Sunny away game against Kawasaki Frontale at the Japan National Stadium

After the passing of the typhoon, the game will be held at the Japan National Stadium, and this round we will challenge Kawasaki Frontale in an away game. Frontale has been unable to maintain their momentum with two consecutive losses in the 2nd stage, but they achieved victory against Kashiwa in the Nabisco Cup on the 5th. They surely want to win here and turn things around in the J-League. They should also have a strong desire not to lose to Tokyo, who are also a J1 promotion team. Their strength and determination should never be underestimated. In addition, for the past month, they have been fighting not only against their opponents but also against the heat and continuous travel. They want to maintain their focus and secure victory without losing it.

The starting lineup includes MF Sakoi, who came on as a substitute for Asari (right foot injury) in the Nabisco Cup Kyoto match. On the other hand, Frontale had a completely different lineup from the previous match, including Brazilian FW Egidoro and MF Harada, who joined from the 2nd stage, as well as FW Ganaha, MF Oishi, and SB Nakatani.

A perfect combination creates Amaral's opening goal!　

Kickoff on a pitch where the temperature rises to 30 degrees. Both teams avoid applying pressure too high up the field and proceed cautiously, watching each other's moves. In the 11th minute, Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Oniki took a shot after a one-two with Isidoro. On the other hand, in the 13th minute, Tokyo passed to Kobayashi, who broke into space on the left side from Fujiyama. Kobayashi timed his cutback perfectly, but it just missed Fujiyama, who was overlapping. In the 14th minute, Kobayashi, running into the box, aimed a shot from a pass by TUTO. The ball deflected off a defender and spilled loose, which TUTO recovered, stubbornly carrying it to the goal line and passing to Amaral, who was closing in. However, the shot went off target. In the 16th minute, Kawasaki Frontale launched a quick attack. After Tokyo's defender cleared the ball, Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Otsuka took a mid-range shot. In the 20th minute, this time, after connecting passes between Amaral and Masuda, Sakoi took a mid-range shot. However, neither team managed to score. The deadlock continued as both sides defended solidly, pulling back carefully.

　At the 25th minute, Kobayashi, who had run up the left side, received a pass from Fujiyama and attacked the center, evading the opponent's defender. TUTO, who received the ball, sprinted towards the goal with speed, attracting the attention of the opponent's defender and making a last pass to Amaral. Amaral, who was free, unleashed a powerful shot and scored! The combination play from Fujiyama to Amaral was outstanding and resulted in the opening goal.

　Frontale then aggressively attacked with Ijidoru at the center, but Tokyo concentrated on defense and did not allow any decisive chances near the goal. In response, Frontale attempted a long-range shot with Harada in the 36th minute, but Doi made the save. Tokyo also responded with a precise mid-range shot from Sakai in the 38th minute. Despite Frontale taking control, Tokyo calmly and without rushing, "maintained balance" (Coach Okuma) and ended the first half.

Amaral's hat-trick leads to 3 consecutive wins! It's truly a home game!!

As the field gradually became covered in shadows, the match intensified. Kawasaki Frontale's Izidoro dribbled from the right side into the penalty area and took a shot in the 47th minute of the second half. At the 49th minute, Nakatani, who had moved behind Tokyo's defense, aimed for the goal. Tokyo responded in the 50th minute when Sakoi, attacking through the center, delivered a through pass that Amaral received just outside the penalty area before being fouled and earning a free kick. TUTO's free kick missed the goal, but this series of plays highlighted not only Amaral's breakthrough ability but also Sakoi's high attacking awareness. In the 54th minute, Tokyo quickly connected after Frontale cleared the ball, and TUTO took a shot. Frontale then recovered the loose ball and launched a counterattack. However, Tokyo's defenders blocked midfielder Oishi's attack in front of the goal, pushing the ball forward. Kobayashi chased well and, despite being marked, passed to Amaral who ran into the center. Amaral received the ball, turned his body, bypassed center back Okuno with a one-touch move, and faced the goalkeeper one-on-one to shoot! The ball brushed past goalkeeper Urakami's outstretched hand and went into the goal!! At the 55th minute, Tokyo quickly scored their second goal in a rapid exchange of counters.

"There is no way it wouldn't be exciting when the "player to take" scores. It became a dangerous score in the sense that if one goal was returned, the flow would change dramatically, with a score of 2-0. There is no fear of playing away. As Tokyo supporters sang "Our National Stadium," it was truly a home game from here.

Tokyo does not allow Kawasaki Frontale to create chances by taking advantage of the lack of tightness in their attacks. On the contrary, if there is space behind Frontale's raised line when they try to attack, it will be exactly what Tokyo wants. In the 64th minute, the goal kick went to TUTO who was on the right side. TUTO, who dribbled forward, accurately assessed the Frontale's defense line trying to retreat, and sent an early cross aiming for the gap between the goalkeeper and the defense line. The ball slightly deflected off the defender, changing its angle, but Amalao, who had positioned himself well and ran in, easily scored the goal! He crushed Frontale with a hat-trick from the ace.

The hero is Amaral. However, there are signs of a well-rounded team supporting him.

In the 71st minute, Yukihiko SATO was substituted for Masuda, who showed signs of fatigue, and Kina was substituted for Kobayashi in the 77th minute. Koike approached the game with a formation that placed him in the right MF position. And with only 5 minutes remaining, Horiike finally replaced GK Dohi! Everyone should be delighted by the comeback of this player who has supported the team since the JFL era. Horiike stood on the pitch enveloped in the loud cheers of the Tokyo supporters. The stands echoed with alternating "Dohi" and "Horiike" chants. It truly created the atmosphere of a home game. Showing such confidence in his tactics, the match ended with a 3-0 victory. Frontale achieved a resounding win.

In today's match, earning 3 points was a significant achievement, but there were also many other highlights, such as the emergence of a new talent named 迫井 (Sako) and the comeback of 堀池 (Horiike). Tokyo also showcased new challenges, including the positional competition between 小林 (Kobayashi), 増田 (Masuda), and 由紀彦 (Yukihiko), each with their own unique qualities in the midfield, and the corresponding style of play. This match can be considered a game where we gained more than just a victory.

[Coach Okuma's Comment]

Today, everyone maintained their concentration and balance until the end in this heat, and did well. It was also tough in terms of schedule, but there was no decrease in physical activity. This day was also a significant match for Sakoi, who was playing in the second game, and he has improved.

("In response to the question of why Masamitsu Kobayashi has been able to play very well recently")

Masamitsu KOBAYASHI has become more consistent this season, not losing to anyone. I think that has led to his confidence.

(In response to the question "How did you use Horiike?")

The goalkeeper rarely gets a chance (to play as a substitute player) unless they suffer a serious injury. I wanted to give Horii the experience of playing on the J1 stage so that he can be prepared for when his turn comes, such as when Dohi gets injured. Today, we happened to have a three-point lead, so I let him play.

("Regarding the question of whether Sakai was a defender during his student days, he is currently being used as a midfielder.")

I thought Sakoi could be used as a defensive midfielder from the moment he joined. He is a very exciting player and I have high expectations for him.