FC Tokyo beat Kyoto Sanga to win Emperor's Cup
TOKYO: FC Tokyo qualified for the 2012 AFC Champions League Sunday as they came back from a goal down to beat Kyoto Sanga 4-2 to win the Emperor's Cup.
The final of the prestigious tournament, opened to Japan's professional and amateur leagues, featured two clubs from the J-League second division for the first time.
FC Tokyo won the second division title in the last March-December season to return to the top flight, while Kyoto finished at seventh place to miss promotion.
FC Tokyo, winning the Emperor's Cup for the first time, joined the top three teams from the J-League first division -- Kashiwa Reysol, Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka -- in Asia's Champions League.
"I was moved by my own team as they did their job pretty well," Tokyo coach Kiyoshi Okuma said. "We came from the second division and played against teams in the top league. We needed patience and courage."
"It was tough because our supporters expected us to do well, but it ended in a good result. I'd like to thank my players," he added.
Only two minutes after Kyoto skipper Hiroki Nakayama opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Naohiro Ishikawa sent a cross after exchanging short passes from the left corner, allowing Yasuyuki Konno to head home an equaliser.
In the 36th minute, Ishikawa sent another short pass from a free kick and Masato Morishige netted a sizzling 30-metre shot.
Brazilian striker Lucas added two more, while Yuya Kubo managed to pull one back for Kyoto.
"I thought it would be difficult when we lost a goal, but I scored myself and we started to play our game. This team is well organised. I think we played a lively football," said Morishige.
"I was moved by my own team as they did their job pretty well," Tokyo coach Kiyoshi Okuma said. "We came from the second division and played against teams in the top league. We needed patience and courage."
"It was tough because our supporters expected us to do well, but it ended in a good result. I'd like to thank my players," he added.
Only two minutes after Kyoto skipper Hiroki Nakayama opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Naohiro Ishikawa sent a cross after exchanging short passes from the left corner, allowing Yasuyuki Konno to head home an equaliser.
In the 36th minute, Ishikawa sent another short pass from a free kick and Masato Morishige netted a sizzling 30-metre shot.
Brazilian striker Lucas added two more, while Yuya Kubo managed to pull one back for Kyoto.
"I thought it would be difficult when we lost a goal, but I scored myself and we started to play our game. This team is well organised. I think we played a lively football," said Morishige.
"It was tough because our supporters expected us to do well, but it ended in a good result. I'd like to thank my players," he added.
Only two minutes after Kyoto skipper Hiroki Nakayama opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Naohiro Ishikawa sent a cross after exchanging short passes from the left corner, allowing Yasuyuki Konno to head home an equaliser.
In the 36th minute, Ishikawa sent another short pass from a free kick and Masato Morishige netted a sizzling 30-metre shot.
Brazilian striker Lucas added two more, while Yuya Kubo managed to pull one back for Kyoto.
"I thought it would be difficult when we lost a goal, but I scored myself and we started to play our game. This team is well organised. I think we played a lively football," said Morishige.
0 comments:
Post a Comment