Only 5 matches left in the 2016 Meiji Yasuda J3 League.

FC Tokyo U-23, who wants to accumulate points and improve their ranking.
This week's opponent is Gamba Osaka U-23. As both teams are part of the same "U-23" team that has joined the season, Nakamura coach is approaching the game with a strong determination, saying "We will definitely win" during the pre-match meeting.
Tokyo, with GK Wai, has a DF line of Yanagi, Yoshimoto, Makoto OKAZAKI, and Ogawa from the right.
Yoshimoto will make his first start since Sec. 15 against Fukushima and wear the captain's armband.
In the midfield, there is a double pivot of Suzuki and Kobayashi. In the second row, YU Insoo is joined by Namae, Hayashi, and Koyama in the front line.
Osaka, on the other hand, strengthens the defense line with overage player Iwashita and consolidates the key points with Abe on the right side of the midfield.
Tokyo's starting lineup average age is 20.82.
In Osaka, amidst young players aged 22, an overage player joins the defensive line to tighten the team.
Started with a slightly chilly cloudy sky at the kickoff in Osaka.

[First Half]

Both teams want to attack while holding the ball.
Tokyo forms a compact formation by pushing up the DF line with Yoshimoto as the center, while Osaka has Iwashita as the center.
In the midst of that, Osaka takes the initiative in the midfield battle and the starting part, but the defensive line centered around Yoshimoto does not allow chances that seem like chances to be created in their own territory.
Especially noteworthy in this match is Yoshimoto's presence.
GK leads the defense line with a loud voice, commanding the defense. By maintaining concentration and continuously repelling the opponent's attacks, they grasp the rhythm in defense and take control.
Send a long ball behind the opponent and start pressing from the front line in coordination.
Furthermore, by quickly transitioning between offense and defense even after losing the ball, we can provoke the opponent's mistakes and regain possession of the ball.
18 minutes, shaking left and right around Kobayashi in the opponent's territory.
In the end, Ogawa made a big side change and Nama and Yanagi attacked the right side, but it went over the goal line for a goal kick.
Although they couldn't reach the goal, they launched a strong attack.
In the 20th minute, Insoo YU competed for Yagyu's cross from the right side deep into the center, but his header did not meet the ball.
22 minutes, Suzuki goes to pick up the ball after clearing Yagi's cross from the right side.
Yoshimoto picks up the ball with a sliding tackle when it spills into their own half.
Tokyo supporters applaud with great enthusiasm for the passionate play.
Tokyo, which has improved its competitiveness in midfield battles and second ball recovery rate, is advancing its offensive and defensive play in the midfield.
The biggest chance of the first half came in the 44th minute as both teams created scenes of approaching the goal from counters and set plays.
The opponent's left side of the PA, Hayashi is fouled just outside and earns a free kick.
Ogawa jumped into the outer side freely to match Yoshimoto who received this FK, but the heading was in front of the GK. Missed the chance.
In additional time, Suzuki in the central midfield, passed a soft vertical pass to Insoo YU in the penalty area, but he failed to shoot after connecting with a header.
The first half ends with a scoreless draw.

【Halftime】
Coach Nakamura
"The start of the game was very good."
Maintain compactness in defense. Keep going strong in the duels.
Use both sides of the opponent's left and right in the attack, and use power against crosses.
We must win this match. We will definitely return victorious."

【Second half】
The second half started without any player substitutions from both teams.
Gradually push back despite being overwhelmed by the speed of Osaka's left side breakthrough at the beginning.
In the 49th minute, Lins took a shot, and in the 50th minute, Insoo YU took a shot, and in the 52nd minute.
Makoto OKAZAKI picks up his own dribble after competing with the Osaka DF line for Okazaki's long pass.
Insoo YU, who entered the support from the right in front of the PA, entrusted the shot but missed the scoring opportunity as it was deflected by the near post.
Tokyo, which increases the tempo of the attack, raised the ball in the opponent's central area at the 55th minute, and Insoo YU connected it to the ground. Finally, Yanagi, who came up from the right side, unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but failed to hit the target.
On the contrary, in the 57th and 60th minutes, Yoshimoto prevented the counterattack and did not concede a goal.
Tokyo is moving the game forward amidst intense offense and defense.
In the 65th minute, Uchida, who replaced Koyama just before, breaks through the left side.
Ogawa connects precise passes with Uchida, Suzuki, and Hayashi, and Uchida breaks through with a speedy dribble.
Uchida pushes in the cross from a one-on-one with the opponent's defense, resulting in a scramble towards the goal, and scores the opening goal.
UCHIDA scored his first goal in the J-League.
In the 67th minute, Kobayashi in the center of the midfield steals the ball and Hayashi launches a counterattack.
Hayashi dribbles up and takes a shot from outside the penalty area, controlling it to avoid the opponent, but it is blocked by the goalkeeper's excellent defense.
GK catches the right CK obtained here again, and Hayashi heads it near.
Both teams continue to fiercely compete in the attack and defense on the ball, and Osaka starts to play long balls on both sides.
When they start creating a starting point in the front line, the Tokyo DF line is also pushed down, leading to development in their own territory.
However, the DF line centered around Yoshimoto continues to push up the line in a narrow manner, but the difficult time continues.
Sasaki is substituted in the 84th minute and Hiraoka in the 88th minute in an attempt to change the flow, but they continue to be pushed back.
Yoshimoto fights back with intense pressing, but concedes a goal in additional time.
After the announcement of 3 minutes of additional time, Uchida, who was dribbling on the left side, was dispossessed and Tokyo received a short counterattack.
When a direct through pass is played and the DF line is penetrated, Okazaki responds inside the penalty area.
The opponent was able to dodge and in the end, they escaped the encirclement and it became a tie.
Osaka, who had gained momentum, created scoring opportunities even in the closing moments of the game, but failed to score a goal, resulting in a 1-1 draw at the end of the match.
Earned 1 point.

Thank you very much for your passionate support for FC Tokyo U-23.
Thank you for your continued warm support.

[Summary of Manager Nakamura's Press Conference]

"Today, fans and supporters came to the goal end and main stand, and we approached the game with a sense of gratitude."
In terms of the game, in the first half of the previous match, we were in a state where we couldn't play our own soccer much, so in this match, we had a meeting on both offense and defense to ensure that we could take the initiative from the beginning against Gamba Osaka U-23.
We were pushed back a little at the beginning, but in the first half, there were moments of switching and competing for the ball. We were able to create several good opportunities by moving the ball and taking shots, and I think both teams were able to play a good game.
In the second half, both teams wanted to score, so there were more scenes in front of the goal.
Among them, we were able to score the first goal, but we couldn't score any additional points and ultimately couldn't withstand Gamba's attacks.
The players worked very hard compared to the previous match, but unfortunately the result was disappointing.
Both teams were composed of U-23 players, with experienced veterans playing as center backs and youth players also included.
I thought that being able to play a game with a team composition similar in balance, rather than as a coach, allowed me to objectively see what the "U-23" team should be like.
Both veteran players fiercely contested the ball and aimed for victory while conveying the toughness of professional football to their teammates. And I think it was great for the young players to be able to play in such a good stadium with supportive fans."

【Player Comment】
《Uchida》
"I was closely observing the positions where I had a chance to play while sitting on the bench."
There were also moments when the attack did not go well, so when I played, I thought that if I could receive the ball between the opponents and turn forward, I could activate the attack.
Immediately after the substitution, we were able to score a goal, but we lost the ball many times and even in the scenes where we conceded, it was because I lost the ball and then the play developed. So, I was able to score my first goal, but I made mistakes in those areas.
I was able to score, but I can't be happy about it honestly.
Next time, I would like to make use of my dribbling skills and other strengths while considering the time zone and other factors.
(How do you feel about your playing time?) I have become more conscious of making demands in the areas I want and actively trying to play my game, but I want to raise my level so that I can demonstrate that in my play.
(What was the scoring scene?) I should have jumped forward on the counter and carried the ball from my dribble to the shot, but it took a little longer than expected.
I'm glad I was able to react to the loose ball and score a goal.
(What is your enthusiasm for the next match?) I want to create opportunities by utilizing my own play, including scoring goals, and this time I want to bring victory even though we drew this match.

※In addition to the photos below, other photos are also posted on the official mobile site.


For more details, click here