Overcome the difficulties of the previous match and advance to the 4th round!

　In the 83rd Emperor's Cup 3rd Round, which took place on December 14th, Tokyo had a tough match against their first opponent, JFL's Honda, and eventually won in a bitter experience through a penalty shootout, advancing to the 4th Round held on this day. The 3rd Round of the Emperor's Cup is a difficult hurdle for Tokyo, and any way of winning is a victory, bringing joy to their first victory in the Emperor's Cup after promotion to J1. And in the 4th Round, the opponent is Kobe. This season, Tokyo has had 2 wins in 2 matches against Kobe in the league, completely dispelling their past difficulties. If Tokyo can play the soccer they have been playing so far, they should be able to win.

　However, complacency is not allowed. Kobe Univ has a strong momentum as they won a decisive victory against J2 Yamagata with a score of 3-0 in the 3rd Round. Kazu (=Miura Kazuyoshi), who scored in that 3rd Round, is also in excellent form and is strengthening the team's unity around Captain Kazu amidst the team's troubles. It is impossible to underestimate Kobe Univ, who are burning with revenge against Tokyo, whom they have lost to twice this season.

　Tokyo placed Abe on the right due to Ishikawa's injury and formed a 3-top formation. Jean, who has recovered from his injury, replaced Shigeno as the center-back and formed a partnership with Fujiyama. Amaral started on the bench, just like in the 3rd round. Suzuki, who returned from the World Youth, and young players like Kajiyama from the U-18 Japan national team also sat on the bench as substitutes and faced the match with the team.

Allowing the opponent to score first by taking advantage of a momentary gap despite overwhelming attacks

　Before the match, it was reported that the bus tour coming this way was significantly delayed due to the snow near Nagoya. In order to win for those who will come here no matter how late, Manager Hara gave a rallying cry, saying, "Let's play with all our hearts and win." Tokyo, who faced the match with increased unity, dominated the game with intense pressing from the start, just as those words suggested.

　Early in the game, Kelly attempted a header goal from a cross from Kanazawa on the left, but Toda aggressively closed in on the ball, just falling short and caught by the goalkeeper. Kondo Yu, who has started in the last three league matches, also showed his presence by unleashing a powerful shot from a sharp turn in front of the goal in the 15th minute. Abe, who moved to the right, actively threatened the opponent with sharp dribbles when in possession of the ball. In the 33rd minute, Abe received the ball on the right side and unleashed a powerful shot from near the right corner of the penalty area, narrowly grazing the goalkeeper's hand and hitting the crossbar. Tokyo showed brilliance in their side attacks, built up from Kelly's hold-up play and the wide movements of Miyazawa and Miura, and came close to scoring against the Kobe goal.

　On the other hand, Kobe's two top players, Miura Kazu and Kojima, made big movements to become the focal point on the left, right, and center, but struggled as the support from the midfield was slow. There were also instances where they missed chances due to Tokyo's strict checks and passing mistakes. The intense defense from the final line, Jean and Fujiyama, also prevented Kobe from creating any real chances.

　In the 37th minute, as Tokyo overwhelmingly attacked, the midfield was dribbled past and the ball was spread to the right to Bismarck. The ball easily crossed into the center, and Miura Kazu headed the ball near the goal. The ball flowed to the far side, where Park ran in from behind and kicked it powerfully into the net. While Tokyo was leading the game, they were caught off guard in the midfield for a moment and conceded the first goal.

Despite allowing a 2-point lead, Abe's powerful shot raises the signal fire of counterattack

　In the first half, Tokyo allowed a 0-1 lead despite dominating the game with 6 shots compared to Kobe's 3 shots. In the beginning of the second half, Tokyo made a substitution, replacing Kondo Yu with Amaral, in an attempt to turn the game around. With the enthusiastic support from the fans behind the goal, Tokyo Eleven also stepped up their game. Players like Kaji and Kanazawa increased their attacking efforts from the side, repeatedly threatening Kobe's goal, but their crosses and shots lacked accuracy and failed to produce a decisive goal. Kobe's defense line remained strong, effectively marking Amaral and attempting to score on the counterattack.

　In the 64th minute, Kobe's counterattack ignited again. Kobe, who got the ball on the left side, quickly fed it behind Tokyo's shallow defensive line. Tokyo's center-back, caught off guard, hurriedly cleared the ball, but it became a mistake and the ball ended up in front of Kobe FW Koijima, who had run into the center. Koijima, who was free, calmly kicked the ball into the goal as it dropped. They suffered a devastating second goal.

　Tokyo, who was two goals behind in a difficult period, did not panic. Coach Hara had already substituted Suzuki for Toda in the 61st minute, and in the 66th minute, he substituted Kajiyama, an 18-year-old prodigy, for Miura. This was the last substitution in the game, and they made a gamble. And, it was a brilliant success.

　With 20 minutes remaining until the end, in the 71st minute, a precise pass was sent to Kelly, who had moved forward into the space on the right side of the front line from Kajiyama. Kelly then broke through vertically and pretended to cross the ball, passing it backwards with his heel. Kaji, who had moved up on the right side, ran in and delivered a sharp and low cross. Abe, who was positioned in the center, shook the net with a powerful diving header and scored a goal! The score was narrowed to one point difference.

　"Tokyo, which raised the signal fire of counterattack with a powerful shot that woke up Abe's eyes from a beautiful development that could be called 'This is attacking soccer', further increased its momentum. In the following 75 minutes, a free kick kicked by Miyazawa from the left side caused a melee in front of the Kobe goal, and in the end, Abe pushed it in for an equalizer! However, it was judged offside. Furthermore, in the 81st minute, when a free kick hit the Kobe DF and the ball flowed to the left side, Kanazawa stuck to it and crossed it, and Jean, who was up, aimed for the goal with a high-headed shot, but it missed above the bar."

Although they showed determination to catch up in the last minute, they lost in the penalty shootout.

　Tokyo, who overwhelmingly attacked but couldn't find the decisive blow, didn't have time to wait. As the time approached the end, the 90 minutes of game time ended and entered the 3 minutes of stoppage time. The drama happened there. The ball sent by Jean to the front line became a melee in the center of Kobe's penalty area, and the ball passed to Kelly. Kelly forcefully passed the ball forward without facing the goal, and as he kicked the ball with his heel, it became a through pass, and Abe, who broke free, slid and accurately slid the ball into the goal. Tokyo Eleven caught up with determination at the last minute. In contrast to the jubilant Tokyo Eleven, the Kobe Eleven dropped their shoulders in disappointment. The situation had changed completely in just a few seconds.

　The match immediately entered extra time after the whistle for the end of the second half. It was the second consecutive extra time for Tokyo, but it goes without saying that the momentum was clearly in Tokyo's favor. In the 93rd minute of the first half of extra time, a shot taken by Kajiyama from the center rolled in front of the free Amaral, but the hurried shot went wide to the left of the goal. In the 98th minute, a free kick taken by Miyazawa from the left was headed by Kelly, and the shot flew to the right corner of the goal, but was stopped by a fine save from the goalkeeper. In the 104th minute, the ball was passed from Kelly to Kajiyama to Amaral, and finally, Kanazawa, who ran in from the left, took a powerful shot, but it went over the goal. As the second half of extra time began, in the 108th minute, from a free kick, Jean headed the ball back to the center from the right side of the goal, and Abe dove in, but unfortunately it went just to the right of the goal. After that, in the 111th minute, Suzuki forcefully broke through the left side and crossed the ball back to the center, but it was cleared by the Kobe defense. Kobe's counterattack was also limited to one shot each from Okano and Bando, but in the end, the match was not decided in 120 minutes and went into a penalty shootout for the second consecutive time.

　In the 3rd Round, Tokyo was the second to kick, but this time they were the first. Just like in the 3rd Round, it was decided that Amaral would take the first kick. Amaral calmly scored, giving Tokyo the lead. However, Kobe's first kicker, Kojima, also scored perfectly. After that, Tokyo's second kicker, Kelly, scored, but Kobe's Shijikurei also scored, keeping the score level. Tokyo's third kicker was Abe, but he was stopped by the goalkeeper. In contrast, Kobe's third kicker, Tsuchiya, scored perfectly, allowing them to take a one-point lead. From there, Tokyo's fourth kicker, Kanazawa, and fifth kicker, Jean, scored consecutively, but Kobe's fourth kicker, Kitamoto, also scored, and finally, the fifth kicker, Sugawara, scored perfectly to end it. Tokyo showed determination by scoring two goals in the last 20 minutes, but they lacked the strength to score one more goal, which was the reason for their defeat. FC Tokyo's 2003 season comes to an end with this elimination from the Emperor's Cup. Thank you for your warm and passionate support throughout the year. We look forward to your continued support next season.

[Player Comments]《Abe》"It was my first start in a while, and the good tension led to two goals. I was happy to equalize with my goal at the last moment, but missing the penalty is what I regret the most. It was Amaral's last tournament, so I really wanted to win, and I'm disappointed that it ended this way." 《Miyazawa》"We were in a tough situation, trailing by two goals, but in the second half, we were able to play our usual soccer and catch up. Even though we had the advantage in extra time, it's regrettable that we couldn't finish it off. I wanted to play soccer with Amaral until New Year's Day, and it's disappointing that it can't happen." 《Amaral》"Today's loss is sad, and I am filled with regret. This is my last match in Tokyo, and leaving the team feels like leaving a second family, which is lonely. However, even if I'm gone, my fighting spirit will remain with this team. The current players, as well as those who will come in my place, will carry it on. The team is steadily improving, so I believe we can win a title next year. I want to sincerely thank all the fans who have supported us up to this point."

[Summary of the press conference by former coach] "The result of the penalty shootout was inevitable. The players did a good job catching up and performing well. Our performance was better and we dominated the opponent with a wide range of plays on the field we have been using for a year. However, we lamented the lack of finishing ability to score one more goal. The challenge is not being able to score at crucial moments. However, as a team, we feel that we have improved, finishing fourth in the league this year. Young players like Yusuke Kondo, Suzuki, and Kajiyama who performed well today are also growing and gaining strength. We wanted to reach the final and win the Emperor's Cup for Amaral, but it is regrettable that we couldn't achieve that. Amaral will leave the team, but his spirit and soul will remain with us. The tradition of enduring difficult times for this team is thanks to Amaral. We must carry on his aspirations and become even stronger."

[Vissel Kobe Vice Manager Fukushima's Press Conference Summary] "We came together to seek revenge in today's game. Although we were caught up and even went to a penalty shootout despite having a 2-point lead, winning in the tournament is more important than anything else. There is value in moving on to the next stage."