“Rikizo Tokyo” has fully kicked off in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, in preparation for the 2026/27 season opener. About a week has passed since the camp started on July 14, and the outline of the efforts toward the new season has become clear.
At the Hokkaido Shiraoi camp, the training content has unfolded exactly as head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI revealed on the first day, saying, “I want to focus on specific themes.” In attack, much time is devoted to breaking down the sides, while in defense, they have worked methodically from high press to middle block, and also on responding to cross balls. The plan is to repeat these movements throughout the season until they become ingrained in the players’ bodies.
In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, where they finished in 4th place, there were many matches in which the team took risks to attack through the center, but they did not score many goals from crosses. Taking that feedback into account, the manager said, "We anticipate cases where the opponents will try to prevent us from effectively using the center," and is working to instill a variety of attacking patterns in the team that surpass the opponents' countermeasures.
Kento HASHIMOTO is one of those who welcome these efforts. Showing a competitive spirit against the right side that scored many goals in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, he is honing his specialty, crossing balls, during this camp.
"I need to increase the opportunities and frequency to bring out my strengths. In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, the two players on the right side received individual awards and were often featured. Personally, by the end of the season, I wanted to show that I can also perform on the left side, not just rely on the right. If results come from me and the winger on the left side, it will become difficult for the opponents to defend. I am working with the mindset of how to break down the sides and not losing to the two players on the opposite side."
So far, two training matches have been played during the camp. Since some days had passed since the start, in the first practice match against Montedio Yamagata, each player was given 45 to 60 minutes of playing time. Although they lost 1-2 in total over three 45-minute periods, the goal scored originated from Kento Hashimoto on the left side.
What deepened the sense of progress even further was the defensive aspect. There were extended periods pressing deep into the opponent’s territory, and the switching between high press and middle block was carried out very smoothly without ceasing communication on the pitch. Takahiro KO expressed this sense of progress.
“This is something I have been strongly conscious of since the start: thoroughly organizing the entire team both offensively and defensively, and on top of that, I personally feel that my initial reactions are sharp. Heading into the season opener, I intend to be thorough with the basics such as winning the ball and collecting loose balls, so I feel a good sense of progress in that regard.”
In the following match against Nagoya Grampus on the 21st, they secured a 2-1 victory over three periods, with new summer signing Nikolai Valis making his debut and showing a promising trial run. During the time Valis was on the pitch, the players responded very well. The attacking unit rotated positions fluidly, disrupting Nagoya’s man-to-man style defense. They successfully created the numerical advantage of +1 that Coach Matsuhashi demands, advancing the ball effectively.
Valis constantly shakes his head to grasp the situation, always repositioning himself to leverage combinations with those around him as he approaches the goal. He also showcased heading shots that take advantage of his height and runs behind the defense, fully highlighting his high involvement in scoring and the variety of scoring patterns even in a short amount of time. Valis himself is gaining confidence while looking ahead to the future, saying, "I will get even better."
"I still feel there is much to learn. How to build relationships with the players is a challenge going forward. The outline of the team concept has become clear, but there are still many areas to learn."
We are currently refining the areas that were lacking in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, focusing on building an attack that can score from anywhere and a solid defense. The camp in the northern land is almost over. After returning to Tokyo, we are showing a definite readiness according to the roadmap for the final preparations.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
Photos by Kenichi Arai
