Match Review & Preview

Review of the Previous Match: FC Machida Zelvia

The game marking the halfway point of this season's first half,saw 3rd place Tokyo face 2nd place FC Machida Zelvia away. This match, where they absolutely wanted to secure 3 points toward the championship, kicked off in the rain at Machida GION Stadium. 

The Blue-Red Eleven, still not forgetting the frustration of their defeat in last autumn's Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round, entered the match fiercely from the start. They played while circulating the ball in the opponent's territory, and even when they lost possession, they immediately regained it through rapid negative transitions and pressed forward. 

On this day, due to a schedule change associated with Machida's advancement in the AFC Champions League Elite, the match was held the day after the International Match Week, and Japan national team player Ryunosuke SATO and South Korean national team player Kim Seung-gyu were absent. However, goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA, who made his J1 League debut, energized the team from the back. In the 29th minute of the first half, he made a fine save when Fujio broke free in a one-on-one situation. 

With the defense not conceding the opening goal, Tokyo once again took control of the flow of the match. It was at the 32nd minute. When Keita ENDO received the ball on the left side, he cut inside and sharply struck with his right foot, sending a ground shot piercing the near post for the opening goal. Although there had been a stretch of time where they couldn’t get a shot on target despite dominating the game, Tokyo took the lead with a bold strike.. 

FC Tokyo has thoroughly established a style of seamlessly transitioning from highly focused defense to attack. This attitude continues even in the second half, carried on by the players brought on through substitutions. 

In the 19th minute of the second half, newly introduced Marcelo RYAN fiercely pressed on the right side, forcing the opponent into a difficult back pass, which Keiyu Sato intercepted. "I was aiming for the back pass," said Sato, who powerfully struck the ball into the goal with his left foot from a tight angle to score an additional goal. 

Then, in the same33rd minute, Sato Keito once again powerfully carried the ball vertically down the right side and delivered a cross. It was initially ruled a corner kick, but with VAR support, it was determined that the opponent had handled the ball, and after an on-field review, it was changed to a penalty kick. Sato converted it with his right foot, extending the lead to three goals with two strikes from the number 16, who started as one of the two forwards for the first time this season.  

In the final stages, rookie Yuta SUGAWARA, who was promoted from the academy, made his professional debut, and the match closed with a clean sheet. Despite the bad weather, supported by the passionate cheers of the Blue-Red family, FC Tokyo secured a 3-0 victory in the first half of the consecutive matches against Machida, rising to provisional 2nd place with 19 points.

This Week's Preview

And now, the bell for the second round is about to ring. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, preparing to face the match at Ajinomoto Stadium, called out to the players, "It’s not only us who will find it difficult; the opponent will face the same challenges. This is an important match for both sides as we build up. It’s not difficult just because we are leading; it will also be a tough game for Machida."

Kei Sato, who scored two goals in the away game on the 1st, also tightened his helmet strap after the victory.

"Last season, in the two consecutive matches against Machida, we won the first league match but lost in the next Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round. This season, we have also grown, so we want to firmly secure two consecutive wins."

The focus has begun to align on a style of play that pushes the opponent into their own territory, circulating ball possession and recovery while advancing toward the goal.

From here on, it becomes a process of "organizing the tactical aspects and aligning the focus, and by enhancing the individual skills and decision-making that govern this, the precision will improve even further. It’s about steadily building up the basics" (Coach Matsuhashi).

The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League has entered the second half, with the last nine matches remaining. Using every game as a stepping stone, the Blue-Red team will continue to draw an upward growth curve as they prepare for the final match of the season against the top-ranked Kashima Antlers. This match against Machida is a test of their resolve for the championship.

Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q. Having won the first match of the consecutive games against FC Machida Zelvia, tomorrow will be the second match. What kind of words did you say to the players?
A. I believe it will be a difficult match not only for us but also for the opponent. The outcome of this match will lead to the next, so it remains an important game for both teams to build upon from here. In that sense, I explained that it is not that it will be difficult just because we won the first match, but it will also be a tough game for Machida.

Q. In the previous match, the players who participated showed good performances. How do you think about player selection for consecutive matches?
A. I don’t think there is a need to be excessively humble. If the players are in good form and played well, I believe it’s best to repeat the same approach. While repeating, we prepared for both offense and defense in today’s practice, anticipating what kind of formation the opponent might use. In this situation, we were able to align our perspectives well with the players on how to act from the opponent’s standpoint. If the match unfolds similarly to last time, we want to firmly repeat our plan once again. I believe a truly strong team is one that can overturn the situation even if the opponent understands it, so we want to use various methods. However, the fundamental premise is to aim for the goal.

Q. I believe continuing to score multiple goals leads to victory, but what are your thoughts on this?
A. Of course, we want to keep doing that, but I think it is very difficult. Scoring three goals against Machida every time is quite challenging. However, just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean a 1-0 or 2-0 win is acceptable; we must approach the game with the mindset of overwhelming the opponent.

Q: The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League has reached the halfway point, and we are currently in second place. What do you think will be important as you chase the top-ranked Kashima Antlers from here on?
A: We are always challengers. Since we face Kashima in the final round, we want to maintain the right to challenge until then. Of course, it would be ideal to surpass Kashima before that, but the stage is set for an away match against Kashima in the final round, so it will be important to see what situation we are in at that time. However, there are still many opponents to face before the final round, so we want to steadily build up and keep a clear vision of what kind of stage we want to create for the last match.

Player Interview

Kei KOIZUMI

Q. It’s a back-to-back match with only three days in between against FC Machida Zelvia. You started in the match against JEF United Chiba but did not play in the Tokyo Verdy match, and in the previous away match against Machida, you came on as a substitute.
A. Since it’s a back-to-back match with only three days in between, I think every team has to approach it as an all-out effort. Regarding my own situation, I don’t think too much about it; I just want to do my best for the team. Above all, the result is the most important thing, so if I play, winning that match is also a result for me. First, I want to prepare well so the team can win and be ready to step onto the pitch. Once I’m on the pitch, all that’s left is to give it my all.

Q: In the match against Chiba, it seemed that Koizumi’s performance directly reflected the team’s overall performance, and he was able to control the entire team well.
A: Personally, I think I could have done more both offensively and defensively. Even though I haven’t been playing much, I haven’t let it affect me emotionally and have kept my body in good condition, so I feel that I was able to play well even when I suddenly played the full 90 minutes in the Chiba match. Even if my playing time is limited, I want to contribute to the team’s victory. Since this is a consecutive match against the same opponent and Tokyo won the previous game, I believe the opponent will come with a strong determination not to lose twice in a row. Rather than reacting to that, I want to forget about the previous match and, since this is a home game, take positive initiative ourselves without being passive.

Q: Even in the previous match against Machida, I feel that rather than reacting awkwardly to the opponent, focusing thoroughly on what we need to do ourselves leads to both better content and results.
A: Yes, that's right. When there are too many reactive movements, it inevitably becomes difficult and the match ends up being controlled by the opponent. Because we are currently able to take very good defensive actions on our own initiative, I believe that leads to good attacks, and I hope we can continue that. However, there will definitely be times when things don’t go well, so in those moments, I think the players on the pitch need to communicate and support each other.

Q. Although it is a short season, we will enter the second half with this upcoming match against Machida. With the team united in pursuit of the goal of winning the championship, I believe there will be a series of matches we cannot afford to lose precisely because the season is short.
A. That is indeed the situation, but above all, I want to focus on the match right in front of us. Personally, I think it’s important not to look too far ahead, but to win the immediate match and continue doing so, as that will lead to what comes next. Both individually and as a team, I hope we can prioritize the opponent in front of us and prepare thoroughly.

Q. In the previous match, you came on midway as a right side back, but this season you have mainly been deployed as a defensive midfielder. Does anything change depending on the partner you pair up with?
A. There might be some differences, but both on and off the pitch, including during training, I think we communicate well with all the players. Of course, while some players may seem similar in style, there are subtle differences, so not only myself but also Kouta TOKIWA, Keigo HIGASHI, Kento HASHIMOTO, and Takahiro KO—all of us think carefully as we play. However, no matter how much you analyze the opponent, especially on the pitch, you have to adapt flexibly. The players on the pitch must make decisions according to the situation. Communication among players is crucial, and no matter who is playing, we want to discuss what to do now, make decisions, and play accordingly.

Q. Lastly, as we welcome the second half of the season against Machida at home, please give us a passionate message.
AWell... let's definitely win!

Ryunosuke SATO

Q, How do you feel after finishing your activities with the Japan national team?
A, I once again felt that the level of Japanese soccer is very high. It was inspiring to see that if we bring out our full strength, we can win against the England national team.

Q. Aren't you eager to channel the frustration of not being able to play in the match into your performance at FC Machida Zelvia?
A, I felt that I need to do much more at Tokyo, and I want to aim even higher. My physical condition is perfect, so I want to show plays that lead to victory and get called up to the Japan national team again.

Q, this marks the halfway point of the league, and you are in a position where you can aim for the championship.
A, I believe we have to compete for the championship until the very end, and having that situation constantly present creates an environment where both I and the team can grow. Therefore, I definitely want to keep challenging the Kashima Antlers.

Q. To close the gap with Kashima, I think the second match against Machida will be a very important game.
A I myself was unable to play in the first match, and I think the second game will be challenging. The opponent will also prepare countermeasures, so I want to surpass that. Matches against Machida are always tough. I want to prepare thoroughly so that I can outmatch them mentally as well.

Q. What kind of play do you want to show if you get to play?
A I definitely want to make plays that lead to goals. Of course, since we are aiming for the championship, we have to keep winning, and looking ahead to the World Cup squad selection, I believe that as long as I’m playing in the J.League, I need to achieve better results than players playing overseas. In that sense, I want to play with the intention of delivering results not just in this match, but in every single game.