Fearlessly, aim for consecutive victories with focused battles!

　Sec. 24 is an away match against Yokohama F. Marinos. Following the Shimizu match, this is a game aimed at achieving consecutive wins. There have only been two consecutive wins this season, the last being on 7/13 in Sec. 16 against Shimizu and on 7/17 in Sec. 17 against Yokohama FM. Coincidentally, there are high expectations for back-to-back matches with the same opponent. Regarding the condition of injured players, Ishikawa has been gradually improving his condition while confirming his status this week. Kajiyama, who injured his foot in the Shimizu match, was training with a different menu but is expected to return by the weekend without any issues. In addition to the return of injured players, Abe, Toda, and Sasa are also in good shape, and regarding the attacking lineup, Coach Hara stated, "We are well-equipped and it's difficult to decide who to use. We can employ various strategies, including substitutes." Ultimately, the starting lineup will be the same as the previous match. Ishikawa will be on the bench, ready to participate.

　Yokohama FM, who are currently in 10th place with 31 points, will face Tokyo. In the previous match against Kobe, FW Grau and Sakata scored in the 8th and 19th minutes of the first half. However, they were unable to score any more goals until the end of the match, with only these two shots. Nevertheless, they should have gained confidence from "getting results" even in that state. They have been holding a private mini-camp for the past three days, but regarding this, it was seen as "thoroughly focusing on their own football" rather than specifically because they are facing Tokyo (Manager Hara). The defensive line, which has been stable recently, will use a 3-back formation instead of the 4-back formation they used in the previous match against Tokyo at home as a "Tokyo countermeasure". In this match, MF Nasu is suspended, so MF Ueno and Kawai will form a double pivot.

　However, since there is the ability to defend if we take the lead, we want to avoid giving Yokohama FM the lead. Like the previous match, we first want to defend with focused play, bring it to Tokyo's fast-paced soccer with quick transitions between offense and defense, and start challenging Toda's breakthrough and the opponent's defense line. In order to bounce back from being behind away, it is necessary to fight with all our might without fear from the kick-off. The match started at 19:04 at Nissan Stadium, which still retains the heat and humidity, with Yokohama FM's kick-off.

Best Foot Forward 

F.C.TOKYO made the short trip to Yokohama to take on the F Marinos in the 24th game of the season. The team was determined to build on the victory over S-Pulse and post consecutive wins for only the third time this year. Ishikawa had shown progress in his return from injury and Kajiyama had sufficiently recovered from a knock to be named in the starting eleven. Manager Hara had the better kind of selection problem for once as all the attacking players were fit and able to play. Ishikawa made the substitutes' bench as TOKYO were unchanged from the previous game.
Opponents F Marinos lay in 10th place on 31 points at kick off. The previous game had been a 2-0 win over Vissel but the goals came from the only two shots the team managed during the 90 minutes. Playing badly and winning is the mark of a good side but manager Okuda, taking advantage of the uncrowded schedule, whisked his side away for a three-day mini-camp. "Not because TOKYO are our opponents", he commented, "but because we need to work on our game". After the 4-0 drubbing TOKYO dished out in the reverse fixture the Marinos reverted to their usual three-back formation with Kawai and Ueno as double defensive midfielders.
The Marinos are skilled at protecting a lead, particularly at home and TOKYO's immediate concern was to avoid conceding the first goal. TOKYO would need to maintain defensive concentration and balance in attack, while using the darting runs of Toda to infiltrate the Marinos backline. A timid, hesitant approach could prove fatal. The home side kicked off shortly after 7pm on a humid evening in the old port city.

Launch a fast attack from a focused defense together

　Both teams aimed for fast attacks from solid defense, but Tokyo applied good pressure and slowed down Yokohama FM's momentum before they could advance. However, there were many instances where the offensive plays lacked coordination. In the 11th minute, Kaji attempted a long-range shot to break the deadlock. In the 16th minute, Suzuki Ki sprinted down the right side, made a deep cut, and sent a sharp cross, but it was blocked by the opponent's determined clearance. In the 19th minute, Konno volleyed Kurisawa's right corner kick from the far side, but it was blocked in front of the goal. In the 20th minute, they attacked with left and right corner kicks, but ended up losing the ball and conceding a counterattack.

　In the 28th minute, Kurisawa took a free middle shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. Toda also repeatedly tried to run behind the opponent's defense, but there were many offside situations, and there were scenes where Yokohama FM faced a pinch by not putting pressure on the attack. In the 31st minute, FW Grau headed a right cross from MF Ohashi. Doi stretched his hand desperately but couldn't reach it. However, Jean made a great play to clear the ball and the pinch was avoided. In the 44th minute, Yokohama FM's midfielder Kawai sprinted down the right side. FW Grau jumped into the center to meet the cross, but Jean made a great play to escape with a corner kick.

　In the end, there were only three shots in the first half, taken by KAJI, IMANO, and KURISAWA. We also couldn't convert any of the four corner kicks into a finish. Although we couldn't create many decisive opportunities, we fought hard in defense, with SHIGENO and Jean at the center. We managed to hold back Yokohama FM's attacks and have hope for the second half.

Defence Dominates 

Both sides made a solid start with TOKYO slightly more aggressive, pressing hard and looking to break at speed. The attack failed to mesh however and Kaji attempted a long range blast in the 11th minute in an effort to break the deadlock. Suzuki scampered to the byline in the 16th minute and pulled the ball back but the home defence dealt with the danger. Kurisawa struck a corner from the right to Konno in the 19th minute but the defence smothered his volley. Another corner led to a rapid Marinos counter attack a minute later.
Kurisawa belted another long range effort straight at Enomoto in the Marinos goal in the 28th minute. TOKYO attempted to play Toda in behind the home defence but he was repeatedly caught offside as the three man defence coped easily. A rapid counter attack in the 31st minute saw Gral head Ohashi's cross beyond Doi; Jean saved the day with a clearance off the line. As half time approached Kawai raced down the right and centred towards Gral; Jean again defended immaculately, clearing the ball behind for a corner.
TOKYO managed only three shots in the first period and failed to make the most of the four corners earned. The defence was rock solid, with Jean and Moniwa dominant however and TOKYO were well-placed for the second half.

Despite putting up an impressive offensive and defensive display, they were constantly hit by accidents.

　In the second half, Yokohama FM started by connecting passes and launching an offensive. In the 48th minute, they allowed FW Sakata to enter the area, and in the 49th minute, they were shaken from right to left in front of the goal, and MF Dutra's left cross resulted in a close-range header shot by FW Grau, but it was blocked by Jean's fine play. After surviving the early pressure, Tokyo also broke through the sides with fast attacks and created chances.

　In the 55th minute, Sasa was substituted for Norio SUZUKI. Immediately after, Sasa aimed a direct free kick from outside the left area, but it hit the opponent's goalkeeper in the face. In the 62nd minute, Kurizawa moved up to the right from Sasa's pass and crossed from a deep position. Lucas jumped in the center, but it went well over the bar. In the 63rd minute, Imano made a fierce run on the left side. He dribbled close to the goal, but was blocked by the opponent's defender.

　Sasa and Lucas lined up as a two-top. Kurizawa on the right MF and Toda on the left created fast attacks and frequently exploited the sides. In the 69th minute, the biggest chance of the match came. Sasa connected a header from a feed from the back, perfectly timing it to break through the DF line to Toda! He faced the GK one-on-one and aimed for a loop shot, but it just went over the bar. As time passed, the match became increasingly intense. Around the 72nd minute, both sides collided when the ball was out, creating a rough atmosphere on the pitch. In the 76th minute, Ishikawa was brought in for Kurizawa, and in the 82nd minute, Yoshiro ABE was substituted for Toda. Tokyo repeatedly attacked the sides of Yokohama FM's three-back, creating chances. Yokohama FM, on the other hand, maintained their focus, transitioning from solid defense to offense, resulting in a captivating back-and-forth battle.

　As the game entered the final stage, with the situation where either team could score a goal, a display of 5 minutes of stoppage time appeared. Ishikawa, who had crossed the ball, injured his right knee and went out of the pitch. With all substitution slots used up, Tokyo had to continue playing with 10 players. And immediately after that, Lucas and Jean collided heavily while trying to clear a loose ball that had gone high in their own half. Jean suffered a head injury that required 6 stitches. Lucas initially got up and continued playing, but then fell down again after hitting his head and neck.

　Time passes on the pitch, but Lucas is taken to the hospital directly from the pitch by an ambulance. He is in a state where he cannot continue the game due to a major accident. Amidst the concerns and anxieties of both teams' players, staff, and many spectators, the game resumes after a 20-minute interruption, but it quickly ends with a tie score of 0-0.

　【Player Comments】《Noriyuki SUZUKI》"In the last match, we won 4-0, so I knew the opponent would come at us desperately today. We talked in the pre-match meeting about starting with full concentration. In that sense, we didn't concede any goals, and I think we entered the match in a good shape. (What about not scoring during Tokyo's pace?) We couldn't finish when we needed to. But no one is slacking off; everyone is working hard. The feelings are there, and I just think the results aren't following. Even in tough times like this, if we remember the good sensations from before and everyone puts in a little more effort, I believe we can create a better situation. We want to defend as a team and participate in the attack as a team to secure 3 points. We want to work together and do our best." 《TODA》"(Regarding the looping shot scene) I wasn't tense, but my sense of distance was a bit off. I don't think our fighting style was bad, but right now I'm worried about Lucas. I can't calmly reflect on the match." 《ISHIKAWA》"I twisted my right knee when I landed after kicking a cross. Right now, I can't put weight on my leg. I came on as a substitute and felt good entering the match, but... it's quite disappointing."

　[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "Both we and F. Marinos won our last matches, and today we both focused on solid defense first, aiming for counter-attacks from there. We played with a four-back, while F. Marinos used a three-back, and in this setup, both teams had chances. The opponent is also strong in set plays, so we had to be careful about that, and we tried to create chances with the speed of Toda and Noriyuki Suzuki breaking forward. We managed to execute that plan a few times, but there are reflections on needing to be a bit calmer in switching sides and being more precise on the flanks... However, right now, we are focused on solid defense, which sometimes leads to us being a bit rushed. F. Marinos also threw in early balls, and we picked those up, with forwards Sakata, Grau, and substitute Shimizu breaking forward. They are individually strong players, so they did well to maintain concentration in defense. However, just before the end, Ishikawa injured his knee, and Lucas collided with Jean and suffered a concussion. We still don't know the condition of the two. The doctor is accompanying Lucas, and Ishikawa is being looked at by a trainer. We have only been informed that he hurt his knee. I am worried about Lucas, but I believe it won't be serious... In the end, it got a bit chaotic, but returning to the match after that was difficult for the other players as well. It was a good decision to end the match there. I hope their injuries are not serious. Each match is tough, but we absolutely must secure three points in the next match against Oita."

　[Summary of Yokohama FM Manager Okada's Press Conference] "I feel like I've forgotten about the game... We're not perfect yet, but our condition is gradually improving, and today we tried to aggressively attack at home. The content is gradually getting better. However, in the second half, we started to get tired and our legs stopped, and there were some dangerous situations from Tokyo's counterattacks. It may not be our responsibility, but I'm worried about Lucas. A fellow football player had an accident. And we shouldn't attack the opponents who are missing two players due to injuries. The referee's decision was correct. Anyway, I hope Lucas will recover quickly, as a fellow teammate."

Quality Play Marred By Injuries 

The Marinos began the second half on the attack with some neat short passing. In the 48th minute, Sakata burst into the TOKYO area and Jean again cleared the danger a minute later after Gral connected with Dutra's cross from the left at point-blank range. TOKYO weathered the storm and replied with some chances of their own.
Sasa replaced Suzuki in the 55th minute. He had an opportunity to make an immediate impact but flighted a free kick from outside the area on the left straight into Enomoto's arms. In the 62nd minute, his pass set Kurisawa away down the right; Lucas reached the deep cross but directed the ball over the bar. Konno surged forward to the edge of the area in the 63rd minute until his path was blocked.
Sasa was playing slightly behind Lucas up front, with Kurisawa on the right and Toda on the left as TOKYO attempted to make headway down the wings. The best chance of the game arrived in the 69th minute. Sasa headed on a long ball from the back and Toda beat the offside trap with perfect timing to put himself clear on goal with only Enomoto to beat. Toda attempted a lob but the ball cleared the bar as well as Enomoto. Following that near miss, the game became increasingly intense and a collision in the 72nd minute as the ball went out of play soured the mood somewhat. Ishikawa replaced Kurisawa in the 76th and Abe replaced Toda in the 82nd minute. TOKYO strove manfully to pierce the Marinos along the wings and the home side responded with some resolute defense as both sides gave everything in a fascinating endgame.
The scoreboard showed five minutes of injury time when Ishikawa was forced to leave the field after injuring his knee centering from the right, reducing TOKYO to ten men as all the substitutions had been made. Worse was to follow; Jean and Lucas collided attempting to clear a loose ball and Jean needed six stitches to close a head wound. Lucas picked himself up and played on but collapsed and it quickly became apparent he had suffered a serious injury. It was impossible to continue the game and play was held up for around twenty minutes as Lucas received treatment on the pitch. The players, staff, and fans were extremely concerned about Lucas' injury and a somber mood descended on the stadium. Eventually, an ambulance drove onto the field and took him to the hospital. The referee restarted the game then blew the final whistle immediately. The final score was 0-0.

Players' comments
Suzuki
"We beat them 4-0 in the last game so we knew they would come out hard against us and we talked about keeping our concentration in the pre-match meeting. We didn't concede and kept a good shape throughout the game. We were on top at times but couldn't score when we should have done. Nobody was holding back though; everybody gave it their all today. We had a very good spirit, we just didn't get the result. If we remember the tough times when we're on top maybe that will spur us to play a little better. Everybody defends, everybody attacks and we win by playing as a team. That's how we want to play".

Toda
"I misjudged the distance on the lob rather than hitting the ball too hard. We didn't play badly at all today but I'm worried about Lucas right now. I can't really comment on the game".

Ishikawa
"I wrenched my right knee as I put my foot down after making the cross. I felt good when I came on but many regrettable things happened out there today".


F.C. TOKYO manager Hara
"We beat them last time out so the order of the day was tight defense and the game developed into a counter-attacking affair. Both teams had their chances today. They are very strong at set plays so we had to be careful and tried to use Suzuki and Toda's speed to get in behind their defense. We tried that countless times but need to change sides more, be a little calmer and more conscientious. So, solid defense was our priority but even so we still became ragged at times. The Marinos were playing a lot of early balls in as well, towards Gral, Sakata and the substitute Shimizu. They are all good players and our defense performed magnificently to keep their concentration the whole game. Unfortunately we had Ishikawa, Jean and Lucas injured at the end of the match. Ishikawa has injured his knee but we don't know the extent of Jean and Lucas' injuries yet. We're worried about Lucas. We really hope it's nothing serious. It was very difficult for the players left on the field to continue and the referee made the right decision in finishing the game there. These are all tough games and the next one against Trinita is a must-win for us".

F Marinos manager Okada
"I feel like I've forgotten about the actual game already. We're far from perfect yet but our condition is improving and we wanted to make an aggressive start today. The quality of our football is slowly improving but our legs stopped in the second half and that allowed TOKYO to counter attack. It wasn't really our fault but we're obviously worried about Lucas. He's a fellow footballer and nobody wants to see that kind of injury. The referee made the correct decision; the players couldn't attack an opponent that had lost two men in such an accidental collision. We're praying that he'll be well".