Change your mindset and start again

　In the previous match, Tokyo faced Júbilo Iwata, the 1st champion, in a "big match to survive in the championship race," and although they played an evenly matched intense battle until the last 10 minutes, they ultimately suffered a heavy defeat with 5 goals conceded. For Tokyo, the match against Fukuoka on this day is an important game that will determine their future. Although winning the championship has become realistically difficult, the possibility is not zero, and it is important for the team to continue to "fight" here in order to grow. It has only been three days since the fierce battle against Iwata and the heavy defeat, and the physical and mental fatigue of the players is immeasurable, but it is necessary to switch their mindset, fight, and not collapse here. In order to secure a higher position than last year and for the future of Tokyo, I wanted them to somehow overcome this tough situation.

　On the other hand, for Fukuoka, this match was a very important one. In the previous round, Fukuoka drew with Urawa, who are also in danger of relegation, and dropped to 14th place in the annual ranking, in a critical situation just above the relegation line. The point difference with Verdy, who are just below in 15th place, is 7, so if they win this match, they will make a big step forward towards "remaining" in the league, but if they lose, the sound of "relegation" will come closer. It is known that Fukuoka will come desperately. Furthermore, the venue for this match is their home ground, Hakata. As a team known for their intense play, it was easy to imagine that they would come to fight to the death with the attitude of "doing whatever it takes".

　The important match that will greatly influence the future for both sides kicked off at 3:00 PM in the refreshing autumn weather at Hakatanomori.A Stadium, igniting a fierce battle.

Overwhelmed by Fukuoka's momentum, they are scored on in the first 2 minutes.

　Fukuoka's start was desperate. Amidst the unique rhythm of Hakata no Mori, the stadium was enveloped by the passionate support of the fans, and the Fukuoka Eleven fiercely invaded the Tokyo territory from the beginning. As Coach Okuma had pointed out to the players in the pre-match meeting, Fukuoka came to take the lead completely on the offensive from the start, not giving Tokyo any breathing room by applying pressure from the front line and quickly playing vertical passes.

　Tokyo is confused by the unique rhythm that surrounds the stadium when Fukuoka attacks, starting immediately with "Yoisho! Totto, Yoisho! Totto.." and 2 minutes in, the ball that was initially shot back from a right corner kick is kicked powerfully by MF Hirashima from an angleless position, resulting in an immediate goal. It can be said that they were overwhelmed by the away atmosphere, but it was also a fact that Tokyo's start was slow, as they did not take measures such as "kicking the ball far to stop the opponent's aggressive momentum" right after the start, which led to conceding a goal. It is true that Fukuoka had a sharp start, but it is also true that Tokyo's start was slow.

Tokyo loses momentum with Kelly's injury and withdrawal

　It was a momentary nightmare, but Tokyo woke up and immediately turned the tables. Now, as a side attacker, Yukihiko, who boasts one of the best breakthrough abilities in J-League, starts to show his speed and breakthrough from dribbling on the right side. Fukuoka's aggressive momentum is halted, and instead Tokyo starts to launch calculated attacks with Miura's composed ball control and distribution in the deep midfield. With Kelly and Amaral providing stability up front, the flow of the game quickly shifts in favor of Tokyo.

　In the 9th minute, Fujiyama, who joined the attack, sent a cross from the left side, and Amaral, who competed just in front of the penalty area, headed the ball forward. Kelly, who reacted sharply to this, broke free and took a left-footed shot, but unfortunately it went just to the right of the goal. In the 2nd stage, Tokyo, gaining confidence that they would always recover even after falling behind, gradually took control of the midfield and approached the Fukuoka goal. However, in the 14th minute, when Tokyo was starting to gain momentum, Kelly attempted to break through in midfield, but Fukuoka's midfielder Nakabarai, in a move akin to a forbidden technique in judo, wrapped his arms around Kelly's right arm, causing both to fall. In the next moment, Kelly screamed and struggled while holding his right arm. The play was interrupted, and Kelly had to receive treatment outside the pitch, but the Tokyo players expressed their anger at this extremely dangerous play that could end a player's career and protested vigorously. Ultimately, this series of events triggered a chaotic match, leaving a bitter aftertaste and making the game uninteresting.

　Tokyo lost its core with Kelly at a crucial time, and Amaral fought alone on the front line, but the side attacks were completely toned down. A few minutes later, Kelly returned to the pitch with his right arm taped and regained some rhythm, but his play without the use of his right arm lacked speed and did not completely break down Fukuoka. Still, in the 23rd minute, a brilliant wall pass from Kelly to Amaral to Kelly from the center broke through the Fukuoka defense, and finally a sublime pass from Kelly to Fukuda in the center, who unleashed a powerful volley with his left foot, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. In the end, Kelly gave up playing and was replaced by Kagami in the 31st minute.

Game break due to rough play...

　Tokyo, having lost Kelly, implemented a two-top system with Fukuda and Amaral for the first time here. With Kagawa on the left and Yukihiko on the right, they aimed for the Fukuoka goal with renewed determination. However, what awaited them was yet another 'dirty foul.' In the 32nd minute, a ball kicked by the opposing goalkeeper flowed to Tokyo's left side, where Komine kept possession after being challenged from behind by Fukuoka FW Yamashita, who kicked his leg and brought him down. Yamashita then sent a cross, which Nakahara volleyed from the center. The ball bounced high and went over Dohi's head, but struck the bar and did not result in a goal. Immediately after, in the 34th minute, a ball was played behind Tokyo's defensive line, and when Sandro attempted to clear it with his left foot, Yamashita again kicked Sandro's right foot, causing Sandro's clearance to be weak, leading to a shot. Although it did not result in a goal, this series of foul-like plays caused Tokyo's players to completely lose their composure. Just after that, in the 34th minute, Tetsu Ito, known for having few fouls, brought down Fukuoka FW Yamashita during a fierce chase and received a yellow card. In the following 36th minute, Sandro was struck in the face with an elbow while competing in the air against Fukuoka FW Hattori, resulting in bleeding. Sandro protested vehemently. It was unprecedented to see Sandro so furious, but in the end, he had to pay the price of having five stitches above his lip. Immediately after that, in the 37th minute, Amaral and Fukuoka MF No had an argument, resulting in both receiving yellow cards for mutual culpability?

　The game has taken on a chaotic appearance, but both teams remain focused on winning the match and continued to play with concentration. Amidst the fierce battle for the ball in midfield, Tokyo received a pass from Kagami on the left side in the 42nd minute, and with an attack focused on getting behind the shallow Fukuoka defense, a through ball was played. Fukuda then made a diving sliding shot! The unexpected shot had a good angle, but unfortunately, it was deflected by the goalkeeper for a corner kick. Both teams began to create chances with quick transitions between offense and defense, but once again, the match was interrupted due to unnecessary rough play. In stoppage time near the end, Fukuoka midfielder Nakahari clashed with Tetsuya ITO for the ball, and once again, both fell due to the same technique (wrapping the arm) used against Kelly. Tetsuya ITO, like Kelly, writhed in pain on the pitch; although his left elbow was only lightly sprained, he suffered a bruise on his right shoulder and further aggravated a fracture in his left hand. It is clear that this is an extremely dangerous act, and the match intensified in its chaotic nature.

A bigger cost than defeat...

At halftime, Coach Kiyoshi OKUMA instructed the players to concentrate on the game and they pledged to give their all on the pitch to achieve victory with the current strength they have.

　Early in the game, Kagami crossed from the left side and Fukuda jumped in the center but fell short. Shortly after, Miura broke through deeply from the right side and passed to Granda in the center, but Amaral was cleared by the marker. Tokyo gradually built up rhythm as Kagami, who was in good form, made big movements from the left to the right side in the front line. In the 4th minute, Miura headed the cross from Yukihiko on the right side in the center, but it went over the bar. In the following 8th minute, Kagami unleashed a powerful volley after Ito Tetsuya's cross was cleared by the opponent's defender, but it also went over the bar. In the 16th minute, Kina was brought in to make a gamble, and the ball possession rate in the midfield increased significantly, creating more chances.

　On the other hand, Fukuoka is generally defensive due to their one-point lead, relying on counterattacks to steal the ball and entrusting it to Badea. From there, they distribute passes to Yamashita and Nakahara in the front line. They also break through the sides and send crosses, with Hattori, who is strong in headers, waiting in front of the goal. There is no room for complacency. Tokyo, in order to equalize the score, is taking some risks and pressing forward, so the number of Tokyo DF players during counterattacks is small, and they faced many dangerous situations. In the 21st and 24th minutes, Yamashita took shots from in front of the goal in quick succession, but both missed the goal by a narrow margin. The breakthroughs from the precise passing exchange between Yamashita and Nakahara in front of the goal are astonishing, and the Tokyo DF, led by Komine, defended with high concentration.

　In the 29th minute, FW Toda was brought in to replace the injured Tetsuya ITO. With a highly offensive formation of three forwards, they pressed towards the goal. In the 31st minute, Fukuda headed a cross from Kina, but unfortunately it went straight to the GK. Conversely, just after that, in the 32nd minute, they were broken through on the left side during a counterattack, and after a cross was sent in, the ball crossed in front of the goal, where Hattori shot from close range on the opposite side, but it went well over the bar. Furthermore, in the 34th minute, they were again broken through on the right side during a counterattack, and a cross was sent in, which was perfectly headed by Hattori waiting right in front of the goal, but Doi made a fine save to deflect it, and although Yamashita followed up on the rebound, Doi caught it. Although Tokyo reduced the number of defenders and increased the number of attackers, they could not create a focal point in the front line other than Amaral against Fukuoka, who defended tightly. There was no breakdown in their attacks from the sides to exploit the opponent's weaknesses, resulting in a lack of decisive chances. Occasionally, Kina and Miura sent loop passes to Fukuda's runs towards the goal, but they were monotonous and either caught by the GK or cleared by the DF. In stoppage time just before the end of the match, Kagawa sent in a cross from the left, and Yukihiko unleashed a powerful volley from the opposite side, but it was deflected by a fine save from the GK, ending all hopes. In the end, the match finished with a score of 0 to 1. It is undeniable that Kelly's exit in that manner had a significant impact, but it is also true that they did not play a football style capable of breaking down the opponent. On this day, Tokyo completely lost their composure. In the final stages, they became anxious in their attacks, and against Fukuoka's time-wasting tactics from early on, Tokyo tightened their own noose with unnecessary fouls. Ultimately, they had fallen into Fukuoka's 'trap' from the beginning. However, it cannot simply be dismissed as a lack of experience. The malicious rough play against Kelly, Tetsuya ITO, and Sandro is absolutely unacceptable, and it is unreasonable to expect composure in response to such actions. Normally, a beautiful scene awaits at the end of a match where players from both teams commend each other's efforts, but that day showed a completely different development. It turned into a brawl with both teams mixed up, and staff had to intervene to stop it... Is this something that can be called sport? The J-League was established with a wonderful philosophy, but we must not forget that before being football, it is essential to be a healthy sport.

　Tokyo suffered a significant loss on this day, not just in terms of defeat. It was not mentioned in the text, but Miura also fell victim to a malicious tackle during the game and sprained his right knee. The players are precious treasures of the team and the fans. In that sense, it can only be said that it was a disappointing match. In the next match against Marinos, we want to have a fantastic good game.

[Coach Okuma's Comment] Football is a sport, and it is essential to establish it as a sport. In that sense, today was disappointing as "teammates who want to play together." Before the outcome, it is necessary to understand such things. Everyone should recognize that players are treasures. As for the content of the game, one point to reflect on is that we couldn't establish a focal point in the front line after Kelly left. There was no breakthrough behind the opponent's defense when they pulled back. In the future, I want to think about establishing a focal point when Kelly is not there. I want to switch my mindset and continue fighting. *As an official website, there were some parts that were written too emotionally, so we have made some corrections today. (2001.10.22)