match Match Schedule & Results

[Reserves]
GK:30, Katsuya MATSUSHIMA
DF:3, Shunji GOKATSUDE, 38, Katsuya AIHARA
MF:8, Yuya ITO, 22, Ryu WATANABE
FW:24, Kenta OKUMA

○Match Digest
The rain that had been falling intermittently stopped, and FC Tokyo U-18 arrived at the Yamanashi Gakuin University High School Wado Ground, covered in heat that hinted at the fierce battle about to begin. Although this season has been marked by frustrating results, none of the players are satisfied with the current situation. Today’s opponent is Yamanashi Gakuin University High School, who secured a victory over Kashiwa Reysol U-18 in the previous round and are aiming for a top position. “We came here to fight. Let’s win and return to Tokyo,” said Coach Motoyoshi before the match. To make those words a reality, the players prepared both body and mind for battle and headed to the pitch at 11:00 a.m.

From the opening minute, Yamanashi Gakuin peppered the Tokyo goal with shots, attacking boldly in an effort to take control as if to demonstrate their determination to win. They frequently used long feeds, finding their speedy front-line players and launching counterattacks. But Tokyo were different today. Even when possession was lost, they chased relentlessly and tenaciously to the very end. Then, in the 12th minute, Sasaki received the ball in the center, spun past an opposing DF, and played it out to the left. Hasukawa raced onto it and unleashed a right-footed strike!! Tokyo took the lead and erupted in celebration, but as if to say, “What matters is what comes next,” they quickly switched between attack and defense and approached every contest with confidence. They also cut off the opponent’s passing lanes and unsettled them with quick one-touch possession. Then, in the 26th minute, Takahashi dribbled from near the halfway line on the right and broke through toward the center before delivering a cross that travelled all the way along the touchline. Hasukawa, while nearly falling, cut it back into the middle, where Nagasawa met it first time and fired it into the net to double the lead!! However, Yamanashi Gakuin did not back down, creating dangerous moments with mid-range shots and long balls into the front line that allowed them to break quickly into the Tokyo penalty area. Nevertheless, led by the players in the back line, Tokyo defended with their bodies on the line. Tokyo also launched wave after wave of attacks from both flanks and through the middle, but could not add another goal and went into halftime leading 2-0.

At halftime, the team confirmed their coordination in both offense and defense, uniting their spirits with the words, "We are focused and scoring in good form. Let's approach the second half with a 0-0 mindset."

Immediately after the start of the second half, Yamanashi Gakuin played a through ball into the attack and fired a shot, but GK Ono produced a fine save. They then linked together accurate medium-range passes and threatened the goal, but Tokyo defended with focus as a team. Tokyo responded with a varied attack, including coordinated play along the vertical line of Tamiya, Sasaki, and Yajima. However, in the 59th minute, amid uncertainty in their positioning, Tokyo lost possession and conceded after the ball was effectively turned into a counterattack. Looking to change the momentum, Abe was brought on for Wakas a in the 66th minute. Against Yamanashi Gakuin, who were mounting a comeback through unified and relentless attacking, Tokyo supported one another and faced them with determination. Then, in the 70th minute, an opposing player received a second yellow card and was sent off. Tokyo had a one-man advantage, but the opponent's intentions became even clearer. As the match entered a stage when fatigue was beginning to show, the bench repeatedly called out more forcefully to the players on the pitch: "This is where it starts! Show how much you want to win! Give it everything!" Even while tightly marked by several opponents, Sasaki used skillful control to create opportunities, while Yamagishi turned dangerous situations into chances through fierce challenges. In the 85th minute, Aoki, returning from injury, came on for Nagasawa, while Kawakami replaced Hasukawa. Despite facing a fierce onslaught from the opposition, substitute Aoki displayed attacking strength that showed no sign of a layoff. Every player gave everything, finding the extra step and little bit more that had previously been lacking, and Tokyo secured a 2-1 victory.

“How to shine as a team with the 20 of us here by demonstrating the power we have for victory”
Before the match, Coach Motoyoshi posed this question, and the players answered it through their play on the pitch as “players of Tokyo.” Moreover, they did so not only for themselves but also for their teammates who couldn’t take the field and those who stayed behind in Tokyo. The substitute players, regardless of their grade, did what they could for their teammates on the pitch by bringing water and jelly, changing chilled towels, and encouraging them with their voices.

After this round, the league provisional ranking is 6th place. The point difference with Omiya Ardija Youth, who are provisionally in 3rd place and within the Premier League promotion playoff zone, is 4 points.
"We will not give up"
With the strong determination shown today, we want to fight together as a team for the remaining 6 matches.

Thank you very much to everyone who came all the way to Yamanashi today, and also for the warm cheers for the players from Tokyo and other places.
We kindly ask for your continued warm support for FC Tokyo U-18.