Focused and tenacious battle, aiming for victory

Entering the final stage of the 2nd stage, Tokyo faced Sanfrecce Hiroshima away. In the previous match, they secured a victory at home, resulting in a record-high 56 points for the year. They currently hold the 5th position in the 2nd stage and remain in 3rd place overall for the year. However, Coach Massimo stated, "As we reach the end, the weight of earning 1 point increases." In particular, in "direct confrontations" with teams close in rank, the difference in points can change rapidly and affect the standings. Takahashi, who has returned from suspension, also said, "I consider the match against Hiroshima as a 'big game.' We will fight with a strong desire for victory, understanding the importance of points." They will continue to compete with a focus on winning, considering their involvement in the top rankings at this stage as a positive force.

Hiroshima, who is currently in first place in the 2nd stage with 28 points. They are also in second place for the year with 62 points. They continue to have crucial matches that they cannot afford to lose in their pursuit of the championship. In the previous match, MF Douglas and FW Asano scored multiple goals, marking a total of 5 goals. Not only that, they have scored 15 goals in the last 5 matches, with 4 wins and 1 draw, showing excellent form. In particular, their total of 62 goals for the year and 33 goals in the 2nd stage are by far the highest in the league. Their scoring patterns are also diverse, with slow attacks initiated by MF Aoyama and the wings, as well as quick counter-attacks. How they can contain this high attacking power will be the first key point.

Tokyo, with Takahashi's suspension lifted, starts as an anchor. Uchimoto and Hashimoto serve as inside halves, and Higashi is appointed as a starting forward. Kono is positioned as an attacking midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation. Mita, on the other hand, has made the bench for the first time since the Shimizu match on August 29. On the other hand, Hiroshima has almost the best lineup, with MF Shimizu replacing injured MF Kashiwa on the left side. Up front, FW Sato and MF Douglas and Shibasaki as shadows, with MF Morisakiwa and Aoyama as double midfielders in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

It is a match aiming for victory by surpassing Hiroshima, which boasts the top scoring power in the league, with tenacity. It started at 19:04 with Hiroshima's kickoff at the Hiroshima EDION Stadium, where it was clear but gradually became chilly in the evening.

In a closely contested match, the first half ends with a scoreless draw

The match started in the first minute. Hiroshima DF Shiotani sent a feed to the forward Sato, which Maruyama bounced back and quickly switched to attack. In the center, Kono made a through pass to the right area. Maeda broke through there, but couldn't time the finish and advanced to the left area. From the combination with Higashi who followed, Yonemoto, who moved up the center, aimed for a shot but was saved by Hiroshima GK Hayashi in the lower right corner.

After that, the game gradually developed into a fast-paced attack by Hiroshima, leading to a finish. However, Tokyo remained focused and did not show any defensive weaknesses. On the other hand, Tokyo also had possession of the ball, but they lost it in many instances without being able to make progress in the front line. They wanted to come up with a better build-up. In the 18th minute, a right corner kick was taken. They couldn't finish it, and Hiroshima managed to take the ball away once, but Tokyo quickly regained possession in a high position, and Kono took a sharp shot from the right side. However, it was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's excellent save.

In the 25th minute, Kono used the space created by Hiroshima MF Mikić and played a through pass into the area from the left side. Higashi quickly broke through and skillfully passed to Hashimoto, who reacted to this pass. Hashimoto turned towards the goal and took a controlled shot! They created a scoring opportunity through the coordination of the front line, but... the ball narrowly missed to the left...

35 minutes have passed, and gradually Tokyo has started to increase their time in possession of the ball, utilizing the coordination of their front line to create scoring opportunities, but they have been unable to convert them into goals. Hiroshima, on the other hand, has been able to aggressively take the ball and bring it all the way to the finish line. At this point, it is important to remain calm and first focus on preventing any goals from being conceded.

Hiroshima quickly expands to the side and brings the ball to the finish line when they steal the ball. In particular, they showed their fear by shooting in succession from MF Miki's pass, but Tokyo also did not lose their tenacity. They did not allow any goals. On the other hand, Tokyo gradually held onto the ball. They created scoring opportunities from the coordination of the front line, but were unable to convert them. The evenly matched first half ended scoreless.

Overcoming Hiroshima's fierce attack from the top and winning consecutively!!

Entering the second half, Tokyo's attack in the 47th minute. From the left side of the midfield, Yonemoto's cross, Hashimoto with a header... but it bounces off the left post. It was a decisive chance, but they couldn't convert. In the following 54th minute, Hiroshima's left corner kick was cleared to the far side from the left side of the midfield. A high header was delivered to the area's MF Douglas... but it missed the target and escaped danger. Hiroshima continued to threaten Tokyo with wide plays, creating goal-scoring opportunities. However, Tokyo defended tenaciously and created another scoring chance by exploiting the opponent's vulnerability, but Hashimoto's header was blocked by the post. Hiroshima substituted the in-form FW Asano. The intense battle between attack and defense continues.

70 minutes have passed. The midfielders from the East team created an opportunity on the left side. Ota gained speed and broke through the opponent's defense, crossing the ball. Although it was slightly too long, Maeda from the left area dropped back and headed the ball towards the center. Hashimoto made a run here, but his shot missed the target. However, it deflected off Kawano in front of him and changed direction, finding the net! Kawano's goal gives us the lead.

After that, in the 78th minute, Hiroshima was pushed back and a powerful middle shot was taken by MF Aoyama in the center, but it missed to the left. In the following 83rd minute, a heading shot was taken from Hiroshima's left early cross, but Vlada made a save! The loose ball was stabbed into the net, but just before that, Hiroshima committed a foul, so it was no goal.

Hiroshima hit a powerful shot on the 88th minute, but Vlada made a save! The rebound was followed up with another spectacular shot, but it narrowly missed the target... On the 90th minute, Yoshimoto was substituted for Hashimoto, and the team switched to a 5-back formation. They were in a situation where they needed to withstand the opponent's fierce attacks. The match ended with Tokyo winning 1-0! They continued to fight with determination for the full 90 minutes against the top-ranked Hiroshima, and secured a consecutive victory in a tense battle.

[Player Comments]
"Kawano"
"The best thing is that the team won. With today's victory, I feel like the atmosphere of winning all the remaining matches has been further created. The goal was just a shot that hit my right knee... it was a goal that we all scored together. Of course, I also have the desire to score goals in my own way, but no matter what kind of goal it is, it contributes to the team's score. Above all, everyone was committed. During that (goal-scoring) period, my legs were about to cramp, so I tried to get into the goal area at the end. That led to the goal, so it's important to never give up and continue in any situation. That's what I feel once again."

"Hashimoto"
"I think I was able to demonstrate what I have prepared for both offense and defense. Not only in defense, but also in attack, I tried to initiate from center back, especially from player Morishige, and create opportunities from the right side. When the ball moved forward, I was able to provide support as well. Being able to play against Hiroshima as planned should lead to the next step. If I could improve my precision in playing, it would create even more chances. I feel a sense of accomplishment, but at the same time, there are areas for reflection."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"It was a very good game. Both teams were well-organized and it was a high-quality match. I knew Hiroshima's strength well, so preparation for the game was very important. It is truly valuable to achieve such a victory against a strong Hiroshima. I think it is a very significant victory at this stage of the season. And Tokyo's fans and supporters are amazing beyond words. They have shown me love since the first day I joined the team, and it has only grown bigger. So many people came all the way to Hiroshima, and I want to dedicate this victory to them."

[Hiroshima - Coach Hajime Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary]
"Many supporters came to see our victory, but unfortunately we couldn't deliver a win at home. Regarding the match, both teams were strong defensively. In that context, we approached the game expecting a close match with a fight for one goal. Both teams had chances. We couldn't score a goal while avoiding defensive breakdowns, but Tokyo scored. I think it was a match where we could have won, but we want to reflect on it and move on to the next."