On Saturday, February 28, Tokyo, aiming for their fourth consecutive league win (including a victory in a penalty shootout), will face Kashiwa Reysol at home.
On match day, titled the 'World Festival,' the venue will be filled with the vibrant rhythms of samba, featuring gourmet dishes from around the world such as Brazil's coxinha, Korea's bibimbap, and traditional Danish home cooking.
However, once you turn your eyes to the pitch and the whistle blows, an intense battle awaits.
The Passion of the Sun King
The opponent, Kashiwa Reysol, is undoubtedly a strong team that contended for the J1 League title last season. They are entering the second season under head coach Ricardo RODRIGUEZ. Notably, their style features a meticulous, flexible system operated by a 'purely Japanese unit' with no foreign players, combined with high pressing and a variety of attacking patterns to seize control of the offense.
In the recent Sec. 3 match against Kashima Antlers, Tokyo seized an excellent chance to take the lead with a penalty kick in the 23rd minute of the first half, but the shot by kicker Hosoya went straight to the opposing goalkeeper. In the second half, Kubo and Omi were brought on to invigorate the side attacks, but they suffered a 0-2 defeat due to the recurring issue of conceding goals from set plays. After the match, coach Ricardo RODRIGUEZ expressed disappointment, saying, "We were far from our usual performance," but the runs behind the defense initiated by Hosoya and the solid side attacks remained intact.
With the strength of having finished second last season, Kashiwa’s 'unity and organization,' desperately fighting to claim their first victory, will surge into Ajinomoto Stadium with the utmost intensity.
Progress Seen in the Tamagawa Clasico
Tokyo has steadily made tactical updates since the season opener and currently sits 4th with 7 points. A symbolic moment was the recent Sec. 3 match, the 'Tamagawa Clasico' against Kawasaki Frontale. From the start, they used the flanks as a base, with Hayato INAMURA actively carrying the ball forward and looking for opportunities with vertical passes to switch on the attack. Defensively, Kento HASHIMOTO and Kota TOKIWA, along with Motoki NAGAKURA positioned up front, worked in coordination. They thoroughly cut off passing lanes to Kawasaki’s WAKISAKA and the frontline’s Elisson, systematically eliminating the opponent’s options one by one.
What stands out is the reaction speed to second balls and the mindset of moving 'forward' after winning possession. Sei MUROYA’s go-ahead goal in the 38th minute of the first half. Tokiwa’s vertical pass acted as the switch, and when Marcelo RYAN created space in a central position, the ball was played out to Keito SATO, who was positioned on the right side. At that moment, six Tokyo players were advancing toward the goal. Ultimately, MUROYA boldly overtook SATO with an underlapping run and powerfully struck the ball into the net. This entire sequence can be seen as an update to their attacking play and a 'step forward' for the team.
The 'Shield' and 'Spear' Who Know the 'World'
In this organizational evolution, the play of players who know the 'world' is fused into the current FC Tokyo.
At the very back stands Kim Seung-gyu, the guardian of the South Korean national team aiming for his fourth World Cup. His first match after joining FC Tokyo was last season’s game against Kashiwa Reysol. It is still fresh in memory how he demonstrated a class difference with his stable build-up and saving. On the occasion of this 'World Festival,' Seung-gyu also promotes off-pitch enjoyment, saying, "I love 'Korean oden'! Since it will be available at AO-AKA PARK this time, I want everyone to try it!!"
In the position just ahead of that is Alexander SCHOLZ. Having been selected for the Denmark national team in the past, he neutralized Kashiwa's attacking lineup with calm and precise responses backed by experience, and despite being a center back, he joins the attack deep in the opponent's territory when the opportunity arises.
And the player who deserves the most attention is Hiang at the forefront. As proven by his goal in the match against Kawasaki, he never misses a momentary gap. Not only does he break through vertically, but above all, this season he has refined his play of 'holding' the ball at the front line, creating space and time in advanced positions, which has added depth by enabling players from the midfield and behind to join the attack.
Hian also said, "Samba is a festival for the people of Brazil. I really want everyone to experience samba at Ajinomoto Stadium!!" He eagerly looks forward to his homeland's culture coloring the stadium.
There is no doubt that players who know the world and play to world standards will be seen in every aspect on the pitch in this match against Kashiwa.
Tokyo boasts a lineup of players who represent Japan on the world stage and understand the global game, including Yuto NAGATOMO, Masato MORISHIGE, Muroya, Kento HASHIMOTO, Ryunosuke SATO, and Fuki YAMADA.
A variety of cultures intersect at Ajinomoto Stadium on this day. Enjoy events symbolizing each country and savor the food cultures of the homelands of players like Scholz, Seung-gyu, and Hian. However, what we should ultimately savor is the feast and celebratory toast called 'victory.'
The men who know the world will engulf Kashiwa. When the final whistle blows, we hope the blue and red victory anthem will resound throughout Ajinomoto.
