Match Preview
It’s the “new kickoff” of the autumn-spring system.
After a special half-season tournament, the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League season is finally about to begin. FC Tokyo will start the new season on August 8 with a match against FC Machida Zelvia at Ajinomoto Stadium.
After building up their form at the camp in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, the team continued their preparations at the Kodaira Ground and last weekend played an international friendly match against the prestigious German club Borussia Dortmund at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium). Although they lost 0-1 due to a second-half goal, facing world-class players, including five who participated in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, will surely serve as a valuable experience moving forward.
The team is focusing on attacks from the flanks while skillfully alternating between the possession style and solid defense with quick counterattacks that they have built up so far. They aim to increase scoring patterns by targeting the opponent’s weak points, steadily boosting their work rate and intensity in both offense and defense, and are preparing to face the new season with the renewed goal of "winning the championship."
Captain Naruki Muroya looks ahead with high aspirations, saying, "This is not a league where you can easily win the championship, so we must grow even more. But we have players, coaches, and staff who are capable of doing that. This season is a phase where we add quality to what we have built up and refine it. We want to firmly show that from the opening match."
Unlike before, the season will start in the height of summer. Game control will be required under the tough conditions of high heat and humidity, making it a match that will test the players' intelligence in reading the nuances of the game, their competitive strength, and concentration. Hayato Inamura, who has rejoined as a full transfer and become a member of the blue and red again, is tightening his focus ahead of the match against Machida, saying, "As a team, we want to continue strengthening our high work rate and intensity. I think the tempo of this match will be faster, and it will be tough due to the weather and climate. Including set pieces, every moment will be a decisive point that can determine the outcome."
On the other hand, Machida acquired Yusuke Matsuo from Urawa Reds and Takahiro Akimoto from OH Leuven in Belgium during this off-season. Both are hard-working attackers who fit well with Machida’s style. In addition to their traditional strengths of solid defense, counterattacks, and set-piece prowess, these players have been added to boost hard work and momentum. Also, Tete Yengi, who represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and can be a key player up front, joined on a permanent transfer after the tournament. Including him, these are players to be fully wary of.
It is a match between two teams that both use intensity as their weapon. Coach Rikizo Matsuhashi described Machida as a "very solid team," and pointed out the key to the match: "In past encounters, we were able to take sufficient control of the game and also managed to firmly suppress their strengths. Against such a solid team, it is extremely important to calmly and steadily manage the game."
Against Machida, the past league record stands at 1 win and 3 losses. In the special tournament, after starting with a commanding 3-0 victory to avenge the previous year's Emperor's Cup semifinal loss, they were defeated in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw in the “return match” held three days later. This match is an opportunity to rewrite the history of no home wins in league play, secure a solid victory, and build momentum.
It goes without saying that a strong start is key to the championship race. The special tournament also gained momentum with three consecutive opening wins, including penalty shootouts, allowing us to join the competition with the championship in sight. The new season’s opening match returns to a 90-minute battle. We want to approach it with a must-win mindset, firmly secure the three points, and make it a game where we carve out our future through our own strength.
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q: The league matches are finally starting. How do you feel about the preparations?
A: I think there is still a long way to go before we can say we feel fully prepared. Even when things go well, I always end up thinking about "what can we do next" and "what can we add to make things better." The sense of readiness might only come after a game ends, but just a few minutes after the match, the focus shifts again to "the next thing, the next thing." It’s the same feeling day by day. That said, I am truly grateful for the players’ attitude so far. There is a good atmosphere, and from the start of the camp through the preseason since returning here, I feel their attitude has been expressed in many ways.
Q: Our opponent is FC Machida Zelvia, and it seems that many of the games have been close contests. What is your impression of them?
A: They give the impression of being a very solid team. It may depend on their lineup, but in the away game of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, we had a 3-0 result, while in the next match, we lost in a penalty shootout. I’m not sure if this match will unfold similarly to those two games, but in past matches, we were able to take the initiative and control the game, and we also managed to effectively suppress their strong points. With that confidence, I think it’s important for us to remain calm and manage the game well against such a solid team.
Q. There will be several changes to the competition rules starting this season. Have these been shared among the team?
A. Before restarts are controlled by a set number of seconds, I believe that the essence of soccer is about exploiting gaps and not being exploited. We must always keep that perspective. Instead of rushing to play because of a countdown, we need to act even faster than that, playing without resting ourselves and not allowing the opponent to rest either.
Q. With the season transition, I think aspects like conditioning adjustments and the heat will make the situation quite different from the usual league matches.
A. As I mentioned earlier, the pace of the game will also become faster. Additionally, the climate will become tougher, so every single moment will truly be a decisive point. This includes set pieces, and we absolutely must not leave any gaps in those situations. On the other hand, we do have the challenge of not scoring enough from set pieces, but if we can properly score at those key moments during the actual game and outpace the opponent with quick transitions, I believe we can create a good shape and build a positive flow ourselves.
Player Interview
Sei MUROYA
Q. The season is finally about to start. This is the first time in the J.League that the season begins in summer, but how do you feel about starting in such a hot and humid environment?
A. The environment is different, but since we had a proper preparation period and went through training camp, nothing has really changed compared to before. It's not like we have never played in such conditions, so I don't think we can use that as an excuse. I want to approach the opening match in my best condition, and I believe the team is also in good shape to give 100 percent.
Q. Through the camp and subsequent training, do you feel that the team has built up something and that preparations for the opening match are coming together?
A, yes, we do. The time spent with Coach Rikizo Matsuhashi and everyone has grown longer, and rather than starting something new, I think we are in a phase of adding quality and refining what we have accumulated so far. We have focused on that during the camp as well, and on top of what we have done so far, we want to raise our quality even more. We want to clearly show that from the opening match.
Q. How is your personal condition?
AIt feels good. Once the matches start, I want to give 100%, and I think I am adjusting well in preparation for the games.
Q. As the captain, you fought with the goal of winning the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League and finished in 4th place. Now, a new season aiming for the championship is starting. What kind of year do you want to make it?
A. Of course, we will fight aiming for the championship. However, it is not a league where winning is that easy, so I believe we must grow more and more throughout this season. But I think we have the players, coach, and staff who can achieve that. I want this season to be one where people can say, "This team has grown tremendously."
Q. The opening match opponent is FC Machida Zelvia. In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, we had one win and one loss against them, but how do you perceive them as an opponent?
A. Until recently, there was a period when we struggled to beat Machida, and I think there was a kind of psychological barrier. However, that mindset has disappeared lately, and I even think the opponent may not consider FC Tokyo an easy team to face. Since we are starting the season at home, if we can bring out the quality we have, I believe we can secure the full three points.
Q. What are the key points that will be especially important when facing Machida?
A, This applies to any opponent, but we must not just react; we have to take action ourselves. Machida is a team we especially need to avoid being passive against. They are a solid team that often outmuscles opponents in battles and capitalizes on even a single chance, so first and foremost, we must not lose in those basic aspects. On top of that, it is important to bring out our own quality. I believe everyone understands the fundamental aspect of fighting hard, and we must firmly win in that area.
Q. Lastly, please give a message to the fans and supporters who are looking forward to the opening match.
A. We want to play matches that get everyone fired up every game. For the opening match as well, rather than waiting for the fans and supporters to naturally get excited, we want to lead the way and show a match full of that kind of passion. Please look forward to it.
Motoki NAGAKURA
Q. Since the season is starting in the summer, do you feel any differences compared to before?
A. Personally, I believe I have made good preparations for the opening. It doesn’t matter that the league starts in the summer; I want to focus and aim for a strong start.
Q, there was also an international friendly match against Borussia Dortmund. Were there any aspects you were able to confirm or gain confidence in before the season opener?
A, quick transitions from defense to attack are one of our strengths, and I think we were able to demonstrate that well in certain situations. Regarding teamwork, we have built it up through practice, so now it’s just a matter of showing it in the matches.
Q. What kind of awareness do you have regarding your coordination and interaction in play with Shion Honma on the left side?
A. We play well together by watching each other’s positions and movements. I think there are many players in Tokyo who can adjust to Honma’s off-the-ball runs and movements to receive the ball. I want him to play freely, and if the surrounding players can coordinate well, the team will improve even more. If he makes unpredictable movements, it will also trouble the opponents. As for me, I want to target the gaps and open spaces created in those moments.
Q. From the league opener, matches against FC Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe, clubs competing for the championship, are scheduled.
A. In the league, a strong start from the opening is important. Both Machida and Kobe were teams ranked higher than us in the 2025 season. If we can secure two consecutive wins against those opponents, I believe we can build good momentum.
Q. What is your impression of Machida, the team you will be facing?
A, they are a club that also participated in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 and are a strong team. I haven’t faced them since coming to Tokyo, but watching them, I definitely feel their strength. I think it will be a closely contested match, but we want to secure the win. Of course, when I play, I want to score goals, but the team’s victory is the most important thing. I want to work hard aiming for that.
