Nabisco Cup kicks off! Challenging Nagoya as a "total showdown" of 4 matches

　The Nabisco Cup for this season has kicked off. On March 31, we will face Nagoya Grampus in the first match of the qualifying league. Coach Jofuku stated, "Ultimately, the total assessment of the four matches this season will be in the next game. Winning the championship last season and gaining that successful experience is a significant plus, but at this stage, we have not considered ourselves the defending champions, and we will extract the issues that have arisen so far and work towards solving them in the next term. That accumulation will not change, even if it is a different tournament from the league." He aims to give his best at this stage and strives for upward growth, making this match a part of that process. We will be facing this match just two days after the previous league match against Omiya, but Coach Jofuku explained, "We will consider players with injuries, but the schedule is irrelevant; we will field the best possible team." Hanyu, who was injured in the Omiya match, is not in serious condition. Suzuki has also returned to start. On the other hand, Nagatomo suffered a strong blow to his back in the Omiya match and will be absent due to a rebound. Morishige will also start on the bench considering his foot condition. Therefore, Kim Yong-gun will take the left-back position, and Hiramatsu will serve as a center-back in the starting lineup. In contrast, Nagoya has made significant new additions this season, including DF Tulio, Chiyohanda, MF Kanazaki, and Danilson, all of whom are prominent players. They already have a high level of individual ability and are actively reinforcing their team-building strategy, including foreign player slots. The league's Sec. 4 will be held in April due to the impact of Hiroshima's participation in the ACL, and there was no match last weekend, but today they have changed their lineup, with GK Nishimura, DF Chiyohanda, Abe, MF Danilson, Burzanovic, Nakamura, and FW Maginun starting. However, with a 4-3-3 formation, side FW Kanazaki and Maginun are aggressively attacking, and the offense centered around the tall FW Kennedy is dynamic. Coach Jofuku also heightened his caution, saying, "If it turns into an aerial battle, it will be Nagoya's pace," emphasizing the importance of how to move the ball as a 'ground battle' and transport it to the front line. Against Nagoya's DF, which boasts height and strength, how to draw the opponent out and exploit the space will be the key to victory. This match aims for a victory in the first game of the tournament at the home Japan National Stadium. Despite the cloudy sky, the weather does not feel as cold as in recent days, and the match started at exactly 19:00 with Nagoya's kickoff.

Despite the early momentum of Nagoya, they create chances but...

　From the start, we were pushed back by Nagoya's aggressive attack and struggled to create our own time. In the 7th minute, Nagoya's long feed from the back found FW Maginun, who skillfully trapped the ball and broke through behind the DF, winning a corner kick. This right corner was headed back by FW Kennedy at the far post, and although Tokyo's DF cleared it once, the ball fell to Nagoya MF Kanazaki, who took a shot. In the 15th minute, from Nagoya's restart, left back Abe's cross was met by DF Chiyohanda, and MF Danielson, who picked up the loose ball, took a decisive shot. However, both went off target. Thanks to their missed shots, we managed to withstand Nagoya's attacks, and conversely, Tokyo created chances in quick succession through fast passing. In the 20th minute, Hirayama passed to Ishikawa on the right flank, who immediately sent a pass to Hanyu in the right area. Hanyu turned and shot with his left foot, hitting the far post... In the 23rd minute, Hirayama took a mid-range shot from just outside the area, but it went off target. In the 27th minute, Tokunaga quickly connected with Hanyu, who ran to the right side and crossed to Ishikawa. Ishikawa's cross went over the opposing DF, and Nakamura at the far post made a diving header! It created a decisive opportunity, but was thwarted by the GK's save. Next, Hirayama advanced deep into the left area. He crossed back in front of the goal, and a free Ishikawa took a left-footed volley but missed a big chance. Unable to capitalize on our chances, in the 30th minute, Hanyu lost the ball in midfield, and Nagoya FW Maginun sent a 'one-touch' ball behind Tokyo's DF. FW Kennedy broke through there and scored with a looping shot... As Tokyo pushed forward, we allowed the first goal by being caught out of position. After that, starting from the sides, Hanyu and Mukuara sent crosses trying to create chances, but they were rebuffed by Nagoya's DF and we couldn't get a shot off. We ended the first half trailing by one goal.

Shigematsu scores in two consecutive official matches! Brings about a dramatic draw in injury time

　In the second half, Morishige was brought in to replace Hanyu. Konno moved up to the defensive midfield position to launch a counterattack. However, in the 48th minute, following a corner kick from Nagoya, a scramble in front of the goal led to a foul by Hiramatsu in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick for Nagoya. However, the penalty taken by MF Burzanovic was saved by Gonda, avoiding the danger of conceding another goal. In the 55th minute, Shigematsu was brought in to replace Suzuki. Shigematsu chased fiercely, applying pressure from a high position to gain rhythm. Then, in the 68th minute, after exchanging passes with Konno, Tokunaga timed his pass to the right flank. Ishikawa made a run and delivered a low pass to Hirayama in front of the goal from a high position near the sideline. Hirayama skillfully connected and slotted the shot through the goalkeeper's legs, equalizing the score! Shortly after, Ohtake came on for Nakamura. They increased ball possession and aimed for a go-ahead goal. However, in the 74th minute, a free kick from Nagoya's left side was connected by DF Tulio and FW Tamada in front of the goal, and the ball spilled behind Tokyo's defense, allowing DF Chiyohanda to score... Although they were wary of the opponent's height, they allowed the go-ahead goal due to a lapse in marking during the set play. Nevertheless, in the latter stages, Tokyo controlled the ball, trying to create chances while passing. However, Nagoya's pressing was intense, and time passed without creating any decisive opportunities. There were also noticeable moments where they lost the ball during their attacks and faced counterattacks. Although they did not concede a third goal, as time approached the end, the feeling of defeat began to loom. However, they did not panic and no one gave up as they pushed towards the goal. Then, in the 90+2 minute of stoppage time, Shigematsu made a run into the penalty area after a one-two with Ohtake on the left side. Ignoring the pursuing DF, he struck with his right foot, and the sharp shot found the back of the net! Shigematsu, despite being a substitute, marked his second consecutive goal in official matches. His strong determination towards the goal paid off, earning a valuable point, and the Nabisco Cup campaign started with a draw this season. 【Player Comments】《Ohtake》"I felt strongly that I could have done more... (Regarding my appearance) The opponent pressed without falling back, so I tried to drop back a bit to receive the ball and create rhythm. However, I couldn't create situations to speed up, and I regret not being able to communicate 'let's do this, I want to do that' during the match. However, we talked immediately after the match, and I believe that if we enhance our coordination going forward, we can play a more fluid style of football. (Regarding the pass to Shigematsu) I thought Shigematsu would definitely speed up, so I lifted the ball a bit to avoid hitting the opponent's feet. I had also been telling him from the bench before the match, 'I'll pass, so please score.'" 《Shigematsu》"I thought that coming on as a forward meant I was expected to change the flow and score. I was focused, believing that chances would definitely come, and I needed to convert them. In the scoring scene, when I looked at the ball and the goal, I saw Ohtake, so I thought he would do something if I passed. The return came right where I was running, so I just had to connect. Nagoya's DF was strong, but I could have done more plays like easily passing it behind when I had my back to them. I also reflect that if I had calmly looked around, I could have made better decisions. However, I want to connect this valuable experience to future contributions to victories." 【Coach Jofuku's Press Conference Summary】"We aim to be a team with minimal goals conceded, just like in the league. In that context, this was a game with many points for reflection. We conceded two goals and had a penalty, and even considering Nagoya's strong attack and high individual skills, there are many areas in defense that need reflection. However, the second goal seemed to come from an opponent's handball, and it felt unfortunate to concede that goal. In the flow of the game, I was able to reflect on the mistakes made in the previous match against Omiya. Instead of rushing forward, we connected in midfield and managed to increase our speed as a team without getting impatient, which I believe was a positive outcome today. It is quite difficult to apply the reflections from the Omiya match in this situation. In a mental state where players tend to rush forward, being able to utilize the game from three days ago confirmed that the players are progressing step by step, and I view positively that we played the football we want to play in that situation and earned a point. (Regarding Hanyu's substitution) We had no choice but to go offensively to earn three points at home. I judged that Hanyu was not feeling well today and was not able to show his true ability. Therefore, I considered who to place in the defensive midfield position and moved Konno up as an offensive formation. While there are risks in taking Konno out of the center back position, it is part of our offensive options. Additionally, considering Morishige's knee condition, I made the decision based on medical advice that he could play for 45 minutes." 【Nagoya Coach Stoijkovic's Press Conference Summary】"It was an interesting game. There were a total of four goals from both teams, and I believe everyone who came to the stadium was very pleased. (Regarding the goal conceded in stoppage time) Of course, there is frustration in conceding a goal in that manner at the end. But that is also part of life. It is something that happened in the game of football. In last year's Nabisco Cup match, we lost to FC Tokyo 1-5, and we learned various things from that. I believe we played a game today that we could win, but the result did not follow. Still, I am proud that the players adhered to the tactics, maintained their positioning, and did what they needed to do well."