Continuing from the previous section, a battle to aim for consecutive victories away

Weekday Wednesday 2nd Stage Sec. 3 held. Away game against Avispa Fukuoka. In the previous match against Kofu, Morishige scored a goal from a corner kick and the team held on to this one goal to secure a victory. The result was a reflection of the team's determination to win from every player, including the J1 debutant Muroya. This match will also be an away game, but the team will aim for 3 points by sticking to their winning mentality.

Tokyo will face the next match without changing the members from the previous match against Kofu. In addition to utilizing the speed of Muriqui and Nathan BURNS in the attack, Muroya also wants to create opportunities from the side and score goals.

Fukuoka, on the other hand, has 11 points so far and is ranked 18th in the annual standings. They have been winless in the last 8 matches since the 1st stage. In the previous match against Yokohama FM, MF Danilo was substituted due to injury and they suffered a 3-0 defeat. However, they have unique players such as FW Kanamori and MF Jogo in the front line, and it is necessary to be cautious as they also have FW Wellington on the bench, forming a formidable attacking lineup.
　
In the match on April 29th of the 1st stage, Tokyo ended up with no goals and was defeated by Fukuoka's counterattack. Although it is a stadium that does not have a good compatibility, we definitely want to grasp victory in this match.

Due to the rain until the morning, the Level Five Stadium was very humid. The match started at 19:04 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Both teams come close to scoring towards the end, but the score remains 0-0 at halftime.

8 minutes: Tokyo, who took the initiative, earned a right corner kick. Kicker Satoru KAWANO kicked the ball towards the goal with his left foot, but the opposing defender cleared it with his head.
14 minutes: From a pass cut by Yonemoto, Hashimoto connects to the east and passes to Barnes in front of the area. However, the trap is too big and the opponent blocks the shooting lane.

27 minutes: Muriqui floats a through pass, and Kono runs into the right side of the area to trap it. He crosses it back from the goal line, but it is blocked by the opposing goalkeeper Kamiyama.
35 minutes: From a position about 25 meters from the goal, Hashimoto takes a left-footed shot. The sharp trajectory hits the crossbar, but it doesn't go in.
39 minutes: Muriqui volleys a cross from the deep position that was lifted by Muroya, who ran up the right side alone. However, GK Kamiyama parries it in front of him and it does not become a goal.

42 minutes: Nathan BURNS, who received a pass while carrying an opponent on his back, sharply turns to the left inside the area. He shoots with his left foot, but it goes wide to the right of the goal, earning a right corner kick.
43 minutes: Scene of right corner kick by Kicker Kawano. Morishige, who was free in front of the goal, headed the ball, but GK Kamiyama caught it in front. Unable to convert a great chance.

First half ended: Both teams created scenes that threatened the goal, but the score remained 0-0 as we head into the second half.

Conceded a goal in additional time and lost 1-2

Second half begins: Fukuoka replaces MF Mikado with MF Rui Sueyoshi.
50 minutes: A pass from Kawano on the right side finds Hashimoto, who evades the opponent inside the area and takes a shot! It goes past GK Kamiyama and it's the opening goal. 1-0.

60 minutes: Fukuoka's right side Nakamura crosses the ball, and Jogo in front of the goal heads it. The shot finds the top left corner of the goal, equalizing the score for Fukuoka 1-1.
64 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Nakajima for Higashi.
64 minutes: Fukuoka substitutes FW Hirai with FW Wellington.
64 minutes: Nathan BURNS dribbles through two defenders on the left side. He creates a chance with a cross, but it doesn't connect with his teammate and the ball goes to the opponent.
65 minutes: Cross from the right side by Kawano to Nakajima on the far side. Nakajima heads the ball but fails to hit the target. Hashimoto picks up the loose ball, but his shot also misses the target.
67 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Nathan BURNS with Hirayama Shun.

78 minutes: Tokyo earned a free kick from a position approximately 20 meters in front of the goal. Kicker Maruyama's shot passed over the goal.
79 minutes: Muriqui receives a precise pass from Kono in the center, and then passes it intricately to Hirayama. Hirayama, who received the pass just outside the penalty area, aims for the left side of the goal with a direct shot, but goalkeeper Kamiyama makes a save.
81 minutes: Fukuoka substitutes MF Jogo with FW Sakata.
84 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Muriqui with Maeda.
90 minutes + 2: From the left side of Fukuoka's area, FW Wellington crosses. DF Hamada in front of the goal is headed and allows a comeback goal... 1-2.
Defeated 1-2 after conceding a comeback goal in the closing minutes of the match.

[Player Comments]
《Mori Shige》
"We had to win, we had to score, and we had to prevent goals... That's what it comes down to."
When reviewing the footage, there are various details such as the long periods of time when our feet are stationary, or not being able to win the ball, and we need to pay attention to those aspects. However, more importantly, it is crucial to determine whether we can make decisions on points that influence the outcome, and whether we can prevent them. I believe everyone needs to be more sensitive to those points and flows.
"We clearly tried to make a move towards the end of the second half, and if we look back at our recent matches, we have been conceding goals when our performance drops towards the end. So, I think we should aim to exploit that weakness... It's difficult to make sudden changes, but I believe we need to address that issue."

"Muroya"
"There were some moments where we could have decided the game, but in the end we had to defend and there were some areas where we were lacking both offensively and defensively. We have another game coming up soon, so we don't have much time, but we need to discuss as a team and focus on the next game. We want to prepare well and aim for 3 points."
Q=About how the game went after taking the lead.
"I think the worst thing about today's game was being caught up in a tie, and this season we have had many games like that, so I think we need to seriously think about the reasons for that."

[Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference]
"I was determined to bring back 3 points today because we lost at home, but I am extremely disappointed. I feel truly sorry for the fans and supporters for making them feel frustrated."
Q=Regarding the game development before and after Wellington's substitution.
"It is frustrating that we cannot say we were able to respond to member changes in the end because we are evaluated based on results."

[Fukuoka, Masami IHARA Coach Press Conference Summary]
"Today, despite it being a weekday night game and the bad weather, many supporters gave us their power. Achieving our first comeback win of the season was truly thanks to the fans and supporters. In the really humid conditions, the players kept running for 90 minutes, and I believe the fans' power led to the final comeback. Against Tokyo, we changed the lineup a bit and also altered the system. In attack, we started players with forward momentum. We were able to enter the game with a certain strategy and I think the defense was very resilient. In the second half, we conceded a goal due to a careless mistake. We really need to reflect on that and make sure to apply the lessons in future games. The spirit of everyone putting their bodies on the line and surrounding the opponent to prevent danger was present throughout the 90 minutes, and holding them to just one goal led to the final comeback. Bringing in Wellington created another attacking option, and we were able to use Wellington as a focal point, so it was truly a game where everyone's spirit showed until the end. However, we are still at the bottom of the table. From now on, we have no choice but to earn points even if just a little, and next we have a game against G Osaka after only three days, so we want to prepare well physically and do our best to earn points."