Can they avoid consecutive losses? Match against bottom-ranked Gamba Osaka

Tokyo, which dropped to 5th place after losing to Kashima in the previous match. In addition to the ranking, they definitely want to avoid consecutive losses in the league. On the other hand, Gamba Osaka, who has not won a single game until this match. However, they have young power and strength with players like MF Inamoto, FW Kojima, and DF Miyamoto, who are candidates for the Olympic generation. In addition, injuries have started to occur in the regular lineup, including Kina, and Tokyo is also filled with anxiety. How much organizational strength can they demonstrate against Gamba, who will come with their backs against the wall? The outcome is important, but the content of the match will also have an impact on future battles.

Running out of breath in the rain battle!?

In place of Seigo KOBAYASHI, who was a starter until the previous match, Okamoto, making his J1 debut, started as the left side half today. The substitutes included Kaburaki, also making his J1 debut, and Kamino, who returned after four matches, marking a significant change in the lineup from the previous match. The weather at the National Stadium was a stark contrast to the good weather until yesterday, as it was chilly and kicked off in continuous rain. In contrast to the weather, both teams pressed hard in midfield and actively attacked. Early on, TUTO shot after a one-two with Yukihiko. Gamba also showed an equal exchange, with MF Vitau aiming directly for a free kick and Kojima taking a mid-range shot, but neither team could create a clear scoring opportunity. Gamba, starting with the energetic Vitau, connected with the technically skilled MF Yamaguchi and Nikawa, leading to a setup for FW Matsunami. The quick-moving Kojima was supported by left SB Araiba, who also advanced to create pressure, but their intentions were easy to read, and Tokyo handled it calmly. Conversely, Tokyo's attacks were well managed by Gamba's holding midfielder Inamoto and the defensive line. In the 40th minute, Kaburaki was brought in for Okamoto, who had not quite found his rhythm, but the flow of the game did not change. The first half ended without either side creating a notable opportunity.

First time this season, 3 goals conceded in 90 minutes! No success in team attack either.

The game started in the second half. In the 49th minute, Yamaguchi took a short right corner kick from Nikawa's dribble breakthrough. In the cross that followed, Inamoto jumped in and scored a header. Tokyo couldn't keep up with the marking and once again conceded a goal from a set piece. Gamba, riding the momentum, dominated the ball. Taking advantage of Tokyo's attempt to switch to attack, they quickly attacked wide. However, in the 61st minute, GK Doi caught the ball that was lifted in front of the goal and quickly kicked it to the front line, seeing that the opponent's defensive line was shallow. Tuto, who competed with the opponent's defender, persisted and connected, and Amalao, who picked up the ball, skillfully dribbled past DF Miyamoto with a brilliant feint and scored a spectacular goal with his left foot! Tokyo equalized with a swift counterattack.

Immediately after that, in the 64th minute, Gamba's Kojima, who advanced with a dribble, did not force a connection with the ball cut by Asari, but instead brought it to a corner kick. This strategy worked perfectly, and Kojima headed the ball kicked by Yamaguchi from the left, conceding the second goal from a set piece again. Given that this goal came right after equalizing, it was tough for the players themselves. After that, Asano was brought in to replace Koike, and Kamino replaced Asari. With a "super offensive formation" placing five players in the front line with Yukihiko, Kaburaki, and Kamino as the two strikers, they entered a counterattack mode, but Gamba calmly responded, saying, "Since the 14th (Yukihiko) came into the center, we changed to a double pivot with Vitau and Inamoto to square the midfield" (Coach Hayano). Conversely, Tokyo became more aggressive, and in the 83rd minute, Kojima easily scored after connecting with Vitau, who had just barely avoided being offside, putting them two goals behind. Tokyo, raising Sandro to the midfield to launch a counterattack, saw Sandro's shot in the 86th minute just barely go over the goal line. Asano and Amaral also actively aimed for the goal, but relied solely on individual skills. There were many instances where TUTO and Kaburaki overlapped, and they ended up facing time up without any sharp combinations.

The task is clear. Switch your mindset and move on!

Gamba, who cannot be said to have done a great job, conceded 3 goals. It should be a lesson that they couldn't compete with Tokyo's organizational strength, conceding 2 goals from set plays. "It was a game that clearly showed the parts that work and the parts that don't work at the J1 level. In the parts that work, I think we need to somehow build the team. I feel a lack of strength in the midfield, and there are also parts where we can't take advantage of the two top players because there is no passer, but I don't think we will make big changes in the lineup, mainly using combinations of players who have been playing together for a relatively long time. It was also a game where I realized that this way of playing is good," reflects Coach Okuma calmly. As we approach the middle of the 1st stage, injuries and fatigue are a concern, but we want to approach the future without forgetting the challenger spirit.

"Coach Hayano's comment"

"Today, the defensive challenge was to first control the counterattacks of Amaral and TUTO as the two top players. In the attack, we proceeded by developing the offense around Matsumi as the axis, and I think that faithfully fulfilling that led to this result. Until now, we couldn't score points easily in set plays, but today we scored two goals and the momentum changed significantly. In the past, there were times when the players became poor in the second half, but today there was a desire to attack while holding the ball. CB Asahina was used unexpectedly (in place of the injured Dambury), but there were parts where he was helped by Tokyo's system. I think his strengths were brought out by increasing the focus on Amaral. I am very happy with the victory, but the situation has not improved, and we need to firmly grasp the current situation and approach the next game with the intention of turning it around."

"Coach Okuma's comment"

"There was no time to pause on the front line, and when we pulled back, we couldn't create enough time to assemble. With Kina's injury, the lack of strength in the midfield, including the defensive midfield, was exposed. We need to consider this as a future challenge and think about the members and how to fight. We have spent a considerable amount of time practicing defensive set plays, but in J1, the accuracy of free kicks and crosses when left free is still high. At the same time, there are few players who can give instructions on what the situation is around them, and they are doing their best to mark their own players. I think this is leading to goals against us. We are always careful to be able to communicate with each other, but I think the cause is that we haven't been able to do it in a timely manner yet."