Match Review
The 2025 J.League YBC Levain Cup 1st Round 3rd Round is a single-elimination match to decide who advances to the playoff round. Tokyo faced Shonan Bellmare away. VAR will be introduced from the quarterfinals onward, known as the "Prime Round," and will not be used in this 3rd Round.
Aiming for the “J's Holy Grail” for the first time since the 2020 season, the Blue-Red team made significant changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 17 match against Urawa Reds. They approached the game with a fresh formation, replacing nine players.
The goalkeeper is Taishi Brandon NOZAWA. The back line features Masato MORISHIGE, who returned to action in the previous week's match against Urawa and celebrated his 38th birthday on this day, positioned centrally, with Yasuki KIMOTO on the right and Teppei OKA on the left. The defensive midfield duo consists of Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI, both known for their excellent passing sense. The wing backs are Yuto NAGATOMO on the right and Soma ANZAI on the left. Inside halves are Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Leon NOZAWA, who is making his first official start of the season, while the lone striker is Marcelo Hian, who has scored in three consecutive league matches. The bench is stocked with many distinctive players, and the team aims to advance united by making tactical substitutions according to the flow of the game.
The match kicked off at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka, where the weather turned comfortable after the daytime heat.
1st HALF—Created chances including a penalty kick, but the score remained goalless at halftime
Tokyo took control from the very beginning of the match. Centered around defender Morishige and midfielders Taka and Higashi, they circulated the ball while searching for attacking opportunities, quickly changing the rhythm with one-touch passes to exploit the space behind the defense and press toward the opponent's goal.
Tokyo attacks by connecting passes. When Nagatomo adds depth to the attack with his aggressive inner overlap, at the 22nd minute of the first half, Nagatomo's cross ball induces a handball by the opponent, resulting in a penalty kick. The kicker is RIAN. However, the shot by number 19 is saved by Kamifukumoto, and although they try to follow up on the rebound, the ball goes wide to the right of the goal, failing to shake the net for the opening goal.
Shonan also launches sharp and substantial attacks, but Tokyo firmly switches gears to respond. They show their determination to win through physical defense.
At the 34th minute of the first half, RIAN applied aggressive pressing from the front against the opponent's back pass. This caused a mistake by the goalkeeper, and the loose ball resulted in an even situation, but RIAN's cutback was too large, and he could not take a shot. Then, at the 35th minute, Nagatomo's cross was headed by Leon NOZAWA, but the timing was slightly off, and the ball went over the bar.
Then, at the 39th minute, midfielder Taka seized an opening in the opponent's defense, made precise ball touches to turn and face forward, and passed the ball. He then received it back with a one-two play with Nakagawa and took a shot. Although it did not result in a goal, multiple players coordinated to create a chance.
The first half additional time is displayed as 2 minutes. During a defensive corner kick, player Nagatomo suffered an injury from a contact play. While he was being treated, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.
Tokyo showcased a variety of attacks but was unable to score a goal, and the match was carried over to the second half.
2nd HALF—Taishi Nozawa makes a series of great saves but concedes on a single chance
Nagatomu, whose injury status was a concern, also appeared on the pitch, and there were no substitutions at halftime. Having shown aggressiveness in both offense and defense in the first half, this game is one where they want to quickly turn their good attacks so far into results.
Tokyo continues to apply effective pressing from the front even in the second half. In the 8th minute of the second half, Leon NOZAWA received the ball on the left side and powerfully drove it forward. Although the opponent initially seemed to clear it, he closed in and stretched out his leg to intercept. He then advanced with a dribble and sent a final pass to central player RIAN, but unfortunately it was blocked by an opposing player.
At the 13th minute of the second half, player Anzai intercepted the ball on the left side and dribbled powerfully and skillfully, slicing through the opponent's territory. However, the pass aimed at the pocket did not reach Leon NOZAWA, and it did not lead to a scoring opportunity.
Tokyo struggled to change the course of the match. In the 14th minute of the second half, they allowed an intrusion into the left side of their own penalty area and faced a decisive shot, but Taishi Nozawa firmly blocked the near post and deflected the close-range rebound shot. Then, after the ball was connected again and targeted once more, Taishi Nozawa caught it while falling. Wearing number 41, returning to the pitch for the first time in three official matches, he energized the team with consecutive big saves.
In the 18th minute of the second half, player Hian and Leon NOZAWA were substituted, bringing in Keito Sato as the lone striker and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA as the inside half simultaneously. This was done to revitalize the pitch.
Tokyo had multiple set-piece opportunities from the first half. In the 26th minute of the second half, player Anzai delivered a free kick from the right side, which player Kimoto connected with a header at the far post, but this was saved by player Kamifukumoto. Both teams' players crowded around the rebound, creating a chaotic situation in front of the goal, but they were unable to push it in.
Tokyo, wanting to make further changes, switched at the 27th minute of the second half from Higashi and Nakagawa to Kei KOIZUMI and Keita ENDO. KOIZUMI is expected to increase the intensity in midfield, while ENDO is expected to get involved in the finishing work. Then, at the 30th minute of the second half, Seiji KIMURA came on for Morishige, who was making his return to the starting lineup. He took his place in the center of the back line.
Tokyo aimed to upgrade both offense and defense, but in the 37th minute of the second half, they allowed player Fujii to break free from a single long ball. Although player Anzai desperately tracked back, the ball was cut back near the goal line and passed to the center, where player Hiraoka scored the opening goal.
Tokyo fell behind by one goal. In the 42nd minute of the second half, Endo's left corner kick created a chance in front of the goal, but they couldn't push it in. Despite creating some close opportunities, they just couldn't get that final step.
During the 6 minutes of second-half additional time, while launching a fierce attack to counterattack, they faced a crisis from a Shonan counterattack, but Taishi Nozawa made a spectacular save with a diving block against Hiraoka's powerful shot. They showed desperate play to keep hope alive for victory. However, despite aiming for the goal until the very end, they could not shake the net of Shonan's goal, and time was up. Unable to turn their efforts into results, this season's Levain Cup ended in tears at the 1st Round 3rd Round.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE (35' 2nd half: Seiji KIMURA) / Yasuki KIMOTO / Yuto NAGATOMO / Teppei OKA
MF Soma ANZAI / Woo Yang KO / Keigo AZUMA (27' 2nd half: Kei KOIZUMI) / Leon NOZAWA (18' 2nd half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
FW Marcelo Hian (18' 2nd half: Megumi SATO) / Teruhito NAKAGAWA (27' 2nd half: Keita ENDO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kanta DOI/Kosuke SHIRAI
MF Kyota TOKIWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
－
<Shonan Bellmare>
STARTING XI
GK Naoto KAMIFUKUMOTO
DF Naoya TAKAHASHI (30' 2nd half: Junnosuke SUZUKI) / Koki TATE / Kazunari ONO / Taiga HATA
MF Yuto SUZUKI / Masaki IKEDA / Akimi BARADA (30' 2nd half: Tomoya FUJII) / Kohei OKUNO (24' 2nd half: Taiyo HIRAOKA)
FW Luis Felippi (24' 2nd half: Shoki FUKUDA) / Akito SUZUKI (44' 2nd half: Hiroaki OKUNO)
SUBS
GK Kota Sanada
DF Kazuki OIWA
MF Senagi Ishibashi
FW Yutaro Oda
MANAGER
Satoshi YAMAGUCHI
GOAL
37th minute of the second half: Taiyo HIRAOKA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please look back on today's game.
A. Since it was a game where we held the initiative throughout, it is truly frustrating to have conceded from that one final chance. However, I believe the high quality of Shonan Bellmare, who decisively finished that opportunity, brought them the victory. After that, we struggled a bit in attack; although we added some offensive presence to a certain extent, we were unable to create clear-cut chances. Even though there were several opportunities, we couldn’t break through, so it is very disappointing.
Q. I think we played a good game, but what do you think was lacking?
A, of course, that is to score goals. We ended the game without scoring. There is also the point that if we had converted the early penalty kick, but beyond that, we created several good chances in good situations, so finishing those is indeed very important. While we held the initiative and had long possession of the ball, not getting impatient, and deciding when to shift gears without impatience, I think these will be ongoing challenges.
If we absolutely cannot hold the ball and create clear scoring opportunities, there is a strong possibility that psychologically we become doubtful, thinking "How can we do this...". However, at halftime, I told them, "That won't do." As long as we keep possession of the ball, we won't concede goals, and while holding it, we can create chances. It's about the mindset, and in the second half, we had several opportunities. If those had been converted, it would have been different. But this is not about "what ifs"; we must finish our chances.
Following this defeat, we have no choice but to keep moving forward. Of course, in the world of competition, winning is essential, but losing in a game like this does not take away everything. There are certainly parts where we performed well, so I believe it is important to recognize those and continue steadily.
Q. Even in defeat, I think there haven't been many matches where Leon NOZAWA could be involved in the flow of the game so well until now. Also, Yuto NAGATOMO started in the starting lineup for the first time in a while and played the full match, showing overwhelming play against his opponent, Hata.
A. I truly think it was wonderful. Regarding Leon NOZAWA, he was often tasked with creating the rhythm of play, so I believe it would have been good for him to challenge himself a bit more as part of his original role. In the second half, he took the initiative himself and also firmly won the ball back defensively. However, the fact that he couldn’t deliver the final pass properly is a point for reflection, and I think it would have been fine for him to go forward on his own instead of passing. But I don’t think that option was absent from his mind. Although he was included in the squad, he hadn’t been given many opportunities to play, so considering that, I believe he was truly motivated. Both players showed their strengths well.
Q: With Masato MORISHIGE returning, and Keigo HIGASHI and Takahiro KO playing as defensive midfielders, I believe this is the first time this season that these three start together. Having three skillful players on the ball, it seems the team has come closer to the style of football Coach Matsuhashi wants to play. What are your thoughts on this?
A. Not only them, but the defensive midfield position also involves a very large number of tasks. Furthermore, it is an important position where you need to consider, to some extent, how to control the game and how to position yourself. In that sense, even though HIGASHI hasn’t had many opportunities to play, he has consistently maintained a performance in training that makes a clear difference, which is why he can remain calm and play well in actual matches. Of course, he is a player who possesses experience and ideas, and he demonstrated his full ability.
After the match ended, I spoke with the players, and I believe it was a game where each player's unique qualities really stood out. However, the fact that this did not lead to a victory in the end shows that we still have some weaknesses. These weaknesses refer to whether we can accurately pass the ball, whether we can fully close down opponents, whether we can prevent shots—small details like these that we need to perfect as much as possible throughout the 90 minutes. We need to refine these moments a little more. That said, in that sense, they played a truly wonderful match.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, In the first half, you created good chances with a good rhythm, but you couldn't secure the win.
A. This is the reality. We are not here to just play good games; we are here to win. I feel that our current situation is that we cannot win there. That is our weakness.
Q. What is missing?
A. It’s about the final quality, deciding the crucial moments, and when you can’t score, the defense endures to prevent conceding. Shonan Bellmare has that, but we don’t, which is a very important point in football. This is reflected in the league standings as well, and I think it explains why we can’t move up from our current position.
Q. I think that with Masato MORISHIGE, Takahiro KO, and myself, exchanging the ball between the midfield and defense line, aiming for one-touch passes behind the defense, we were able to play the style of football that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI wants.
A. In that regard, although different players bring out different strengths and there were good moments, we are not moving the ball just for the sake of it; we are doing it to score goals. As long as we cannot convert those chances into goals, while the content is certainly an important part, I believe the current reality of football is that we must focus on the final details if we want to move up.
Q. While gaining confidence, were there also lessons learned?
A. We have learned that many times already. We've been through so much. After all, if we don't win, it means nothing, and nothing gets recognized in this world. Of course, with Morishige returning and results following, it would be even better, but the reality of the team, including myself who can't make that happen, is what it is. How we change this is also up to us.
Q. Similar to the previous match against Urawa Reds, the flow of the game continued in this match as well, where you were able to control the rhythm and create multiple chances.
A. We have to keep it going, and as I mentioned earlier, we need to convert that into goals. Of course, creating more chances increases the probability, but as the opponent changes, their approach changes too. Instead of focusing on that, we need to look at what was lacking to win, or it will be difficult. The same goes for the previous match against Urawa Reds; in the end, Urawa won. Including myself, we need to pay more attention to the finer details. I was given the captain's armband today, and my weakness is that I couldn’t lead that to a victory. I believe I need to become stronger.
<Leon NOZAWA>
Q: It was your first start of the season.
A. Since I played in a forward position, I wanted to show some numbers, and while I was able to stay involved with the ball, I should have used my strengths to push further forward. That is what is expected of me now, and I deeply feel my lack of ability in not being able to fully demonstrate that. However, it’s not that I didn’t have chances, and if I had finished those, things might have changed, so I think the lack of sharpness in those moments emerged as an issue.
Q. You had many opportunities to get involved with the ball to create rhythm. Did you feel that you were able to bring momentum to the team in that way?
A. I feel that I was gradually able to do that. There were many scenes where I could face forward more or flick the ball forward and make runs myself, but the parts I hadn’t been able to do before gradually became clearer as I started to see and connect with those around me. I was able to show that in today’s match, so it gave me a bit of confidence.
Q. The Levain Cup ended here, but there are the league matches and the Emperor's Cup. How will you connect this match to the next?
A. As one of the players who participated in the match, I feel a great sense of responsibility for losing one of the cup competitions. The league matches are coming up soon, and we also have the Emperor's Cup, so we need to reflect on the parts of the game we lost here. However, without getting carried away by highs and lows, we first want to firmly focus on what we need to do. If we ourselves hesitate, the club cannot move forward, and we cannot grow as individuals, so it is important to give our all to do the best we can right now. I want to work harder for the team.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q. There were moments when you saved the team, but it ended in a frustrating defeat.
A. It is extremely frustrating to have lost one of the titles we were aiming for, and from here on, I believe we have no choice but to continue growing as a team. Including how we manage and close out matches with developments like today’s, I think it comes down to how the defense can stay focused and control the back line when we are able to mount good attacks.
Q. There were also moments where you inspired the team with focused plays, such as close-range saves.
A. I absolutely did not want to give up the flow of the match. I myself made a mistake during the build-up and had moments where my teammates helped me out, but I was able to quickly switch my mindset and make plays that led to counterattacks. However, conceding a goal at a time when I was determined not to hand over the momentum to the opponent led to a difficult situation.
Q. In the league matches, you have been out of the starting lineup for two games, and I believe this was a match where Taishi Nozawa also wanted to deliver results.
A. I focused solely on the team winning as I approached the match. While the idea of playing well individually to make an impression was in the back of my mind, I was determined to do whatever I could to help the team win. I feel responsible for not being able to secure the victory.
Q. How will you connect the frustration you experienced to your next steps?
A. I want to continue growing and prepare myself so that I can perform at my best in any situation.
