Match Review & Preview
Review of the Playoff Round First Leg vs. Cerezo Osaka
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Concept League playoff round is held in a home-and-away format. FC Tokyo, who finished 2nd in the EAST regional league round, faced Cerezo Osaka in the 3rd and 4th place decider. They first took on the challenge of the first leg away match.
From the start of the match, both teams showcased their strengths in an exciting game. Tokyo’s Ryunosuke SATO, positioned as one of the two forwards, skillfully received the ball with clever positioning and served as the focal point of the attack. The team thoroughly committed to advancing forward, effectively blending aggressive pressing with short counters and sharp, accelerated attacks while maintaining possession. Defensively, goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA made a series of fine saves from the outset. The team progressed the match aiming to connect solid defense to strong offense.
The game changed in the 36th minute of the first half. Ryunosuke Sato firmly held possession on the left side and connected forward, from where Keita ENDO broke through powerfully down the vertical. When Keisuke Sato charged in on the return pass with momentum, the opposing player failed to clear properly, causing an own goal. Tokyo, increasing pressure forward, took the lead.
Although conceding a goal just before the end of the first half brought the match back to square one, we succeeded in taking the lead early in the second half with a well-designed set play. From a right corner kick, Kento HASHIMOTO chose a short corner, and Kei KOIZUMI, receiving a pass from Kota TOKIWA, delivered a cross. At this moment, Marcelo RYAN powerfully headed the ball in, allowing the blue and red to pull away from C Osaka.
However, in the 34th minute of the second half, the side was broken down again, and the score was leveled once more before time ran out. Having had their two leads caught up to, the first leg ended in a 2-2 draw.
This Week's Preview
The first half last weekend ended in a 2-2 draw, and the final rankings for 3rd and 4th place for the season will be decided by the result of the second half“ held at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium). If the score is tied after 90 minutes, there will be two 15-minute halves of extra time, and if still undecided, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.
"We want to finish in a solid and good way"
These were the candid words spoken by Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI ahead of the second leg of the playoffs against Cerezo Osaka at the National. His words carried not only the significance of this season’s final match, held as a special half-year tournament, but also the meaning of the last match for number 10, who has contributed to Tokyo since joining in the 2013 season. Coach Matsuhashi continued.
"I truly believe he has contributed greatly to this club and is a wonderful player who has left a significant legacy. The time I have been involved with him has been short, and this season I haven’t been able to give him many opportunities to play, but even so, he said, ‘I will be fully prepared when my chance comes,’ and he has maintained a professional attitude in his daily training. I think tomorrow everyone will fight for him, and that’s something I would like to ask not only of us but also of everyone who will gather at the stadium."
We want to send off our veteran with a victory—Keigo HIGASHI, sensing the feelings of those around him, tightened his resolve upon hearing Coach Matsuhashi’s words as he prepared for his final match in blue and red, also sharing his feelings toward the blue and red family he has fought alongside.
"I would be happy if everyone could play with even a little bit of that feeling. For me, it’s the last time, but for the team, there is a future including next season and beyond. Tomorrow is not a practice match; it’s a game we absolutely must win. I have seen how unforgiving the world of competition can be. Tomorrow, I want to contribute to the victory as a member of the team. To the fans and supporters, the only word I can say is ‘thank you.’ Even though I’m not a homegrown player, I was entrusted with the number 10 and the captain’s role. I am fully aware of the harsh voices I’ve received, but even so, I have truly received a lot of support and encouragement. I can only feel gratitude for that."
The day before the match, during the pre-practice meeting, number 10 stood in front of his teammates. Looking back on that moment, he recalled, "If I talked too much, I felt like I might cry," and said, "I want to win tomorrow’s match and then have a good cry. So, let’s all give it our best until the end."
It is an important match to fully demonstrate what we have built up and achieve results, connecting to the future in various ways. What is needed there is a “challenge.” While adapting flexibly in battle, we make the opponent follow what we want to do. It is not a safe choice, but we must continue the challenge to firmly bring out our strengths. It will be a battle to prove the team’s strength through results.
United as one in blue and red, we will seize victory. Beyond that awaits a grand finale filled with smiles and tears.
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q: This is the last practice and the last match of the season. How are you feeling right now?
A: I feel the same as always. Not because it’s the last time, but because I want to win this match firmly and finish on a good note.
Q. We will be playing against the same team again within a short period. Could you please share your impressions from the previous match and how you plan to approach tomorrow’s game?
A. They were the team we had anticipated, and there were parts where Tokyo performed well, but there were also aspects where they clearly showed their own style, so we want to make sure we don’t allow that. Rather than adapting to the opponent, we want to make Cerezo Osaka follow what we want to do.
Q, What do you think will be necessary for that?
A, I think it is very important to firmly control the ball ourselves and take the initiative in the game. However, when the ball is with the opponent and we are pushed deep into our own half, how actively we attack the ball and connect the ball we win to the next attack—that will be one of the key points in drawing victory closer.
Q. I think we will aim for both the periods when the press from the front is working well and when we pull back to launch long counters.
A, we cannot create that situation ourselves, so when it happens, I think it is important that the team aligns their focus and plays together properly.
Q. The announcement regarding Keigo HIGASHI's contract expiration has been made.
AAlthough my time working with him has been short, I truly believe that his contributions to this club have been significant, as I see him now. He is a player who genuinely loves soccer and gives great importance to the ball. I feel that several young players, those who still have a long future ahead, have surely observed and learned from his attitude.
Q: Don’t you also have the feeling that you want to send him off with a victory?
A: I think everyone will fight tomorrow for Keigo HIGASHI, and I would like to ask not only us but also the fans and supporters who will gather at the venue to do the same.
Player Interview
Player Kei Sato
Q: First, please review the game against Cerezo Osaka in the 1st Round of the playoffs. A: During this half-season playing against teams from the eastern side, I felt a strength in their fluidity and freedom in attack that no other team had. Since they were an opponent we had never faced before, I felt it was a difficult match. However, we were able to fully demonstrate the strengths of our attack, including in the build-up phase, so I view positively that we took the lead twice with the opening goal and the go-ahead goal. On the other hand, it was an issue that we could not hold onto that lead despite pushing forward and controlling the game, and the team reviewed this in meetings as well. I believe the goals conceded would not have happened if we had maintained our usual defensive standards, so we plan to review the footage once more and prepare for the 2nd Round.
Q, in terms of taking action ourselves, I think there were periods when we controlled the opponent.
A, as I mentioned earlier, I think we could have shown more intensity in defense rather than in attack. Of course, there were moments when we made good defensive plays and won the ball, and there were also opportunities to launch short counters. However, when reviewing the scenes of the goals conceded, I feel we did not apply enough intense pressure on the ball holder, and because we failed to do that, we gradually dropped back, which led to the second goal. Regarding the attack, we understood that we could improve during the match and adjust our positioning even in the build-up. I think what will be more important in the next game is to do enough defensively to not let the opponent do anything, rather than focusing on the attack.
Q, how do you evaluate your own performance?
A, my attacking was also unsatisfactory. I think I could have had more fluidity on the sides, and increased my movements behind the defense. Against their fluid movements, we tried too much to match by taking similar positions. Rather than matching the opponent, the best approach is for us to take the lead in positioning, not allowing the opponent to do anything and preventing them from showing their strengths in attack. I think this applies not only to our attack but is also important for our defense.
Q. So far, including the regular season, it has been a short season of just half a year, but would you say that the team had a season where both results and content matched?
A. Since we were aiming for the championship, it was ultimately a very frustrating season. However, if you look at it as a buildup from last season, the intensity has increased compared to the start of this season, and the team’s shared vision of what we want to do has also aligned. I think that, based on last season’s reflections, we have come this far and it has been a good season. Since the goal was to win the championship, if you only look at the results, it can be seen as a failure, but I don’t think there is anything pessimistic about it at all. On the contrary, it has given us confidence that we can definitely win the championship next season. We have always said “build up, build up,” so if someone says, “In the end, you still haven’t won,” that’s true, but building up is absolutely essential to winning. We definitely felt that progress. I felt it, and everyone else must have felt it too. That is what led to the result of competing for third place. Next season, we absolutely want to win the championship and prove that what we have been doing was not wrong.
Q. The final match is the 'Big Thank You Day' held at home. How would you like to show your gratitude to the fans and supporters through your play in this last game?
A. In the last match, we can compete with a clear motivation of whether we finish in 3rd or 4th place. As a team, we can give it our all, and last season we didn’t have a very good game on 'Big Thank You Day.' This season, however, we intend to pour out the culmination of our efforts, incomparable to before. United as one team, together with the fans and supporters, we absolutely want to win and finish with smiles.
Q. By the way, you recorded assists at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) both last season and this season. Do you feel a sense of being the “National Stadium man”?
A, definitely! I have a good image of it. Last season, I assisted Soma ANZAI’s winning goal in the league match against FC Machida Zelvia. This season, I also assisted the early opening goal right after kickoff in the match against Yokohama F.Marinos. Since I have a good image, I want to give it my all.
Hayato Inamura
Q. It has been half a year since you transferred to FC Tokyo, and this match will be the one to conclude the season you have fought through.
A. I’m disappointed that we couldn’t achieve the championship we aimed for. Speaking personally, considering my playing time since last season and the growth I’ve made, my honest feeling now is that I’m glad to have joined this team.
Q. Regarding defense, as you gradually accumulate match appearances, there must be areas where you have been able to improve. How do you feel about that?
A. I do feel some growth, but in the matches we have lost this season, there have been quite a few goals conceded due to mistakes on my part, so it was also a time to reaffirm that there are still many areas where I am lacking. I feel there are still many challenges ahead.
Q. The first leg of the playoffs against Cerezo Osaka ended in a 2-2 draw. Playing the same opponent again so soon means, conversely, that this match will show how much we have been able to improve in this short period of time.
A. During the previous match, the heat and the long-awaited away trip made things difficult, so if asked whether we were able to perform at 100 percent, the answer would be no. I’m really looking forward to playing at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium), and since we often get good results at the National Stadium, I believe that if we, including myself, can give our all, we will achieve a good result.
Q. You mentioned wanting to score goals as well. How does it feel?
A Set pieces are increasingly becoming opportunities for the whole team, so I want to aim carefully. While also aiming for long shots, I want to go after scoring goals.
Q, You played as a left side back in the first match of the playoff round.
A , I also played as a left side back at Celtic FC, and I believe being able to play both center back and side back increases my chances of making the matchday squad when the number of players is limited. It was difficult since it had been a while last time, but I want to be able to do it more reliably. Personally, I still want to compete in the center, but I hope they see the side back position as an option for me.
Q. The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League is coming to an end. I believe the fans and supporters are hoping for a victory in the final match. Please share a message with them.
A. From the time I joined this season, the fans have given us passionate support. Around the match against Tokyo Verdy, they began to listen to our requests, cheering us on from warm-ups, and even after losses, they always encouraged us and supported us until the very end, which I am very grateful for. Among the players, we often talked about wanting to repay the fans and supporters with solid results throughout the season. Although it was disappointing not to win the championship, I want to do my best to finish in third place with a win in the final game, and I would be happy if everyone fights alongside us.
Keigo HIGASHI
Q. In the first leg of the playoffs, you were away and took the lead twice but were caught up. You started on the bench and came onto the pitch towards the end. How did you feel about the match overall?
A. Due to the regulations of this tournament, the teams were divided into East and West, and this was the first time we faced a team from the West. I definitely felt that their characteristics were completely different. Of course, there were various characteristics among the teams in the East as well, but their playing style was different from the teams we faced in the East. I found that interesting and wondered if it was something different. Of course, even in the East, there were teams aiming to play a style similar to Cerezo Osaka, but I felt that the West teams played in a more freestyle manner.
Q. You faced an opponent with a style you hadn’t experienced this season, and considering that you took a two-goal lead during the match, weren’t there many positive aspects?
A. Yes, that’s right. However, it was the first time in a while that we conceded two goals. Against the offensively styled C Osaka, we will need greater strength to hold onto such a lead in the next match.
Q. The game had opened up by the time you entered the match. Was there anything you were particularly conscious of when stepping onto the pitch?
A. Being 2-2 away from home wasn’t a bad situation—in fact, there was a part of me that thought it would be fine if it ended like that. However, the flow of the match was such that we were under quite a bit of pressure, and I felt it would be tough if we got pushed back any further into our own half. Keeping that in mind, when I came on as a defensive midfielder, I intended to commit more players forward and get involved in the attacking moves near the opponent’s goal. Of course, as a defensive midfielder, moving forward leaves space behind and carries the risk of counterattacks, but if we could win and return home, that would be a significant advantage. So, I believed we had to go for the goal. I stepped onto the pitch hoping to be a catalyst for that.
Q. After Keigo HIGASHI actually came onto the pitch, the team started pushing back and was able to hold the ball in advanced positions. Even though he was playing as a defensive midfielder, I felt that the area he covered was quite extensive.
A. Even though we wanted to increase the number of players forward to create a numerical advantage, the heat and the late stage of the match made it difficult for players to move up. Feeling the atmosphere where we couldn’t push back, I tried to create a turning point during that period by, for example, making a one-two pass with Ryunosuke SATO and taking a shot. I played with the intention of sparking a comeback at that time.
Q, this match was your first appearance of the season.
A, yes, that's right. I had been included in the squad, but suddenly coming on was quite challenging. However, I've been in the professional world for over ten years (laughs).
Q. Today, you announced that your contract will expire at the end of this season. Tomorrow’s match will be the last time you play wearing the blue and red uniform.
A, I am truly full of gratitude. Over the past 14 years, I have kept running in my own way, and I have appeared in over 400 official matches with this team, FC Tokyo. Of course, there were good times and difficult times, but having gained this much experience is a real asset for me. While I still want to continue playing as an active player, I feel that I have given my all in what I could do here in Tokyo.
Q, Tomorrow’s match will be held at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium). This is the stage where we won the Levain Cup in the 2020 season and I lifted the cup as captain.
A, To be honest, I would have preferred Ajinomoto. For me, Ajinomoto is truly Tokyo’s home. Of course, I have many memories at the National Stadium as well, but it feels like a second home to me. I have experienced both good and bad times there, so it’s a bit disappointing not to have played at Ajinomoto this season. However, having the chance to be involved in a match at the National, one of Japan’s top-class stadiums, feels like fate in some way.
Q. What do you want to leave behind for the younger teammates and the fans and supporters who come to watch?
A. I don’t know what kind of atmosphere it will be, but this is definitely not a farewell party for me. Tomorrow’s match will be my last playing for Tokyo, but I believe this team still has a lot of potential and a bright future ahead. It’s an important match to connect to that future. It’s not an exhibition match, and first and foremost, I think it’s important to win against C Osaka and carry that momentum into next season. If I’m needed to help win, I want to be used, but this isn’t a time for anyone to be considerate of me — I want to fight truly to win, for Tokyo. I believe I have always shown that kind of attitude, and I want to keep doing so until the very end.
