League match restart! We want to grab a victory and build momentum

　J1 League Sec. 13 will be an away game against Avispa Fukuoka. After a break of about 2 months, including the FIFA World Cup, since Sec. 12 on May 6th, the league will resume. During the break, the team focused on improving their physical fitness at J-VILLAGE and had training sessions in Gotemba, where national team players Doi and Mobata joined. The goal of dominating the ball and breaking down the opponent remains the same, as they had practice matches against Shimizu and Kawasaki. However, defending against counterattacks from the opponent is a challenge, and how they can fix that will likely determine the outcome of the match.

　Fukuoka, on the other hand, couldn't ride the wave in the first half of the season, finishing in 16th place with 8 points. However, they welcomed new coach Ryoichi KAWAKATSU during the break, and the team's motivation is very high. In place of the departing forward Graucio, new signing forward Baron starts. The soccer style of starting from a solid defense and building up from the sides in a 4-4-2 system remains the same as before. In particular, the attacking contributions of right midfielder Kudo, left midfielder Koga, and fullbacks Nakamura and Alex are powerful. Additionally, center backs Chiyohanda and Kaneko have height and strength going forward, making it difficult for the opponents to create clear-cut chances.

　Tokyo, as a system, uses a 3-5-2 formation with Masushima, Jean, and Shigeno in the back, and Suzuki and Tokunaga on both sides. It is important to take control in the attacking and defending on the sides and push the opponent back. Additionally, Ishikawa returns to the starting lineup after about 10 months. He has his characteristic sharpness and speed without any concerns, and Coach Gallo wants to utilize his speed by playing him as a forward. If they can create opportunities in the front line through Baba's ball retention and Ishikawa's runs into the space behind the defense, it can be a threat even for the opponent's defenders.

　The Fukuoka match will be a very important battle in terms of predicting the future. Since this match will be included in a 4-game series with 2 games per week, we really want to win and gain momentum. The match started with Fukuoka's kickoff at 7:04pm, amidst a light rain.

Although they pushed the game forward, they were unable to create any decisive chances.

　Tokyo takes control of the game from the start. In the 4th minute, using a cross from Tokunaga on the right side after Baba's keep in the center, Lucas shoots after hitting the opponent's defender in front of the goal. However, the opponent's goalkeeper catches it. In the 6th minute, Suzuki on the left side passes to Lucas, then to Baba, and then to Ishikawa, creating a flowing passing sequence to attack, but they fail to reach the finish. In the 9th minute, from Moino's left free kick to Tokunaga on the right, it is passed to Baba who goes for the follow-up, but his shot from the right inside the area is caught by the opponent's goalkeeper.

　Fukuoka compactly positions between the FW and DF, thoroughly implementing a strategy of aiming for counters from intense pressing. In the 13th minute, the ball was stolen in the midfield and passed to MF Koga on the left side by right MF Kudo. Koga became free and entered a shooting position, but Jean cut it off with a sliding tackle and it resulted in a corner kick. It was a decisive moment. Tokyo also had a counter in the 15th minute, with Shigeno passing to Suzuki, who then combined with Baba for a one-two on the left side. Baba attempted to send a cross, but the opponent's DF intercepted it. However, Lucas received the loose ball from the left area and took a shot, only to be deflected by the opponent's GK.

　After 20 minutes, Fukuoka took the lead in the game. Starting with two CKs from MF Koga on the left and right, they seized the opportunity. In the 24th minute, MF Kudo sent a long ball to the goal front from the right FK, which FW Baron dropped while competing with Jean. MF Koga, who had run in, headed the ball but it didn't hit the target and Doi caught it. In the 30th minute, MF Koga ran alone on the right side from a counterattack. The final pass to the center was cut off by Shigeno, resulting in a CK. On the contrary, in the 32nd minute, Tokyo also broke through the right side from a quick attack, but the floating pass to Ishikawa in front of the goal was offside.

　The rain has been getting stronger since around the 35th minute. Tokyo has been connecting passes so far and the performance is not bad, but they are unable to grasp the rhythm of the attack. In the 37th minute, Kajiyama takes a daring shot from outside the box, but it goes straight to the opponent's goalkeeper. Suzuki and Tokunaga run up the sides and try to make the final pass, but Fukuoka defends well and they cannot completely break through. As a result, most of the shooting chances are from outside the box. Towards the end of the first half, Fukuoka attacks, but the defense holds strong and the score remains 0-0.

The battle in bad condition ends in a draw

　As the second half began, puddles started to form here and there, making the pitch conditions the worst. Dribbling and passing didn't go as planned, and neither team could create attacking opportunities. Tokyo made adjustments at halftime because they had allowed Fukuoka's attacks from the right side in the first half. As a result, Tokyo started to find a rhythm in their attacks. In the 49th minute, there was a pass exchange between Baba and Kajiyama, and the final pass was sent to Ishikawa who broke through the front line. However, it was unfortunately offside. In the 53rd minute, Kajiyama took a powerful shot from a right free kick, aiming for a goal, but it hit the opponent's defender and resulted in a left corner kick.

　In the 60th minute, Lucas dribbled through the center and took a middle shot. The fast ground ball headed towards the left corner of the goal, but the opponent's goalkeeper made a great save and it resulted in a left corner kick. From this corner kick, Ishikawa took a shot in the center but was blocked by the opponent's defender. In the 62nd minute, Baba exchanged passes with Lucas and took a shot in the center. Again, the opponent's defender made a strong tackle to cut it off.

　69 minutes, Tokyo moves. Rychely and Inoha are substituted for Ishikawa and Suzuki, who showed signs of fatigue. In the 70th minute, Inoha delivers a long feed to Baba in the front line from a counterattack. Although initially stopped by the opponent's defender, Rychely picks up the loose ball and breaks free, but it results in a corner kick. Fukuoka also gradually creates chances from set plays. In the 72nd, 73rd, and 76th minutes, MF Koga's sharp kicks are put into the goal area, but the defense remains focused and prevents a goal. In the 79th minute, Kurisawa is substituted for Baba in an attempt to regain momentum, and Lucas is moved to the forward position.

　83 minutes, Fukuoka DF missed control of Lucas' clear ball. Rychely picked it up and rushed towards the goal. However, he was blocked by the opponent DF's sliding tackle just before. Right corner kick. Kajiyama's liner-like ball was headed by Lucas, who jumped near the goal, but he couldn't find the target. In injury time, Jan cleared Koga's cross from the right side. However, the ball hit the crossbar, creating a tense moment, but ultimately both teams ended the match with no goals. The back and forth battle without letting their guard down until the end resulted in a scoreless draw.　

　【Player Comments】《Ishikawa》"It started to rain midway through, and I had to pay attention to the condition of the pitch and other factors. In the first 15-20 minutes, I was able to find my pace, but then the midfield started to stretch out, and I became unclear whether I should move forward or fall back. Since we couldn't connect our passes, I focused on keeping possession and tried to create chances with the third man movement. However, the distance between players was too far. I thought I would be patient and keep going, but I couldn't find my pace. It's disappointing that we ended in a draw, but personally, I think it was good to return and stand on the pitch. Today, there were supporters who came all the way to the away game, and I am grateful to those who supported me during my injury. I wanted to score and respond to their feelings, but... I think I was able to create a few chances with Yuta's hold-up play and by moving into space. The image isn't bad. I'll run and do my best to win next time." 《Baba》"It was my first appearance in a while, and my legs were fine, so my condition was good. But in this rainy situation, it didn't turn into soccer. Therefore, in the second half, even when I dribbled, the ball would stop, so I needed to switch my thinking to connect more passes. (Did you get substituted?) I was talking with Nao-san, saying, 'Given the situation, it can't be helped. Let's switch to the next one.' I think it's good that we didn't lose."

　[Summary of Coach Garo's Press Conference] "Both teams competed fiercely, and it was a tough match. Until about the 20th minute of the first half, it was Tokyo's pace, but after that, we couldn't keep up with the marking on our left side, and we were broken down and attacked. In the second half, we were able to correct our marking on the left side, but we couldn't play well in this rain. We need to adjust our positioning and marking, especially in defense, but I think we were able to have a game where both sides put in their feelings until the end. (What is your evaluation of Ishikawa, who came in as a FW?) He is getting better day by day, but since he had a long period away from games, I think there were things that didn't go well, including mentally. After all, games and practice are different. As a FW, you have to start off strong, and I had told him to do the defense properly as well. In that sense, I saw signs of fatigue, so I substituted him. However, he has been training well, and he should continue to improve going forward."

　[Fukuoka - Coach Kawakatsu's Press Conference Summary] "After the restart, I was appointed to score points and win at home. Although we couldn't score, it was good that we were able to do things like increasing the number of players in front of the goal and creating chances repeatedly, including from free kicks and corner kicks, which I have told the team many times. There are moments in soccer where you should be cautious and moments where you should be bold, but today we were a bit too cautious. It was disappointing that we couldn't score, especially since we were too careful in front of the goal and missed opportunities. I think we should have been bolder in the rain like today. Overall, we were able to attack forward. We only made one substitution, but we ran long distances without needing to substitute, and we were able to move forward. Around the 35th minute of the second half, the opponent's legs started to stop, so I brought in Iio to disrupt in front of the goal. Although the preparation period was short, I feel we have gained something after finishing the official match. However, since this is a world where results are demanded, I want to make the necessary corrections and approach the next challenges accordingly."