A V-shaped recovery from the relegation zone. In the second half of the season, Sei MUROYA, returning from Germany, played in 20 official matches, achieving a record of 10 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses. The team’s atmosphere and fighting spirit clearly changed, and this clearly translated into results—a shared recognition among the Aoaka family. What exactly was he thinking, and what kind of efforts did he make? And what does he believe is necessary for Tokyo to truly become stronger—
To Become a Winning Team
──It was announced in late May that I would return to Tokyo, and from the Sec. 20 match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Cerezo Osaka on June 14, I once again donned the blue and red and stepped onto the pitch.
When I returned, the team was in a position fighting to avoid relegation, so I strongly felt that first and foremost, we had to keep this team in the J1 League. I saw that as a major mission for myself and wanted to firmly lift the team up. It was also significant that from the time my transfer was decided until my player registration was completed, I was able to secure plenty of practice time and smoothly get my condition in shape. What I felt there was, "There are so many high-quality players, so why is this team struggling to avoid relegation?" However, although there are many technically skilled players, there are few who show emotion during matches, give instructions, or aggressively press the ball. I consciously worked on bringing intensity to the forefront and deliberately making big gestures to change the atmosphere. I also thought it was necessary to involve not only the team but also the fans and supporters around us, so especially at first, I focused on that.
──At the press conference when you joined, you said you wanted to "lead by example." It feels like the team’s atmosphere and fighting spirit clearly changed with your addition. Do you also feel a change in response?
I don’t know what it was like before I joined, so I can’t really compare, but personally, rather than thinking I changed things, I believe the team truly managed to change well as a whole. Including the players who joined in the summer, everyone was able to take on important roles, and I feel that everyone accepted it well and the team steadily built itself up. I feel we became a team that can fight, and I think that was conveyed to the people watching and the fans and supporters through the matches. Of course, it wasn’t just my power alone, but I’m really glad that I was able to contribute to the comeback in the second half of the season.
──In terms of comparison, do you feel any differences or changes from your previous self?
That has changed quite a bit. Of course, I’ve always been the type to show my desire to win on the pitch, but before, I didn’t really pay much attention to the team’s atmosphere or momentum. To be honest, I played at my own pace and felt that as long as my own performance was good, that was enough. But now that I’m 31, I think I’ve started to see a bit more clearly what needs to be done for the team to win. I’ve also started to call out to players who aren’t on the pitch. Also, living in Germany changed my values. I really felt through matches and daily life there what the fans and supporters expect from the sport of football and why they come to the stadium. They come to watch the team they support fight. That’s why I wanted to express that kind of spirit here in Tokyo when I came back.
──It seems like the team regained what was important in the second half of the season.
I only know the second half of the season, but I think the people who know both the first half, when results didn’t come as expected, and the second half, when the team started to function well, understand best what the difference was. I believe it’s really a difference in the attitude toward fighting for victory. First, we have to face each match based on the way we fought in the second half, which is fundamental, and as a group capable of winning, we must continue to demonstrate the attitude and commitment to winning throughout the match.
──Looking back again on your decision to return to Tokyo at this timing, how do you feel? I think the meaning and value of being able to apply the experience you had in Germany, which you mentioned earlier, is very high.
I am simply happy that various circumstances and timing aligned for me to return to Tokyo, and I am able to play while always carrying the joy of being able to fight for Tokyo. I have always wanted to come back while my body still moves well. There are still many things I need to work on personally, but I believe I have been able to somewhat demonstrate my fighting spirit toward the team and how I approach practice and matches on a daily basis.
──The adoption of a four-back system from the second half of the season was a major turning point for the team. Looking back at the play on the pitch, I think entrusting Muroya with the left side back position also brought a significant plus to defensive stability.
I want to become a player who loses the ball less often in my area. As a left side back, I focus more on defense, and since I want to keep Yuto NAGATOMO on the right as high up the pitch as possible, we often rotated the back line with three players, and I had many opportunities to be part of that. Also, I don’t want to give Alexander SCHOLZ and Masato MORISHIGE any one-on-one space with the opponent in wide areas. I always think about positioning to prevent that in advance and about being the first defender to close down the opponent quickly during counterattacks. Above all, if the team can win, it’s fine if I don’t stand out as long as I can fulfill that role, and right now, I’m truly enjoying playing as a left side back. I want to play soccer for as long as possible, and in that sense, having the option to play on the left as well is a plus for the remainder of my career.
──In the second half of the season, the defense clearly stabilized, goals conceded decreased, and we were able to achieve results based on a solid defense.
Over the past six months, I have really come to feel that we have become able to take flexible positions against opponents and fight in a flexible manner. Since I am fundamentally a defender, it was good that we had many clean sheet (no goals conceded) matches defensively, and we developed the ability to secure one-goal difference games, gaining the sense and confidence that if we have one goal, we can win. As a team, we also developed the mentality to fight without losing composure even when we don’t score. Ideally, I would like to improve the quality of our attack more, but I also think that the fact that everyone, including the forwards, worked hard defensively truly supported the team. However, regarding the attacking aspect, it is an area the team must improve on heading into the 2026 season.
──While we succeeded in making a comeback, the Emperor's Cup ended in a frustrating result with a loss to FC Machida Zelvia in the Semifinal Round.
Of course, winning a title is not easy, and we were conscious of our approach, play, and demeanor to win, but Machida, whom we faced in the Semifinal Round, really came at us desperately, aiming for the goal with the determination to score at least one point no matter how gritty it took. And they snatched it away. Tokyo also needs to have that kind of foundation, and on top of that foundation, the coach’s style is added. Of course, I think we fought well, and I believe it wouldn’t have been strange if Tokyo had won the match. However, we must secure victories in matches like that, and I felt that we need to become a team that wins before we even realize it.
──Finally, what is necessary to truly attain strength?
It was a half-season in which I felt I wanted to take more responsibility in playing to make Tokyo a club that can always compete for titles. I believe I am always expressing myself on the pitch, and I consciously push myself to play with my emotions upfront, but I want to involve the team even more effectively. After the final matchday, when Rikizo MATSUHASHI (Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI) gave his greeting, there was booing, but in reality, it is us players who should be criticized the most. Rikizo-san took that on our behalf. I sincerely accepted those voices and felt that we need to direct the arrows more toward ourselves. Of course, everyone is fighting as well. However, in a true sense, we need to demand more from each other and reexamine what we can do to win. This applies not only to the players but also to the staff, the organization, and the company. Of course, I believe everyone is making efforts, but to truly become a winning group, including myself, we must think more deeply and act together.
Text by Tomoo Aoyama (Freelance Writer)
