Pick-up Match

Roasso Kumamoto（J2）2-1（1-0, 1-1）FC.TOSU（Saga Prefecture）

The first-round games of the 96th Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championship were played on 28 August. At Kumamoto's Umakana Yokana Stadium, Roasso Kumamoto (J2) took on FC. TOSU (Saga Prefecture).

FC.TOSU, founded three years ago, captured their first Saga Prefecture title last year. This is their first national tournament to compete and looked to post a big upset against professional club Roasso.

In the game, Roasso overwhelmed TOSU from the start. Just 55 seconds into the contest, Roasso midfielder KAMIMURA Shuhei fired a middle shot, but FC.TOSU goalkeeper MATSUOKA Tomoki blocked it. Roasso kept coming at TOSU from different directions and players like forwards ANDERSON and HIRASHIGE Ryuichi received crosses and took shots. However, FC.TOSU kept their concentration and managed not to concede any goals.

Just when the contest was about to enter the break scoreless, the game-changer came in the 45th minute. Roasso, while some of their shots hit the cross the bar and the goal posts, finally managed to put one in the back of the net from a chance created from a free kick. Hirashige connected to a pass from midfielder NAKAYAMA Yuto into the goal, striking a much awaited opener.

However, FC.TOSU tied the game in the 52nd minute, when midfielder MARUYAMA Daisuke, receiving a pass from midfielder ENOMOTO Taiki, dribbled past a defender and netted a goal.

But it was the only shot FC.TOSU attempted in the entire game, and, soon after, Roasso regained control of the match. Yet, Roasso had fewer scoring chances than in the first half and some thought the match could go into extra time. But one minute into the stoppage time, late substitute and midfielder KIM Tae Yeon headed a cross from defender SUZUKI Shoto for a game-winning goal. Despite firing 35 shots, Roasso scored only two goals, both in the closing minutes of each half. However, they managed to win the game with the pride of a professional club and advanced to the second round.

Meanwhile, FC.TOSU ended up being on the losing side in their first Emperor's Cup game, but their supporters sent them applause for their tenacious defence and competitively-played match. FC.TOSU’s players, who had set their eyes for this tournament, earned a valuable experience through this game. Goalkeeper Matsuoka, who showed great saves throughout the contest said: “we would like to capitalise on this experience for our future competitions like Saga Prefecture league and return to this stage next year.”

Roasso will square off against Tokyo Verdy, a fellow J2 team, on 3 September at Umakana Yokana Stadium, again with the ticket for the third round at stake.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

KIYOKAWA Hiroyuki, Coach (Roasso Kumamoto)
I feel thankful that a lot of supporters came for us in this rain. We knew that we would have a difficult game. We struggled scoring a goal in the first half and adding to the lead in the second, making a fair contest for both teams to advance to the next round. But we remained resilient and kept attacking until the end, and, as a result, we got through the first match. I view this as a positive ahead of the next match.

HIRASHIGE Ryuichi (Roasso Kumamoto)
We struggled more than we anticipated. We had many chances but our opponents had more men before their goal defending tenaciously. It would have been better if we had gotten them ‘off balance’ a little bit more. In this single-elimination Emperor's Cup, you often find a difficult time scoring against opponents who play defensively, but we are relieved that we won at the end. At times, we couldn’t coordinate our efforts and failed to score from cross balls. This is an issue going forward. We also needed to put that extra effort to break free of the defenders. 

SAITO Yoshihiro, Coach（FC.TOSU）
We appreciate the chance to play football in such a great circumstance. FC.TOSU have three players from Kumamoto Prefecture and they performed with their ‘spirit for Kumamoto.’ Our intention was to keep a clean sheet as far as we could. We played the same way in the second half as we did in the first half and, fortunately, came up with the goal. But in the end we got exhausted and left the opponents unattended. I felt we still have a difference in the level of play between the professional club and us.

MARUYAMA Daisuke（FC.TOSU）
Regarding our score, I was on a receiving end of the well-coordinated passes and only had to put it in. We intended to attack swiftly after we regained possession of the ball and to get in the space behind Roasso’s defenders. It gave us some momentum when we scored a goal early in the second half. It will be a great asset for us having been able to play at a big stage, so I would like to capitalise on it for my career. Now we can take some deep breath, and hopefully we can come back to this pitch and play as the whole team.

The 96th Emperor's Cup All Japan Football Championship

2016-8-27-2017-1-1

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