Switch your mindset and let's go to the league match!

　For the final qualifying match of the Germany World Cup, the league match in Sec. 3 will be an away game against Vissel Kobe, the first since March 12th. Currently, Tokyo is in first place with 4 points and a goal difference, but there are 6 teams, including Kobe, tied with 4 points in a tight race. Manager Hara also stated, "Looking at the fact that no team has won both matches, it seems that the strength of each team is not that different this season." Therefore, it is important to focus on each game and earn as many points as possible to maintain our position at the top.

　Kobe has not been fortunate in the two games of the Nabisco Cup, with both losses and wins. However, the attacking trio of "King Kazu" FW Atsuhiro MIURA, FW Lins, and top MF Yabuta have been in good form. In particular, Lins has been running around the front line to create chances, while MIURA has been consistently scoring in the center. In addition, MF Holvi, who plays as a defensive midfielder, has been the starting point for attacks in the midfield with his short and long passes. On the left side, there is also Japan national team's MF Atsuhiro MIURA, so it is necessary to pay close attention to the opponent's attacks.

　On the other hand, Tokyo's Tsuchi and Kaji, who are also members of the Japan national team, started the game as expected. In particular, there were concerns about Kaji's condition, but he himself stated that there were no problems. Additionally, Lucas, who was in danger of missing the game after twisting his ankle during practice the day before, also appeared in good spirits. The same starting lineup as the opening game was announced, and the team prepared for the match. The game started at 4:04pm under a dim, cloudy sky in Tokyo.

Refreshed TOKYO Return To League Play 

Following an extended break for World Cup qualifiers the J.League recommenced with F.C.TOKYO facing Vissel in Kobe. TOKYO entered the game top of the table on goal difference with Vissel one of five other teams with four points from two games. TOKYO manager Hara commented, "No side has a perfect record and that shows how evenly matched the league is this year". The old football cliche of 'taking every game as it comes' was never more applicable.
Vissel had lost both recent Nabisco Cup games but the forward line of veteran "King Kazu" Miura, Bando and attacking midfielder Yabuta were in good form. In particular, Bando's tireless running had been creating opportunities that Miura finished in expert style. Coupled with the passing ability of Horvy in midfield and Japan winger Atsuhiro Miura's experience on the left, Vissel had enough offensive capability to threaten any defence.
Doi and Kaji returned from National Team duty and straight into the starting eleven. "No problem", was Kaji's response to concerns over his condition. Lucas had recovered from a twisted ankle sustained in training and TOKYO fielded the same line up that began the opening game of the season. Vissel kicked off shortly after 4:04pm on a cloudy, grey afternoon.

Miyazawa scores a brilliant direct free kick, and Imakano adds to the lead.

　Intense battle for the ball in the midfield since the start of the game, with both teams vying for control through pressing the ball and picking up loose balls from long passes rather than connecting passes. In the midst of this, Tokyo seizes a sudden opportunity.

　8 minutes, Kanazawa steals a loose ball near the halfway line in the middle of the game, passes it to Miyazawa, who then sends a through pass to Toda, who runs behind the opponent's defense and charges towards the goal with a dribble. However, Kobe MF Park stops him from behind with a foul, earning a free kick from a slightly distant position from the penalty area. Miyazawa takes the kick with a fast trajectory and scores a fine goal in the upper left corner, taking an early lead.

　After that, Julian, especially from the left and right sides, launches a quick attack. In the 12th minute, Kurisawa passed to Julian on the right side and crossed to the center, and in the 14th minute, Julian dribbled to the goal and did not let up on the attack with a through pass to Toda. Then, they scored another goal from a set piece. In the 15th minute, Kurisawa took a corner kick from the right and the opposing defender's clearance fell to Kurisawa's feet again. This time, he sent a low and fast liner ball, and Imakano, who was free in front of the goal, scored a perfect header to give them a 2-0 lead.

　Kobe was able to keep the ball calmly after 20 minutes and started to counterattack as a whole. In the 22nd minute, Park on the right side of their own field put a through pass to Miura, who then passed it to Hato in front of the goal. In the 24th minute, Miura, who had escaped behind the DF from a counterattack, took a shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it was saved by Doi. Tokyo also tried to counterattack against their aggressive opponents, with Miyazawa sending multiple middle passes to Toda, who timed his runs behind the DF well, but they were unable to reach the goal due to mistakes in trapping. In the 33rd minute, Doi's dribble shot, which was the most decisive scene of the first half for Kobe, was also saved by Doi's fine save, and the first half ended with a score of 2-0.

Miyazawa Opens The Scoring; Konno Doubles For TOKYO 

The game began as a furious midfield battle for the upper hand with both sides resorting to the long ball when in possession. TOKYO created the first clear chance in the 8th minute as Kanazawa won the ball in midfield and slipped it to Miyazawa who played it behind the Vissel defense for Toda to chase. Toda bore down on the home goal before Park clattered him from behind, giving away a free kick in a dangerous position. Miyazawa took aim and curled a glorious strike past Kakegawa to give TOKYO the lead.
Ishikawa threatened along the flanks for the visitors; in the 12th minute he skated down the right before crossing and two minutes later burst down the left before cutting inside and laying the ball off to Toda. TOKYO extended their lead in the 15th minute, again from a set play. Kurisawa took a corner on the right and saw the ball cleared back to him by the Vissel defense. He looked up and picked out Konno with a low cross that the TOKYO midfielder met perfectly, giving Kakegawa no chance with a powerful header.
It took Vissel until midway through the half to recover their composure and begin to play the ball around. Park combined with Miura to set up Bando in the 22nd minute and in the 24th minute Kazuyoshi Miura evaded the TOKYO defense and shot from just inside the area but Doi held his effort comfortably. As Vissel increased the pressure Miyazawa made several attempts to play in Toda with well-timed balls over the home defense but Toda's touch deserted him and he failed to carry the ball into shooting positions. In the 33rd minute Kobe produced their best chance of the half as Bando slipped through the TOKYO defense and shot; Doi produced a superb save to deny the home side and the first period finished with the visitors ahead 2-0.

Kobe's fierce comeback is thwarted by one goal

　At halftime, following Coach Hara's instructions to "not lower the defensive line and attack from the start of the second half," the team launches an attack. In the 47th minute, Miyazawa puts a ball into the far side from a right corner kick, and Toda takes a shot in the center after Inoue heads it back, but it is called a foul. In the 50th minute, Miyazawa sends a ball towards the goal from a free kick on the right side, and Inoue heads it in, but it hits the opposing defender and unfortunately goes out for a corner kick. And from that corner kick, they create a chance. Ishikawa receives a clearance ball on the left side and dribbles it all the way to the goal line, then crosses it to the center where Lucas and Toda are waiting, but they are unable to score an additional point by just a little bit.

　Kobe Univ is moving. In the 55th minute, they replaced DF Muroi with FW Wada, forming a 4-back and 3-top formation. They quickly started using long balls and attacking from both sides. When they couldn't break through Tokyo's DF line, they made consecutive substitutions of MF Park for DF Niwa and FW Miura for MF Saeki, increasing the number of players in the midfield and completely dominating loose balls, launching wave-like attacks.

　Tokyo also tried to change the situation of being behind by substituting Ishikawa, who showed signs of fatigue, with Miyazawa and Kajiyama, and Asari. They also used their last substitution card to bring in Toda -> Fujiyama, and moved Kanazawa to Toda's position, but they were able to hold on until the end. In the 89th minute, Wataru Hato, who ran into the goal, scored the first goal of the season with a header from a cross from DF Hojel. However, until the end, everyone, centered around Shigenobu and Jean, worked together to defend and hold on, and they were able to secure a valuable 3 points away from home.

　[Player Comments]《Miyazawa》"(For the FK) I thought it would be a waste if I aimed too much and missed the target, so I tried to read the goalkeeper's movement and find the right course. In the first half, there were several good developments, and I think we were able to execute the fast attack that is the concept of our team. Not only was Toda open, but he was also making runs into the goal area from a quick start, so I was thinking of not just switching sides but also trying to put a through pass there. Our timings were good. (Regarding the situation where Toda was fouled) If I had been able to pass the ball a little earlier, he would have scored."《Toda》"I have really wanted to score for a long time, but if I hadn't been fouled there (in the situation leading to the first goal) and had been free, I might not have been able to score... (laughs). However, I want to continue breaking into the goal area in that way. If I do, I think Ishikawa's breakthroughs and dribbles will be even more effective."《Konno》"In the scoring situation, (after a CK, the opponent cleared the ball) I repositioned, so there was no mark on me. I was lucky that a strong defensive player wasn't following me. In the second half, Kobe changed their system, and we struggled to respond to that. I got tired from defending. In the second half, there was a heading chance from Miyazawa's FK, but I was too careful and couldn't score. I wish I could have scored the third goal there."

　[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "We lost to Kashiwa in the Nabisco Cup and couldn't score despite overwhelming pressure at home against Oita. Since such matches have continued, I told the players to approach today's league match with the mindset that the league starts now. Kobe also had a good start to the league. The three players up front, FW Bando and Miura, and MF Yabuta, were in good form, creating rhythm from there. To utilize our strengths, we wanted to push Todai and Ishikawa to break through the sides and create more intensity in front of the goal. Miyazawa's free kick scored at a good time, which came from a decisive scene where Miyazawa passed to Todai. I thought the opponent who committed the foul might get sent off, but it was good that they didn't, as we tend to lose our rhythm when the opponent has fewer players (laughs). After that, Konno scored from a corner kick rebound, making it a very good first half. We knew that Kobe, who was trailing, would bring in FW Watada in the second half, and that both full-backs would attack aggressively. In that context, there were chances to score a third goal, such as when Ishikawa made moves from the left and right. It would have been the best shape if we could have scored one more goal. However, improving our away performance has always been a challenge. In the end, it got a bit chaotic, but I think it was good that we all held on and managed to earn three points. Kaji was mentally tough if we hadn't won against Bahrain in the national team, but we won, and his expression when he returned was good, so I started him. Rather, it seemed like Dohi was the one who looked more tired, but he had last year's experience, so he entered the match cautiously. A valuable three points earned by everyone. I want to carry today's victory into the next match."

　【Kobe Coach Matsunaga's Press Conference Summary】 "In the third match with the Nabisco Cup in between the J-League matches, we changed our game plan today because we did not get results in the two Nabisco matches. The start of the first half was not bad, but that free kick scene was unfortunate for us. The goal conceded from the corner kick was also a result of a lack of focus. We fell behind by two goals in the first half, similar to past experiences, but after scoring one goal, it could have been a game where we caught up in the end. However, when we are put on the back foot, it tends to lead to this kind of outcome. Instead of being timid about conceding goals, we need to play aggressively and reduce the burden on our defense by attacking. If we don't do that, we will inevitably end up conceding goals. Of course, defensive stability is important, but we may need to increase our attacking power to maintain balance. However, the fact that we scored one goal at the end is proof that the players fought for 90 minutes without giving up. Even though it was the same loss, I feel it was a battle that can lead to the next step."

Vissel Pull One Back 

At halftime, TOKYO manager Hara told his team, "Don't defend too deeply. Get stuck in straight from the kick off." TOKYO followed his directions and pressured Vissel into conceding a corner barely two minutes into the half. Miyazawa curled the ball to the far post where Konno headed it back into the danger area for Toda to shoot. Unfortunately, a foul was given. In the 50th minute, Miyazawa pumped a long free kick into the box; Konno outjumped the home defense and made contact, but the ball took a deflection off a defender that sent it the wrong side of the post. Ishikawa picked up the clearance from the subsequent corner, drove to the byline, and centered. Neither Toda nor Lucas could find the touch that would have put the ball over the line and killed the game off.
Vissel responded by replacing defender Muroi with forward Watada and switching to a 4-3-3 formation, then playing early balls out of defense towards the frontrunners. The tactic failed to worry the solid TOKYO backline, and Vissel tried again; this time defender Niwa replaced Park and midfielder Saeki replaced forward Miura in an attempt to flood the midfield. This proved more successful, and TOKYO found themselves on the back foot as the home side dominated possession.
Kajiyama and Asari replaced the visibly tiring Ishikawa and Miyazawa as TOKYO sought to turn the tide. Manager Hara played his final card by replacing Toda with defender Fujiyama and pushing Kanazawa forward into Toda's position. The realignment kept Vissel at bay until the 89th minute when Watada headed an early cross from Roger back across goal and Bando crept in to nod the ball past Doi. It was the first league goal conceded this year. With Jean and Moniwa in imperious form, the TOKYO defense navigated the final few minutes to earn three points from a valuable away victory.


Players' comments:
Miyazawa
"It would have been a waste if I hadn't hit the target so I watched the goalkeeper's movement closely before I hit the ball. We created many good moves in the first half and really lived up to our concept of attacking football. It wasn't just that Toda was free but his sharp runs into the area allowed me to pick him out and instead of just changing sides I tried to play balls through the defence line. Our timing was good today. As for the foul on Toda that lead to the first goal, if I'd played the ball slightly further in front of him he would surely have scored".

Toda
"I've been desperate to score recently and if I hadn't been fouled I would probably have missed (laughs). I just want to create more opportunities like that one. With Ishikawa's dribbling and penetration we can really slice defenses open".

Konno
"I changed my position following the corner and nobody was marking me. I was lucky a tall defender wasn't there. In the second half Vissel changed their system and it was difficult for us to respond. The defensive work exhausted me. I had a chance to score the third with a header from Miyazawa's free kick but I tried too hard and couldn't get it over the line. If I'd scored it would have made a big difference to the rest of the game".


F.C.TOKYO manager Hara
"Well, in the Nabisco Cup we lost to Reysol and then drew at home to Oita after dominating the game. Following two games like that I told the players to approach the game today as if it were the start of the league season. Vissel's forward line of Miura, Bando and Yabuta are in good form and that's where their rhythm comes from. Our attacking force comes through Toda and Ishikawa down the flanks and we needed a little more presence in front of goal. We had a great start with the free kick and it was Miyazawa's through ball that led to that chance. I thought the foul might even have been a red card but since we usually play badly against ten men I'm glad it wasn't ( laughs ). Konno grabbed the second from a corner and it was a very good first half for us. Watada came on for Vissel in the second half and they pushed their side backs forward more, which we had expected. Ishikawa worked hard on both sides and we had chances for a third goal which would have been perfect. Improving our away record has been a constant theme. We were flapping a little at the end but the entire team worked very hard for the win and I'm very pleased. I thought Kaji might have had some psychological stress following the Bahrain game but he seemed fine and I put him straight back into the team. Doi might actually have been more tired but I used my discretion considering his experience last year and selected him. The entire team earned the points today. We hope to carry this form over into the next game".

Vissel manager Matsunaga
"We failed to get a result in the two Nabisco Cup matches so we altered our game plan for today. We didn't play badly in the first half; that free kick was unlucky. The second goal showed what happens if you lose concentration at a corner. So we were two goals down in the first half like many times before and if we could have pulled one back then we could have taken something from the game. Why so many of our games follow the same pattern I don't know; we don't start playing until we're behind. Defence and balance are important but we have to increase our attacking power. The late goal we scored was proof and the team didn't give up and I'd like to take that never say die spirit into the next game".