Break through the opponent's solid defense with persistent play and secure a victory away from home!

　In Sec. 19 of the league, we face Cerezo Osaka away. In the previous match against Kashima, although the first half was a tough battle, we made adjustments in the second half and earned a valuable point with a goal from Konno. While the issue of conceding from set pieces remains, our stamina did not drop throughout the 90 minutes, and based on the confidence and momentum gained against the top-ranked Kashima, we want to secure 3 points today.On the other hand, C Osaka currently ranks 5th. During the break, MF Shinji KAGAWA transferred to Germany, but since July, they have recorded 4 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in 7 matches. Although they narrowly lost 2-3 to Shimizu in Sec. 15, they have maintained good form. Their total goals scored so far is 28. They boast the fewest goals conceded in the league with 17, and have kept clean sheets in the last 3 matches. Their strong defense is a feature, but with attacking players like FW Ienaga, Adriano, and MF Inui, they have a high ball possession rate. MF Amara will be suspended this match, but even if C Osaka controls the ball, the key will be how well we can stay focused, defend, and launch counterattacks.Tokyo has Gonda and Kajiyama back in the starting lineup after recovering their condition. Meanwhile, Hanyu misses the match again due to a left foot injury, and Tokunaga takes the left midfield position, with a two-forward formation of Oguro and Ricardinho. In attack, we want to break down from the sides, exploiting the space behind C Osaka’s high-positioned fullbacks. If Ricardinho and Ishikawa can exploit the space, Oguro’s sharp runs should be effective. We want to break down C Osaka’s defense, described by coach Shirofuku as “strong both in front and in one-on-one situations,” and score the opening goal.Tokunaga expressed his determination: “By moving one line forward, I want to be more involved in building up play and contributing to scoring. If our attack becomes predictable, we won’t be able to break down C Osaka’s defenders. Their defenders, starting with Moni (Shigeno), mark tightly, so we want to use space. When we win the ball, we want to actively aim for counterattacks.”Like in the previous match where we gained rhythm through substitutions and formation changes, the team will unite and fight without giving up until the end to challenge C Osaka! The match kicked off at 19:05 at Kincho Stadium with C Osaka starting.

They were forced to make substitutions and faced a difficult situation, allowing the opponent to take the lead and ending the first half.

　In the 4th minute of the opening, Tokyo lost the ball on the left side, and C Osaka FW Ienaga attempted a breakthrough and delivered a cross. This pinpoint cross reached FW Adriano at the far post, who headed it in, conceding an early goal. It was a goal that should not have been given, but Tokyo calmly launched an attack. At 10 and 17 minutes, Ishikawa created chances with sharp crosses but could not get a shot off. At 12 minutes, Daikoku broke behind the opposing DF on a forward pass, but his shot was blocked by the GK, resulting only in a corner kick. At 20 minutes, Ishikawa advanced with a dribble and unleashed a powerful driven long-range shot on target. The opposing GK spilled it but quickly caught it. At 21 minutes, Ricardinho cut through the opposing DF from the left side and moved inside to shoot, but it went off target. Conversely, when C Osaka regained possession, their forward attackers took fluid positions and sharply threatened Tokyo’s goal. Tokyo struggled with this and, before the 30th minute, adjusted by moving Konno to defensive midfield and Morishige to center back. However, at 37 minutes, Morishige received his second caution of the match and was sent off. Forced to play with 10 men from then on, Konno dropped back to center back, with Tokunaga and Kajiyama in defensive midfield. The formation was Daikoku as the lone forward, with Ishikawa and Ricardinho on the sides. Despite a tough situation, Tokyo gained momentum toward the end of the first half. At 44 minutes, Kajiyama switched play to the left, Tokunaga passed to Ishikawa who laid the ball off, and Matsushita attempted a long-range shot from outside the box. The shot grazed the opposing DF and hit the crossbar... Immediately after, Ricardinho tried to break through the center, Ishikawa recovered the loose ball from the DF and aimed a long-range shot, but it went off target. Ultimately, the first half ended with Tokyo trailing.

Despite Ōtake's determined goal, the team suffered multiple setbacks and was defeated.

　Entering the second half, once again at the 50th minute mark, we cleared a cross from C Osaka, but they regained possession. From there, substitute FW Komatsu challenged in the right area, and after Gonda's clearance rebound, C Osaka's right SB Takahashi pounced, resulting in the second goal conceded... Trying to change the momentum, at the 56th minute we replaced Daikoku and Ricardinho with Hirayama and Otake. However, being at a numerical disadvantage, we struggled to create chances. At the 66th minute, we brought in Shigematsu, with the defensive line arranged as Nakamura on the right, Konno in the center, and Kim Young-gun. Tokunaga covered the left side, Kajiyama and Otake played as defensive midfielders, Matsushita on the right MF, and Hirayama and Shigematsu up front, attempting to break through. Especially from the right side, Nakamura and Matsushita delivered several crosses into the box, but they were repelled mainly by the opposing goalkeeper. Conversely, at the 80th minute, C Osaka launched a counterattack, and substitute FW Kuroki scored a powerful long-range shot. Still not giving up, at the 86th minute, from Kim Young-gun's forward run, Otake executed a one-two pass and attempted a central breakthrough; Hirayama connected with the loose ball, and Otake entered the area again. Calmly evading the opposing defenders, he scored to make a dent. However, immediately after, at the 87th minute, C Osaka MF Ishigami's long-range shot from the side slipped past Gonda's hands... Unable to overcome the numerical disadvantage, we were attacked by C Osaka throughout the match. Although Otake's determined goal marked the late stage, we conceded four goals and suffered a defeat. 【Player Comments】《Otake》"(Looking back at the goal scene) Kim Young-gun was pushing forward, so I used a one-two pass to move up. Sota skillfully passed the loose ball from the chaotic situation, and I calmly evaded the defenders. Although we were at a disadvantage, C Osaka wasn't tracking our second line's runs, so I wanted to get the ball forward somehow and score in a dangerous area. It was tough today, especially after going down to 10 men, but if we could hold on and score one goal while it was still 0-2, I thought there was still a chance. I think conceding the third goal was painful." 《Daikoku》"We conceded early, but I had a chance right after. The ball hit the opposing goalkeeper's head, but if I had scored then, the game might have changed. If it had been one-on-one, there might not have been a sending off, so not scoring in such moments is my own point of reflection. The team didn't have many chances, but even with few, scoring is the striker's job. I want to work hard to make that happen. (Although we dropped to 14th place) Maybe what the team is trying to do isn't quite clicking. We need to prepare for the opponent's tactics, but it's also important to calmly organize our own football and unify our intentions once again." 【Coach Jofuku's Press Conference Summary】"It's very disappointing. I'm sorry we couldn't celebrate with the supporters and fans who came to the away game. (Mori Shige was sent off; what impact did that have on the team?) I think the players themselves understand well how difficult it is to be one player down from the first half in this weather." 【C Osaka Levir CULPI Coach's Press Conference Summary】"Good evening. I think it was truly a good game. Especially scoring the first goal at Kincho Stadium, and also the goal that sealed today's match was by Cerezo. I feel we can really call this a lucky stadium for us. The supporters are very close, so the players can give more than their usual strength. To keep having supporters come, this victory was really important. I think today's game clearly showed that having these supporters come to Kincho Stadium is a big weapon for Cerezo."