Match Review
The last match of the congested schedule that continued from late March was an away game against Albirex Niigata. For head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, it was a match against his former team, which he led until last season.
Tokyo's record so far stands at 3 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses, with defeats outweighing victories. They have yet to win in five away league matches, struggling on the road, but this game demands a win at all costs to climb back up. They need to once again recall the joy and the 'something' necessary for securing three points that they experienced at the Japan National Stadium, and with flexible decision-making, they aim to draw in goals and victory.
Considering the schedule, the red and blue starting eleven changed five players. Seiji KIMURA was placed in the center of the three-back, with Enrique Trevisan as the left stopper, forming the final line with Kanta DOI. The defensive midfield duo consisted of Kento HASHIMOTO and Takahiro KO, with Kei KOIZUMI and Keita ENDO deployed as right and left wing-backs respectively. The inside halves were Keisuke Sato and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Up front was Marcelo Hian, who is expected to score his first league goal. Attention is also focused on the combination of Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI, both facing their former clubs, as well as the left-side partnership of Keita ENDO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who are starting together for the first time.
The game, which saw a big round of applause and some boos for Coach Matsuhashi during the pre-match player introductions, kicked off at 14:03 with the Tokyo ball under clear skies at DENKA BIG SWAN STADIUM.
1st HALF—Leading with Hian's first league goal
Tokyo searched for attacking options from the start. In the 6th minute of the first half, during a period when they struggled to maintain possession, they connected vertically through pressing from the front and a sharp interception. From a wedge pass by RIAN, the ball was played out to the right side, where Koizumi made a one-touch return pass, creating a chance as Sato took aim.
With this, the movement of the blue and red became lighter. Immediately after, in the 8th minute of the first half, the ace scored his long-awaited first league goal. When RIAN picked up the loose ball slightly to the right side of the center of the pitch and advanced with it, he did not miss the moment when the opponent's marking slowed down and struck a powerful left-footed shot. He pierced the top left of the goal with a fierce controlled shot with the instep, successfully scoring the opening goal early in the game.
The first half left a strong impression of having clearly organized the on-pitch perspectives that were described as "disjointed" in the previous match against Shimizu S-Pulse. The defense functioned well by pressing from the front and cutting off passes with quick reactions, while maintaining high anticipation throughout both offense and defense and launching rapid transitions to attack the goal. The players’ positioning and spacing were also good, forming many triangles that opened multiple passing lanes. While allowing the opponent to hold the ball to some extent, Tokyo seized control of the game’s pace by embodying football that reflects "good defense leading to good offense."
After that, player Hian made a breakaway, creating plays in midfield and making large developments to the opposite side, showcasing a variety of attacking strategies with depth as players continuously came forward from the back. Although they couldn't score an additional goal, the players on the pitch worked together in both offense and defense, demonstrating the football the team should play as they headed into halftime.
2nd HALF—Secured the win with additional goals by Hian and Aniki, marking the second away victory of the season
Both teams entered the second half without any substitutions. Tokyo aims to maintain control by continuing the precise anticipation and aggressive style they showed in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Tokyo gained momentum by directing the arrows toward the goal. Many players actively engaged with the ball, pushing into the opponent's territory. Then, in the 7th minute of the second half, an additional goal was scored from a brilliant play.
Koizumi, who had the ball on the right side, passed it to Doi, who was advancing while carrying the ball inside. Doi then aimed for a forward run from the center, and after a one-two with Sato, he delivered the final pass to Koizumi inside the penalty area. Koizumi received it, accelerated sharply, and made a graceful goal by slicing through the last line with a vertical breakthrough and finishing with his right foot. The reliable "Aniki" made a big impact against his memorable former team on his professional debut, and Tokyo extended their lead to two goals.
Tokyo continues to demonstrate sharp predictions. Not only do they react quickly to loose balls, but all players also reposition accurately to create passing lanes and actively engage with the ball. Each player shines across the pitch, and the dynamic play continues.
However, in the 21st minute of the second half, the right side was broken through in a moment of lapse, and although Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a save once, the ball was lost due to a miscommunication in front of the goal, and Kasai scored, resulting in a goal. The lead was reduced to one point.
Just after, in the 24th minute of the second half, Takahashi was forced to be substituted due to a fierce collision in a midfield contest. Kosuke SHIRAI came in as a right winger, and Koizumi was converted to a defensive midfielder. Until then, Takahashi had been controlling the entire team from the base of midfield with precise communication, passing, and timely positioning, so the team was now challenged to fill that gap and secure the victory in the remaining approximately 20 minutes.
In the 37th minute of the second half, after a period of being pressed by Niigata due to an unexpected substitution, another superb goal was scored, firmly aimed at the net.
Shirai, who picked up the loose ball inside his own penalty area, dribbled forward and accelerated strongly through the center of the pitch, delivering a superb vertical final pass. Lucas RIAN, running alongside, broke free and powerfully struck with his right foot to score an additional goal. This second goal by number 19, rescuing the team from a tough situation, allowed Tokyo to successfully extend their lead to two goals once again.
At the 40th minute of the second half, Henrique, Hashimoto, and Tawara Tsukida were substituted with Teppei OKA, Kota TOKIWA, and Leon NOZAWA. Each entered the same position, with the bench making moves to close out the match.
The second half added time was displayed as 11 minutes, partly due to dealing with player Takahashi. At 45+9 minutes in the second half, the opponent scored from a set piece, narrowing the gap to one goal, but the team showed an aggressive attitude including the substitutes, maintained focus and anticipation until the end, and managed to hold on to a 3-2 victory. Player Hian also shined by scoring two goals, securing their first away league win since the opening match against Yokohama FC.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI/Kei KOIZUMI/Enrique Trevisan (40th minute second half: Teppei OKA)/Seiji KIMURA
MF Yo TAKAO (28th minute second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Kento HASHIMOTO (40th minute second half: Kota TOKIWA)/Keita ENDO (13th minute second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (40th minute second half: Leon NOZAWA)
FW Yoshimasa SATO (30th minute second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Marcelo Hian
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
Maki KITAHARA MF
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
8th minute of the first half: Marcelo RYAN / 7th minute of the second half: Kei KOIZUMI / 37th minute of the second half: Marcelo RYAN
<Albirex Niigata>
STARTING XI
GK Daisuke YOSHIMITSU
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Jason Gellia/Haruto Inamura/Yuto HORIGOME (2nd half 22 min: Kento HASHIMOTO)
MF Taiki ARAI (2nd half 40 min: Yuji HOSHI)/Hiroki AKIYAMA (2nd half 22 min: Yoshiaki TAKAGI)/Yota KOMI (2nd half 13 min: Danilo Gomes)/Motoki HASEGAWA/Hitoshi OKUMURA (2nd half 40 min: Miguel Silveira)
FW Yuji ONO (2nd half 13 min: Keisuke KASAI)
SUBS
GK Kazuki FUJITA
DF Fumiya HAYAKAWA/Michael James FITZGERALD
MANAGER
Daisuke Kimori
GOAL
21st minute of the second half: Keisuke Kasai / 45+9th minute of the second half: Danilo GOMES
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, It was a difficult match with an uncertain outcome until the very end, but despite some struggles caused by ourselves, I am glad that we were able to secure a solid victory.
Q. After spending four seasons in Niigata, how did you feel about playing as the opposing team's coach in a match there?
A, I felt a strong sense of wonder returning to a place where there are players, staff, and related parties who fought alongside me for a long time. That said, in the world of competition, how to defeat the opponent you face and how to demonstrate that we are progressing were also, in a sense, important aspects.
Q, Until Takahiro KO's substitution due to injury, it was a good game. Was the match unfolding as planned?
A, The counterattack that led to the goals showcased the good aspects we possess. Especially the second goal was a wonderful one, I believe. However, regarding the two goals we conceded, there were parts where we disrupted our own pace. Rather than focusing on the two goals conceded, our style of play up to that point was very conservative. At the moment we scored the third goal, instructions were communicated to the entire team, and from there, as we began to try, good shapes were formed. Although it did not connect from the finish to the goal, I hope they will have the courage to keep trying.
If we had continued as we were, there was an unpleasant feeling of "maybe...". I think we can evaluate that they did well in trying firmly and moving the ball to create space ahead, as I had told them to do. How to correct the errors within that, and how to connect the corrections to scoring in the end, are things we still need to continue working on.
Q: Before the match, you said, "We must score goals." How do you reflect on the fact that you were able to score 3 goals in the end?
A. It is very frustrating that what we are doing can appear negative or be diminished because we are not scoring goals. However, in soccer, you cannot win without scoring. I do not underestimate this issue, but if we do not thoroughly address it, we will not be able to move in the direction we aim for. I believe this is something we absolutely must not overlook, so I want to continue emphasizing it going forward.
Q. The players' arrows were pointing towards the goal, and it looked like their gazes were aligned.
A, at first, our defense was not going very well. The opponent is good at taking positions that create hesitation, and because of that hesitation, we couldn't fit in properly. In the second half, we gave the players the task of arranging the formation to tighten that area a bit, and while there were some calm moments, the two goals we conceded, including their shape, were regrettable.
Regarding the attack, in the early stages there was still some confusion, and while I intended to clearly communicate to the players why we build up the ball from the back, I felt it was still lacking. By effectively using the space created through those attempts, we were able to attack in a good way. How we interpret that is important. Since we haven't been winning, the players haven't gained much confidence, but at some point, I need to clearly demonstrate what is required. Within what I have shown, there are parts that they have been able to execute.
[Player Interview]
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q, you scored two goals today.
A, I have been practicing every day to score goals, so I am very happy to finally have scored, and moreover, to have scored two goals and helped the team win. I also want to take a good rest and prepare well for the next match.
Q: please review each goal scene.
A, the first goal came from a pass by Keito SATO, and I carried the ball forward by dribbling myself. There were options on both sides, but since there was good space, I was able to skillfully slot it in with my left foot. For the second goal, Kosuke SHIRAI carried the ball, and after I moved to the left, I ran diagonally. When the ball came to me, I initially seemed to mishandle the trap, but I was able to control the ball well afterward and score.
Q. Do you think these two goals will be a trigger for you to score even more goals in the future?
A. I am also very happy to have joined Tokyo and to have scored my first league goal as a Tokyo player, contributing to the team's victory. It also boosts my confidence, so I want to continue building on these goals moving forward.
Q. The song that was used as a chant for Amaral and Lucas has become a chant for Marcelo RYAN. What do you think about that?
A. Of course, I still have a long way to go to reach the level of those two, but I am happy that the fans and supporters are backing me and recognizing me in that way. I want to play so that I can catch up to them for the sake of Tokyo.
Q. Have you struggled because you have been away from scoring goals until now?
A. From the very first day I joined, I have been training with the goal of scoring and helping the team win, and it was very frustrating not being able to score for a long time. However, I believed that I would eventually be able to score, and I am most grateful that I was able to score today and the team won.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q. How did you start the match?
A, Marcelo RYAN scored at a good moment. I thought the opening goal was important, so in that sense, being able to take the lead was significant. As a team, we also had some areas where we could challenge ourselves in maintaining possession. I think it was a good start.
Q, You played as a wing-back. How did you feel about your position?
A, I hoped to help the defensive midfielders by moving inside, so I played freely without being fixated on the wing-back position. I made sure to hold my position on the side when needed, but I think I could do a bit better by watching the opponents more carefully.
Q, please look back on the goal scene.
A, Kanta DOI made the final pass, and I think the important thing was that I was able to get to that position.
Q: The result was 3-2. Was this a match that revealed some challenges as well?
A, It was a tough match, but I feel we need to be more particular about how we finish and how we win. Honestly, if there had been another 15 minutes, we might have been beaten, so I want to make sure we handle that properly.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming home match against Vissel Kobe.
A, just like the match against Shimizu S-Pulse, nothing will mean anything unless we secure consecutive wins, so I want to work hard to achieve back-to-back victories.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: please review the assist scene.
A: After winning the ball, I saw the space. I had the image of shaking off the opposing player and carrying the ball up to an advanced position, and since Marcelo RYAN repositioned himself at a good timing, I just had to pass the ball to him. I think everything went as imagined up to the goal.
Q, I believe you came on as a substitute during a difficult time and timing.
A. We were leading, and since we wanted to avoid conceding goals, and Kei KOIZUMI was performing well and scoring from the right wing position, I also wanted to achieve some kind of result. I focused on not being easily beaten defensively while being determined to make the most of the few chances we had.
Q. If there had been no third goal, the match could have ended in a 2-2 draw.
A: I think we were able to score the third goal and also showed a positive attitude in going after goals. I want to continue maintaining an attacking mindset aiming for the second and third goals in the future, but I also feel that both conceded goals were unfortunate. We want to make corrections going forward.
Q: It seemed like the wide players often took positions more inside while playing.
A. I think playing inside depending on the situation is also good, and I myself am always conscious of plays like the second goal scored by Koizumi, where we break down the defense with passes from the wide area and then penetrate. While bringing out my strengths, I want to continue being mindful of playing in good positions going forward.
