<Match Preview>
The enemy in front of you is the strongest enemy.
The words that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI focused on for the players the day before the match against Nara Club contain everything.
The 2025 J League YBC Levain Cup will kick off on March 20. This season, the tournament format has changed to include all 60 J League clubs, and J1 clubs will participate starting from the 1st Round. Tokyo's first match will be against Nara Club from the J3 League. They will start the tournament by heading to the away Rohto Field Nara.
The tournament from the 1st Round to the 3rd Round is a knockout competition where the outcome is decided in a single match. It is also a tournament where lower-tier clubs are likely to achieve 'giant killings' against higher-ranked teams, but Coach Matsuhashi showed no signs of complacency and urged the players to adopt a one-match, one-victory mindset. That is the essence of the opening words.
"This will be a truly important match, just like a league game. The category of the opponent doesn't matter at all, and looking at the history, there have been many instances where teams from a higher category have lost. I want to approach this with a really flat perspective."
This is an important match for us to truly become a better team, regardless of whether we are the stronger or weaker side. The coach emphasizes, "If we think from the start that we are facing a J3 team, we will definitely trip ourselves up. That kind of mentality is not acceptable. It is crucial to position ourselves properly in this regard." Given that the team is currently in a tough situation with three consecutive matches without scoring in the league, this match is also an opportunity to secure a victory and build momentum for the future.
While fresh player selections are being considered, Coach Matsuhashi explained to the players that "the idea of turnover is not something that has been there from the beginning." He has made it clear that player selection will take into account various factors, including the players' conditions and their playing time so far. Many players are eager for playing opportunities, and since the coach himself is looking for a style of football that remains unchanged regardless of who plays, attention is also focused on who will show what kind of performance here.
The blue-red battle for the 'Holy Grail' of J starts with an away game against Nara. Although it marks the opening of a new tournament, the team's commitment to steadily build up each match remains unchanged. This is what will lead to the league and the team's bright future. I hope you will witness this important match, where the coach and players approach it with a determination to win every battle.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: There are four days between the match against Avispa Fukuoka and the next league match. What kind of player selection will you make?
A: The match against Nara Club is an important first game in the Levain Cup, and with four days in between, players who participated in the Fukuoka match can also prepare thoroughly for this game. We will use this period to rest some players and consider various factors when selecting the lineup.
Q: Are there any players you would like to utilize in this match?
A: The idea of turnover is not something that is in my mind from the start. Of course, when looking at the members playing in the match, there is a possibility that players will be rotated. I want to decide while considering the efforts so far, playing time, and opportunities, but the most important thing is whether they can maintain a good condition from their daily training.
Q: Please tell us your impression of the Nara Club you will be competing against.
A: They are a team that builds their play while valuing possession of the ball, and I get the impression that they take on various challenges even during matches. We want to approach this match with the same mindset as a league game, and we believe that the difference in categories does not matter at all. Looking at the history of past tournaments, there have been many matches where higher-category teams were defeated. However, rather than viewing it as a match we must not lose, we want to focus on “approaching this match on the same level.”
Q: It seemed that we struggled against the defense that pressed us from the front in the Fukuoka match.
A: Naturally, there are technical aspects involved, but I also felt that we needed to make bold and clear changes, including positioning. While I regret that we couldn’t clearly demonstrate this, I want to ensure through thorough training that we do not repeat the same mistakes. As a team, we aim to prepare in a well-balanced manner and approach the next match with that mindset.
[Player Interview]
<Player Kei Sato>
Q: The match against Avispa Fukuoka ended in a disappointing result, and we are far from victory. What improvements are necessary?
ASince the start of the J1 League, the team's understanding of the style of football the coach is trying to implement has deepened, and I feel that we are gradually growing. However, if we don't complete it quickly, the results will not follow, so I think it is important to get closer to completion as soon as possible. There is a reality that the forwards are not scoring. I believe that the forwards, including myself, need to score and make it a winning team.
Q: What do you think is necessary to break through the current situation where we are not scoring?
A, I feel that there are not enough decisive plays in front of the goal. With many teams setting up blocks, I believe it is necessary to take strong and aggressive shots even when entering the attacking third. While it is important to break through beautifully, it is meaningless if we become too fixated on that and fail to score. I think it is important to have the attitude of aiming for the goal, even in a messy way.
Q, Nara Club is a team that belongs to the J3 League. I think they will come with considerable motivation as they will be facing clubs from the J1 League.
A: Not a single person is complacent, and the coach also said that the enemy right in front of us is the strongest enemy. It doesn't matter which category the opponent belongs to, and we have no intention of changing our style of play. I believe that if we can show what we have been working on in the match, we will definitely win. I think the opponent will come with considerable momentum, but if we approach the match with even greater momentum, I am confident we will win.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q: With many opportunities to play in matches, how do you want to contribute to the team with your play?
A, I wanted to play from the start of the league, but I was delayed. It took some time, but I believe the opportunity to appear in official matches is coming around, so I want to prepare well. Due to my position, the required play and positioning will change depending on who I partner with and which players are nearby. Although I am a defensive player, I want to contribute with plays that lead to good attacks, and I intend to carefully grasp the opponent’s play and situation to build up from the back.
Q: The team has gone three official matches without a victory.
A: While winning is important, the fact that we have continued to go scoreless is a bigger concern, so first and foremost, I believe it is crucial for the team to firmly secure goals. We want to win decisively and carry that positive momentum into the league matches. Our immediate focus is to win the match against Nara Club and concentrate on scoring solidly as a team.
Q: This is a knockout tournament where upsets are likely to happen. Please tell us the point you are most aware of when facing Nara.
A: I think scoring early is very important. If the match progresses without us scoring, the game becomes stretched out, and we can't play as we want, causing time to drag on while making us more susceptible to the opponent's pressure. Above all, we want to avoid conceding the first goal. In a knockout tournament, how early we can score the opening goal is a key point. I want to support the buildup from the back so that the forwards can launch good attacks.
