Challenge! Nabisco Cup Qualifying League Final Match

　Nabisco Cup, which has already secured a spot in the final tournament, took first place in Group 1 in the 5th round of the qualifying league held on July 17. In this round, which is the final round of the qualifying league, they will face Kashiwa without the presence of the Japanese national team players Doi and Kaji, as well as the Olympic team players Mogi, Konno, Ishikawa, and Tokunaga.

　However, Coach Hara said, "I want to try many things" and will approach the game with a fresh lineup. Jean and Mashima will be the center-backs. Fujiyama will be on the right side-back, and Kanazawa on the left. Miyazawa and Kajiyama will form a double pivot in midfield, with Kurisawa as the right midfielder and Abe as the left midfielder. Bamba will be in the center, with Lucas leading the attack. On the bench, there will be Endo, Miura, Toda, and Kelly, who has recovered from injury. Maeda, who will be registered for the first time since May 2002, will also be a substitute.

　Kashiwa, on the other hand, changed their coach after the end of the 1st stage. They will face the challenge as a new team under the guidance of Coach Hayano. Moreover, if they win this match, they still have a chance to advance to the knockout tournament, so their motivation should be high. Although the lineup on the team sheet shows a 4-4-2 formation, DF Hirayama will play as a left midfielder, and MF Roberto Cesar and FW Unozawa will form a two-striker partnership in a 3-5-2 formation.

　For Tokyo, it is important to not treat this match as a mere formality. It is also a chance to showcase the challenge and the new face of Tokyo in the official match at home after about a month since June 19. Although the heat during the day has slightly eased, the match started with Tokyo's kickoff in the midst of temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.

Even though they tried to catch the rhythm from the beginning...

　Tokyo took the initiative from the start. Just 15 seconds in, Baba aimed for the goal from mid-range, and in the first minute, Lucas exchanged a one-two with Baba to penetrate the area. In the 6th minute, Kajiwara picked up a ball that flowed to the far side from a right corner kick and took a powerful shot inside the area. The opposing GK saved it, but Kajiwara shot again at the rebound, which was also blocked by the GK. In the following 7th minute, Kurizawa connected with a rebound from Baba's shot, and Miyazawa took a shot from just outside the area, which barely went to the right. In the 8th minute, Abe broke through on the left side and delivered a cross, and Baba, who ran in from the center, made a perfectly timed header! However, this was also met with a great save from the GK, and the goal was not scored. In the 9th minute, Kurizawa received a floated last pass from Kajiwara's switch to the side. It was caught by the GK, but until now, Tokyo had been very active, launching six shots from a speedy and wide development, putting pressure on Kashiwa.

　However, Kashiwa did not become completely defensive. They persistently stole the ball and kept it, waiting for a chance to counterattack. In the 15th minute, they approached Tokyo's goal from a free kick on the right side. In the 16th minute, Hirayama, who had remained on the right side during the set play, moved to the center and took the first shot of the day, but it went over the goal. Until the 30th minute, both teams were unable to create decisive chances, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.

　In the 30th minute, Lucas dribbled up the right side, faking out the opposing DF two or three times to enter the area and win a corner kick. In the 34th minute, Ze Roberto broke through the left side for Kashiwa, and Unozawa dove in front of the goal to meet the cross, but the Tokyo DF was focused and did not allow a shot. In the 36th minute, Tokyo had a chance. Baba made a run forward to meet Miyazawa's free kick, but unfortunately was offside. However, in the 38th minute, Tokyo was caught off guard for a moment. Kashiwa passed the ball around the DF line multiple times, looking for an attacking opportunity. They connected with the defensive midfielder Myojin, who quickly passed to the right-side MF Shigehara. With two Tokyo players marking Shigehara, a pass reached Otani, who had advanced from the defensive midfielder position. This left Otani free, and he dribbled into the right side of the area to take a shot. The ball eluded GK Shiota's outstretched hand, hit the left post, and went in. They conceded the opening goal with just their second shot of the day. Although the first half was not a bad flow overall, it was disappointing that they could not seize the early opportunity, and their momentum gradually diminished. They regrouped and headed into the second half.

Kelly, Toda's entry will determine the outcome

　In the second half, Kashiwa substituted FW Yamashita with Zehoberto and launched an offensive centered around set plays from the beginning. Although they didn't create any decisive shooting opportunities, Tokyo also made a move by substituting Kelly for Abe in the 52nd minute. Then, in the 53rd minute, Lucas on the left side passed to Kajiyama, who had moved up to support. Kajiyama evaded the defenders and entered the penalty area, sending a final pass to the center, but it was intercepted by Kashiwa's defenders. In the 55th minute, Kajiyama received a pass from Kanazawa and once again advanced into the penalty area, but he couldn't take a shot due to Kashiwa's quick check. In the 56th minute, Lucas jumped out into the penalty area while competing with the defenders, following Kelly's pass, and returned the ball to Kelly, who had run in from behind. However, Kelly's shot, taken freely, went over the crossbar. They missed a great chance to equalize.

　Kashiwa made a substitution in the 57th minute, with MF Masuda replacing MF Nagai. However, in the 60th minute, Lucas dropped a long ball from Jean in the front line, and Kanazawa, who had run up the left side, took a shot. Kashiwa's defense blocked the attack despite the early pressure. In the 66th minute, a pass was made to Masuda near the area from a free kick on the right side, but his shot missed the goal after hitting a teammate, resulting in no harm.

　During the continued offense and defense, in the 70th minute, Toda was substituted for Miyazawa, who injured his leg. Toda was placed as the right MF, with Baba on the left, and Kajiyama and Kurizawa as the double defensive midfielders. In the immediate 73rd minute, Toda received a pass from Fujiyama on the left side and used his speed to bypass the opponent's DF and cut into the center. The ball hit the Kashiwa DF and bounced off, but Fujiyama, who had moved up to support, passed it to Kanazawa in the center. Kanazawa controlled the ball well with one touch and took a shot, but it slightly curved to the left.

　In the 77th minute, Kelly tenaciously took the ball from his own half and dribbled up, passing to Lucas on the left side. Lucas challenged the defender one-on-one and seemed to be fouled when he entered the area, but instead, a foul was called against Lucas. Despite the tight marking and determined defense from Kashiwa, they couldn't connect to a goal in the final moments. With the introduction of Kelly and Toda, they gradually found their rhythm and the possibility of scoring became evident.

Launch a fierce attack against 10 Kashiwa players and bring the game to a tie!

　The 81st minute arrived. Jean intercepted Kashiwa's pass. Kurisawa connected with Kurisawa, who sent a lobbed pass from around the center line to the front line. In response to this, Toda, who brilliantly broke free into space, took a shot near the penalty arc, but Kashiwa GK Minami blocked it with his hand. Minami was sent off in this play. Kashiwa had to substitute GK Shimizu for Unozawa and play with 10 men. From the resulting free kick, Lucas's direct shot was blocked by the opponent's wall, but just before this play, Maeda was substituted for Mashima. Maeda played as the right fullback and Fujiyama moved to the center.

　Maeda, who said "I was happy to hear my call. I was calm enough to hear it," showed great determination from the first play when he came on as a substitute. In the 87th minute, Kanazawa cut off a clear ball from the Kashiwa DF. Kelly sent it to the right side via Baba, and Maeda, who judged that he couldn't get past two opposing DFs in the area, chose to cross without hesitation. During this time, Kelly was brought down in front of the goal. Lucas calmly kicked the penalty kick he earned to the left and scored! He equalized in the last minute.

　Tokyo, which is gaining more and more momentum. To aim for 3 points, there was still remaining time, including 5 minutes of injury time. In the 89th minute, Kelly dribbled past the defender on the right side and took a middle shot, but it went over the goal. And it was during injury time. When Toda connected Kajiyama's pass to Lucas, it initially went to the opponent's defender. However, Baba picked up this loose ball and made a floating last pass in front of the goal. Lucas followed it and, despite colliding with the goalkeeper, floated the ball with his foot, drawing a graceful arc and scoring a goal! It seemed like an artistic winning goal by Lucas, but it was judged as no goal due to a foul by Lucas on the goalkeeper. It truly became a "phantom goal," but Tokyo continued to press Kashiwa's goal without giving up until the end. However, in the end, it ended in a 1-1 draw, despite coming close to equalizing Kashiwa until the very end.

　However, although we couldn't take the lead, the lively play of substitute players Kelly, Toda, and Maeda, along with numerous attempts, resulted in an equalizing goal, making it a rewarding and confidence-building match. It should be noted that we will be facing Gamba Osaka, who finished second in Group B, in the quarterfinals of the Levain Cup on September 4th.

[Player Comments]《Maeda》"Hearing the cheers from the stands, I have always wanted to stand on the field at Ajinomoto Stadium. After two years, I was included in the squad again, and if I get to play in a match, I thought I would go for it without hesitation. (In the moment Lucas earned the penalty) I saw Lucas inside when I thought I couldn't break through vertically. I actually wanted to send a ground cross, but... I think I played fairly well overall, but there were times when the ball flowed away, like the last cross. I want to pursue higher accuracy, and I don't want to be satisfied with just one good match. I want to continue to achieve good results and keep working hard to always be able to play in matches." 《Kelly》"I am happy to be back on the field, and considering how long it has been, I was able to play well without any pain from my injury. My feelings are at 100 percent, but I still lack physical condition and match rhythm. I can only build that up by playing more matches. From now on, I want to practice together with everyone as much as possible so that I can enter the second stage in 100 percent condition and regain my match sense."

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "Six players have been selected for the Japan national team and the Olympic team, and I thought today we would try various things in their absence. First, I placed Fujiyama as a side back and Nagashima as a stopper. Miyazawa and Kajiyama, who are both holding midfielders, have never started together before. Miura has more leadership, but I wanted to boldly test how well the two could perform together. I also tested starting Abe and bringing in Toda later. Regarding Toda, I think his speed might be more effective when he comes on as a substitute. Kelly is still not in top form, struggling with his touch and finishing. However, it's hard to regain form just through practice, so even though he seemed eager to start today, I brought him in during a crucial moment in the second half. He gradually got into the game, showing movements typical of Kelly, slipping through defenses. Maeda is not particularly skillful, but he has been diligently practicing hard. Originally a holding midfielder, he can also play in the back line, and I was considering the timing of his participation... (At the time of substitution) I moved Fujiyama to center back to solidify the defense and told him he could push up on the right side. As a result, we were able to earn a penalty from his cross. When a player like him, who works hard, produces results, it inspires other young players and increases competition. In that sense, being able to use Maeda and having him perform well will have a positive impact on the team going forward. Despite the heat and having already secured first place in the qualifying league, we were able to try such things. Honestly, I thought we had won in the end, but (the no-goal due to Lucas's foul) that shape is our shape. It is becoming a familiar pattern for Lucas as well. Through the upcoming Spain expedition and the match against Roma, I want to deepen our connection with Kelly, enhance our scoring ability, and head towards the second stage."

[Summary of Coach Hayano's Press Conference] "In any case, there is a challenge ahead in not being able to secure a victory in a match where we aimed to win. I anticipated that FC Tokyo would press us for the first 15 minutes of the first half. There were moments when they missed decisive chances, but I could see our resilience in enduring that. Until now, we had struggled to score, but we managed to get one goal. I believe the players fought with focus. However, the fact that we did not reach the final step = victory, the three points, makes me feel a lack of scoring ability. Especially for the second goal and set pieces, our precision still needs improvement. This is a challenge we must continue to address. However, after going down to ten men, we did not crumble and managed to hold on, which I feel is progress. Without the will to fight through, no matter how good the tactics are, the body won't move, and I believe that not breaking down at that moment will lead to future success. In the last two matches, whether we focus on not being able to score or on fighting tenaciously until the end depends on one's perspective, but I want to look at both sides and shape the direction of the team."