FC Tokyo’s three consecutive league victories were all achieved as shutout wins. This is an inevitable result brought about by tactical organization and a thorough defensive mindset.
Borrowing the comment from Kim Seung-gyu after the 1-0 victory against Kawasaki Frontale, "When to apply pressure" and "how to position oneself" have been shared among all players in recent matches. By simultaneously executing approaches to the ball holder and covering around them, they create coordinated teamwork.
After the match against Avispa Fukuoka, Masato MORISHIGE joked that “winning three consecutive 1-0 matches without conceding might be ‘un-Tokyo-like,’” but he proudly stated that it is “proof of being able to play tightly contested games.”
Tokyo, which conceded many goals consecutively in the early part of this season, can undoubtedly be said to have evolved by accumulating points with stability as their weapon.
Furthermore, these results were achieved not by relying on a fixed lineup, but by combining rotations. In the consecutive matches against Tokyo Verdy, Kawasaki, and Fukuoka, the team maintained overall performance despite changing the players on the field.
The ideal of a "team that can fight the same way no matter who plays," advocated by coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, is now beginning to take shape.
Stability in build-up centered on SCHOLZ
Alexander SCHOLZ, the only field player to have played full-time in the last three matches and who has brought defensive stability, is not only a defensive presence but also a symbolic figure as an attacking switcher.
Scholz has the flexibility to complement whoever his center-back partner is. In the Kawasaki match, he paired with Kanta DOI, increasing the tempo through vertical passes and dribbling advances, while in the Fukuoka match, he coordinated with Morishige to execute a calm build-up. Regardless of whether he is positioned on the left or right, he delivers the same quality and creates opportunities to advance without panic even when the opposing forwards press him.
Noteworthy is his ability to advance with dribbling. Dribbling with his head up prevents the opposing player from focusing on him, allowing him to smoothly carry the ball up to the midfield position while the opponent, losing track, watches from the side.
As a result, the options for build-up play have increased, significantly reducing the stagnation of lateral passes and the knocking caused by unsuccessful vertical passes. His stable ball control creates a positive cycle across the entire pitch, adding depth to the team’s play.
Considering that Scholz, who positions himself on the back line, embodies the words of Coach Matsuhashi that "good offense leads to good defense," it can be said that the coordination between offense and defense has played a major role in the recent three consecutive victories.
Heading into the match against Yokohama F.Marinos
This week, the home opponent is Yokohama FM. Although they suffered a 1-3 comeback loss in the previous match against Gamba Osaka, their attacking power, led by Jordy CROUX and other dynamic attackers, remains a threat. For Tokyo, the key factors that could decide the outcome are the defensive strength that has supported their consecutive wins and whether they can secure additional goals to close out the match.
A home victory against Yokohama FM has been out of reach since the 2019 season, but the current Tokyo team has overcome opponents they previously struggled against one after another. By turning that momentum into confidence and approaching the match with that drive, there is a strong possibility of breaking past those former barriers. Additionally, this season, Yokohama FM has not won any matches in which they conceded the first goal. To gauge their form, it is crucial to score the opening goal and further deepen the confidence gained from three consecutive wins.
This season's Meiji Yasuda J1 League remains highly competitive. The outcome of a single match has a significant impact on the standings. To close the gap with the top teams and widen the margin against closely ranked Shimizu S-Pulse and Fagiano Okayama, this week's victory is extremely important. A win would mark the fourth consecutive victory. The prospect of extending an unbeaten streak of consecutive wins without conceding a goal, a feat not achieved since the 2021 season, is also within sight.
Ajinomoto Stadium awaits the moment when passion creates passion (drama). With the confidence gained from consecutive clean-sheet victories, Tokyo takes the next step in this crucial match.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
