8/6 C Osaka Match Review & Interview

INTERVIEW2025.8.06

8/6 C Osaka Match Review & Interview

<Match Review>

The Emperor's Cup Round of 16, with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake. Tokyo faces Cerezo Osaka in an away game at YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM. Before the break, they recorded 4 wins and 1 loss in 5 official matches, showing signs of recovery through hard work in both offense and defense and playing as a united team. In this match as well, they aim to fully demonstrate their strengths and continue paving the way toward the AFC Champions League 2 stage.

The starting eleven chosen by Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI were these 11 players. In goal was Kim Seung-gyu, and the back line from right to left consisted of Kosuke SHIRAI, Alexander Scholz, Henrique Trevisan, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. For Henrique, who had been sidelined due to injury, this was his first official match since the May 25 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 18 match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In midfield, the double pivot featured Keigo Higashi and Kei Koizumi. The attackers were Keisuke Sato on the right and Leon NOZAWA on the left, with the two forwards being the team’s “lubricants,” Motoki NAGAKURA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA.

A knockout format where the match is decided in a single game, including extra time and penalty shootouts. Including the bench members, the team kicked off with a determination to win at all costs.

1st HALF—Despite being pressed, signs of counterattack emerge through adjustments and responses

In the early stages, Tokyo was pressed as the opponent maintained possession of the ball, making it difficult to play facing forward. The midfield mismatch was effectively exploited by the opponent, preventing Tokyo from creating numerical superiority, and time passed without being able to form their desired attacking shape. Against C Osaka, who showed a thick attack with fullbacks bursting forward from inside, Tokyo tried to find a way out, but the opponent continued their aggressive play. The clock kept ticking in this difficult situation.

Although we did not allow them to create clear scoring chances, we faced the water break at the 25th minute of the first half while being dominated. Coach Matsuhashi made adjustments to the team and provided measures to resolve the mismatch occurring in midfield. However, immediately after, at the 28th minute, an accident occurred when Shirai, who had returned to our defensive area to respond to a counterattack, injured his right leg and was forced to be substituted. Sei MUROYA was sent onto the pitch as his replacement.


Gradually shutting down the opponent's strengths and starting to carry the ball into their territory, at the 45th minute of the first half, Muroya created a close chance with a daring attacking participation and a grounded cross. Then, during the 6 minutes of first-half added time, Nagakura unleashed a powerful long-range shot. Furthermore, at 45+6 minutes on a set piece, Sato rushed in to meet a left-footed kick from Kashifu but just missed connecting. As the possibility of scoring gradually became palpable, the first half ended. The match, forced into a difficult situation, went into halftime scoreless.

2nd HALF—Advancing to the Emperor's Cup Quarterfinals for the first time since the 2016 season with Nagakura's decisive goal

Tokyo, wanting to seize the initiative while skillfully drawing the momentum, saw the coach make a move at the start of the second half. Teppei OKA was brought in as the left center back, replacing Henrique. Number 30 was sent onto the pitch with expectations for stability in the back line and build-up passing.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the second half. At the 5th minute of the second half, Tokyo lost the ball while trying to launch a counterattack and faced a dangerous situation from a counterattack, but Kashiwa fiercely pressed back and cut the ball with a sliding tackle on Kagawa’s final pass. Escaping from this desperate scene, there was a chance after the danger. Then, at the 6th minute, Sato advanced from a counterattack into the penalty area and sent a final pass to the center. However, the opposing player desperately returned and intercepted it. Unfortunately, they could not shake the goal net.

Then, at the 10th minute of the second half, the long-awaited opening goal for the Blue-Red came. After connecting passes from their own half to find the attacking switch, Nagakura, who had dropped back to the midfield for a hold-up play, received the ball and quickly turned. Without hesitation, he sent a through pass to the front line, where Nakagawa broke free and calmly slotted the ball into the goal, allowing Tokyo to take the lead.


However, in the 15th minute of the second half, Kagawa skillfully changed direction near the penalty arc and struck a left-footed shot that found the target, leveling the score.

Having been caught up, Tokyo immediately took action. Just after conceding the goal, in the 16th minute, Higashi and Nozawa were substituted off for Takahiro KO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Then, in the 21st minute of the second half, from a side change by Takahiro KO, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA delivered a cross, and Nagakura connected in the center, creating a close chance right away.

Tawara Tsukida continued to create consecutive chances. Accelerating vertically along the left sideline near the touchline, he left the opposing defenders behind and showed a breakthrough with a left-footed shot. Then, with a cut-in pass, he set up a decisive opportunity for Sato. Furthermore, he quickly made his presence felt by carrying the ball from the right side all the way to the goal line and delivering crosses, all within a short period of time.

In the 34th minute of the second half, Kim Seung-gyu made a sharp reaction to save Honma's shot from close range. The defense also rallied the team with their determined defending.


Once again, after a crisis comes an opportunity. Immediately after the goalkeeper's fine save prevented a danger in the 35th minute, Nagakura quickly surrounded the ball in his own half and stole it. Then, Tawatsukida showcased a dribble crossing the pitch from left to right. Receiving a pass from here, Sato played a floating pass over the heads of the opposing defenders to the far side, where Nagakura appeared again and, with one touch, calmly slotted the ball into the goal, giving Tokyo the lead. Wearing number 26, who had been a tireless force both offensively and defensively, accomplished a big task.

The guardian also ignited with this development. In the 38th and 42nd minutes of the second half, he made consecutive fine saves to keep the goal intact.

During the six minutes of added time displayed in the second half, they skillfully used the time while keeping possession of the ball high up the pitch, withstanding the opponent's final fierce attack until the final whistle. They advanced to the Emperor's Cup best 8 for the first time since the 2016 season, and the triumphant anthem of the 'City That Never Sleeps' echoed throughout YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM.

The quarterfinal matchups will be decided by an open draw held from 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7.


MATCH DETAILS

<FC TOKYO>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kim Seung-gyu
DF Kashif BANGNAGANDE (36th minute second half: Kanta DOI) / Alexander Scholz / Henrique Trevisan (0 minute second half: Teppei OKA) / Kosuke SHIRAI (31st minute first half: Naruki Muroya)
MF Keigo Higashi (16th minute second half: Takahiro KO) / Kei Koizumi
FW Megumu Sato / Motoki NAGAKURA / Leon NOZAWA (16th minute second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA) / Teruhito NAKAGAWA

SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
MF Kento HASHIMOTO/Soma ANZAI
FW Marcelo Hian

MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI

GOAL
10th minute of the second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA / 35th minute of the second half: Motoki NAGAKURA

<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kim Jin-hyeon
DF Hayato OKUDA / Reiya SAKATA (30th minute of the second half: Dion Cools) / Ryuya NISHIO / Shinnosuke HATANAKA
MF Yo Kida (36th minute of the second half: Motohiko NAKAJIMA) / Shinji KAGAWA (36th minute of the second half: Masaya SHIBAYAMA) / Shunta TANAKA
FW Rafael Hutton (25th minute of the second half: Vitor Bueno) / Thiago Andrade (25th minute of the second half: Shion HONMA) / Lucas FERNANDEZ

SUBS
GK Koki FUKUI
DF Rikito INOUE
MF Kyohei YOSHINO
FW Kengo FURUYAMA

MANAGER
Arthur PAPAS

GOAL
15th minute of the second half: Shinji KAGAWA


[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]


Q, please give us an overview of today's match.
A, I think it was very positive that both teams were able to settle the game firmly within 90 minutes in such a tough environment. In terms of quality, I believe this game was greatly affected by the heat, but in the end, it was the small successes and the accumulation and buildup of small things that led to this result.

Q, I heard that during the break period there were many game-format training sessions. How did the members who played today feel about it?
A, We don’t always fix the same members; it was also a period where various members were combined and asked to play in expected positions within the game. Among them, whoever played delivered solid performances. Although in the early part of today’s match they couldn’t quite show it, they quickly responded to the adjustments made during the game. From there, a good flow developed. Of course, there were times when we were attacked, but I think we were able to advance the ball well and enter the final third in a good shape.

Q, Considering the heat and the tough battle that must have been exhausting, are you also thinking about rotating or resting players ahead of the Kashima Antlers match?
A, Not at all. Although it is tough, we want them to recover quickly and have everyone as an option. It’s not necessarily that those who remain at the Kodaira Ground will play in the Kashima match or be in the next lineup—of course, there may be such players—but the time to get their condition right is limited to about a day and a half or two days within these three days. Within that time, we want to properly get their condition in order and make our choices with everyone aligned.

Q, I think there was a strong determination today to never give up even when the opponent entered the penalty box.
A, I think we definitely allowed Cerezo Osaka to show their strengths in that area. However, I want to commend Kim Seung-gyu and the defensive line for firmly repelling their advances. Of course, the more often those situations occur, the higher the chance of conceding a goal, so it’s important that we completely shut those down. This is a key theme we must keep in mind and continue to work on even in this season. We must not use the weather or climate as an excuse but instead tighten up wherever possible. We want to prepare our training with that mindset firmly in place.

Q. In the first half, it seemed difficult to catch the opponent’s midfield. How did you view that?
A. First of all, the defensive intensity was not high. Whether their bodies weren’t moving enough or they were just watching for a bit, vertical passes were coming through easily. That is also the opponent’s strength, and I think we should have understood that. Of course, there are roles and things we are trying to do, but not being able to take fuzzy positions may have led to errors. However, during the break in the first half (the hydration break), after discussing with the coach and communicating with the players, I think we gradually improved and were able to take control of the pace.

Q. I think the coordination between the two players who scored today has deepened. Could you please evaluate the two of them?
A. Today, regarding their coordination, I’m not sure it was that great. In terms of their relationship when entering the opponent’s box, their positioning was a bit slow, and there were quite a few moments when they stopped. Naturally, that makes it easier for the opponent to defend. There are many things they can do within the space they have, but even when space disappears, how they use their line of sight is something I saw as a point for further improvement.


[Player Interview]

<Motoki NAGAKURA>


Q. Looking back at the scoring scene, how do you feel about it?
A. Keito Sato read the situation well, so the ball came perfectly, and I’m glad I was able to finish it. The defender touched it a little, but since Keito passed it to a good spot, it was thanks to his pass.

Q. After scoring the goal, you ran straight behind the goal. What were you feeling at that moment?
A. I am truly grateful to the fans and supporters who came all the way to the away game on a weekday night, so I just felt like saying thank you very much.

Q. Throughout the match, I think we saw plays where you received the ball, passed it, and ran for the team.
A. In the end, I was able to get 1 goal and 1 assist, but it was a match where we defended and won as a team, not individually, so I believe it was a victory for the entire team.

Q. Looking back at the scene of the first assist, how do you feel about it?
A. I received a pass from Leon NOZAWA and was able to face forward. When I looked ahead, I saw Teruhito NAKAGAWA was in a good position, so I was able to make good use of it. I thought it was impressive that NAKAGAWA was able to finish it off.

Q, Regarding the play before the first assist, I think there was also good movement in dropping back from the front line to become a starting point and then receiving the pass once again.
A, I believe that is a position where I can be effective, so I’m glad I was able to do my job there.

Q, you didn’t stop running until the very end, did you?
A, everyone was desperately defending. I think the fact that we were leading was also the driving force that kept my legs moving.

Q, since Nagakura joined Tokyo, the team has recovered, and both Nagakura himself and the team have been producing results. What do you think about that?
A, I think transferring was a good decision for me, and since the team’s form is improving as well, we aim to climb higher in the league and want to win the next match too.

Q, The next match against Kashima Antlers is in three days. How is your physical condition? Will you be able to run?
A, Yes, no problem!



<Player Kim Seung-gyu>


Q, please review the game.
A, I believe I was able to prepare well for today's match thanks to goalkeeper coach Shota YAMASHITA and assistant goalkeeper coach Ryota Inoue. Because of their support, I feel I was able to perform well today.

Q, especially the big save near the end of the match greatly contributed to the team's victory.
A, it wasn’t just my play alone; I believed that if the entire defense could keep a clean sheet and control the game, the forwards would definitely score. I think we all worked hard and communicated well to fight for the full 90 minutes.

We also received advice from the two goalkeeping coaches about the opponent's characteristics, and they incorporated into our training what kind of playing style they have and what types of shots we could expect. We players have accumulated that training, which I feel led to the good performance today. It is precisely because of that training that today's performance and result were achieved.

Q, With today's victory, we have secured advancement to the Best 8.
A, We have been feeling confident with the good performances in recent league matches. We want to deliver solid results in the Quarterfinal Round as well and aim to reach the championship.

Q. The league match against Kashima Antlers will come after just three days of rest.
A. We were well prepared before today's match, so I want to keep up this momentum. There isn't much time until the game, but we will analyze the opponent's characteristics and prepare thoroughly. We aim for a clean sheet victory and will do our best in the match against Kashima as well.