"It was a very frustrating game. I think if we had been able to convert even one of the several decisive chances we had, things might have been different, but in terms of breaking that momentum and scoring, in the end, I believe it was a Kashima Antlers game." (Rikizo MATSUHASHI, post-match comment)
This was not a story limited to this match, but a game that strongly made us think, 'If only it had gone in,' or 'If only it had been scored.'
About five months have passed, but when talking to the coach and players, they unanimously point to the loss in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 4 match against Kashima as, so to speak, the 'turning point of the first half of the league.' Fans and supporters likely share at least some of the same feelings as the players.
Until the middle of the match, it was Tokyo's pace. Against Kashima, who were on a winning streak, the game was played to the extent that all that was left was to score a goal.
However, after repeatedly missing chances from the first half, the tone gradually dropped against the compact defensive formation set high up and the pressure on the ball. From just past the 20th minute of the second half, consecutive corner kicks were conceded, with moments saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's saves and shots hitting the crossbar. Ultimately, a ball that flowed to the side was supplied in front of the goal, resulting in a foul inside the penalty area and conceding a penalty kick.
Kashima, having regained momentum, shifted up a gear in intensity and limited passing lanes with pressing defense both vertically and horizontally. Their play and formation, which allowed no freedom to Tokyo, grew stronger as time passed, and Tokyo was unable to regain the momentum needed to take the lead.
In the 38th minute of the second half, Maki KITAHARA made his J1 League debut as the youngest player at 15 years, 7 months, and 22 days old, attempting to build attacks with through passes to the front line, but it did not lead to an equalizing goal. In the final stages of the match, an additional goal was conceded from a set piece, and the game ended 0-2.
Don't let that passion slip away
A match demanding high concentration against Kashima, who base their play on thorough hard work and compact defense. This time, we want to seize the opportunity without letting it slip and turn it into a victory.
Since Sec. 20 against Cerezo Osaka, Tokyo has gradually improved their scoring ability with four multi-goal matches. Like in the matches against C Osaka and Urawa Reds, they want to get an early lead to capture good momentum and pressure Kashima both psychologically and physically.
The key attackers are a diverse and talented group, each on an upward trajectory. Marcelo RYAN, who scored his seventh goal, Motoki NAGAKURA, who was unable to play in the previous match against Urawa due to contract issues, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who scored for the first time since April in the last match. Expectations are high for their continued goal-scoring production.
In defense, Sei MUROYA, Masato MORISHIGE, Yuto NAGATOMO, and Alexander SCHOLZ each bring their experience to their play. Their high intensity ensures they do not lose in one-on-one situations, and their exquisite spacing and balance in challenge and cover prevent any penetration in front of the goal. They also play an important role as the starting point of attacks. The build-up from the back of their own half and the daring offensive participation of both fullbacks were undoubtedly effective options that pushed the opponent’s set positions deeper in the previous match against Urawa.
On the other hand, Kashima secured a 3-2 victory over Kashiwa Reysol with multiple goals for the first time in seven matches, including Matsumura's additional goal in the second half. Although they were once caught up by a two-goal deficit, their strong fighting spirit to take the lead at the very end and the poise to repeatedly pull the momentum back from fleeting gaps made it a match filled with what can be called “Kashima-ness.”
Looking at the match lineup, many skilled players are gathered, with Hayakawa and Ueda—who received high praise at the East Asian E-1 Football Championship 2025 finals—standing firm in front of the goal. Up front, Leo Ceara, who is leading the J1 League scoring rankings by a wide margin, and Suzuki, who supports the team with his high technical skills, form the two-forward line. Furthermore, Ogawa, facing his former club Tokyo, is known for his left foot that can create goals with a single kick. On the bench were Araki, who led Tokyo's attack last season, and Tagawa, known for his excellent driving force.
A player to particularly watch out for is Koike, who supports the team with his hard work. In both the previous match and the last game against Kashiwa, he played on the right side, and when the ball was held on the left side, he tightened his position toward the ball side, almost completely blocking passing lanes. Moreover, he always appears in attacks along the sidelines and frequently gets involved in chance-creating plays.
Kashima, based on a 4-4-2 system, aims to quickly score by winning the ball high up the pitch and attacking through the flanks. In the previous encounter as well, their attacks with numbers on the sides and their rapid pressing after losing possession gradually wore down the opposition like a body blow, ultimately leading to shooting opportunities and conceding goals.
This match is a night game where the daytime heat is expected to linger even after kickoff. Will they seize control in close ball contests, or quickly switch from defense to attack? An intense battle awaits with not a millimeter of slack. We look forward to a match that channels the overflowing energy in the stadium into victory.
Regaining his "brilliance," becoming the "trunk" that supports the attack
Although matches without goals continued, I want to highlight Nakagawa, who pressed the ball with his body and drew in the winning goal late in the match against Urawa in the previous round.
Reflecting on the previous match, he said, "In the first half of the league, despite playing good games, we continued to have matches where we couldn't earn points and ended up losing. Especially in the match against Kashima, we created many decisive chances until the middle of the game, but conceded a goal from a set-piece sequence. This match stands out as a key and memorable game for me personally. Even with good performances, the lack of results made the players feel down." That defeat remains etched in his mind.
However, the ability that earned him both the J1 League MVP and top scorer awards in the 2019 season remains intact. Especially, his compatibility with Nagakura, who joined midway through the season, is outstanding. The combination of these two has maintained a balance between quick attacks and slow attacks, preventing the offense from becoming overly chaotic. In fact, after the match against Yokohama FC, Morishige, who played in the back line, responded to the press, saying, "The attack became smoother because Nagakura and Nakagawa came to receive the ball," showing that despite being a forward player, he can also act as the lubricant of the attack.
After the Emperor's Cup 2nd Round match against Zweigen Kanazawa, where Nagakura partnered with Nakagawa in a two-forward formation for the first time, Nagakura commented, "It is really easy to play with Nakagawa," highlighting the remarkable chemistry the two display.
In the previous encounter, playing as a shadow in a 3-4-2-1 formation, he experienced the bitter frustration of a shot from outside the box in the first half that just grazed the crossbar, narrowly missing. With only 2 goals scored so far, he surely aims to seize this match as the trigger to enter a prolific goal-scoring phase.
The two center backs they will likely face, Ueda and Kim Tae-hyun, boast height and strength in one-on-one duels, and both are players who represent their respective national teams. Against this formidable defensive line, you cannot take your eyes off their innate burst of speed, positioning that creates opportunities for teammates, and the fleeting brilliance that shakes the back of the net.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
