Fight for 3 points!

　J1 League Sec. 12 will face JEF United Chiba away. In the previous match against Omiya, they were caught up in the last minute and only managed to get 1 point, but even if they were scored first, they turned the game around with Ishikawa and Yusuke Kondo's goals, and Lucas' additional goal. Although there is regret that they were brought to a draw due to the lack of finishing in the end, it was clearly different from the game where they had lost 6 consecutive games. After the Omiya match, coach Hara said, "I want to make this 1 point lead to the next one," and the way they play in this match can be said to be important in determining the long league season ahead. Whether they can continue with the "momentum" they have regained as confidence, or whether they will return to the difficult situation of losing consecutive games, it is something to watch out for.

　Chiba is currently in 11th place with 3 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses, with a goal difference of 20 goals scored and 18 goals conceded. As can be seen from these numbers, their characteristic style of play is to take risks and attack with speed, often using multiple players. In particular, midfielders Abe and Sato are known for making long runs and getting into the opponent's goal area. New foreign player FW Haas may not be flashy, but he is skilled at involving his teammates and has become a key player in Chiba's attack. In the previous match, they had a scoreless draw against Urawa, and in this season's Nabisco Cup, they have also achieved their first clean sheet, showing stability in their defense.

　Tokyo, on the other hand, has a similar lineup to the previous match with Miura and Kanazawa returning from injury. Despite playing in an unfamiliar position, Imano was the key player in the attack last match and will start on the left side. On the right, Kaji will join the team despite not being fully recovered from his left ankle injury. In the midfield, Asari will play as the lone defensive midfielder, with Ishikawa and Toda in top form on the left and right sides respectively. Up top, Yusuke Kondo, who scored his first goal since September 2003 in the previous match, will look to score for the second consecutive match. Lucas and Danilo, who are capable of making decisive plays, will be on the bench and their potential impact in crucial moments is something to look forward to.

　Chiba is an opponent that has been drawing for the past two seasons, and they have been undefeated at the Ichihara Seaside Stadium since April 2003 in the league, and they are extremely strong at home. However, the league will be suspended until July after this Sec. 12. Even for the upcoming Nabisco Cup match against Chiba, we want to grab as many points as possible and end on a good note. Under the chilly cloudy sky, the match started at 7:04pm in Tokyo.

Fighting For The Points 

F.C. TOKYO traveled to Ichihara to take on Jef United Chiba in the 12th game of the season. Although TOKYO had surrendered a 3-1 lead in the previous fixture to tie 3-3 against Ardija, the performance had certainly not been one of a team mired in a six-game losing streak. After that game, TOKYO manager Hara had commented, "We want to carry over this performance and the point we earned into the next match"; whether the team had regained their confidence or would slip back into losing ways was the key question going into the match.
Jef Utd. lay in 11th place in the league with a W3 D5 L3 record. In 11 games, the side had scored 20 and conceded 18, a clear indication of the team's commitment to attacking in numbers. In particular, midfielders Abe and Sato covered enormous ground, regularly lending their weight to the attack. Recent import Haas was the attacking lynchpin, skilled at bringing other players into the game. In the previous game, Jef had battled the Reds to a scoreless draw, their first clean sheet of the campaign.
With Kanazawa and Miura still injured, TOKYO named the same starting lineup as in the previous game. Konno appeared again at left back, despite not being completely recovered from his ankle injury; Kaji started at right back and Asari filled in as the sole defensive midfielder. The in-form Ishikawa began on the right wing, Toda on the left, and Yusuke Kondo, fresh from scoring his first league goal since September 2003, appeared as the lone striker. Lucas and Danilo bided their time on the bench.
This fixture had ended in a draw in the two previous seasons, and Jef had not lost at Ichihara Stadium since April 2003, an impressive record. Following the 12th round of matches, the J.League took a break until July. By coincidence, the two teams would meet again in the Nabisco Cup at Ajinomoto Stadium the following Saturday. TOKYO were keen to dispel the cloud hanging over the team and put in a good performance. Jef kicked off shortly after 7pm on an unseasonably chilly evening.

Trailing by two points in the first half

　Before the match, Manager Hara instructed the team to "press from a high position without fear and launch quick attacks." In order to take control of the midfield, both teams fiercely competed for the ball and quickly switched between offense and defense. In the 2nd minute, Inomata took a quick restart from the left side and Miyazawa picked up the loose ball from the opponent's DF and took the first shot. In the 9th minute, Chiba's MF Hayashi cut into the center from the left side and took a shot, but Doi made a save. Immediately after, Tokyo's Toda broke through the left side on a fast break and took a shot from a difficult angle under pressure from the opponent's DF, but the GK deflected it and no one was able to follow up.

　After 10 minutes, both teams gradually began to settle down, but the shooting opportunities were on Tokyo's side. In the 14th minute, Tokyo's right side Kaji → Ishikawa combination crossed the ball, and Inakano took a good shot at the loose ball, but the goalkeeper saved it. In the 15th minute, Miyazawa put in a liner ball from the left corner kick, and Kurizawa took a shot from outside the area after a one-touch, but it went over the crossbar. Just when everyone thought "we can do this", they allowed a goal from the opponent's one chance.

　17 minutes, MF Hayashi cuts in from the left side and crosses it low, causing a scramble in the box and FW Haas scores, giving Tokyo the lead. However, right after that, Tokyo also has a big chance. In the 21st minute, Toda passes to Kurizawa on the left side, who crosses it into the box where FW Yusuke Kondo is left free on the right. He tries to score with a direct shot, but it goes wide to the right and they are unable to score. Despite continuing to attack from both sides, they are unable to break through the opponent's defense in the middle. In the midst of this, they give up an additional goal on a counterattack. In the 29th minute, a fast early cross from FW Haas finds FW Maki making a run and he scores with a pinpoint finish.

　Tokyo fought back after allowing a 2-point lead and falling into a difficult situation. In the 35th minute, Yusuke Kondo broke through the left side and Yusuke Kondo's shot was deflected by the opposing DF, resulting in a right corner kick. From that corner kick, Jean headed the ball but it missed to the left of the goal. Despite creating chances through corner kicks and free kicks, Tokyo was unable to score and ended the first half trailing by 2 points.

TOKYO Concede Early Goals 

Manager Hara instructed his team to play without fear, press high up the field and attack at speed. The game began with both sides battling furiously for midfield supremacy, winning the ball and then losing it again. Miyazawa registered the first shot in the 2nd minute, latching onto a loose ball following a quick restart. In the 9th minute, Jef midfielder Hanyu cut inside from the left and shot; Doi held his effort cleanly then fed Toda on the left. Toda raced for goal and managed to shoot from a tight angle despite severe pressure from a defender; Kushino parried his shot away but the onrushing TOKYO players were unable to connect with the loose ball.
The feverish pace slackened after the first ten minutes and it was TOKYO who created the more opportunities. In the 14th minute, Kaji and Ishikawa combined down the right to set up Konno. Konno struck his shot well but Kushino produced a good save to prevent the opening goal. In the 15th minute, Miyazawa rolled a corner to Kurisawa, lurking outside the area; Kurisawa took one touch but fired his shot over the bar. TOKYO were looking lively but then disaster struck.
Hanyu surged down the left in the 17th minute and delivered a low cross that caused havoc in the TOKYO defence. Haas stabbed the ball home to give his side the lead. Unfazed, TOKYO fashioned the best chance of the game in the 21st minute. Toda found Kurisawa on the left and the latter's cross reached Kondo, unmarked inside the penalty area on the right. Kondo struck first time but sent his shot wide of the right post. TOKYO continued to find space along the flanks but some solid defending saw the resulting crosses repeatedly repelled. Jef extended their lead from a rapid counter attack in the 29th minute; Haas raced down the left and curled in an early cross that Maki dispatched with aplomb.
TOKYO maintained the pressure and won a corner in the 35th minute after Kondo's tenacity set up Miyazawa. A deflection took his shot past the post and Jean made firm contact with the corner, only to direct his header wide. The visitors threatened from corners and set plays but failed to trouble the Jef goalkeeper and the first half ended 0-2.

Despite Lucas' goal narrowing the gap to one point, it was already too late.

　At halftime, Manager Hara urged the players, "We can't end like this," and sent them out for the second half. However, in the first 5 minutes, they were unable to create any real chances and were instead pushed back by Chiba. In particular, MF Abe took 3 shots, including free kicks, but Tsuchi was able to save them all and prevent any additional points.

　To change the flow, Toda was replaced by Lucas in the 51st minute, forming a two-top with Yusuke Kondo. In the 53rd minute, the left side was broken by Kurizawa and Yusuke Kondo, and a cross was made. In the 56th minute, Miyazawa put in a left corner kick, which was cleared once but then crossed again with Lucas involved, but no shot was made. In the 59th minute, a cleared ball from the left corner kick was picked up, and a cross was made by Akaji, Kurizawa, and Konno on the right side, but Lucas touched it in front of the goal and Yusuke Kondo took a direct shot, but it didn't fit. Immediately after, Danilo was substituted for Miyazawa, trying to add an accent to the attack with the combination of Lucas in the center, but they couldn't create a rhythm easily.

　Still in the 64th minute, Kurihara forcefully breaks through the left side and shoots with a return from Ishikawa, but it goes out for a corner kick. Jean's header from the left corner kick also goes over the bar. In the 66th minute, Kurihara, Shigeta, and Lucas connect on a counter attack, but Danilo is unable to shoot. Chiba seizes the chance from the counter attack and creates a decisive opportunity, but Doi, Shigeta, and Jean hold their ground on the center line and do not allow an additional point.

　In the 70th minute, the third substitution card was used, replacing the tired Yusuke KONDO with Kobayashi, with Lucas and Ishikawa as the two top players, and a super attacking formation with Kobayashi, Danilo, and Kurisawa from the right. However, a vicious cycle of miscommunication, missed passes, and easy loss of the ball in the front line continued, and in the 89th minute, they finally scored a goal. Danilo forcefully broke through from the left to the center, and Lucas, who picked up the loose ball, aimed and shot, piercing the goal and closing the gap to one point. Jean also moved up to the front line, and Tokyo, who attacked without regard for anything else, had Ishikawa, who had been persistent on the right side in stoppage time, send a cross and Kurisawa, who had run into the center, headed it in, but it was right in front of the GK and all hope was lost, resulting in a 1-2 defeat.

　【Player Comments】《Kurisawa》"I had chances but couldn't score. And then we got into a bad flow. We couldn't score in the first half and conceded, and it became an atmosphere of 'here we go again...'. We can't let that happen, but in the end everything ended up being half-hearted. The last header shot, I tried to hit it with all my might but it was weak. We, including myself, need to improve our finishing and play accuracy in order to win. We have to produce results and gain confidence."《Lucas》"It's disappointing that we couldn't have a good game. We had chances but couldn't score, and then we conceded a goal from that flow. (The substitution) was to increase the number of players in the front line. Even after I came on, we were able to create chances... The goal came from a good ball from Danilo. But it's not a happy goal because it didn't lead to a win. The team is currently in the toughest situation, but we want to work harder and get into a better state."《Kaji》"We entered the game with the mindset of not letting the opponent outrun us and not giving them any chances to work. But we couldn't score during our good flow, and then we conceded from a momentary mistake, and it became chaotic. We were too bland, even in our attacks, and ended up having our crosses cleared. Our positioning was bad for connecting to second and third attacks. We need to be in positions where we can be pressed. If we can play a little more calmly throughout the game, it would be good. I think the fact that we're on a losing streak is also a reason... If we can hold on firmly, I don't think our performance is bad."

　[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "I knew that Jeff would come out strong from the start. To counter that, I instructed the players to not only play the ball at their feet but also into space. In fact, there were a few chances for us, like when Toda advanced and took a shot. However, while we were dealing with the opponent's left side, we allowed them to get inside and conceded a goal from a loose ball, which made us a bit unstable afterward. Especially when Jeff's two forwards, Haas and Maki, got involved, our marking became weak. When they held the ball, players from the second line would break through. We were slow to respond there. Even though Jean followed Haas when he pulled back, we allowed a cross without closing down until the end. Maki's header was excellent, but after conceding two goals, we became timid. At halftime, we discussed that we absolutely had to make up the two-goal deficit and to not be afraid. When we attacked, Kaji was always open, so we aimed to move the ball faster while utilizing that. I substituted Lucas for Toda to leverage his ball retention and created a two-top with Yusuke KONDO to establish a focal point inside. I think that allowed us to find our pace. I thought it was inevitable to suffer from Jeff's counterattacks, so while having two forwards, I brought Kurizawa in on the left and aimed to push forward from the back as well. If we had scored during that time... Yusuke KONDO missed a chance from Konno's cross, even though the goalkeeper came out. If we had scored early in the second half, it might have changed the game. In the midst of not scoring, we hurriedly kicked the ball forward when we could have connected better, leading to counterattacks against us. At that point, I brought in Danilo and had him play close to Lucas to create an accent and open up a breakthrough. However, we struggled to get chances to shoot. Lucas scored close to stoppage time, so if we had scored a bit earlier, I think we would have had a chance to equalize. Perhaps due to the recent increase in goals conceded, Jean and Shigeno's center-back partnership has become a bit unstable. If we can play without fear against Maki and Haas like we did in the second half, they are certainly not two players we cannot handle. Regardless of being away, many supporters came to cheer for us. To respond to their support, we needed to score earlier, and we really wanted to equalize in the end. Right now, our balance is a bit off. While there are aspects where we are kicking to gain momentum, it is also necessary to connect when we can. We are kicking too much at times. We need to correct that. However, there are signs of improvement, as seen in the second half against Omiya and today. I want to let Konno play in his original position, and since Lucas is not in condition to play 90 minutes, I want to quickly recover the injured players during this break and make adjustments."

　[Summary of Chiba/Osim Press Conference] "This game is over and I think it was good. What I mean is that FC Tokyo is a very good team and dangerous. We are satisfied with this ranking, but it wouldn't be strange if we were higher. It's because we got realistic results against such a team. They will also come up higher from now on, but I think it's tough right now. In that sense, we held up well physically. Regarding the FC Tokyo match, I thought that was very important. I think we were able to control the opponent throughout the game, but we ended up conceding a goal in the end, so there are still problems for us. If we had continued the game for another 2-3 minutes, we might have conceded another goal. The supporters may have a different opinion, but that's the reality."

Lucas Pulls One Back But...

Manager Hara sent his players out for the second half with orders not to let the game finish as it was; it was Jef who took the initiative however and pressured TOKYO from the restart. Midfielder Abe fired in three efforts that TOKYO keeper Doi somehow repelled.
TOKYO sent on Lucas in place of Toda in the 51st minute to change the flow of the game. Lucas lined up alongside Kondo and TOKYO immediately looked dangerous. Kondo broke free down the left in the 53rd minute and crossed while, in the 56th minute, Miyazawa had two bites of the cherry from a corner but his crosses came to naught. In the 59th minute a rapid break from a Jef corner led to Konno firing a low cross into the heart of the penalty area; Lucas made a faint contact and the ball squirmed just beyond Kondo. TOKYO then sent on Danilo for Miyazawa but he was unable to create a rhythm in tandem with Lucas.
In the 64th minute Kurisawa burst powerfully down the left, fed Ishikawa and received the ball back. Kushino tipped his well struck drive around the post for a corner. Jean again outjumped the home defence but headed over the bar. Jef were content to absorb the pressure and hit TOKYO on the break but Jean, Moniwa and Doi performed heroically in defence.
TOKYO played their final card in the 70th minute, replacing the tiring Kondo with Kobayashi and switching to an ultra-offensive formation of Lucas and Ishikawa as forwards with Kobayashi, Danilo and Kurisawa behind them. Some poor passing and loose play reduced the efficacy of this system and it wasn't until the 89th minute that TOKYO finally had the ball in the net. Danilo burst aggressively through the middle until blocked off the ball and Lucas swept the loose ball past Kushino to reduce the arrears to a single goal. Jean moved forward as TOKYO threw everything at Jef. In injury time Kurisawa connected with Ishikawa's cross but could only direct his header at Kushino. That was the last action of the game as the whistle blew on a 2-1 defeat.


Players' comments
Kurisawa:
"We had our chances but didn't take them. We were on top early but then conceded and we thought, "Oh no, not again". We did everything by half measures today. At the end I had a chance but my header was weak. Including myself, if we can't improve our finishing and general quality of play we aren't going to win. The only way to increase our confidence is to get a result".

Lucas
"It's very disappointing that we didn't play a good game today. We had chances but failed to take them and our opponents scored. I came on to bolster the forward line and made some openings but...I have Danilo to thank for my goal but I can't really be happy with it as we didn't win the game. We have to fight harder to break out of this situation".

Kaji
"We felt we couldn't afford to lose on workrate or allow them to play. We were on top early but couldn't score, then a mistake led to them scoring and we lost it a little. Our attack was too simplistic and ended with crosses being cleared over and over again. We need to improve our positioning to regain possession in those situations. We need to be in the right place to pressure our opponents and need to be a little calmer when we have the ball. I don't think we played badly today but there's a reason we've been losing so many games recently. We have to be more resilient".


F.C. TOKYO manager Hara
"We knew Jef would come at us and instructed the players to try to use the space, rather than just playing the ball to feet. We had some good chances early on but didn't take them and then failed to deal with a cross and they scored in the goal mouth melee. We lost our composure a little after that, with our marking loose when the ball was played in to Haas and Maki's feet. When they could hold the ball up it allowed support from midfield to get forward. We were a little slow dealing with that. For the second goal even though Jean went with Haas he couldn't prevent him from getting the cross in. Maki's header was excellent but we lost our spirit there. In the second half we had two goals to pull back and I told the players not to be afraid. When we were on the attack Kaji was often free and we should have used him more to move the ball around. We sent Lucas on to make use of his ability to hold the ball up and to serve as a focus of the attack with Kondo. We had a purple patch then and if only we could have scored things might have been different. Kondo missed a great chance from Konno's cross. We were playing the ball forward too early instead of patiently waiting for an opening. We sent on Danilo to play closer to Lucas and provide another option in attack. We didn't shoot when we had the chance though. Lucas scored in the last minute and that didn't really leave us with very much time. We've conceded a few goals recently and I think that has made Jean and Moniwa a little insecure. They played well against Haas and Maki in the second half. Even though we were away a lot of fans came to support us today. We really wanted to respond with the equalising goal. Our balance wasn't good today. Sometimes we hit the long ball when we needed to retain possession longer and that's something we have to put right. However, considering the performance in the Ardija game and the second half today, we are slowly moving in the right direction. We hope to have all the injured players recovered during the break and make a new start in July".

Jef United Chiba manager Osim
"I'm glad the game's over; that was a tough match today. TOKYO are a dangerous team who should surely be higher up the league than they are at the moment. For a team in their position the result was the way things often go. I'm sure they'll move up the table but things are difficult for them at the moment. We knew we had to be physically strong today; you always have to be when you play F.C.TOKYO. Maybe the fans won't agree but if the game had gone on for a few more minutes they probably would have scored again".