Match Review
The opening match of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League was against the Kashima Antlers. At the home Ajinomoto Stadium, where snow was falling even before kickoff, the 2025 season league champion team was welcomed.
Tokyo, aiming for the championship, started with Kim Seung-gyu in goal. The back line from right to left consisted of Sei MUROYA, Alexander Scholz, Hayato INAMURA, and Yuto NAGATOMO. The central midfield duo was Takahiro KO and Kouta TOKIWA, who is in his second professional season. On the right side midfield was Keisuke SATO, with Keita ENDO on the left. Up front, Marcelo and Motoki NAGAKURA formed the two strikers.
1st HALF—Endo's Free Kick Goal but Immediately Equalized
Amid strong winds and snow blowing, time steadily passed from kickoff without either side creating a clear scoring chance. Among them, Tokyo was the first to create a decisive opportunity. In the 40th minute of the first half, Tokiwara advanced down the left side, and Nagatomo, overlapping outside Endo, delivered a cross. Marcelo RYAN controlled it, and Endo, who had penetrated the center, swung his left foot. However, this shot failed to hit the target.
It was just one minute later. When Marcelo RYAN stole the ball in the opponent's territory, Kashima Antlers' Misao had no choice but to foul and block his path. This was judged as denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, resulting in a red card and giving Tokyo a numerical advantage.
Then, the first goal of the 2026 season was born. A free kick opportunity was earned slightly in front of the goal. After Inamura's feint, Endo calmly curled a low ball into the lower right corner of the goal, and Tokyo successfully took the lead.
However, it was immediately after that. When conceding a corner kick from the left side to Kashima, a scramble was created in front of the goal, and Tae Hyeon KIM pushed the ball in to equalize. It seemed they had taken an early lead just before the end of the first half, but the immediate concession resulted in a 1-1 scoreline as the match headed into the decisive second half.
2ndHALF—Numerical Advantage but Unable to Break the Deadlock, Opening Victory in Penalty Shootout
In the second half, Tokyo took advantage of their numerical superiority to seize control and kept pressing toward the Kashima goal. However, Kashima also countered by exploiting the gaps left by Tokyo’s forward push with counterattacks.
As the match became deadlocked, both benches made moves in the 19th minute of the second half. Kashima substituted Elber for Hayashi. Tokyo replaced Endo and Hian with Fuki YAMADA and Ryunosuke SATO, sending them onto the pitch.
In the 25th minute of the second half, when the opponent tried to build from a goal kick, Tokyo seized the ball without missing the mistake. Nagakura aimed for the goal after the goalkeeper had rushed out, but Ueda, who came in to cover the goal, cleared it right in front of the net.
In the 32nd minute of the second half, both benches made changes again. Kashima substituted Araki and Ogawa for Higuchi and Koike. Tokyo replaced Tokiwa and Nagatomo with Kento HASHIMOTO and Kento HASHIMOTO on the pitch.
After that, the substitutes Ryu Sato and Kento HASHIMOTO actively took shots at goal but could not score the go-ahead goal. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the 5 minutes of additional time ended. To decide the winning team, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.
With both teams having successfully converted their first three kicks, Kim Seung-gyu dived to his right to save the fourth kick by Kashima’s Koike. Meanwhile, all five Tokyo players scored, securing a victory in the opening match of the special tournament by defeating the 2025 season league champions and getting off to a winning start.
The guardian of the blue and red, who said, "Since the special tournament includes a penalty shootout, I want to help the team and contribute to the victory there," became a hero by fulfilling his words.
Detailed match data is here
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q. First, please give us your overall assessment of the match.
A. Considering the regulations of this tournament, I think it was good that we were able to firmly secure 2 points in the end. However, this was a match we should have finished with 3 points. There was a bit of leniency, or rather, in terms of decisively seizing the crucial moments, I believe there were many things we still need to learn from the Kashima Antlers.
Q. An opposing player was sent off near the end of the first half. With one extra player in the second half, how did you plan to take advantage of that situation?
A. We were somewhat mindful of the opponent’s formation. First, we aimed to firmly establish a numerical advantage from the outside, then targeted the gaps in their defensive organization’s sliding through runs from the second line to break them down. We also focused on picking up loose balls from crosses to create second and third attacks. Including risk management, we fully understood what the opponent might do, so we planned to proceed with the match while carefully maintaining balance.
While conveying to the substitute players what was lacking in the flow of the game, I communicated messages to the team and consciously made substitutions one after another with the aim of finishing it off in the end. Unfortunately, not being able to break through the opponent's goal remains a major issue.
Q. Today, you selected Kyota Tokiwa as a starting member. Could you tell us the reason behind that decision and your evaluation of him?
A. Regarding his selection, it was largely because he has maintained very good form since the Okinawa Itoman camp and into this season. That was the main reason for choosing him. As for his performance today, it was very good. In previous rehearsals, he showed even better aspects, including more offensive contributions. However, as the opponent’s numbers decreased, the spaces where he could break through became limited. Since he hasn’t experienced many situations like this in actual matches, I believe he had his own thoughts about it. Even so, although this was not his debut match, I think he delivered a very good performance for the first game of the new season.
Player Interview
Keita ENDO
Q. As it was the opening match, how did you feel going into it?
A. I think it was good that the opening match was against the Kashima Antlers, as it was an opportunity to showcase what we built up during camp and practice. However, when it comes to whether we were able to fully demonstrate what we had prepared, I believe there were moments where we were a bit hesitant or nervous. There were also times when I felt we weren’t fully in the game, or the ball wasn’t sticking to our feet. I think the tension of the opening match played a part in that, but it is definitely something we need to improve.
Q. Since the opponent was the Kashima Antlers, who won the league last season, was there anything you were particularly conscious of or any instructions from the coach?
A. We have always said that in order to aim for the championship, since Kashima won last season, they are a good opponent in the sense that we have to surpass them. In our meetings, we were shown footage of Kashima winning, and we were told that next time, we will be in that position. Today, I thought it was definitely a match where we had to take all three points. However, despite Kashima catching up and the match being decided by a penalty shootout, I think it is a positive aspect that we did not lose to Kashima’s fighting spirit or momentum and ultimately secured the win.
Q: Please review your goal scene.
A. I scored my first-ever free kick in my life (laughs). The opposing goalkeeper was Tomoki HAYAKAWA, last season’s J.League MVP, and he is indeed a very good player, so I thought a normal shot probably wouldn’t get past him. Rather, I was able to kick with a more sharpened sense, and the ball went exactly where I aimed on a good course. Even though I scored my first free kick ever, it was sad that I wasn’t the one doing the hero interview…
Q. The next match is also in a week, a home game against the Urawa Reds at Ajinomoto Stadium.
A. I believe earning 3 points is truly meaningful, so I want to aim for victory. Personally, I feel I have a good record against the Urawa Reds. Watching the late stages of today’s game, there were moments when we could carry the ball up to the goal area but struggled to finish with a shot, so I think it’s important to keep striking the ball more and more.
Q, Despite the snow, many fans and supporters came to cheer us on.
A, I believe we put pressure on the opposing team during the penalty shootout, and I also felt the intensity, so I am truly grateful. Next time, I want to do my best to deliver the full 3 points.
Seung-gyu KIM
Q: Please look back on the moment you stopped the penalty kick.
A: I had analyzed and prepared for the players who were with Kashima Antlers last season, but those players were rarely the kickers. That said, there was a chance to stop up to the fourth kicker, so that is disappointing. Personally, I feel I could have done a little better rather than it being perfect.
Q,Had you already decided to dive to the right?
A,From the kicker’s motion before the kick, I thought it would be to the right, so I judged based on that and dived there.
Q,Looking back over the entire match,you wanted to secure the win within 90 minutes,right?
A,There were both good and bad moments throughout the match, but it would have been better if we had been able to seal the game when the opponent had a player sent off. However, since this was the first match of the season, I think that securing a solid win was a significant achievement.
Q,Do you feel that conceding a goal immediately after scoring remains an issue?
A,It was very disappointing to concede right after scoring, and I thought I would take control once the game was temporarily stopped. However, the match restarted immediately before it was stopped, and we conceded a goal. I want to use this experience as a lesson and make sure not to repeat the same mistake in the next game.
Q、Although it is 2 points, how do you want to build on the victory against Kashima, who won the league last season, in the opening match?
A、There may be matches throughout the season where we cannot secure a win, like this one, but regarding today, I want to think positively about having firmly earned 2 points against Kashima and approach the next match with full focus.
Q,It was heavy snow at the start of the match, but have you ever played in such snowy conditions before?
A,When I was with Kashiwa Reysol, I experienced a match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in even heavier snow than this. At that time, the pitch was covered so much that the grass was completely white.
Q,Did the obstructed visibility make it difficult to see the ball?
A,As you said, it was a bit difficult to see ahead, and since the wind was blowing towards us, that also made it somewhat hard to see.
Hayato Inamura
Q. I stood on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium in the blue and red colors I admired.
A. Since the chants were all familiar, it felt more nostalgic than like it was my first time.
Q, Although it was a penalty shootout, we were able to finish with a victory.
A, Of course, I wanted to win within the 90 minutes, and especially since the opponent had only 10 players, I felt that even more. However, I believed that securing a win was necessary for this team, and in that sense, I think we got off to a good start.
Q. It was a solid match since it was the opening game, but what do you think is important to further improve the content from here?
A. I think it’s important to keep going, and I believe that everyone, including myself, still has room to improve their condition from here. We need to focus on the quality of our training, and since there were many clear chances today as well, I want to make sure we improve on finishing those opportunities.
Q, You showed characteristics of build-up play, but you couldn’t break through.
A, I felt it’s important to get behind the opponent more. When they defend compactly, it becomes difficult, so I think it’s necessary to stretch them out by skillfully using long balls and exploit the areas they dislike.
Q. Is the conceded goal today an issue to address for the next match?
A Set pieces can decide the outcome of a match on their own, and since it happened immediately after we scored, it was really unfortunate. We need to work on improving that starting from practice.
Q. How would you evaluate your overall performance?
A. It was not good at all, so I only feel frustrated. I think I need more stability, and frankly, I felt that the center backs who played in today’s match, including the opponents, were at a higher level. I need to improve all aspects of my game, both offense and defense. I also think my passing accuracy was still low compared to before, and even more than that, I feel that defense is an area with more challenges. I want to become someone whom people can trust to defend when they think, ‘If Inamura is there, we can defend.’
There were parts where I played a bit nervously, but in the first half, there was a moment when I was able to deliver a good pass to Yuto NAGATOMO, and I was also able to go in boldly to break up plays. The yellow card was my mistake, but I believe I can still do much better.
Q. How did it feel to face a J1 League club in an official match for the first time in a while?
A. Since it had been half a year, there were moments when I felt a bit unsteady on my feet, but I gradually got used to it. Including that, I believe my condition can still improve a lot, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. After the match, I talked with Alexander SCHOLZ about how "we can still raise our quality," and I’ve also been able to discuss detailed adjustments with other players, so I think it’s important to keep going. Both SCHOLZ and I are players who can carry the ball forward, so depending on the situation, I believe we can create various ways to break down the opposition. Of course, the upcoming matches won’t be against the same opponents, so I think it’s also important to be flexible and adaptable.
Q. You were able to stand on the same pitch as Kouta Tokiwa, who was your teammate at FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, both starting in the opening lineup, right?
A, I’m simply happy. We talked about this together even during the camp, so it was great to make it happen. But I think the people who have supported us since our Fukagawa days are even happier, and we want to respond to their feelings together.
Q. From here on, it’s a real challenge for both of you, isn’t it?
A, I was able to play today, but there are many experienced players. We are not yet experienced players ourselves, so we want to go through various experiences one by one, grow, and face this competition for positions head-on.
