve the best result.

From Kajiyama's ball interception, Higashi marks the first goal of the league and takes the lead!

Both teams displayed an aggressive attitude from the beginning and fought offensively. In the 7th minute, Higashi dribbled up the left side and passed to Mutoh, who moved further outside. Mutoh sent a low cross near the goal, and Maeda tried to connect with it. In the 12th minute, Maeda dropped a right throw-in inside Shimizu's territory, and the opponent's goalkeeper punched away a right cross. Ota from the opposite side rushed in to aim for a shot from the middle. The game progressed at a fast pace, with frequent exchanges between both teams.

In the 22nd minute, Ota made a vertical run and bypassed Shimizu DF Edamura to send a cross from the sideline. East in the left area perfectly headed it, but it went wide to the left and couldn't find the target. In the 26th minute, Shimizu connected a direct pass in the midfield, with MF Kawai from the left wide as the starting point, and FW Peter UTAKA made a run into the area, but the shot was caught by Gonda. In the 35th minute, the pass was intercepted, and Shimizu FW Omae → MF Mizutani was free in the front line. They immediately took a shot from the area.

The team created a scoring opportunity from a mistake, but they were saved by Shimizu's missed shot, and in the 38th minute, they connected from a right throw-in inside Shimizu's territory. Mita tried to aim for the right area, but it was blocked. However, Shimizu's midfielder Kaneko pressed Kajiyama as he tried to move forward with the ball, successfully stealing it and advancing. Then, they sent a through pass to Higashi, who had slipped behind the defense line from the left side, just barely avoiding being offside. Higashi carried the ball forward, dribbled past the oncoming goalkeeper, and scored with his left foot. GOAL! Higashi scored his first goal in the league, giving his team the lead.

In the 43rd minute, Higashi created space on the left side and sent a well-aimed floating ball to the left area. Takahashi ran into this area. In the first half additional time, Takahashi closed in on a loose ball from a right cross and took a controlled shot, but was unable to score an additional point. They maintained a one-point lead going into the second half.

Maeda scores 2 goals! Defeating in a shootout, reaching a record high 2nd place

In the second half, Shimizu struggled to find their rhythm. In the 46th minute, Shimizu's left side pass work led to a through ball behind the defense to DF Edamura, but it was offside and created a dangerous situation. In the 48th minute, Shimizu's left DF Inukai crossed the ball. Then Shimizu MF Kawai dribbled to the left area. The shot was blocked, but Tokyo's defense was slow to react. In the 51st minute, a feed to Shimizu's front line allowed FW Peter UTAKA to break free. Morishige, who was chasing him, was turned around and a negative pass was played in front of the goal. From here, Shimizu MF Mizutani took a shot that hit the lower right post and bounced back... From the rebound, DF Edamura played a low cross in front of the goal. Omae reacted to it and trapped the ball with his right foot, then turned and slotted it into the goal with the same right foot... The score was equalized.

Tokyo substituted Mita for Hanyu in the 53rd minute to restore balance in attack and defense. In the 60th minute, Kajiyama in the midfield persevered and passed the ball to the front line. Maeda, who received the ball, launched a counter-attack and connected with Muto in the area. Muto was surrounded by Shimizu defenders one after another, but calmly passed to Maeda who had advanced to the right area. Maeda evaded the sliding Shimizu defender and placed the ball past the goalkeeper's side! Kajiyama and Muto took advantage of Shimizu's vulnerability and successfully took the lead with Maeda's first goal since the 12th section against Urawa.

At the 66th minute, we received a free kick from the left side, and Kiyoshi OTA's sharp kick was met by Atsushi MAEDA's powerful header, GOAL!! Atsushi MAEDA scored his second goal in a row! We extended our lead to 2 points! In the 77th minute, Ishikawa was substituted, and in the 81st minute, Hashimoto was brought in to push Shimizu further.

However, in the midst of the humid heat, fatigue was evident, and in the final stages, an open exchange ensued. In the midst of that, in the 83rd minute, Shimizu passed the ball, unable to press. Shimizu DF Takeuchi -> left side FW Sawada -> MF Ishige, who received the ball in the center, was free to take a middle shot. The sharp trajectory of the right-footed shot was sucked in to the upper right corner... losing the second goal and allowing a comeback.

Still, Tokyo collected the ball to Muto on the front line and threatened Shimizu. Although Muto himself did not score a goal, Shimizu managed to withstand their counterattack until the time was up. With this fourth consecutive victory, Tokyo rose to second place as Hiroshima drew. They achieved their highest position ever and concluded the 1st stage.

[Player Comments]
"In the game against Tokyo, when the opponent had a 3-back formation, we were able to create chances from the sides as soon as we won the ball. I think it was a good way to start the game. I received a good pass from Kajiyama and was able to score a goal. It's a bad habit of mine to panic after receiving the ball, but today I was able to stay calm in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. I wanted to score a goal for Muto as well."

"Maeda"
"I couldn't score for a long time and it was tough. Especially at this stadium, I wanted to score quickly. Finally, I was able to score, but Muto and Ota both gave me really good passes. I'm happy that I was able to contribute to the team's victory more than anything. Muto is a really good player. I hope he continues to do his best, and we all come together and aim for the 2nd stage."

"Muto"
"I wanted to express my gratitude for everything so far by scoring a goal in the end. However, I think I tried too hard and my legs cramped early in the second half, so I was nervous myself (laughs). Still, my teammates scored goals today, we won, and they sent me off. I truly owe my current self to the fans, supporters, teammates, coaches, trainers, and everyone involved with the club. I had decided not to cry after the match, but... I couldn't stop crying when I thought about the 13 years I've been with FC Tokyo since my time at the school and all the people who supported me. In order to show my gratitude and repay everyone, I want to perform well in the national team and in Germany. Thank you very much."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"I expected it to be a difficult match. Shimizu is ranked lower in the standings, but they have very good players. They played well today with their speed, and I want to commend them for that. We had some tough moments, but after scoring a goal, we found a good rhythm, and I think Hanyu's substitution in a difficult time was effective. Shimizu's second goal was also a fantastic goal. After that, the game became fast-paced again, and we were able to win within that. I think today's match was a game that encapsulated our characteristics. It led to a result of finishing 2nd in the 1st stage, but the season is only halfway through. We want to look confidently towards the future with the 35 points we have accumulated so far. As for Urawa, who won the 1st stage, we have to acknowledge their results."
(What were the factors that led to the second place finish?)
Factors such as the penetration of tactics that started a year ago and the growth of players can be mentioned. We also need to respond firmly to Muto's departure. The important thing for us is the growth of all players.
（What is more important, winning the stage or the overall results throughout the year?）
I tell the players too, they can't just give half effort and take the rest as a vacation. Continuity is important for the team, and I think it leads to good results. It is important to fight with all our might in every game while looking at the big picture."

[Summary of Coach Taku SHIMIZU and Katsumi OENOKI's Press Conference]
"In the last game of the 1st stage, we really wanted to get 3 points. We were able to put pressure on the opponent and attack from the front, just like we have been doing. We created several chances by the middle of the first half, and if we had been able to score there, I think the flow of the game would have changed. The first goal was taken from a mistake, which was a shame. However, we played well in the first half and equalized early in the second half. We pushed the opponent as planned, but we conceded the second goal from a counter-attack that we were cautious about. We were slow to react and conceded another goal from a set piece. We managed to pull one goal back, but after that, we couldn't create many chances and ended the game. It is entirely my responsibility that we finished last in the 1st stage. I will reflect on this and make sure to turn things around in the 2nd stage."