<Review of the 1st Round 1st Round match against Nara Club>
The 1st Round 1st Round match against the away team Nara. Despite being up against a J3 club, we approached the game with the mindset that "the enemy in front of us is the strongest enemy," and it turned out to be a game that continued to be more challenging than we imagined.
Nara Club connects the ball and attacks while adopting a bold high press and high line strategy. Tokyo places Koki TSUKAGAWA at the forefront, while Keigo HIGASHI, who is positioned as a defensive midfielder, supports the build-up by dropping back to the final line. However, they are unable to break through the opponent's concentrated defense and struggle to create clear scoring opportunities.
The second half, which started scoreless, saw Leon NOZAWA come on for Seiji KIMURA, who was making his first start of the season, and a switch to a four-back system. As head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI mentioned before the match, he wanted to consider making significant changes, and this was an attempt to shift the momentum by bringing clear changes to the pitch. Although this led to an increase in chances, Nara continued to fight aggressively without dropping their performance, and the initiative was once again taken away from them.
Despite creating dangerous scenes multiple times and relying on a solid defense and the opponent's mistakes to escape trouble, the match finally changes in the second half's added time.
In the penalty area, player Keiin Sato was knocked down from behind, earning a penalty kick. Soma ANZAI powerfully kicked it with his right foot into the net, scoring the opening goal at a critical moment. The determination of number 7, entrusted with the captain's armband, decided the match, and after a tough battle, Tokyo secured a spot in the 2nd Round.
<Preview of 1st Round 2nd Round>
The 2025 J League YBC Levain Cup, featuring all 60 clubs from J1 to J3, will be held in a tournament format. Tokyo, facing off against J2's RB Omiya Ardija in the 2nd Round of the knockout stage, will be playing away. The team is currently in a difficult situation, having gone seven league matches without a win, but they hope to turn the tide with a victory, transforming their accumulated efforts into confidence to move forward.
The match against Kashiwa Reysol in Sec. 10 of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, held at Japan National Stadium last weekend, saw Teruhito NAKAGAWA score his first goal of the season to take the lead. However, they allowed a heartbreaking equalizer in the second half's stoppage time, resulting in a draw. It was a frustrating outcome as they missed out on victory while the clock was ticking down to about one minute remaining.
No one would have thought that a single victory would be this far away. However, the matches will come. Even if the tournament changes, the stance of focusing firmly on the game in front of us and the opponent in front of us does not change. The fact that the opponent is from a lower category means nothing once the kickoff whistle blows. We can only overcome difficult situations by believing that results will come and having the determination to produce those results. It can be said that the current situation teaches us that we cannot achieve victory unless we turn the arrow towards ourselves, seek higher ground together, and move forward as one while communicating with each other.
We can only turn all bitter experiences into nourishment. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI says.
"Transforming our strengths and abilities into a case study is important in any game. There are always challenges regardless of winning or losing, so addressing those issues will lead to results, and I believe our depth will continue to grow. If our foundation is solid, those strengths will emerge even more. We must not neglect those areas."
What has passed does not change. We can only overcome this, turning painful memories and experiences into positives, making the times we couldn't win a period of preparation for the future.
Due to the congested schedule, it is expected that fresh players may be utilized. Since there are many capable players who have not had many opportunities to play, we should pay attention to who will take the pitch and what kind of performance they will show.
Omiya, after being relegated to J3 League, has returned to J2 League in just one year. With a significant change in management style this season, they currently sit in 2nd place with 19 points from 6 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, including a 4-match winning streak at the start. They are aiming for a quick return to J1 League through hard work and attacking football.
For Tokyo, the lineup includes Coach Nagasawa, who has long served as a leader for the top team, U-23, and the academy; Head Coach Kina, who wore the blue and red uniform as a player; Coach Toda; and other staff members with close ties to the club. Additionally, there is a connection in that Mr. Hara, who led the club to its first title in this tournament during the 2004 season (then known as the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup) as Tokyo’s coach, now serves as the president. For players like Kento HASHIMOTO and Go HATANO, who played in the academy and U-23 teams, this match is a confrontation with their mentor Coach Nagasawa. As it is also a match against members who supported an era of the club, they want to show their well-developed selves and “repay” their gratitude.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: The league has been challenging with difficult results, but how do you view the cup competition?
A: There has been no change from our original thinking. For us, the only thing is that an important match is coming up on Wednesday. Of course, the players are sincerely addressing the things we need to reflect on and the areas where we are lacking. Now, it’s just about the results. It is important to believe in achieving good results, to believe in ourselves, and to keep going.
Q: Please tell us your impression of RB Omiya Ardija.
A: My impression is that they are a very hard-working team. We need to surpass that, and as I conveyed similarly during the match against Nara Club, we must not look down on them. We demand to fight on the same level with a proper mindset. In the league match against Kashiwa Reysol, the result ended 1-1, which had both positive and negative aspects. There were parts we could not ignore, and we also reflected on having repeated similar mistakes several times. I see the players trying hard in their daily training, and I am quite satisfied with that, but I addressed the whole team about whether they will execute that on the pitch or not. Everyone is approaching the next match with the same mindset. Until the time we seize a good flow and result, we want to keep moving forward without giving up.
Q: How do the players' energy and expressions appear to the coach?
A: I don’t have the impression that anything has changed drastically, and each player understands the situation. I told the players that I want them to fully express the mindset of “I’ll take care of this” to overcome this tough and difficult situation no matter what. Of course, that mindset applies to me as well. It’s not about leaving everything to the players; I also believe it’s important for me to go all out in conveying this message.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: As the team has been distanced from victory, what do you think is necessary for you, Keigo HIGASHI?
A: There is a possibility that players who have not been involved in matches during the league so far will get to play, and first of all, I want to use this match as an opportunity to change the atmosphere for the better.
Q: A match against your former club is coming up.
A: I was with the team during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and I’m a bit unsure if the fans and supporters of RB Omiya Ardija still remember me. However, I truly feel that I was able to grow a lot during that short period. I am very grateful, and if there are people who do remember me, I want to show them a level of play that makes them think, "He has really grown."
Q: In the match against Kashiwa Reysol, I think there were moments when we rushed our attacks, scenes where we couldn't align our focus, and a lack of communication in defense.
A: There was a lack in the overall awareness of “if the flow is like this, then do this,” and in how to manage the time through our play. We ended up being indecisive about whether to go for the second goal or to defend firmly. Speaking of defense, while some issues could have been resolved through communication, I also think there was a lack of individual awareness in specific situations.
Q: I think there are many expected roles for player Higashi in both offense and defense.
A: We must see it through properly, and soccer is not just about offense. There is also enjoyment in the defensive phase. By approaching it from various angles, you can understand the "depth of soccer." I believe that knowing and deepening the "joy of soccer" in both offense and defense will bring us closer to victory.
<Go HATANO>
Q, in the 1st Round match against Nara Club, you contributed to a victory without conceding any goals. What kind of play would you like to show with the possibility of participating this time?
A, I am always ready to play. I think it’s just a matter of stepping onto the pitch and expressing myself. In cup matches, the only way to prove yourself is through the result of victory. I want to play with a true commitment to winning and make plays that draw victory closer.
Q, I believe there is a strong awareness to change the atmosphere, including the tendency of the team to be down, in a positive direction.
A, after the recent match against Kashiwa Reysol, we had discussions among the players, and this week's training has been fitting for a victory, including the intensity in duels and the overall atmosphere. I believe it comes down to whether we can bring this out in the match or not, and we all want to play in a way that involves the entire venue.
Q: This time, the venue is a soccer-only stadium, which brings us closer to the fans and supporters. While receiving their energy, won't we be able to showcase our own strengths as well?
A, I have experience playing at NACK5 Stadium Omiya two seasons ago, and I felt the closeness of the distance from the stands to the pitch, as well as the cheers and intensity. I think I will be able to feel the fans and supporters even more closely, which makes me even more motivated to do it for everyone.I want to enjoy soccer while also delivering results.
Q: Please tell us your impression or image of RB Omiya Ardija.
It is a very attacking club, and since I played under Coach Nagasawa, I have a sense of what kind of soccer they play. (During my time there) they trusted me and even let me wear the captain's armband, and I believe I was able to grow because of that season. The following season, I made my J1 league debut, and I am very grateful. I want to show plays that make people think, "You've become impressive."
