The second year of "Rikizo Tokyo" has fully kicked off in Okinawa. About a week has passed since the camp started on January 12. The outline of the style aimed for this season has gradually become clearer.
The feature of this season's Okinawa Itoman camp is that the training content has been more match-oriented from the very first day until now. Two practice matches have already been completed. In the first match against Nagoya Grampus, each player was given 30 minutes of playing time, aiming to wake up their bodies after the off-season.
For the following match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on the 15th, the team approached the training menu almost the same as preparations for an actual official match, and in the game, each player’s playing time was slightly extended, giving each one 45 to 60 minutes on the field.
Amid this, the team has devoted a lot of time in training to confirming the build-up play. During the first week of the camp, each player faced the tasks assigned by head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, such as how to vary the new formation and confirming positioning.
On the other hand, when it comes to whether the team was able to fully demonstrate the results in these two matches, that is definitely not the case. Soccer, of course, always involves an opponent. Because the opponent is not a stationary mannequin, errors are inevitable. The remaining time in the camp and the period until the season opener will be used to overcome these challenges from here on.
That was already taken into account. Takahiro KO also said this.
"Last season, I had a really good camp, but then I struggled in the early part of the season. In that sense, I think it’s not a bad thing that various issues come up during the camp."
As the defensive midfielder who views the team from a broad perspective mentioned, the abundance of match-like training sessions has led to active discussions among players in close positions and teammates. They continue to experiment while exchanging ideas and confirming their sense of challenges. At the center of this circle this season, not only is Takao often seen, but also the newly joined Hayato INAMURA and Kento HASHIMOTO. Both experienced Coach Matsuhashi’s style of football during their time at Albirex Niigata, and their ability to break down and convey the coach’s words is surely significant for both the team and the coach.
One of the features of this camp is also the energy of the young players. The four players promoted to the top team from the 2026 season—Divine OTANI, Yuta SUGAWARA, Kaede SUZUKI, and Kio TANAKA—each bring their unique personalities and lively play, energizing the team. There are also other energetic players. Kouta TOKIWA, who only appeared in seven league matches last season, has started to make his presence felt. Despite limited playing opportunities, the results of the morning and double training sessions he began on his own are now beginning to bloom. TOKIWA himself spoke about this sense of progress as follows.
"It's a results-oriented approach, so I'm not satisfied with that at all. However, something inside me has changed a bit, or rather, the sense for the connecting part that is required suddenly opened up. There was such a moment, and I was able to show a different side in the matches against Nagoya and Hiroshima. Through doing self-practice, I found places and positions where my ball wouldn't be taken. I also came to understand where I should stand in relation to the opponent's distance, and suddenly it all became clear. But I have to make this my foundation."
The suddenly cleared vision fuels the desire for further growth.
"I might be able to show plays that my past self couldn't even imagine, so people might think that's good. Honestly, that's just the baseline. Being able to do that means I've finally stepped onto the (position competition) ring. It took a year, but I have to add something extra and produce results. Since I'm a defensive player, of course I have to win the ball in defense, but I also need to deliver results like goals and assists in attack. That alone won't be the decisive reason of 'I absolutely have to be the one' to secure my position. No matter what, I want to produce results, showcase my strengths, and at the same time keep building on my foundation."
As more of these ambitious players emerge, the team's competitiveness is sure to increase. From here, the camp will enter its final stages. Naturally, the experienced veterans who know the key points will not remain silent either. The 2026 season version of Rikizo Tokyo, which Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI wants to "strengthen its character even more," continues to make steady progress step by step.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
