This Week's Preview
The special tournament that decides the champion in a half-season, the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, is finally kicking off.
This tournament divides all 20 J1 League clubs into East and West regional leagues, where teams compete in a regional league round. Then, playoffs are held in a home-and-away format between teams with the same rankings from East and West to determine the final annual standings. If the match is tied after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout is used to decide the winner under a complete settlement rule. A win within 90 minutes awards 3 points, a win via penalty shootout awards 2 points, and the team losing in the shootout receives 1 point. In the regional league round, 2 million yen is awarded for each point earned. The champion club earns the right to participate in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27. Another unique regulation of this special tournament is that there is no promotion or relegation based on rankings.
In its second season, “Rikizo Tokyo” has set a clear goal of 'winning the championship' in this special tournament. Head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is calling for a shift in awareness among the players in their daily lives and is aiming to further strengthen the team’s strong point—their earnest attitude.
“We have truly spent this time (since camp) with the phrase ‘Let’s aim to be champions.’ I conveyed to the players that at the start of the season, we must firmly share our goals and become a team worthy of that position. We have never won the championship yet, and if asked whether we are the team that should reach that point, maybe not. However, to pioneer a new era and create a new history from here, we must become a team worthy of that. To become such a team, daily actions and habits are important, and the players’ attitude toward training is one of our strengths. I believe they continue to approach it with that excellent attitude without change.”
After concluding their camp in Itoman, Okinawa, the team, having trained diligently at Kodaira Ground, went to Ajinomoto Stadium two days before the opening match to hold a closed practice session simulating the actual game, boosting overall morale. In that opening match, FC Tokyo will face the previous year's champions, the Kashima Antlers, at Ajinomoto Stadium. Considering the short six-month competition aiming for the championship, they want to secure a victory in the first game and surge ahead. Coach Matsuhashi also commented on the opening match, saying, "To even slightly increase our chances of winning the championship, it is important to gain momentum with a strong start. This will truly be a crucial match."
Looking back, last season, although we fought on equal or better terms in both matches against Kashima, we lacked finishing power and were defeated. From that experience, the players repeatedly spoke about the "importance of mental toughness." Aiming to become a truly winning team, a team that can win and attract victories, their battle with themselves also begins. Coach Matsuhashi said, "Ultimately, the team that pulls the victory closer wins. How we connect that, how we acquire strength ourselves—that depends on accumulating daily attitudes, mindsets, words, and actions that are worthy of drawing victory closer." He also mentioned that changing daily behavior is a key point.
Sei MUROYA has been appointed captain for the new season. Since his return to the blue and red last summer, he has consistently shown a passionate and intense attitude in daily training, earning praise from teammates who say he "raised the standards at Kodaira." Wearing the number 2 jersey, he now dons the captain's armband. He himself remains calm and composed, saying, "I haven't thought about it much; I'm just going about things as usual. I think that's the most true to myself." With a wry smile, he adds, "Although it hasn't even started yet, I feel I must take full responsibility, and I also see this as a chance to become the captain of a title-winning team," showing his firm determination.
Also, the players who have returned to the blue and red are likely to attract attention. Ryunosuke SATO has returned from a developmental loan to Fagiano Okayama, and Hayato INAMURA, a product of FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, will don the blue and red uniform again on a loan from Celtic FC (Scotland). If both take the pitch together, a huge cheer is expected to erupt from the stadium.
Ryunosuke SATO said, "I think many people are waiting for me, but I want to prioritize enjoying it without feeling pressured. Continuing to perform well will prove my ability, and I truly believe this is a decisive season, so I only feel excitement. I am aiming to score in the opening match, and since the season has started off well, I think I will score." He is determined to fully enjoy his return to Ajinomoto Stadium after a long time.
Also, Inamura stepped onto the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium during the practice two days before the match and said, "Looking from the pitch to the stands, I felt nostalgic. I used to watch matches from there. Personally, this will be my first official match in about half a season, and my first time playing at Ajinomoto since turning pro. It’s also the pitch I admired when I was in junior high, so I’m really looking forward to the match," unable to hide his excitement.
The new team aims to play soccer that values possession of the ball more than last season. Coach Matsuhashi, who said, "I have been putting my ideas front and center during training from the camp," envisions the future by stating, "We will always take the initiative offensively. That means not only holding onto the ball but also actively showing the attitude of winning the ball back even when we don't have it. We want to pursue a fun and wonderful style of soccer that excites our fans and supporters. The players fully understand this and are figuring out how to bring out their strengths. If we can blend these elements, I believe it will definitely lead to an attacking style of soccer."
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, with the club setting the goal of winning the championship. To achieve true strength and become a consistently victorious team, the Blue-Red squad will face the short-term battle through a shift in mindset and daily efforts. The opening match against the reigning champions Kashima will be the first step, and we want it to be a game that demonstrates the Blue-Red's determination to soccer fans across Japan.
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q: As you approach the opening match, is there anything you have conveyed to the players?
A: At the start of this season, we firmly shared the goal of "winning the championship." I have repeatedly told the team to become one worthy of that goal. FC Tokyo has never won the league before, so if asked whether we are a team destined to win, I would say no. However, we should be a team that pioneers a new era. I believe it is entirely possible to carry out actions worthy of that team daily and make them habits. On top of that, I have been conveying the message every day that we aim to become champions.
Q. New players have also joined the team. What kind of soccer do you want to show to the fans and supporters?
A. Although the new players have not yet fully settled in 100%, I believe that playing matches is the quickest way for them to adapt. From a soccer perspective, we want to always take the initiative and show an attacking style of play. This means not only controlling the ball but also actively pressing to win the ball back when we don’t have possession. There are many ways to describe it, but we want to play soccer that makes the fans and supporters watching feel “excited,” “enjoyable,” and “wonderful,” so that they can be fully satisfied.
Q, We will face the 2025 season league champion team in the opening match, a team we must overcome to win the championship.
A, I think it will be a very important match. Since it is a short-term tournament, making a good start dash is crucial to increase our chances of winning the championship even slightly. In that sense, it will be a significant match.
Q. What is your impression of the Kashima Antlers?
A Since it is before the season opener, not everything is clear yet, but judging from the squad, many players have not changed, and it seems they have been steadily working on refining last season’s foundation. It is a team with many experienced players, coaches, and staff, so we must firmly bring out what we currently have and face them head-on.
Player Interview
Sei MUROYA
Q: The opening is finally here. Given that the preparation period was shorter than usual, how has the progress been since the team started training on January 5th?
A: Several new players have joined, we held a training camp, and we were able to play some good practice matches. I think the team has made very good preparations overall. Although it feels positive, I didn’t really feel that the preparation period was particularly short. Some players have already played two full 90-minute practice matches, so I think the period was just right. Personally, it’s also difficult to improve conditioning if the period is too long, so for me, it was just right.
Q: Regarding the direction of the soccer the team is working on for the 2026 season, I believe there are aspects that have been refined compared to the 2025 season. How do you feel about that progress?
A: Basically, while maintaining the base and intensity that made our team significantly better over the past six months, the coach has also mentioned that we want to control the ball a little better. As a team, we have been constantly discussing how to improve further, but the coach is not simply saying to just hold onto the ball all the time; scoring goals remains the top priority.
I think that is also one of our strong points, so the balance between quick attacks, or rather moving simply and quickly toward the goal, is important. We hold onto the ball when we need to. However, we also need to improve the accuracy of simple counters and fast attacks. I believe that is our greatest strength, so to create more opportunities like that, it’s about whether we can control the ball well throughout the 90 minutes. That is what the team has been working on.
Q. Tomorrow’s opening match is against the Kashima Antlers, last season’s league champions. In a short season, do you see this as just one of 20 matches, or as an important start for a strong dash? How do you feel heading into the game?
A, facing the reigning champions from last season at our home ground, and moreover in the opening match, is a great opportunity for Tokyo. By winning there, I believe our fans and supporters will surely have high expectations for the team this season. For that reason as well, we want to win.
Q. Please tell us how you feel about facing your first match as Tokyo's captain. And finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A. I’m the type to get fired up once I step onto the pitch, and I don’t think there’s any need to change that. Wearing the captain’s armband doesn’t really change anything for me. In fact, this is my first time being entrusted with the captaincy, so I’m looking forward to seeing how I feel throughout the season. Of course, I will take responsibility seriously, but how I develop and how I feel about it is something I won’t know until the season actually starts. Rather than putting unnecessary pressure on myself, I want to be my usual self. I believe Coach Matsuhashi entrusted me with this role expecting just that, so I don’t think there’s anything in particular I need to change.
That goes for tomorrow as well, but especially in front of the fans and supporters who come rushing to the stadium, I want to win and I want them to get fired up, so I want to play in a way that makes that happen every match.
Please fight alongside us.
Takahiro KO
Q. The opening is finally here. The preseason period was shorter compared to previous seasons.
A. We had nearly a month, so it was like taking about two weeks off, then training and getting ready to start. Since the team started training and the opening is already tomorrow, when I think about it including the camp period, it feels like it went by very quickly and in the blink of an eye.
Q. Amidst the fast-paced preparations, how is the progress of adjustments both as a team and individually?
A. Individually, first of all, it’s important to steadily improve my condition, and of course, avoiding injuries is crucial. This is my 10th season as a professional, and I’ve gradually come to understand how to take care of my body. Focusing on that, my condition has steadily improved. As a team, several new players have joined, and I feel that Rikizo MATSUHASHI’s influence has become stronger, with his demands coming through more clearly in training. Also, it’s important whether we can properly respond to the opponent’s intensity, so I think we’ll keep trying and adapting.
Q. We hear from other players as well that you want to bring out more of Coach Matsuhashi’s style. Do you interpret this as a new style, or as deepening what was started in the 2025 season?
A. Coach Matsuhashi did present this last season as well. However, I think the team was fine when things were going well, but there were times when we struggled to fully commit to that challenge when things weren’t going smoothly. So, the first step is to try challenging it once. There was talk during camp, including training menus and practice matches, about continuously pushing ourselves to challenge. What will be important is how much everyone can actually take on that challenge when it really counts. Also, since this is a competition, I think it’s just a means to win. If we score more goals than the opponent and don’t concede, we can win, so I believe everyone needs to think about how to contribute to that.
Q. Last season, one of the challenges mentioned was the ability to adapt flexibly on the pitch during matches according to the opponent and the game situation.
A. However, the team’s basic premise is that we want to take control. In attack, we want to maintain possession of the ball and make the opponent move. Defensively, we want to apply a strong high press. This season, that approach has been emphasized more strongly even during training compared to last season. Within that framework, even if the opponent presses high, continuing to connect passes remains an option, and since we have many good players up front, turning the game around with a single long ball is also a valid option. Having flexibility on the pitch is absolutely necessary, so we want to be able to choose either approach.
Q. From the opening match, it’s immediately a game against the league champion team of the 2026 season.
A. I think the Kashima Antlers, who won last season, are truly an outstanding team, so I believe the most important thing here is to confront our current level. However, since it’s a short season, we must accumulate as many points as possible. The team has clearly stated the goal of winning the championship, and this is a shared awareness throughout the entire team, so we want to work hard to earn points steadily. Up to now, we’ve talked about soccer, but first and foremost, it’s about “fighting.” That is an absolutely essential part that cannot be overlooked. Fighting, which is a basic element, is something that winning teams possess. We want to hold that standard high and play a game full of spirit.
Q. Lastly, please share a message for the fans and supporters.
A. I think a lot of fans will come tomorrow, so as I mentioned earlier, it’s important that we first show our determination to win against the opponent while playing. Since we can play at home, let’s fight together and share the joy at the end.
