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MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE 13th Sec.
2025.4.29(Tue holiday) 15:00 KICK OFF

vs.Kyoto Sanga F.C.

Panasonic Stadium Suita

DAZN to watch the match

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2025.4.29［TEAM］

PICKUP PLAYER MF10 Shu KURATA"Fighting tenaciously and desperately at the very end to win."

The previous match against FC Tokyo ended in a disappointing result. From the start, FC Tokyo simply kicked the ball and picked up the second ball, which was a change from usual, and it took us a while to adapt. I think the reason we were at a disadvantage was because they were superior in terms of the intensity of picking up the second ball and the speed of their starts. After the 20th minute, we got used to their way of playing and were able to get back on an even playing field, but we weren't able to surpass them... If we had taken a chance and scored the opening goal, it might have been a different story, but that didn't happen, and in the second half, the flow didn't change much, but we allowed them to score the opening goal and they kept coming at us.

I myself played as a defensive midfielder from the 80th minute. We had started to have the ball at that time, so I was on the pitch with the intention of finding a good balance. However, we were most wary of the counter attack that resulted in the first goal, so we were unable to stop it, and I regret that we could have responded a little differently. Also, even though we were trailing and pushed forward to score goals, I think that we, including myself, should have approached the ball more strongly, even though there were players behind us for the second and third goals.

I think we must make use of that reflection in our match against Kyoto Sanga FC this week. Kyoto's strategy is simple: they throw the ball to Matheus Costa RAFAEL Elias and Taichi HARA in the front line, then pick up the second ball and pass it forward, and since it always becomes a physical battle, if we lose in terms of intensity, strength, second balls, ball control, and switching, it's no good. Even though I imagine that Kyoto will play with all their might as they are leading the league, I think the first thing we need to do is to enter the match with a strong will. Also, in order to score points, it will be important for the team to share the spaces that the opponent dislikes and the spaces behind them and continue to attack against Kyoto's defense, which is a bit man-to-man. To do that, we need to show that each of us is not afraid of making mistakes, which we have been missing a little in recent matches, and that we are willing to take on challenges. Also, as a team, we will fight while reminding ourselves of how we won last year...we did not get stronger, but we were able to win because we fought tenaciously and desperately at the very limit. Thank you for your support.

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