Match Review & Preview

Review of the Previous Match Against Mito Hollyhock

After achieving 10 points and ranking 3rd in the first five opening matches, the consecutive away games, with three matches in one week, began with the game against Mito Hollyhock as FC Tokyo aimed to seriously contend for the top positions. While aiming to steadily improve from the complete victory in both score and content against Yokohama F.Marinos, the match progressed from the start with both teams aggressively pressing to take away each other's freedom on the field.

At the 20th minute of the first half, Tokyo was hit by an accident where Yuto NAGATOMO was forced to leave the game due to injury, and Kento HASHIMOTO was brought in as left side back.

Afterwards, neither side was able to create decisive chances as they wished, and at the 14th minute of the second half, with Mito steadily gaining momentum through relentless hard work, Kento HASHIMOTO, who came on in a scramble, changed the game with his proud left foot.

After boldly joining the attack and receiving a pass from Ryunosuke SATO, he looked up and delivered a sharp cross aimed at the far side. Waiting there, Sei MUROYA said, "I made eye contact with 'Hasshi' (Kento HASHIMOTO), so I thought it might come to me. It was a wonderful ball, so I focused solely on making contact," and extended his right foot to brilliantly volley the ball directly, successfully scoring the opening goal. Showing the clutch strength to convert a single chance during a difficult period, Tokyo took a step forward.

Being able to finish off chances with few opportunities is a trait befitting a championship-winning team. Following the previous match where goals were scored at the start of both halves, the high scoring efficiency demonstrated reflected the team's growth. However, just 16 minutes later, perhaps feeling relieved after finally taking the lead, they were caught off guard for a moment, allowing the opponent to be left free inside the penalty area and conceding an equalizing goal.

The match ended after 90 minutes and proceeded to the third penalty shootout of the special tournament. After all five players on both sides scored, in the sixth round, Mito hit the post and missed, while FC Tokyo, going second, had Kento HASHIMOTO calmly convert his shot to secure the victory. Following the hard-fought gain of 2 points, captain Naruyuki Muroya reflected, "It was a very regrettable game," but also looked ahead, saying, "I want to take the fact that we earned 2 points in such a tough match as something positive."

This Week's Preview

Tokyo aims to steadily reach greater heights by correcting issues while winning. Including three wins in penalty shootouts, they hold a record of 5 wins and 1 loss since the season opener, placing 3rd in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League EAST Group, 4 points behind the leader. Since this tournament is a short competition of 18 matches in total, to stay in the title race, the team must focus on each upcoming match and steadily accumulate victories together.

This week's match against JEF United Ichihara Chiba is the second game of the three consecutive away matches, which the players unanimously describe as a turning point in the first half of the season. Having managed to earn 2 points with difficulty in the previous match against Mito Hollyhock, this game is an important opportunity to secure a solid victory and take a step forward. Captain Sei MUROYA also commented, "Since the special tournament has a limited number of matches, every single game is truly important. We want to steadily accumulate points in the next away match against Chiba as well."

In the previous match against Mito, while showing strong composure by converting limited chances, there was also the regrettable moment of conceding an equalizing goal immediately after taking the lead. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI prefaced by saying, "It's not that the team relaxed their focus," and added, "It was the same in the opening match against Kashima Antlers, and to become a 'team worthy of winning the championship,' we cannot afford to concede such simple, cheap goals. We need to thoroughly investigate whether the cause is just a coincidence or if there is some tactical issue from various angles. The staff are also considering what should be done, and we want to share this thoroughly with the players." He is advancing efforts to translate this fighting spirit into results.

It can be said with confidence that the team feels a solid sense of accomplishment in their hard work. Even in situations where the attack is not going well, the team does not let down their physical defense, strength in duels, or awareness of pressing back. Player Muroya also commented, "Everyone is positively taking the fact that we can endure at the very edge. The players all understand that the timing of the conceded goals was not good, and I believe that by correcting those points, we can become a stronger team." While demonstrating the strengths the team has shown so far, they are eager to move forward by solving the visible issues.

Chiba, returning to J1 for the first time in 17 seasons, has struggled with a record of 1 win and 5 losses in 6 matches so far in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Concept League. However, in Sec. 5, they defeated Kashiwa Reysol, and as a team, they have created chances through aggressive pressing from the front line and sharp attacks after winning the ball. Although their scoring has been limited due to a lack of finishing ability, Coach Matsuhashi warned, "Having chances means that eventually the goals will come. Their defense is challenging, and in attack, they boldly enter the penalty area without hesitation."

Although Tokyo struggled against Kashiwa and Mito, who applied intense pressing from the front line, this match they want to focus on possession that surpasses that while also showing flexible counterattacks using long balls to turn the game around. Without stepping onto the opponent’s turf, they aim to firmly demonstrate soccer that controls both offense and defense through proactive defense and timely attacks.

The second match of the consecutive games comes just three days after the previous match. Considering the continued congested schedule, it is highly likely to be an all-out battle including the substitute players whom Coach Matsuhashi calls “game changers.” The key point will be whether the team can demonstrate the strengths they have built together so far. Being able to perform at a high quality no matter who plays is one of the conditions for becoming a “team worthy of winning the championship.” This is truly a match that tests overall strength. The Blue-Red Army will head to the away Fukuda Denshi Arena with the determination to win at all costs.

Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q. The last match was a difficult one where we earned 2 points, and although we took the lead, we were caught up. What kind of feedback did the team share?
A. Although it is something that has already happened, we have organized the causes even within a short time. The key points were communicated during today's training, and I also want to touch on them again in the pre-match meeting. One issue was that there were too many unnecessary long balls. While the opponent's pressing was good, we are fully aware of that and must challenge ourselves on how to respond; otherwise, nothing will change. Since positioning and movement are designed with that in mind, even a slight misalignment makes long balls ineffective. We want to share this thoroughly. I will explain the intent, but it is up to the players to choose, and since the situation I convey is not the only one, it is also important how they judge according to the circumstances. 

Q. As a team aiming for the championship, how is the improvement regarding conceding goals progressing?
A, This was the second time in the last match, and we conceded an easy goal after scoring first. To become a team worthy of winning the championship, we cannot afford to concede goals like that. We need to address this from various angles, including tactical aspects, rather than leaving it to chance. We will also organize this within the staff and share it with the players.

Q. Is changing the flow of the game also a challenge?
A, We expect the players who come on during the match to act as game changers. Sometimes they will directly change the flow, and other times even indirectly is fine. Ultimately, I want all players to focus on creating a situation where we can finish with a smile. 

Q. This will be the second match of the three consecutive away games.
A, it remains important for every match, and this one is no exception. The opponent is JEF United Chiba, and no one else. 

Q. What is your impression of Chiba this season?
A, their defense is also challenging, and in attack, they confidently bring players into the penalty area and deliver the ball there. Their style is simple but with well-executed details and clear structure. If we can firmly control those aspects, I believe we have a good chance of winning. 

Q, what are the key points of this match?
A, Since it is a series of consecutive matches, many players may be involved. It is important to see how we can bring out what we have worked on so far in this all-out effort. Not only the starting 11 but also the selected 20 players, and all members of the team who have spent these three days together, it is crucial to show the accumulation of that effort in this game. 

Q. Do you feel the team’s growth in mental toughness given the ongoing streak of unbeaten matches?
A. Things don’t always go smoothly, but if you give up just because they don’t, nothing will happen. It’s precisely because we keep going even when things aren’t going well that opportunities arise. Effort doesn’t always guarantee success, but those who succeed are always putting in the effort. Those who neglect it won’t have that kind of luck come their way. I hold that mindset and have conveyed this attitude to the players, and they demonstrate the effort it deserves every day. These aspects show up as small differences in the end, and I believe daily attitude influences those outcomes.

Player Interview

Rio OMORI

Q: Having returned to Tokyo and played in two matches, how do you assess your own performance and the team's situation?
A: The team performed well in the match against Yokohama F.Marinos, but I wasn’t able to do what I wanted in the game against Mito Hollyhock. In the match against Mito, even though the situation was tough, if we had managed to keep a clean sheet, that would have been a big positive for me as a center back. So conceding a goal there was unfortunate. On the other hand, there were moments when conceding an additional goal wouldn’t have been surprising, so the fact that everyone reacted to the loose balls and showed a very high defensive awareness as a team was a good element. It also helped us avoid dropping points.

Q. With the experience you have accumulated before returning to Tokyo, do you feel that in these two matches you have been able to smoothly show your performance and composure even on the J1 League stage?
A. Yes, I think gaining match experience has been very significant. Having continued to play on the pitch for about four seasons, while analyzing opponents is important, I have gradually come to understand what I can and cannot do in my own play. I need to broaden my range more, but at this stage, I feel I have somewhat identified the areas where I can challenge myself and the parts where I need to play safely. I want to control that balance and aim to perform at an even higher level.

Q. Based on the experience of gaining good momentum in the Yokohama FM match and then struggling in the Mito match, what do you think can be done from the defensive side to smoothly manage the team heading into the JEF United Ichihara Chiba match?
A. First, in terms of attack, I think there was some inconsistency in the overall awareness about whether to hold onto the ball firmly under the opponent's pressure or to create a focal point up front and then slip through towards it. Having good attacks first also leads to risk avoidance on the defensive side and results in a more substantial offense, so although the preparation period this week is short, we are reviewing the Mito match again within the team. When things go well, we can perform like we did in the Yokohama FM match, so unifying that intention is one key point.

As for the defense, I personally struggled to time the press correctly, and as a defensive line, we ended up dragging the opponent a bit into our own half. The conceding goal scene is easy to understand—the player who took the final shot was quite close to the goal. We need to push back as much as possible, and the pressing from the front line has remained consistent, so it’s more about quality than quantity, or rather, how well we can move those around us that becomes important. Even in the tough situation against Mito, the front players maintained their pressing volume and speed, so the key is how well everyone can synchronize their timing. If we can move the defensive midfielders, and the defensive midfielders can move the players ahead, and if good communication is established, Tokyo’s press will become a real threat. First, I want to fix that. I believe that if we can organize what we already have rather than trying something new, we can compete fully.

Q, Even in the tough match against Mito, it felt like the team’s focus and what they want to do didn’t waver.
A, That’s right. There were really many moments where if one thing connected, it would become a very good situation, and conversely, in the Yokohama FM match, those mistakes were very few. I think the players understand that, and it’s not like there’s no place to return to or that things just won’t go well no matter what. If our sense and timing align just a little, I believe we can become even more threatening, and we are confidently continuing without change in that regard. I think this links to the situation where we aim higher and try to improve our ranking even by one spot, so I want to move forward aggressively without holding back.

Q. Next is the match against Chiba. Based on what you just said, while it’s natural to study and analyze the opponent, it seems the key will be whether you can take the initiative without being too passive.
A. Exactly. Of course, some teams adjust their tactics functionally by observing the opponent’s shape in each match, but for Tokyo, the challenge is whether we can establish our own style. We have players with quality, and it’s a matter of whether they can demonstrate it, so I think it’s important to continue playing in a way that is true to Tokyo’s identity.

Kota Tokiwa

Q: Please review the game against Mito Hollyhock.
A, the opponent used many long balls bypassing the midfield, resulting in a match where the ball was in the air for a long time, and we ended up engaging in that style. We spent too much time playing on their terms and were unable to play our own football, which was regrettable. To break through, I felt from the start of the first half that the key was to win more second balls and how calmly we could control the balls we won. We couldn’t fully express that until the end of the match, and the longest time spent playing into the opponent’s style was the main issue, I believe.

Q. How do you want to approach the upcoming match against JEF United Ichihara Chiba, which comes after just three days of rest?
A. Similar to the previous match against Mito, Chiba is a team that has just been promoted and carries momentum. Although they lost to Yokohama F.Marinos in the last round, they have beaten Kashiwa Reysol, a team we couldn’t defeat. They have a very clear style of play and are a good team. I think their momentum from promotion is strong, but to win the championship, we must firmly beat teams like them. Since it’s a congested schedule, it’s difficult to confirm and adjust many things on the pitch, so I want to communicate closely with various players and coordinate with the staff. When the match unfolds like that, the whole team must share a common understanding of what needs to be done. However, it’s not enough to just have that shared understanding; when that situation arises, the 11 players on the field must make solid decisions. We have thoroughly aligned on the basis for those decisions, so I want to express that. Although it’s a busy schedule, I was substituted early in the previous match, so physically there are no issues. On the contrary, I believe I am a player who thrives in such consecutive matches, so I want to give my all and face the game with everything I have. 

Q, How do you think about the difficulty of accumulating 3 points to win the championship while expressing your own style of soccer?
A, Even in the six matches so far this season, I have felt the difficulty of earning 3 points more than enough. If you don’t get 3 points and only accumulate 2 points each time, the gap with the top team inevitably widens by one point, and you can feel it growing. There were several matches where we were able to push through by expressing the soccer we want to play, but since soccer involves an opponent, things don’t go well more often than not. I think it’s necessary to adopt a more realistic approach to securing 3 points, so I want to focus firmly on scoring goals and defending them well. By doing so, I believe the 3 points will naturally come into view. Balancing this is truly difficult, but to continuously achieve the J.League championship as a team, we must also develop the aspect of connecting the ball well, which we are currently working on. However, as long as we continue this style of soccer, opponents will apply high pressing and various countermeasures, so I want to also show Tokyo’s original strengths: solid defense and counterattacks from there. There are many players with momentum and speed up front, so by skillfully switching between both, we want to seize victory.