match Match Schedule & Results

[Reserves]
GK: 1, Norihito OTSUKA
MF: 14, Shuta HORI, 23, Kengo OHIRA
FW: 18, Daiki HASEGAWA

Match Digest
It was cloudy with temperatures not very cold for this season, and there was almost no wind. From kickoff, Fukagawa played aggressively, moving the ball in the opponent’s half. Early on, from the right side, Shinada, Arakawa, and Okaniwa combined dribbling and passing to break through, advancing deep into the opponent’s territory. However, Gamba Osaka defended physically, and Tokyo was not allowed to get into good positions in front of the goal as they wished.

Fukagawa pushed the defensive line high and spread wide, developing passes centered around Shinada to take control. Gamba Osaka set their defensive line low, keeping the distance between players tight to prevent Fukagawa from exploiting space. Fukagawa's first shot came at the 10th minute, but the goalkeeper caught it cleanly in front. After the 15th minute, while enduring Fukagawa's attacks, Gamba Osaka seized the ball, created opportunities on the flanks, and launched attacks with short passes to build rhythm.

Fukagawa continuously applies offensive pressure from the right side. They expand to the flank, with Arakawa acting as the starting point, and outside him, fullback Okaniwa makes overlapping runs with abundant stamina. At the 22nd minute, Fukino twists his body against the opposing defender to break through from the side and crosses the ball back to the center. Kajitani times his run well and shoots, but the ball does not hit the target.

Fukagawa creates rhythm with effective side attacks. In response, Gamba Osaka tries to target the space behind Fukagawa's defensive line while connecting the balls they recover, but Fukagawa's defensive line stays focused and defends. Additionally, goalkeeper Takase brings calmness to his teammates with precise coaching.

Then, Fukagawa's opening goal was scored in the 29th minute. On the right side, Yoshida dribbled to draw the opponent in, passed to Okaniwa who was supporting behind, and Okaniwa crossed the ball. Kajitani, who was free in front of the goal, calmly finished with a shot. The first half ended 1-0 as it was.

Start of the second half

At the beginning of the second half, Fukagawa applies intense pressure on the opponent’s ball holder. In response, Gamba Osaka tries to move the ball quickly, but struggles to find rhythm against Fukagawa’s coordinated and focused defense. Then, Fukagawa scores their second goal. On the left side, Kusazumi passes to Kajitani, who drives forward vertically, evades the opponent, and sends a fast ball to the near side.
Arakawa, who ran in at top speed, connected with a header and scored a goal! They secured the long-awaited additional point.

After conceding this second goal, Gamba Osaka committed more players to the attack. Due to Fukagawa players' tenacious defense, Gamba Osaka players struggled to connect passes smoothly. At the 62nd minute, Fukagawa made their first substitution, bringing in Komatsu for Fukino. Gamba Osaka sent long balls from midfield behind Fukagawa's defense. In response, Fukagawa defended with strong physical presence.

However, they were caught off guard for a moment and conceded a goal. A lobbed ball was played into the space behind Fukagawa's defensive line, and although goalkeeper Takase came out to deal with the ball, the opponent reached it a moment earlier with a header, and the ball rolled into the unguarded goal. The score became 2-1.

This is where the real battle begins! Gamba Osaka commits more players forward, desperately trying to equalize by sending in the ball, but Fukagawa responds calmly. They handle it with challenge and cover, mutual coaching calls, and abundant physical effort. In the 78th minute, the second substitution is made, replacing Kajitani, who scored the first goal of the day, with Katayama. In stoppage time, the third substitution brings Ishizuka on for Yoshida. The players who come on as substitutes also play with full effort.

And then, time is up. With two goals effectively breaking down the sides and conceding only one goal against the opponent’s attacks, including long balls, they secure the victory. Although the U-18 team narrowly lost to Gamba Osaka in the J Youth Cup semifinal the day before, today’s match saw their younger counterparts, Fukagawa, showcase their strengths and claim the win, achieving revenge for the U-18s. Tomorrow will be a full day of rest. They will take proper nutrition, rest to recover energy, compose their minds, and aim to give their all in the next match.