Match Review
This is a match where we must show the pride and determination of the blue and red.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance CompanyJ1 Hundred Year Vision League regional league ground final round. Following the results from the previous week, the EAST Group's first place was decided as Kashima Antlers, and Tokyo no longer had a chance to overturn and win the championship in this match. However, for Tokyo, securing a victory here would once again prove the steady progress the team has made. Regarding facing each other at this ranking, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "It's precisely because we have continued to prove our strength. We are just going to win," while Alexander SCHOLZ expressed, "We must show that this is a match between first and second place in the entire league. This will be a game where we must firmly demonstrate that the team has moved on to the next step."
Although the chance for a comeback championship was lost, this match became one where pride is on the line to defeat Kashima. Tokyo'sgoalkeeper, Hayate TANAKA, who is starting for the first time since the April 1 match against FC Machida Zelvia, took the place of Yuto NAGATOMO, selected for the Japan national team for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Kim Seung-gyu, who made the South Korea national team, both of whom were left off the bench.The back line was composed from right to left of Naruki Muroya, Alexander Scholz, Hayato INAMURA, and Kento HASHIMOTO, with Kento HASHIMOTO and Kouta TOKIWA deployed as defensive midfielders. The attackers were Keito SATO on the right and Keita ENDO on the left, with Marcelo Hyan and Ryunosuke SATO forming the two forwards. Additionally, Kei KOIZUMI and Masataka KOBAYASHI returned to the squad after about a month and a half on the bench.
Since both teams rely on adaptability as their strength, Tokyo aims to take the initiative early and control the flow of the match. The game kicked off at Mercari Stadium at5:33 p.m.,
1st―Creating Opportunities with High Intensity and Sharp Counters
The match started with both teams canceling out each other's strengths. In midfield, they intercepted each other's vertical passes like casting a net, and tightly defended to block any runs behind. In the 10th minute of the first half, Tokyo created a chance with a solid attack, but Kashima firmly closed the center and blocked it. Inside the penalty area, Muroya and Sato Ryu tried to push through but were unable to score.
With a strong awareness of negative transitions and attacks that speed up after pulling back into their own half, Tokyo increasingly pressed forward. In the 16th minute of the first half, they sharply closed down in midfield to win the ball, connected through Endo and RIAN, and Ryunosuke Sato took a shot. They embodied Tokyo’s style, built up to this point, by turning good defense into good offense.
They continued to apply coordinated pressing, not allowing Kashima any freedom and preventing them from creating chances through focused play. By winning the battles for the ball in midfield, they connected to effective attacks and aimed for the opening goal with sharp attacks. Defensively, they intercepted most balls before Kashima could enter the attacking third. They showcased a style of play that suppressed the opponent’s strengths while expressing their own qualities, not allowing the opponent to form attacking patterns.
First halfIn the 33rd minute, from a sharp counterattack, player Kei Sato broke through vertically on the right side and delivered a cross ball. From the contest in front of the goal, players Endo and Tokiwa took consecutive shots, but Kashima blocked the decisive chances with their bodies. Even here, they could not shake the net for the opening goal.
42nd minute of the first half, from a set piece, Leo CEARA connected with a header, but it just missed to the left of the goal. It was a dangerous moment, but we managed to escape the crisis somehow.
Immediately after,at the 45th minute, Tokyo received a layoff from Endo, who had become the starting point on the left side. Kento HASHIMOTO overlapped and took on the defense straight down the line, shooting with his left foot. Although the shot went wide to the left of the goal, this attack created a chance by quickly crossing over from behind. Tokyo maintained the upper hand as the first half ended. The score remained goalless as the match went into halftime.
2nd―Holdingthe Initiativebut Falling to a Single Decisive Moment
In the second half, they want to strengthen the pressure towards the goal while carefully managing risks and make sure to convert clear chances. Tokyo entered the half without making any substitutions.
In the second half, as Kashima increased their high pressing, Tokyo also avoided the opponent's press by using the goalkeeper and employing angled one-touch passes and direct plays in tight areas. They searched for attacking opportunities while maintaining possession.
In the second half, while Kashima had taken the initiative by making two substitutions at the 16th minute, Tokyo made a switch at the 21st minute from Kento HASHIMOTO to Takahiro KO. They changed the defensive midfielders aiming to score the opening goal. Tokyo sought to break through by encouraging Hian to make runs behind the defense with one-touch plays using the full width of the pitch, while mixing in sharp vertical passes through the center.
FC Tokyo showed build-up play where each player firmly repositioned themselves and accurately disrupted the pressing arrows of the opponent. Although there were noticeable moments of being pressed early in the second half, they calmly assessed the situation, regained control, and continued to advance the match.
Tokyo, wanting to create change on the pitch, at the 31st minute of the second half, substituted Kota TAWARATSUMIDA in as the left attacker for Endo, and Fuki YAMADA as one of the two forwards for Ryu Sato. They made the substitutions with hopes for new combinations.
However, in the second halfat the 35th minute, a pass exchange in midfield was intercepted, leading to a counterattack goal. They were caught off guard for a moment and conceded the opening goal.
Tokyo, wanting to intensify their offensive pressure, saw Kei Sato attempt a persistent hold-up play followed by a well-aimed long-range shot, while Lukian unleashed a powerful right-footed shot after breaking free. However, both attempts were stopped by the opposing goalkeeper’s saves and did not result in an equalizing goal. Coach Matsuhashi, at the 39th minute of the second half, used his final substitution, switching Lukian and Kei Sato for Leon NOZAWA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA. He made the decision to change the forward players, entrusting them with the task of equalizing and then overturning the score.
During the 5 minutes of added time displayed, putting their pride on the line, LORI made a dribbling breakthrough and Kento HASHIMOTO delivered a sharp cross,launching an assault on the Kashima goal, but they were unable to shake the net until the very end. While showing Tokyo’s characteristic style from the first half, they suffered a frustrating defeat, succumbing to Kashima’s match-savvy play.
With this, Tokyo has secured 2nd place in the EAST Group. The opponent for the playoff round, which will be held in a home-and-away format starting May 30, will be decided by waiting for the match result of Cerezo Osaka from the WEST Group, tomorrow, the 24th.
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q. Please reflect on the match.
A. I think it was truly a frustrating defeat, but the players prepared thoroughly for this match, including mentally, and showed a very admirable attitude. Today's performance is by no means something to be pessimistic about, and I believe they fought well. However, even so, how we can pull the full 3 points towards us is something we must continue to pursue further.
Q. While showing Tokyo’s unique style, it seemed that Kashima Antlers’ strong competitive edge got the better of you. From your perspective as coach, how do you perceive the difference between Kashima and us?
A. I truly felt that Kashima is a team that wins because they are meant to win.They constantly seek victory and have achieved becoming champions many times. I believe there is still a significant gap between such a team and the areas where we fall short. However, we have been striving all season to become a team worthy of closing that gap. A worthy appearance, worthy soccer, worthy play, worthy attitude and behavior. I believe that what has been steadily built up in these aspects is reflected in our current results, but we must raise that level even further. We need to continue seeking to challenge Kashima again and to challenge teams above us more and more.
Q、ある程度は戦えているなかで、フィニッシュまではなかなかいけていない印象でしたが、普段から監督がよくおっしゃっている『相手を見る』部分で足りない部分があったのでしょうか。
A、相手がどうこうというわけではなくて、我々がやりたいようにやっていくというところがすごく大事なポイントだと思っています。そういう意味では、そこでのエラーというか何か悪い点があったのかというとそうではなく、我々のクオリティをもっと上げなくてはいけないということです。その狙いに対しては、特に後半はしっかりと表現できたと思いますし、そのなかでチャンスも作ることができた。ただ、最後はやらせてくれない相手の固さというのは、やはり鹿島の強みだと思います。そこをどうやってフィニッシュまで持っていくかというところで、もっと質を上げていかなくてはいけないと思います。
Q, next is the battle in the playoff round. Although the opponent has not been decided at this point, what kind of fight do you want to show?
A, I think we just need to properly prepare ourselves, regardless of who the opponent is, so that we can firmly pull in the highest position we can aim for now.
Player Interview
Sei MUROYA
Q、最後に相手の勝負強さを見せつけられたゲームになりました。
A、鹿島アントラーズらしくやられてしまったという試合でした。相手もそこまでチャンスはありませんでしたが、自分たちもそこまで決定機と言える決定機は作れていなかったので、もっとファイナルサードのところで押し込む時間というのを増やし、高いクオリティを出したかったと思います。
Q. The regional league round has ended, and there were times when you were competing for the top spot, but where did you feel the difference with Kashima?
A. Kashima has established their own style, and during difficult periods, the entire team shares the situation well and plays simply while enduring firmly. Their way of managing the game is definitely better, and I strongly feel the difference there.
Q, it might be a very fine detail, but is risk management one of the areas you want to further build on that can decide the outcome of matches?
A, speaking about today’s match, I believe it was a game that should have ended0–0. I felt there was a difference in that regard. However, I don’t think it’s a very big gap, and I believe we can be confident in what we have done this season. Next season, I think we can turn things around, and I believe we just need to keep working with that mindset.
Q. What kind of match do you want the playoff round to be?
A, although the opponent has not been decided yet,finishing in 3rd place is important, and I think we need to play a match that connects to next season.
Kota Tokiwa
Q, it was a frustrating result, but please review the game.
A, because Kashima Antlers had already securedthe top spot in the regional league round before the match, this was a game we absolutely wanted to win. The result is everything, so I think the 0-1 score reflects our current state. I felt they played soccer efficiently.We didn’t feel like we were dominated in terms of content, but still, we ended up losing. It’s difficult to put into words. However, I believe this result came about because we couldn’t deliver quality in the final third and couldn’t finish our chances. Instead of fighting on the opponent’s terms, we needed to play our own game and control this match. In that context, our build-up play and the final moments after advancing were important. Personally, I had a big chance in the first half but couldn’t score, so I feel responsible.
Q. I think there is a sense that we were able to show a certain level of Tokyo’s identity, but the fact that we still fell short means that we need to work on closing the gap with Kashima from here on. What do you think is necessary to not only bring out our strengths but also surpass them?
A. This might sound a bit abstract, but first and foremost, it’s about the commitment to competing. It’s about focusing on the details in practice to win this important game. Compared to last season, we have really improved, but the fact that we fell short means there are still things lacking. I don’t mean this negatively, but rather positively, as areas where we can push ourselves further. Also, simply put, since it’s soccer, it comes down to scoring goals and preventing goals. I think that’s the difference. In today’s match and the previous one against the Urawa Reds, we scored zero goals, and today we conceded and ultimately lost as a result.
Q, on the flip side, do you feel like you have identified what needs to be done?
A, over the past six months, including today, the key phrase has been 'let's play our own football,' and I believe this comes from the fact that our focus is directed inward. Because we have confidence in ourselves, everyone believes that if we do that, we can win. So rather than looking at the opponent or elsewhere, what we can further refine is our own football—especially in the final moments of defending and finishing. I think these are areas where we can improve, and I believe the team is moving in a positive direction.
Q, The most difficult part is really the final moment. The part about finishing and stopping. I don’t think there is a definitive answer to this, but how do you approach it?
A, This ties into the commitment I mentioned earlier, but even deciding whether or not to score a single shot during practice, it’s important to shoot with the mindset of ‘this will decide the match.’ I think that attitude is crucial. I haven’t scored as a defensive midfielder this season, so I have been doing individual practice after team training, but when I ask myself if I’m performing with the same tension as in a game, I realize I’m still lacking. I believe that kind of effort is necessary.
Q. Since before this season, I believe everyone has been encouraging each other while valuing the importance of each single point and goal difference. Would you say that this past half year has been a period where the entire team truly felt this deeply and realized the need to raise their awareness in daily life?
A. Last season, we were fighting to avoid relegation, so I don’t think we were focused on that as much. However, this season we have genuinely aimed for the championship right from the start of the season, and having actually been involved in the title race, I think this has been a season where everyone has experienced the weight of a single point and the significance of one goal in a match. Whether we make use of this experience or waste it depends entirely on us. There are still playoffs ahead, so if we take another look at ourselves there and develop our mental toughness, I am confident that I can achieve it personally, and I truly believe that this team can aim even higher and win the championship. It’s just a matter of the players who have felt this deeply continuing to push forward.
Hayato Inamura Player
Q. It was a frustrating result, but how do you look back on the match?
A. I think there were periods when we were able to control the game well, and I believe that what we have built up over the past six months was also evident against the Kashima Antlers. Defensively, we were able to hold key moments, so I think the first half was a game we can be proud of, and the first part of the second half was also evenly matched. I think we had chances as well, but we were undone by the opponent’s one chance. I think that’s the strength of Kashima. On the other hand, we needed to hold firm at that moment. I feel my own weaknesses showed, and it was a very frustrating result.
Q, While patiently maintaining possession at the back and connecting passes, I think you were able to control the game by mixing in long balls from Inamura and Scholz. How do you feel about your own play?
A, In the first half, I was able to get the ball through to the targeted areas well, but in the second half, as the opponent became more cautious, especially after conceding a goal, things got a bit hectic and mistakes increased, so I see that as a point for reflection.
Q. Having been in the title race, I think a slight gap appeared at the end. Where did you feel the difference between your club and the championship-winning club?
A. I believe it comes down to being able to hold the defense until the very end and to secure a win even with a 1-0 scoreline, to take that one goal decisively. Also, set pieces were a strong weapon for Kashima, and I think they scored close to 15 goals from set plays. That was something we lacked, and I think it ultimately became a significant difference at the end.
Q、次はプレーオフラウンドでの戦いとなります。ファン・サポーターにどういったところを見せたいですか。
A、本当に、本気で優勝をめざしてやってきたシーズンだったので、今日の結果も本当に悔しいです。そういう想いをプレーオフラウンドの2試合にすべてぶつけて、めざすところには届かなかったのですが、それでも3位で終わることがすごく大事だと思います。それが来シーズンにつながっていくと思いますし、何が何でも勝ちたいと思います。
Q、試合後の選手周回の時に、ゴール裏のファン・サポーターは『You’ll Never Walk Alone.』を歌ってチームを迎えてくれました。どのような気持ちで聞いていましたか。
A、ウォーミングアップ中から応援してほしいという僕たちの要望を聞いてくれたり、負けた試合でも『まだ次だ！』というメッセージを行動で示してくれたり、本当に常にチームを鼓舞し続けてきてくれたので、自分たちは結果で応えたいと思ってずっとやってきました。今日も勝ってみなさんと喜びたいと強く思っていたのですが敗れてしまって、本当に申し訳ない気持ちがあります。だからこそラスト2試合、しっかりと勝ち切って、感謝を伝えたいと思います。
