Match Review & Preview
Review of the Previous Match Against Yokohama F.Marinos
It was truly a brilliant game. The red and blue squad was dynamic in both offense and defense at 'Our National.' Captain Sei MUROYA also expressed his confidence, saying, "It was truly our best game."
The match shifted just 32 seconds after kickoff. MUROYA connected the ball vertically from the back line, and Keito SATO, facing forward, delivered an exquisite early grounded cross so perfect that he said, "It felt like Iniesta came down to me." Motoki NAGAKURA broke free and scored with a one-touch left-footed shot. With this lightning-fast strike, Tokyo took the lead.
They continued to show strength in one-on-one situations, preventing the opponent from playing to their strengths, and overwhelmed them by mixing possession-based attacks with fast-paced, simple attacks. In the 16th minute of the first half, Ryunosuke SATO cut in from the left side, brought the ball to the center, and scored with a right-footed shot, marking his first league goal for Tokyo.
At halftime, leading 2-0, the locker room was filled with the energy of voices saying, "Let's go for one more goal," which drew the early second-half additional goal. After multiple players surrounded and took the ball, Alexander SCHOLZ intercepted and advanced with a through pass. Marcelo RYAN finished it to score the third goal. This time, it was just 54 seconds after the restart. It was a perfect embodiment of the "+1 GOAL" philosophy, putting Yokohama FM further behind.
They continued to play with concentration until the very end to close out the match, recording their first clean sheet of the season. The team, whose winning streak from the start of the season was halted at three, showed progress in their finishing and game management—areas previously seen as challenges—and successfully secured a solid victory in this restart match.
This Week's Preview
After five opening matches, the team has achieved 4 wins and 1 loss. So far, they hold 3rd place in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League EAST Group. After a strong start with three consecutive wins, they suffered their first defeat in Sec. 4 against Kashiwa Reysol, but used that frustration as motivation to secure a commanding 3-0 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the previous match. Recording their first clean sheet of the season, they made the best possible restart toward the top, living up to the saying, “Teams that win the championship don’t suffer consecutive losses.”
In the previous match, the team took control by scoring decisive goals right after the start of both halves, with positive highlights including Ryunosuke SATO’s first goal for Tokyo and Rio OMORI’s impressive performance on both offense and defense in his first start. Building on the lessons learned from the match against Kashiwa, the team demonstrated greater adaptability than ever before. They played seamless soccer both offensively and defensively, featuring intense pressing from the front, immediate ball recovery after being pressed, sharp attacks that rapidly accelerated from possession, and simple counterattacks that exploited space by drawing the opponent in. Moreover, they showed a chameleon-like ability to change their style of play according to the surrounding circumstances.
Kota Tokiwa, who has started all five matches so far and has been entrusted with steering the team from midfield, said, "The match against Kashiwa was a costly lesson, but it was truly educational. It was the first time this season we faced a team using a three-back formation, and as they frequently changed their positions, we struggled to unify and share our approach on how to respond. Reflecting on that, we were able to communicate effectively about which spaces to use in the match against Yokohama FM. Since Mito Hollyhock also employs a flexible system, we want to show our growth here. We aim to bring out what we learned from the Kashiwa match and fight together as a team," expressing his determination to demonstrate the team's evolution.
On the other hand, Mito has moved to the J1 League stage for the first time in the club's history this season. They have struggled so far with only one win in a penalty shootout, but they are fighting hard with a style of play that is based on a four-back formation and shifts to a three-back during attacks while valuing ball possession. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "They are a team that sticks firmly to their philosophy and way of thinking. There were games where the results could have easily been different, even in matches they lost. The past results don’t matter at all. There are no easy games to win, and it’s completely nonsense to think that because they are a newly promoted team, things will somehow work out. We must always approach it with the mindset that ‘the next opponent is the strongest enemy.’" He tightened his focus.
Behind those words lies a strong determination for the upcoming three consecutive away matches starting this week.
So far, we have 10 points. We are 3 points behind the leader Kashima Antlers and tied on points with the second-placed Urawa Reds. After a first half of the season with many home games, we now face a three-match away stretch including midweek fixtures. Of course, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI remains steadfast in his 'win every match' principle. In the meeting ahead of the Mito game, he delivered a single message to the team.
"In order to get closer to where we aim to be, it is necessary to firmly secure results in this three-match away series. Of course, each match is important, but I want everyone to also imagine where our position will be after these three games. We may still be in a position of looking up, but there is also a very real possibility that the situation could be reversed. Let's create that view once. To build that view, let's focus carefully on what we can do and first fight each match one by one."
To become a “team worthy of the championship,” it is required to win while always being conscious of the title and feeling the pressure. There is no finish line on the path of continuously aiming higher. However, it can be said that the team has earned the right to take on this challenge based on their early-season results. The stance of winning each match without fail remains unchanged, and at the same time, the determination for everyone to seize the championship together is also necessary. This upcoming three-match away stretch holds the potential to lead to a great future. The first game against Mito will be a match to raise our own hurdles and prove further growth and evolution by overcoming them.
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q: The last match was a wonderful performance. After the week began, what kind of feedback did you give to the team?
A: It goes without saying that we must continuously surpass what we showed in the last match. We discussed with the players what is important for us to climb even higher from here and have been building up our training accordingly. Due to the snow on the first day, we couldn’t train outdoors, but over the course of three days, we steadily addressed even the small issues.
Q: In the post-match press conference after the previous game, you mentioned that you need to set higher hurdles for yourselves and overcome them. How would you put into words what these "hurdles" are?
A: They apply to everything. This includes both technique and tactics. We had a good start to the game, and both the content and the result were positive. When thinking about how to maintain this and further improve it, tactics naturally come first to mind, but I believe we should focus more on the individual. Even if there are good tactics, if the individual skills and decision-making that support them do not improve, it won’t become something truly good. Ultimately, it comes back to the individual, so I emphasized the importance of reflecting on that ourselves.
Q. What kind of guidance did you give during training to raise individual decision-making?
A. It’s not that difficult; we organized the training so that such situations would naturally arise, and we have been incorporating and working on small, detailed elements one by one within the training.
Q. Is there anything you consciously focus on to develop these aspects over the long term?
A. Of course, feedback is important, but rather than dwelling on looking back, I believe the only way is to keep trying and challenging ourselves on what to do next. There is no time to stop and fixate on errors. Errors are inevitable, and on top of that, players must always think about what they should do next. Maintaining the same form or condition is difficult, and even in challenging situations, continuing to try is something we must always keep in mind.
Q. From here, there will be three consecutive away matches. How do you plan to approach them?
A. There is nothing more than to fight each match with care. However, in the meeting, while I told the team to value each match in order to get closer to where we aim during this three-match stretch, I also asked them to imagine where our position will be once these three games are over. "We are still looking up (at the top), but there is a very real possibility that the situation could be reversed. Of course, the opponents and other teams’ results will have an impact, but there is also a good chance that we will be in a position to be looked up to. Let’s create that view." I told them that it’s not just about chasing all the time; depending on the results of these three matches, positions could switch, and I wanted everyone to imagine that. It’s not impossible, and we understand that it will naturally be influenced by how the opponents play and their results, but to create that view, we must firmly focus on what we can do and fight each match, imagining what the scene will look like when these three games are finished.
Q. The upcoming opponent, Mito Hollyhock, has won a penalty shootout, but the team seems to have been struggling somewhat since their promotion to the J1 League. How do you view them as a coach?
A. I think they are playing while firmly sticking to a solid team philosophy or way of thinking. Even though their results have not been good, I believe they are a team that plays matches where a small trigger can change those results. I have also told the players this, as was the case in our match against Kashiwa Reysol in Tokyo: past results have no bearing at all, and there is absolutely no guarantee that those results will increase our chances of winning. I haven’t said much this season, but the "enemy in front of us is the strongest enemy," meaning that regardless of the situation or standings, the next opponent we face is the strongest enemy for us. We must approach the match with that mindset and position. I don’t think we need to be especially cautious just because they were promoted, nor do I think we can easily win. It’s nonsense to assume that things will work out because of past results. We must always take the stance that the next opponent, the one in front of us, is the strongest enemy, and we have to approach it accordingly.
Player Interview
Alexander SCHOLZ
Q. What do you think was the key to victory in the match against Yokohama F.Marinos?
A First of all, I think the start of the match was very good. We were able to score right at the beginning of the first half and immediately after the start of the second half. When you can do that, the chances of winning increase. In addition, I think the level of individual performances was also high. The team has always worked hard, but individual play has steadily improved since the start of the season, and I feel that confidence has grown throughout the team. Although we lost 0-2 against Kashiwa Reysol, it was a match from which we gained something in terms of content. With that experience, we have now set our standards a bit higher. I believe that is also reflected in our matches.
Q. Regarding defense, what were the key points in the match against Yokohama F.Marinos?
A. We focused on defending from a high position, the so-called high block. That gave the team confidence because we were able to win the ball high up the pitch and launch short counters from there. This style of defense is not only effective for controlling the game but also prevents the opponent from attacking confidently and keeps them away from our goal. I believe this was a major point in this match.
Q, This match was the first time I partnered with Rio OMORI. Did you have any communication before or during the game?
A, We communicated as usual. Although he hasn't had many appearances for FC Tokyo, he has plenty of professional match experience. There is absolutely no lack of experience. To be honest, he is a very easy player to play with. It's easy to coordinate with him, and I think our playing styles are compatible. Also, in this match, he himself played truly wonderfully. His condition was so good that I think it would have gone well no matter who he partnered with in this game.
Q. Based on the matches so far, what are the team's strengths and challenges?
A. I think we have created plenty of chances and have not given the opponents many opportunities in any match. We kept our first clean sheet in the game against Yokohama FM, but I believe we could have achieved that even earlier. The first two matches ended in draws, with victories decided by penalty shootouts, but now we aim to win within 90 minutes, and I believe that is possible. We should continue what has been going well so far. This team’s strength lies in its ability to play in various styles, including building up from deep positions, short passing, and physical play. I think it is a team that is difficult for opponents to prepare against. We also have an excellent striker, who is truly a troublesome presence for opposing defenses. That is why we need to keep up the good aspects we have now and continue without letting up in any way.
Q. You will play three matches in one week from now. What are the important points?
A. The important thing is not to overthink the upcoming matches even though we have consecutive games. Indeed, there are three matches, but first, we are focusing on the match against Mito Hollyhock. It is an away game, and I don’t think it will be an easy match. They also play good soccer, and we have prepared for this match for a week. At this moment, what I am thinking about is not "playing three matches in one week," but only the Mito match right in front of us. We can think about the next matches afterward. I want to get 3 points in the Mito match and start off well.
Q. Lastly, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, thank you very much for the wonderful support during the Yokohama FM match. It was amazing to be able to play at the Japan National Stadium in front of over 50,000 people. As always, your support was truly fantastic. The players are also enjoying it. We strive to deliver entertaining matches to give something back to all of you. There are games we cannot win, like the one against Kashiwa Reysol, but we always give our all. I hope you can truly feel what we are trying to do.
Kento HASHIMOTO
Q. We were able to secure a solid victory against Yokohama F.Marinos.
A. It was a situation where we had to avoid consecutive losses in order to win the championship. The team spent a tense week leading up to the match, and it was good that we were able to earn 3 points with a strong performance. I think we were able to build good momentum heading into the upcoming three consecutive matches.
Q, It feels like your coordination with Kyota Tokiwa has been improving with each match.
A, Not only with Tokiwa but as a whole team, we have good connections, enabling us to transition from solid defense to effective attack. Even during build-up from the back, it seems we are advancing while maintaining good positioning. Right now, we are truly playing fluidly as a whole, with everyone not only focusing on their feet but also finding space behind and making runs into gaps, adapting our play to each situation. I believe these efforts are what bring victories to the team.
Q, the upcoming match against Mito Hollyhock comes amid this good momentum. What are your impressions?
A, Mito works hard and is a team that tries to maintain solid ball possession, so I think it will be a difficult match. However, we will not retreat there; each individual must play without losing to the opponent. It was the same in the match against Yokohama FM, but the start of the first half is extremely important. We want to approach the game aggressively, always taking the initiative without being passive.
Q What do you think will be important to win against Mito?
A It is important to work harder than the opponent. When we have the ball, the entire team must stay connected and attack together. Since they are a team that will exploit even the slightest lapse in concentration, I believe that fighting without any gaps for the full 90 minutes will bring us closer to victory.
Q. From here, we will have three consecutive matches. I think winning the first match will lead to success in the following matches as well.
A. I believe the strength of the entire team is truly necessary to get through the consecutive matches. First, we want to win the first game of the three-match series and earn 3 points. It is important not to lose in individual battles. If we can overwhelm the opponent in individual matchups, I think we can also tactically dominate as a team, so we want to firmly express our style of soccer and win.
