Match Review
It was truly a game that tested their true worth. Before the kickoff of the match against Kashiwa Reysol, news arrived of the defeat of the Kashima Antlers, who were leading the league. The point difference before the match was6. If they won this game, they could quickly close the gap to just 3 points. Defeating Kashiwa away would open up a great opportunity with their own hands.
An important match to see if they can truly contend for the championship. The blue-red eleven placed Kim Seung-gyu as goalkeeper, and the back line was formed by four players from right to left: Sei MUROYA, Rio OMORI, Hayato INAMURA, and Kento HASHIMOTO. It was the first time that the center-back pairing of OMORI and INAMURA started together in the starting lineup. OMORI said, "The team's finishing ability has improved, and if we can defend well, I am confident we can win. As a center-back, I want to keep a clean sheet," showing his enthusiasm for being in the starting lineup for the first time since Sec. 8 against Tokyo Verdy.
The same lineup was used for the third consecutive match from the defensive midfield forward. At the base of the midfield were Kento HASHIMOTO and Kota TOKIWA, with attackers Kaede SUZUKI on the right and Keita ENDO on the left,and the two forwards were Marcelo RYAN and Ryunosuke SATO. Additionally, Kaede SUZUKI, who was promoted from the academy, was included on the bench for the first time as a professional. This versatile player, capable of playing in all defensive line positions as well as defensive midfield, aimed to make his professional debut on away ground.
The blue-red family gathered at the away SANKYO FRONTIER Kashiwa Stadium sent a passionate message to the players on the pitch during the warm-up: "Pour out your passion! Seize the championship!" United as one to snatch 3 points, the match kicked off at 4:03 p.m.
1st―Unleashing Diverse AttacksTaking the Lead with a Strike from Keita’s Zone
From the start, both sides showed an intent to control the ball and fight for possession, but the first big chance was created by Tokyo. In the 5th minute of the first half, Kento HASHIMOTO applied sharp pressing, and Lucas RIAN picked up the loose ball and spread it to the right side. Keito SATO crossed it back, and Ryunosuke SATO, inside the penalty area, turned with delicate touches and took a left-footed shot. It narrowly missed to the left of the goal, but it was a chance born from Tokyo’s characteristic aggressive defense and quick transitions between offense and defense.
The awareness of transition from defense to attack once again created a chance for Tokyo. In the 18th minute of the first half, after being pressed back into their own half, they connected passes, and when Tokiwai played a vertical pass, RIAN dropped it,and Ryunosuke Sato broke through vertically. Receiving the return pass, RIAN made a solo run straight to the front of the goal. However, this finish was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, and they were unable to shake the net with the opening goal.
From the clash of possession styles, Tokyo searched for openings by mixing in drawn-back counters. They moved the ball in various directions—vertically, horizontally, and diagonally—while looking for the right timing to face forward and switch on their attack. In the 34th minute of the first half, after repeated exchanges from the back line, connecting passes between Sato Kei and RIAN, Omori overlapped on the right side, advanced up to the goal line, and earned a corner kick. They displayed a thick attack with players continuously surging forward from the rear.
The defense also protected the goal with committed physical play. The center backs fought hard against Kashiwa's direct play. They cut off the final pass with a sliding tackle, tightened the center, and prevented the opening goal.
The fearsome Tokyo attack, not just connecting passes, finally showed its true strength. At 43 minutes into the first half, Lucas RIAN received the ball pushed back from their own half and made a solo dribble through the center of the pitch. Despite a sliding tackle from a pursuing opponent, he powerfully carried the ball forward into the penalty area and sent a final pass to the left side. Endo controlled the ball from the trap and unleashed a sharp right-footed shot from his favored position at a 45-degree angle to the left side of the goal! The precisely aimed shot pierced the far side net, and Tokyo succeeded in scoring the long-awaited opening goal.
The first half ended 1-0 after 3 minutes of additional time. A great game where styles clashed, with the blue and red taking a one-goal lead going into the second half.
2nd―Ryosuke’s 2 Goals Secure 3 Consecutive Wins
While Tokyo started the second half without any substitutions, Kashiwa made changes at halftime, taking off Konishi and Hosoya and bringing on Riki HARAKAWA and Kakita. This switch appeared aimed at strengthening the midfield structure and intensifying the pressing from the front.
Tokyo was also the first to create a chance in the second half. At 3 minutes into the half, from the left side toward the center, Ryunosuke Sato, Hian, and Tokiwa connected passes, delivering a final pass to Muroya, who was dynamically advancing. However, instead of taking a decisive shot here, he chose to cut back, and because an opposing player closed in, he lost his freedom.
Kashiwa, who had been increasing the pressure from the front, in the 13th minute of the second half quickly switched play to the left side, and Kakita, receiving the ball in the center, unleashed a powerful right-footed long-range shot. However, Sungyu made a fine save to firmly block it, denying the equalizing goal.
And then the match moved again. The key player in this was Ryunosuke Sato. At the 15th minute of the second half, after receiving a long feed from the back, he firmly blocked the opposing player to deliver the ball to Lukian, and immediatelystarted running toward the space on the left front. Lukian skillfully turned his body, faced forward, and passed to Ryunosuke Sato, who then, wearing number 23, took a well-aimed left-footed shot to add another goal. Taking advantage of the increasingly heavy rain and the slippery pitch, the one-bounce shot broke through the opposing goalkeeper, extending Tokyo's lead to two goals.
Tokyo continued to launch sharp attacks. They countered by taking advantage of Kashiwa’s forward pushes, involving multiple players to deliver attacks with depth and power.
In the second half, at the 27th minute, after conceding a long-range shot from a loose ball off a set piece that reduced the lead to one goal, Tokyo made their first substitution immediately at the 28th minute. They brought in Leon NOZAWA as the left attacker and Divine OTANI as one of the two forwards, replacing Endo and Rian.
In the second half, which became a game played under heavy rain, the Blue-Red Family, determined to bring back all 3 points, supported the players on the pitch with passionate cheers that seemed to blow away the bad weather.
Then, in the 40th minute of the second half, the defensive midfielder was switched from Tokiwai to Takahiro KO. Immediately after, in the 42nd minute, Nozawa received a vertical pass from Takahiro KO on the left side, and when he dribbled forward, he was fouled and a penalty kick was awarded. Ryunosuke Sato powerfully struck the ball with his right foot into the upper right corner of the goal, making the score 3-1 and extending the lead back to two goals.
In the additional time of the second half,Fuki YAMADA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA came on, replacing Ryuu SATO, who scored twice, and Kei SATO, who continued to fight both offensively and defensively. With the final substitution, the team aimed to close out the match.
In the final stages, even as Kashiwa intensified their counterattack, the defensive line’s committed play and Sung-gyu’s fine saves secured the victory. In this crucial match where a win was imperative,FC Tokyo secured the win over the full 90 minutes, achieving a third consecutive victory. They closed the points gap with league leaders Kashima to three, successfully positioning themselves as genuine contenders for the championship.
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q, Please give us a summary of today's match.
A, I think they played a wonderful game. At one point, the score was just one goal apart, but they managed to pull away once again, and they played an extremely great game.
Q. In the previous match, you were defeated in the full 90 minutes for the only time this season by this opponent. Was there anything in particular you focused on heading into this game?
A. It wasn’t that we had any emotional baggage as a premise, but we understood the importance of this game, and we also had time to thoroughly rehearse how to win it. I think we were able to express that well today. Of course, there were some errors, but even considering the adjustments we made during halftime, they delivered a truly excellent performance. I believe the fact that this led to a positive result is another good point.
Q, this match was also a chance to close the points gap with the Kashima Antlers. What are your thoughts on that?
A,I think everyone probably understood that before the match. However, there have been several opportunities before to narrow the gap, but we let those slip, so I didn’t really see players having conversations about that. Still, they understood the importance before the match, and they expressed a lot of energy on the pitch, firmly seizing the opportunity, which I believe will boost their confidence going forward. That said, we are still in the position of chasing, and there is still a long way to go, so it’s important that we stay grounded and work hard toward the next match.
Q, Please tell us your evaluation of the frontline combination that produced the two goals.
A, The goals are certainly part of it,but I believe that the awareness and precision in starting the defense by Marcelo RYAN and Ryunosuke SATO, especially the players in the two-forward system, are one of the factors that have moved various aspects and the game itself in a positive direction. Scoring goals is obviously wonderful, and since they play in the striker position, having those results boosts their confidence and is a point that can be highly evaluated. However, not everything lies there; I see that their very excellent performance within the team context is what has led to this result.
Q, Was targeting the transition to attack by restricting the opponent's defensive midfielders one of your aims?
A, Yes. In defensive sessions, we confirmed how the opponent attacks, and in terms of offense, we carefully examined from the first half where weaknesses might arise within the connections,especially expressed by the defensive midfield players. While maintaining a solid balance between offense and defense, they performed with high awareness during rehearsals, effectively exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses and committing sufficient numbers to the attack. I believe that led to the goals scored.
Q、若い二人のセンターバック、稲村隼翔選手と大森理生選手の評価を教えてください。
A、非常に素晴らしいパフォーマンスをしてくれたと思っています。微調整はまだありますが、いつか二人で出たいねという話を、僕の目の前で彼ら自身がしていたことがあったので、ならばやってみろ、という部分でもありました。しっかりと評価できるゲームだったと僕は思います。
Player Interview
Ryunosuke SATO
Q. This was a must-win match on the road to the championship.
A. We had information before the match that Kashima Antlers had lost, but the players didn’t let that affect them, and they were only focused on winning the full 90 minutes against Kashiwa Reysol. I think it was a very important victory in that sense.
Q. I think it was a fulfilling match in terms of content as well.
A. In the previous match against Kashiwa, we were outperformed in terms of content, so today we created many chances and were able to score, which I think is something we can be proud of.
Q, how do you evaluate yourself for scoring in such an important match?
A, from here on,everymatch is crucial, so I intend to score in all of them, and my foundation is to fight for the team. Since there was also a penalty today, I am still not satisfied.
Q: Please look back on your first goal moment.
A: I firmlyclosed down, and when the ball reached Marcelo RYAN, I increased my speed and ran, which I think gave RYAN options. From there, I could see the play leading to a goal if the ball came to me, and since the pitch was slippery, I think it was good that I took the shot.
Q, Did you deliberately aim for a ground shot?.
A, Yes. I had the image of hitting a strong shot firmly on target.
Q, from the moment the second goal became a penalty, you kept the ball the whole time.
A, I thought Leon NOZAWA probably wouldn’t take the kick (laughs). Keito SATO had also taken a penalty during a previous match, but I asked to be allowed to take this one.
Q, I feel that your relationship with player Hian was also very good. very good.
A, I feel that our relationship has improved through many matches, and both I and the surrounding players have come tounderstand playing in the current position, so I think we were able to bring out our strengths through a good relationship.
Q, The top spot is now within sight.
A, If we can win all the remaining matches from here on, I believe we can pull it in with our own strength in the end, so I want to keep up the current situation.
Q, The fact that you said you came back to make an impact here is becoming a reality.
A, I came back to win the championship, so I want to seize it.
Keita ENDO
Q,In a situation where we absolutely had to win, we firmly secured 3 points.
A,It was a tough match, and the opponent was of high quality, making it a difficult game, but I believe the result came because we played even better football than a good team, so I am proud of the team.
Q, did the team receive information that Kashima Antlers had lost today's match?
A, of course we did, but Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI did not say anything about it, and each player was in a situation where they had to decide how to react based on that result.
Q: You scored an important first goal. Please look back on the goal scene.
A: Recently, other attackers besides myself have been performing well, and I felt a bit jealous. It was frustrating to be supported by younger teammates after a long time, so I thought that if I didn’t produce results here, I wouldn’t be able to continue playing in matches. I’m glad I was able to deliver results without losing to them.
Q,When the ball came from Marcelo RYAN, was it just as you imagined from regaining control to taking the shot?
A,There wasn’t much space, so I focused on creating a shooting lane before taking the shot. Rather than dribbling, I think I was able to play by working backward from the shot to the flow leading up to it.
Q,Was that the moment when your cloudy feelings cleared up?
A,As long as it is the role of an attacker to help the team, there are many other good attackers, but I want to play in a way that leads my team without losing to them. In that sense, I am genuinely happy to have scored a goal today.
Q,The race for the championship will intensify from here. Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming consecutive matches.
A,We are still in second place, and I believe that unless we keep winning every match, we won’t be able to look up at the top. So, I want to focus fully on the match in front of us without looking too far ahead. Just going through the motions of the matches won’t be enough to win, so I think the strength of the entire team, including both the players on the pitch and those not playing, will be necessary.
Q: The fans and supporters understood that this was a chance to close the points gap, and there was an unusually loud cheer even during the warm-up, with support that conveyed a feeling of energizing the team throughout the match.
A: Recently, the players have noticed the strength and changes in the support, and it is certainly a driving force for us. From now on, every match will be crucial. We want to fight without regrets, and I believe the fans and supporters feel the same. We want to celebrate together when we win, and when we lose, I hope we can share the sadness together after giving our all. Right now, I feel that we are united with the fans and supporters as we approach the matches.
Seung-gyu KIM
Q. Were you aware of the results from other venues?
A. As a team, we didn’t particularly discuss them, but I think some players personally checked the results. I was aware as well, but we believed it was important to focus solely on the match in front of us. Of course, before the match, the results from other venues were on our minds, but more than that,“winningeachandevery match” was the mindset we strongly held.
Q. Today, Rio OMORI and Hayato Inamura played together as center backs for the first time. Did you have any words of encouragement or things you were conscious of toward these two young players?
A. We have always maintained solid communication since the training stage, so I felt no issues during the match at all. Although they are young players, each of themhas match experience with the current team, and both have been contributing to victories by showcasing their strengths and playing with confidence, so I believe they are reliable players I can trust. For my part, I focused solely on covering from behind and playing while keeping an eye on the overall balance.
Q. How do you view the attackers' good form from the back?
A. Since the attacking players are in very good condition, as a defender,I have the reassurance that 'if we don’t concede, they will definitely score.' Because of that, I focus first on not conceding goals, and I play with the desire to contribute to the team in that way, believing the team will never lose.
Q. Did your decision-making in play change in the second half when the rain got heavier?
A. It might have seemed like a difficult condition for a goalkeeper, but since the stadium’s turf was in good condition,I did not particularly change my decision-making in play. However, there are parts where the flow of the game changes due to substitutions and timing, so I responded accordingly to those situations.
Q. The point difference with Kashima Antlers is now 3, and from here on, it will truly be a battle for the championship. Is there anything you are particularly conscious of?
A. Since Tokyo is in the position of chasing, I believe the only important thing is to steadily accumulate 3 points in eachmatch onematch at a time. I think the pressure is actually on the opponent, so we want to continue fighting every match in front of us with full effort as challengers. Despite the consecutive matches, the current team is in a state where anyone who plays can perform at a high level. Everyone is well prepared, so we want to keep winning while maintaining the overall strength of the team.
Rio OMORI
Q, For the first time,I partnered as center backs with my same-age teammate Hayato Inamura.
A, We had done that in practice and at camp as well. Although we didn’t play together much during the academy days,we understood each other’s strengths. Conceding one goal was unfortunate, but aside from that, Inamura was also shutting down the opponent’s key receiving points, and his distribution was excellent. I’m just glad we were able to win for now.
Q. It was your first appearance in a while, but were you able to show what you had prepared?
A. Yes, that's right. However, when looking at various small details, there were many points for improvement. Since today was an important match, I think it was good for me personally that the attacking players scored properly and we managed to win.
Q. The match was played knowing the result of the top-ranked Kashima Antlers before the game.
A. I think everyone was able to focus on this match. Since our goal is the championship, we had to win to get even a little closer,and including the aspect of avenging our loss at home, we approached it with a good mental state. I believe that led to the intense match we saw today, so I think it was really good.
