Balance Between Philosophy and Flexibility
After completing about two weeks of camp in Okinawa, Coach Matsuhashi summarized the team's atmosphere as they continue their final adjustments at Kodaira Ground: "I think the condition is very good. However, we must never sit back and relax. If things are good at this stage, we need to surpass that even further." This reflects the team's situation from the start of the season until now.
The coach, who said during the Okinawa Itoman camp that he wants to "express more color," advocates for an 'attacking style of soccer' that maintains an aggressive stance in both offense and defense. It is a style of football where we take the initiative in the game, create the rhythm, and guide the opponent to break them down.
In that process, Coach Matsuhashi emphasizes the idea of 'Keep the philosophy unchanged, be flexible in the approach.' "It’s good to value your beliefs, but if you overemphasize them to the point where your mind becomes closed off, it’s meaningless. Football never goes exactly as you expect, and above all, flexibility to adapt to any situation is crucial."
While continuing to hold the ideals and style of play they aim for as their "philosophy," they possess the flexibility to adapt their methods according to the situation at hand. It is this balance that becomes the mindset necessary for Tokyo to achieve further evolution.
Accumulating Days Worthy of "Championship"
Now, within the team, the word "championship" is naturally being spoken by the players. While Coach Matsuhashi senses this shift in mindset, he added from his unique perspective, "Honestly, we may not be a 'team destined to win the championship' based on our past experience, and we should accept that as a fact. So, how should we aim for the championship? It is by 'living each day worthy of winning the championship.'"
They direct their focus inward with standards befitting a champion. It is the accumulation of these "worthy days" that they firmly believe is the only path leading to a summit Tokyo has never experienced before—an, so to speak, "uncharted" peak.
The opponent in the league opener is the reigning champion from last season, the Kashima Antlers. There is no better opponent to demonstrate these "worthy days" on the pitch. With the introduction of penalty shootouts and a new regulation eliminating draws in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, they stated, "We must thoroughly prepare for the matches and adapt to this tournament format we have never experienced before." They called on everyone to "just fully unleash what we have been working on. We want the players to have confidence and courage, and we ask the fans and supporters to wholeheartedly back them" as they welcome the opening home game.
Keeping the philosophy unchanged, but flexible in approach――.
'Rikizo Tokyo,' embracing a more aggressive style, will take a new step forward on February 7 at Ajinomoto Stadium.
