Important Match to Determine the Future

If Sapporo loses the direct confrontation against the current leader (Tokyo) at home, the point difference will be 11, and Sapporo will be in a considerably difficult situation in the league. Moreover, they have already suffered two consecutive defeats in the first half of the season against Tokyo, so they couldn't afford to lose on this day in order to avoid a losing streak against Tokyo this season. Sapporo fans are well aware of this situation, and approximately 17,000 Sapporo fans gathered to witness and passionately support their team in this "biggest challenge". They supported the team with a unique and noisy cheering (by hitting megaphones) even before the match.

On the other hand, Tokyo is currently leading the league, but the point difference with 2nd place Kawasaki Frontale is only "1". The direct confrontation with Kawasaki Frontale is scheduled for next week, and these two matches are very important games that will determine the future. First, we want to win the Sapporo match today and then face Kawasaki Frontale. If we lose, not only is there a possibility of falling to 2nd place, but it could also be an opportunity for Sapporo to make a comeback. Therefore, it was necessary to definitely win this match. Although not as many as Sapporo fans, more than 70 Tokyo fans who came all the way to support warmly and passionately in the "goal end" section, the fierce battle began.

Ouch! Goal conceded just before the end of the first half

When the game started, as expected, a fierce and speedy offense and defense unfolded. In the early stages, Tokyo was unable to create a midfield due to Sapporo's persistent and intense press, and occasionally the right side was opened up by the individual skills of MF Almir and Yukihiko, and DF Umayama in tight situations, but they couldn't create many chances. FW Amaral also struggled against intense man-marking that resembled fouls, and although vertical passes from the defense that bypassed the midfield were made, they were consistently cut off due to monotonous attacks.

On the other hand, Sapporo, who desperately wanted to win on this day, approached the match with an ultra-offensive formation of three forwards, as if laying out a "do-or-die" strategy. The centerpiece was, of course, forward Yoshihara. Recognized for his performance in the Olympic preliminary qualifiers, he was hastily selected for the Japan national team and also participated in the Copa America, becoming Japan's Cinderella boy. His outstanding speed and technique stood out among J2 players, and the attacks involving Almir, who controlled the midfield, and powerful forward Fukagawa were destructive, repeatedly threatening the Tokyo goal. Although Tokyo was somewhat pushed back, their solid defense line, centered around Sandro and bolstered by two defensive midfielders, managed to stay composed and did not crumble completely, avoiding any decisive crises. DF Komine's ability to match Yoshihara's speed and prevent him from executing his game plan was also significant. As time passed, Tokyo gradually adapted to Sapporo's speed and began to circulate passes around Almir in the midfield, creating chances as MF Wada broke through behind the flat and shallow opponent's defense. In the 36th minute, Almir received the ball in the center and delivered a superb through pass to Wada, who had slipped behind the opponent's defense. Wada skillfully handled the ball, creating a great one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, but unfortunately, he was thwarted by the keeper. As the 40th minute approached, Almir fiercely chased down an opponent's careless dribble in the midfield and cut the ball. Reacting quickly, Amaral took possession and faced the opponent's defender one-on-one, elegantly dribbling past him before powerfully striking the ball into the left corner of the goal with his right foot. After taking the lead, Tokyo seized the rhythm and pressed forward, but they could not secure an additional goal. Instead, during first-half stoppage time, Sapporo's tall defender Nazuka scored a powerful header from a right corner kick.

4 goals conceded this season, complete defeat...

Although Tokyo conceded a goal at the most critical time, they brought the good rhythm they had grasped midway through the first half into the second half and launched an aggressive attack. Almir's proactive runs behind the opposing defense, left-back Fujiyama's dribbling, and wall passes with Amaral broke down the defensive line, while Yuki and Umeyama created several decisive chances from the right. In contrast, Sapporo employed a strategy of long balls to Yoshihara and Seki from counterattacks, aiming for a single strike, but they were not allowed to create any decisive moments. After this, the match unfolded at Tokyo's pace, and additional points were expected, but conversely, in the 65th minute, Assis, who won the battle for the ball with Almir in midfield, unleashed a powerful bullet shot from about 30 meters in front of the central goal. The ball pierced the net despite the desperate save attempt by goalkeeper Suzuki, who had worked hard until then. Sapporo, now full of momentum, launched a fierce offensive. Tokyo, trying to equalize, substituted forward Enomoto for defensive midfielder Shinjo. However, in the 80th minute, while Tokyo was on the attack, their defense became lax, and Sapporo's Kawamura cut in from the right side and struck a powerful shot, hitting the bar and unfortunately bouncing off the back of goalkeeper Suzuki into the goal. Furthermore, as if to deliver the final blow, in stoppage time just before the end, Sapporo earned a free kick about 35 meters in front of the goal on the right side, and Assis unexpectedly took a direct shot with his left foot! The ball soared over Suzuki's head and dropped sharply, piercing the goal. Although it was too late, the goal conceded in stoppage time of the first half (the equalizer) was everything today. If only they had returned from the first half as it was... I will discard that thought and quickly switch my mindset to approach the next match (9/5) against Kawasaki Frontale in the best condition.

"Coach's Comment"

<Coach Okuma>

Sapporo came to win, and it was expected that they would have more opportunities in the first half by targeting the opponent's defense. However, not being able to score more than one goal in some of the chances in the first half was crucial. And conceding a goal at a crucial time was painful. That allowed Sapporo to recover. In the second half, when they changed to a two-top formation, the inability to catch their movements from left to right was the reason for the defeat. I want to quickly switch my mindset and face the next challenge.

<Coach Okada>

In the first half, we endured the pressure well. I want to praise the efforts of the defenders. In the second half, when it became 2-1, I finally felt the strong desire to win from the players. The players really did well. In the previous two matches against Tokyo, Sapporo lost despite dominating, but today Sapporo won despite being dominated. Soccer is a mysterious thing. Also, today's victory is thanks to the supporters. The Atsubetsu supporters are truly warm, and I think the power they give to the players is amazing.