match Match Schedule & Results

[Reserves]
GK: 1, Kohei Yamaguchi
DF: 13, Taku Watanabe
MF: 32, Masataka Kobayashi, 34, Aito Shinada
FW:

○Match Report
[Continuing the Build-Up and Inheriting the History]

The keyword was 'quality.' In the pre-match meeting, Coach Sato strongly demanded the final 'quality' from the players in both offense and defense.
A match where a win would secure qualification for the national tournament on their own. Under strong sunlight and occasional strong winds, the game started with FC Tokyo's kickoff.

From the very start of the match, both teams engaged in an open game, pressing close to the goal.
The first chance went to Tokyo; immediately after kickoff, the ball was passed to Okuma, who had opened up on the left side, and he delivered a low cross into the penalty area, but Sato could not connect.
In the following 5 minutes, the ball was passed from Abe in the center to Uchida waiting on the right side, who then broke through by dribbling. He crossed the ball in front of the goal but was unable to score.
Furthermore, after Yanagi, Okuma, and Sato were involved with the ball, Sato took a shot at the end, but it went wide to the left of the goal.
Yokohama patiently connected passes while looking for opportunities. In response, Tokyo's defense firmly handled the situation and did not allow any goals.
At the 15th minute, Sato broke behind the opposing DF from Okazaki's long pass, but he could not score due to the desperate defense of the opposing DF.
From the corner kick earned there, Yanagi made a decisive header shot, but the Yokohama DF who came in to cover the goal cleared it.
After the match, Coach Sato said it was a play that "felt the spirit of Yokohama FC," as Yokohama defended their goal with passionate play.
Although Tokyo created chances, they struggled to score first, but the match shifted at the 29th minute.
On the left side, Ikiji persistently broke through with a dribble, and when the ball spilled in front of the goal, Abe, who "focused on the result," firmly followed up to score the opening goal.
Having taken the lead, Tokyo gradually began to control the match.
From around the 35th minute, the overall pressing position became higher, and the reaction to second balls also became quicker.
In the late first half at the 41st minute, after a passing sequence between Ikiji, Uchida, and Yanagi, Abe took a shot from Yanagi’s floated pass, but it missed the target.
In defense, at the 37th minute, when the opponent nearly broke through the center, Watanabe calmly covered and responded.
Leading 1-0 at halftime.

At halftime, Coach Sato spoke to the players, saying, "Tighten up once again as you enter the game. First, focus on not conceding goals, and within that, aim for quality in the final moments."

In the second half, immediately after the start, Okuma took a powerful first shot, but it went straight to the GK.
It seemed they had gained momentum, but Yokohama pressed toward Tokyo’s goal at the 46th and 48th minutes, and at the 53rd minute, they conceded a goal from a cross delivered from the right side.
At the 56th minute, Uchida, who said, "In the first half, our defensive awareness was strong, but in the second half, we were able to push forward," used his favored dribbling on the right side and connected to Koyama, who was free in the center of the goal, but the opposing defender blocked it with his body.
Furthermore, at the 64th minute, Watanabe had a chance in front of the goal following a corner kick but was unable to finish.
Tokyo continuously created chances on the left side with Ikiji.
At the 70th minute, Sato took a shot from Ikiji. At the 73rd minute, Ikiji broke through alone and sent the ball in front of the goal, but it did not result in a goal.
Both teams engaged in fierce battles for the ball, aiming for the go-ahead goal.
Then, Okazaki, who had repeatedly initiated attacks through interceptions in this match, got involved in the scoring.
In the 81st minute, Okazaki sprinted up the left side and delivered a perfect cross to Okuma in the center of the goal, who headed the ball into the net.
Having succeeded in taking the lead, Tokyo brought on Hanya, Nishimoto, and Kobayashi (Miki) to further intensify the pressing from the front.
In the 82nd minute, Suzuki advanced deep down the left side and delivered a grounded cross in front of the goal, but the goalkeeper caught it.
Maintaining their energy until the very end, Tokyo secured a 2-1 victory.

As a result of this outcome, we have secured participation in the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) national tournament.

[Player & Staff Post-Match Comments]
Coach Sato
"It was an important match with the national tournament qualification at stake. Yokohama FC played with great spirit, and being able to win was very significant. Winning such a closely contested game is important. If we had produced results during our periods of control, the match might have unfolded differently. The next match against Yokohama F.Marinos will be an all-out battle. We want to prepare well over the week and face it."

Player Abe
"Since winning means advancing to the national tournament, we were focused on the result. I’m glad I was able to score as well. It was good that we communicated and endured during the long periods of patience. I think that helped us gain momentum. There will be more matches in the heat ahead, but we want to win firmly."

Player Kiji
"In the previous match, I was the only FW starter who couldn't score, so today I wanted to be involved in scoring. I was very focused on the goal in the first half, so I was happy to be involved in the first goal. After conceding, it was good that we were able to regain our momentum and secure the win. Next, I want to win firmly again and carry this good momentum into the placement tournament and the national competition. I also want to play in matches and score goals myself."

Player Uchida
"In the first half, my defensive awareness was strong. Even so, when I received the ball, I intended to challenge with dribbling, and there were moments when it went well. In the second half, I struggled a bit to get shots off, and a decline in stamina and activity was an issue. In the next match, I want to contribute to the team's victory with my strong dribbling."

Thank you very much for your warm support to the players today.
Continuing, we kindly ask for your passionate support for FC Tokyo U-18.