The match results are evenly split!?

This season's head-to-head record is 1 win and 1 loss, and furthermore, last year (as Tokyo Gas FC) was also 1 win and 1 loss, showing that Yamagata has always played an evenly matched battle with Tokyo. In the 1st round, they suffered a humiliating extra-time victory goal shutout loss (0-1) at home (4/11, Nishigaoka), but in the 2nd round, they won away (5/23, Yamagata Prefecture) (2-1), resulting in a balanced head-to-head record with a goal difference of ±0. From these numbers, a close battle is expected in today's match. For Tokyo, who suffered a shutout loss to Niigata in their home game two weeks ago (8/1), they definitely want to avoid a consecutive home loss in Edogawa. They are currently in the midst of a battle with the top-ranked Kawasaki Frontale, so this is a must-win match.

Another evenly matched development!

Just like the Niigata match on 8/1, the game started in scorching heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Tokyo, like in the previous match against Oita on 8/7, placed the attacking midfielder Almir, who has good ball retention skills, in the center, along with the forward Amaral, to create a base in a high position. They developed attacks involving the speedy midfielder Kaburagi and Yukihiko. On the right side, they actively initiated combination plays between Umayama and Yukihiko, and Yukihiko dribbled deep into the enemy territory several times to create chances. In the 17th minute, Yukihiko shook off the opponent with a dribble at high speed and sent a perfect pass to Kaburagi in the center from a deep position near the goal line, but Kaburagi's shot hit the crossbar. In the 32nd minute, Amaral aimed for a powerful diving header from a cross by Yukihiko on the right side, but unfortunately, it hit the crossbar and did not result in a goal. The shallow defensive line of Yamagata created tight and tough situations, but once one player got past it, big chances arose. Furthermore, Amaral created decisive moments with individual shots, and Umayama from the right and Fujiyama from the left broke through the wall with bold passes.

On the other hand, Yamagata has been moving the ball around freely with MF Bautel, and creating attacks with players like Hirama who jumps out from underneath the FW or the second row, and Yoshida who drifts deep into the side. Tokyo's fullbacks often join the attack, so the strategy is to counter-attack by aggressively targeting the sides after winning the ball. In response to this, Tokyo's defensive line is only partially pushed up, leaving gaps between the MF and DF, and allowing the opponent to develop the game as they intended without being caught offside. However, Sandro and Komine, the double stoppers, showed outstanding strength in one-on-one situations and prevented the opponent from breaking through, thus not giving them any decisive opportunities. As a result, the first half ended as expected with a close match.

Decided! Rookie Itsuki ENOMOTO scores a crucial goal!

The game intensified in the second half. Yamagata tightly marked Amaral, who is the center of Tokyo's attack, and tried to overwhelm Tokyo with intense play overall. Yamagata, who started dominating the ball with everyone's committed play, also showed active participation in the attack from the full-backs, and Tokyo continued to be pushed back. However, despite repeatedly crossing from the sides, Tokyo, with goalkeeper Suzuki at the center, held up well and created opportunities for Kaburaki and Yukihiko to break through on the counter-attack, creating decisive chances. In the 75th minute, Wada, who replaced Kaburaki due to a decrease in his physical condition, dribbled past the left side and crossed. Amaral, who ran into the center while competing with the defense, took a shot but unfortunately it was saved by the goalkeeper. Tokyo, although having fewer attacking opportunities than Yamagata, definitely surpassed Yamagata in the number of decisive chances.

The game continued to go back and forth, and entered into extra time. Tokyo, who had a drop in stamina due to intense play in the second half, gained the upper hand with their endurance. Despite the drop in stamina, Yamagata, who had a shallow defensive line as usual, had loose positioning between the defenders and goalkeeper, and the goalkeeper started to come out halfway more often. In the 93rd minute, due to the goalkeeper coming out to compete for the ball that Amaral contested, Yukihiko attempted a looping shot. Unfortunately, it missed, but Tokyo's pressure continued. And in the 97th minute, Enomoto, who came on as a substitute for Almir, received a lofted pass from Fujiyama on the counter-attack, evaded the oncoming goalkeeper, and calmly scored a looping shot, mocking the returning defense, shaking the goal net. The rookie, who was registered in early June, made a dramatic winning goal in extra time in his second (J2) appearance, following the previous match against Oita.

[Manager Okuma's Comment] In the J2 league, which is entering the final stage, each team will fight desperately, so I think there will be many tough situations like today. However, I am satisfied with the result that we were able to achieve. Also, Enomoto, who calmly made the final decision, did well, and I think he is a talented player, so I want to continue giving him opportunities.

[Coach Ueki's Comment] We were able to play the game as intended. It's a shame that we lost, but I believe it will lead to the next game.