Sec. 11, facing Yokohama FM in a total battle

Entering the 11th match of the 2nd stage, Yokohama F.Marinos will face off. Going away.
In the previous match, there were times when Kobe took the initiative, but we launched sharp counterattacks from our persistent fight, and Maeda achieved a hat-trick. At the same time, we kept a clean sheet and secured 3 points. As a result, we remain undefeated in the league for 6 matches. Although we continue to face a situation where we cannot afford to lose any matches in the final stages of the league, our defensive play based on a solid defense is becoming more mature, and the gears of our counter-attacking offense are starting to mesh. It is a match where we aim to continue winning, while taking one step at a time to further grow.

However, Takahashi will be suspended for 2 matches due to accumulated warnings. Therefore, for this match, the lineup will be changed and Nozawa, Hashimoto, and Higashi will be starting. Yonemoto and Nozawa will form a double pivot in midfield, with Hashimoto and Higashi on the wings, and Burns and Maeda as the front two in a 4-4-2 formation. Avramov will start as the goalkeeper, continuing from the previous match, and we will truly approach this as a total team effort.

Yokohama FM's 2nd stage is currently in 7th place with 15 points. Although they were held to a draw by Niigata in the previous match, they achieved a four-game winning streak in August by defeating Nagoya, Kofu, Tosu, and Urawa. In the recent league matches, they have been in good form with 4 wins and 1 draw. Among them, MF Nakamura, who creates opportunities from the midfield's passing and FW Ito's post-play, has been instrumental in connecting the team's points with the daring dribbles and shooting power of the wingers, Saito and Adilson.

On the other hand, Tokyo wants to focus on suppressing goals as usual and maintain balance in the game. Coach Massimo says, "One goal can change the balance and tactics of the game, making it difficult for both teams. One play can also change the flow of the game, so precision and concentration are required on both offense and defense." However, it doesn't mean that the team's characteristics will change. Yokohama FM has their style, and we will strive for victory by utilizing our own style and challenging them head-on.

After a long time, the weather cleared up and under a climate that made one feel the lingering summer heat, the match started with Yokohama FM's kickoff at 19:04.

Unable to take advantage of early opportunities, Yokohama took control, but resisted strongly

The start of the game saw Yokohama FM's speedy attack pushing Tokyo back into their own half. However, Tokyo's strong defense prevented them from entering the penalty area. In the 7th minute, Tokyo created an opportunity from a restart, with the ball being played from the right flank to the center where Higashi made a powerful right-footed shot. However, it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. In the 8th minute, Nathan Burns on the right side of the midfield entered a shooting position and won a corner kick. Maruyama headed the ball from Ota's corner kick, but couldn't find the target. In the 12th minute, Maruyama intercepted Yokohama FM's ball at the defensive line. Nogizawa connected with Higashi on the left side, who then continued the attack to the left. Ota sent an early cross into the penalty area, and Maeda made a run towards the near post, but the opponent's goalkeeper caught the ball first.

They launched a quick attack, but couldn't take advantage of the chance and gradually allowed Yokohama FM to dominate the ball. In the 13th minute, Maruyama cut off Ito, who had escaped between Tokyo's defenders, after a feed to Yokohama FM's front line. In the 18th minute, their midfield pass was intercepted, allowing Yokohama MF Saito to dribble, but Morishige showed his strength, took the ball back, and joined the attack. However, they were stopped by Yokohama when trying to connect with Hashimoto on the right and move forward from there. In the 26th minute, Yokohama FM MF Ademilson entered the left area, but Morishige marked him perfectly and held him back.

Throughout the first half, there were moments where Yokohama FM's side change and MF Nakamura's passing work shook Tokyo, but they fought patiently and did not allow their opponents to play freely in dangerous situations. However, in terms of attack, they lacked precision against Yokohama FM's intense defense. In the 42nd minute, Nathan BURNS and Anton BURNS pressed on the left side, Ota successfully stole the ball and dribbled up the center. However, Nathan BURNS's attempted vertical pass in the penalty area was cut off by Yokohama FM.

In the 45th minute, Vlada AVRAMOV made a strong save against Yokohama FM's left side midfielder Saito's powerful shot. The ball spilled out and Yokohama FM's defender Kobayashi closed in, but Maruyama and Higashi defended and tried to launch a counterattack from there, but couldn't get into position. The score remained 0-0 as they headed into the second half.

Conceded a goal in the final moments and suffered a defeat...

Tokyo substituted Nakajima for Nathan Burns in the second half in an attempt to aim for victory. In the 46th minute, Hashimoto, who had advanced up the left side, sent a cross, but Higashi, who had run from the far side to the front of the goal, entered a little too far forward and couldn't control it. In the 52nd minute, Maeda ran into the area in response to a feed, but the opposing goalkeeper quickly came out and dealt with it. In the 59th minute, Ota's cross didn't quite time well with Nakajima, who had darted into the center, and he couldn't bring it to a shot. From this loose ball, Yokohama quickly moved up to the front line. Yokohama FM midfielder Adilson made a move against Morishige in their own half, creating a one-on-one situation, but Morishige persistently responded. In the end, a pass was given to FW Ito, who had advanced up the right side, but Maruyama took care of it. Finally, a cross was put in, but Vlada Avramov caught it.

The defense did not create any gaps, but gradually started to connect the ball in the attack and create opportunities to approach the goal from the sides. In the 73rd minute, Matsuda was substituted for Nozawa and placed as the right midfielder, with Hashimoto moving to the defensive midfield. In the 75th minute, Yokohama FM also brought in FW Tomigashi, a specially designated player by the JFA and J-League. Both teams made tactical substitutions and aimed for a goal. However, Yokohama FM started to lose the ball more frequently due to their intense pressure, making the situation difficult. Nevertheless, they endured the tense moments well and the score remained 0-0 as time passed. In the 87th minute, Nakajima quickly made a move in the front line, dribbled up from the right side, and sent a last pass to Maeda in the left area, timing it perfectly. However, Maeda's trap was slightly too long, and he fell in a fierce contest with Yokohama FM's MF Mikado immediately after, but there was no foul from the opponent.

Unable to take advantage of a big chance, they immediately faced a counterattack from the opponent. They managed to escape with a throw-in once, but the opponent connected their passes again and allowed Yokohama FM's midfielder Nakamura to keep the ball on the left area outside. They were unable to put pressure on him and were sent a well-aimed cross in front of the goal. In response to this, Yokohama FW Tomigashi was left free between Ota and Maruyama... and he scored a powerful header, resulting in a goal in the 88th minute...

Immediately after, Sandaza was brought in, but there was no time for a counterattack. As a result, the number of shots in the second half ended at zero, and they ended up suffering a painful goal against just before the end, resulting in their first defeat in 7 league matches.

[Player Comments]
《Mori Shige》
"It was a game where neither side could upset the balance and it came down to who could convert the one chance... We had one opportunity in the first half and another in the second half with Maeda's chance. Yokohama FM had possession of the ball, but I think their only decisive moment was that goal scene. We were able to fight patiently. However, the reason we couldn't win is because we still lack experience and strength. We want to reflect on the fact that there are crucial moments that determine the outcome of the match."

"Nozawa"
"I was too focused on the opponent's attacking midfielder and couldn't put pressure on the defensive midfielder. I think it was necessary to go strongly against Yokohama FM's defensive midfielder while also being mindful of the backline. Also, Yokohama FM's defense was good... that was a factor, but we were made to run in defense and couldn't exert much power in attack. As a result, we couldn't establish a rhythm. Of course, we will reflect on the defeat, but it is important not to lose next time. Personally, I think it is important to learn from experiences like today and apply them in the future."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"The match unfolded as expected, with a focus on tactical aspects. The opponent was in good condition and didn't give us much space. Both teams had very few scoring opportunities. If we had converted those few chances, we could have earned 3 points. We couldn't convert Maeda's scoring opportunity, and they scored one minute later. We believe that we played our game well, and Nozawa and Hashimoto fought well despite having suspended players. The result is disappointing, but we must prepare for the next match and move forward with confidence."
(Why couldn't the attack go well, even though they were able to control Yokohama FM's speed well?)
The opponent also didn't have many decisive shots and both teams didn't give each other much space. I was expecting the legs to move a little more in the last 10 minutes, but I want to give credit to the defense.
（Did Morishige and Maruyama not react to the movements of Yokohama FM/FW Tomogashi player?）
When we concede a goal, it is always because we have made some kind of mistake, so I want to confirm and correct it. However, I think the two center-backs fought well throughout the game against experienced opponents.
"We were able to take control and hold onto the ball, and we were patient enough to continue playing our game. Tokyo is a team with a strong defense, so we were conscious of possessing the ball patiently to break down their defense. At the same time, Tokyo is a good counter-attacking team. It was necessary to be cautious the moment we lost the ball, but today we were able to defend well. Considering the possession rate and the number of chances, I think today's victory is a fair result."