match Match Schedule & Results

[Reserves]
GK:30, Katsuya MATSUSHIMA
DF:4, Yume YANAGISAWA, 13, Ryu YAMAGISHI, 28, Takuya WATANABE, 38, Katsuya AIHARA
MF:28, Daisuke MINAMI
FW:24, Kenta OKUMA

○Match Report
After about a one-month break, the Prince League Sec. 7 resumed. Aiming to “return to the Premier League,” this match was an away game at Hitachi Kashiwa General Ground against the provisional leader, Kashiwa Reysol U-18. The players showed a spirited warm-up with loud shouts and headed to the pitch for the 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

“Kashiwa attacks while carefully circulating the ball.”
As anticipated in the pre-match meeting, from the early stages, Kashiwa, increasing possession and controlling the game, faced Tokyo, who responded calmly without panic. At 3, 9, and 10 minutes, even when Kashiwa penetrated the area, the players covered each other, and in the end, Tamiya repeatedly cleared Kashiwa’s shots, sending the ball forward to become the starting point for attacks. Also, effective feeds from the back line’s Gokatsu to the front and Yajima’s hold-up play created chances. Cutting off Kashiwa’s coordinated attacks, Tokyo quickly switched to offense, with Yajima shooting boldly at 25 minutes, Kamoike at 26, and Hasukawa at 31. Even when conceding corners and free kicks to Kashiwa, they maintained concentration and cleared firmly. Kashiwa attacked forward with careful passing, and Tokyo attacked by exploiting Kashiwa’s gaps, but neither side gave way, ending the first half 0-0.

　During the halftime, after detailed confirmations among the players, the team unified their mindset with the message: "We understand Kashiwa's characteristics. Even if we let them have the ball, they are not holding it dangerously. Let's aim for chances to regain possession when a wedge pass is made, and quickly coordinate to target the goal. Just this one point!! Let's do our best and give it our all."

　At the 50th minute, Yajima took a shot from a pass by Hasukawa. Kamoi took another shot after Nagasawa tenaciously recovered the loose ball, showing resilience in the second half as well. However, at the 59th minute, they conceded a goal from a penalty kick. Then, four minutes later at the 63rd minute, although goalkeeper Ito responded to a shot fired from the center, the ball unexpectedly bounced just before and slipped into the net, resulting in another goal conceded. Tokyo, wanting to hold their ground here, saw Tamiya make a run from the back line at the 68th minute, combining one-two passes with Watanabe Ryu. There was also a moment where they broke through deeply into the vital area by dribbling. At the 73rd minute, Abe was brought on for Takahashi to launch a further offensive. However, at the 75th minute, they conceded a goal after being caught out due to their strong forward intent.
　Despite being three goals behind, the players' determination to win completely changed the course of the match. At the 82nd minute, CB Gokatsu took the ball from Kashiwa's carefully connected play, dribbled past the halfway line, and passed to Ryuu Watanabe on the right side. Watanabe dodged the Kashiwa defender and sent the ball to the center, where Yajima met it, but the opposing goalkeeper punched it clear. However, Nagasawa made a sharp run, stole the ball, and fired a powerful shot that pierced the net!! Immediately after this goal, Nishimoto, making his league debut, was brought on for Ryuu Watanabe to add an attacking accent. With Nagasawa's goal igniting the counterattack, at the 90th minute, Yajima held the ball centrally and curved a pass to Hasukawa, who was running in on the left side. As the opposing goalkeeper came out, Hasukawa won the duel against the defender and shot, shaking the net to score an additional goal!! Tokyo began to corner Kashiwa, but the match ended 2-3.

　Although we lost, the players' fighting spirit to battle for victory until the very end completely changed the course of the game in the last 10 minutes. Even when the opponent kept scoring and controlled the pace, by rallying their spirits and believing in themselves, they were able to change the situation. Also, even those who couldn't take the pitch contributed by doing what they could to fight alongside the team—more players began preparing drinks for their teammates during halftime and continued encouraging those on the pitch. Additionally, the energy brought by the substitute players showed a united fighting spirit throughout the match. In the next home game against Omiya Ardija Youth, we want to focus on winning and fight together as a team to seize victory.

　Thank you for your warm support of FC Tokyo U-18 today as well.
　Thank you for your continued passionate support.