Match Review & Preview

Review of the Previous Match vs Urawa Reds

In Sec. 2 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League against Urawa Reds, the team faced the match with exactly the same members as the opening game, including the bench players. The game, which was a consecutive match at home Ajinomoto Stadium, saw Tokyo take the initiative from the start with aggressive pressing and a solid attack.

Overwhelming in one-on-one battles, they pressed in a coordinated manner from a high position to push into the opponent's territory. In the 5th minute of the first half, they cut off the opponent's corner kick and launched a sharp counterattack, with attacks targeting the edge of the penalty area centered around Keito SATO and Sei MUROYA on the right side functioning effectively. Mixing possession and quick attacks, the team proceeded with the style that coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI has aimed for: "taking the initiative in both offense and defense."

In the 10th minute of the first half, it seemed that Urawa had scored the opening goal by exploiting a momentary lapse, but with VAR support, the goal was ruled out. It was a tense moment, but the entire team continued to play focused football. Although they couldn't create a decisive chance due to a slight misalignment in the attacking third, they went into halftime feeling confident that the possibility of scoring would increase by maintaining their efforts.

In the second half, with Tokyo applying high pressure, Urawa responded with a similar style, leading to an intense back-and-forth battle. Tokyo tried to change the game by bringing in Ryunosuke SATO and Kento HASHIMOTO. However, in the 33rd minute of the second half, after clearing an opponent's cross, they conceded a middle-range shot from a loose ball, which unfortunately deflected off a blocking player and changed course, resulting in the opening goal against them.

The Tokyo bench immediately took action, sending Kento HASHIMOTO and Fuki YAMADA onto the pitch, entrusting the newly joined lefty duo to turn the situation around. And the play of these two would bring the long-awaited goal for the blue and red.

Six minutes of added time were displayed in the second half. Kento HASHIMOTO's left cross ball was met on the opposite side by Yamada, who skillfully trapped it and struck a powerful volley with his favored left foot to equalize. Tokyo brought the match back to square one at the last moment, leading to a penalty shootout for the second consecutive game.

While Urawa hit the bar and missed with their second player, Tokyo continued their streak from the previous match with all five players succeeding. In the end, Ryunosuke SATO scored powerfully with his right foot, just like in the match against Kashima, earning 2 points. They celebrated back-to-back home wins in two consecutive matches.

This Week's Preview

Following the opening match against Kashima Antlers, the Red and Blue Army also won the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the previous match against Urawa Reds. Having earned 4 points in 2 games, they face Kawasaki Frontale in the Tamagawa Clasico away.

Tokyo started with consecutive wins, even though both matches went to penalty shootouts. The team has entered a cycle of winning while making adjustments, sharing achievements and challenges together, and feeling confident as they approach daily training. Therefore, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI positively views the 4 points as "something to think about positively."

However, precisely because we aim higher, the desire to win within 90 minutes grows stronger. Against Kashima, we pressed them into their half with a numerical advantage, and against Urawa, we overwhelmingly attacked from the start and created chances, but ultimately could not secure a win. After the Urawa match, captain Sei MUROYA said, "Including the Kashima match, I feel like we lost points. We created many chances but couldn't finish them, so considering that we at least secured 2 points, we must reflect and build on this." He expressed that the first two matches from the start were games we should have won.

A win that could be called a “judgment victory,” earning 4 points. On the right side, both Sei MUROYA and Keito SATO became the starting points of the attack, and the aggressive pressing from the front line worked effectively, showing many scenes that embodied the “soccer that takes the initiative in both offense and defense” advocated by coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI. In attack, they have been using possession and quick counterattacks, while in defense, they have been switching between pressing and blocking, demonstrating a flexible style. Also, including the players who were brought on during the match, everyone on the pitch has been able to firmly show a fighting spirit, which is surely a sign of the team’s steady growth.

Regarding this point, the coach also commented, "It is necessary for everyone to maintain concentration until the very end and absolutely avoid situations where we are at a disadvantage of -1 or -2 in both offense and defense. Each individual must not slack off, and it is important for everyone to be involved while keeping the overall picture in mind. On the contrary, we must approach the game with the mindset of 11 players feeling like 12 or 13." He emphasized that raising individual awareness leads to strengthening the team. By basing on a fighting spirit, each player raising their awareness and demonstrating their game skills will enhance the overall strength of the team.

This week features the away Tamagawa Clasico. Kawasaki defeated Kashiwa Reysol 5-3 in the opening match and secured a victory in a penalty shootout against JEF United Chiba in the previous game, earning 5 points from 2 matches and aiming for a top position. The three forwards, Elisson, Tatsuya Ito, and Kazuya KONNO, boast one of the league's most destructive attacks, and the team also includes players like Yuto OZEKI and Yuki YAMAMOTO who excel at passing using space. Coach Matsuhashi described them as "a team with talented forwards, increased attacking depth, capable of speed battles, excellent inside work, and the power and speed to exploit even the slightest gaps," so for Tokyo, one key point will be to not let them play freely. Additionally, Tokyo this season can take advantage of Kawasaki's aggressiveness. By connecting passes to outmaneuver the opponent, focusing on the precision of counters after ball recovery, and constantly aiming to turn the opponent inside out and exploit gaps, they hope to find a chance to win.

The Tamagawa Clasico features a clash between two teams on winning streaks. For Tokyo, aiming for the top while delivering results in the upcoming game, it is essential to firmly defeat a top-ranked opponent away and move forward. To secure multiple goals and a victory over 90 minutes, the coach focused on consistently swinging their legs to take shots. A well-struck ball not only intimidates the opponent but also demonstrates a powerful assault on the goal, and they aim to earn the three points with such strength.

Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q. Up to the point of approaching the goal, it seems like you are able to express what you want to do.
A, of course, it is an important part that we take seriously, but as a result, the net has not been shaken, so I believe we must not use that as an excuse. As I have said many times, if we do not produce results, we cannot reach our goal of winning the championship. We have created many chances and have improved steadily in terms of numbers, but I think it is no good to rely on the phrase "we're just a little short" regarding what we are working on. After all, what is important to winning is to finish decisively at the end and to defend successfully. We must be as committed to that power as we are to expressing our style.

Q, What impression do you have of the Tamagawa Clasico? Also, how do you view the importance of this match?
A, this will be the Tamagawa Clasico, but as a basic premise, Kawasaki Frontale is a very offensive team and a wonderful team, so by settling this match firmly within 90 minutes, I believe it will generate momentum for the next game as well. Indeed, in that regard, we want to gain confidence ourselves and also want our fans and supporters to be confident. Only two rounds have finished so far, so it might be an exaggeration to say that much, but it is a very important point to face the next round while finding that potential in each match. We have earned points in the two matches so far, but since we haven't settled the result within 90 minutes, first of all, we want to fight aiming to secure a victory within 90 minutes.

Q. Please tell us your impression of Kawasaki this season.
A, I believe they haven't changed significantly from before. They have a very talented lineup, and the depth of their squad seems to be gradually increasing. They excel in playing with speed, breaking through the center, exploiting brief openings, and they also have power. I think they are a team capable of various things, so the key is to absolutely avoid creating any gaps. If we look at their aggressiveness from the opposite perspective, I believe we can connect it to highly accurate attacks after regaining possession. Simply put, it might be called a counterattack or a short counter, but I want to dynamically exploit those gaps with plays that go beyond such labels.

Q. In the past few matches, it seems that substitute players have been bringing even more momentum to the team.
A, the substitute players have been performing exceptionally well. This time, instead of calling them Substitutes, we have changed the name to Game Changers. We want the players coming on to take on the role of changing the flow of the game. We hope they will influence the match both offensively and defensively, acting more as changers rather than closers. We conveyed this important role not only in words but also in the way it is presented.

Ryunosuke SATO × Yuto OZEKI Tamagawa Clasico Joint Press Conference＞

――How long have you two known each other?
Ozeki: I originally knew him, but Ryunosuke SATO participated ahead of his age group in the U-19 Japan national team activities held in France, so we became friends there.

――What was your first impression of player Sato?
Ozeki: I thought a noisy kid had come in. He kept talking all the time and was always thinking about soccer. He was a soccer boy..

――Player Ozeki called Player Sato "Ryu," but what does Player Sato call Player Ozeki?
Sato: "It's 'Zeki-san.' He gave a cool impression, but I got the sense that he likes comedy and says silly things, which was different from my initial impression.

――In the U-23 Japan national team, the two of you played as inside halves. Please tell us your impressions of each other's play.
Sato: When I was a first-year high school student and faced them in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League, he was truly a shocking player. First of all, you never knew where his passes would go, and he would send passes that you couldn't even tell when he was looking. Ozeki was the same, but I have a strong impression that Kawasaki Frontale U-18 at that time was really strong. If you become teammates, it’s very easy to play with him; not only does he pass well, but he also receives passes well, so I think he is a very good player.

-- Player Sato says so, but what about Player Ozeki?
Ozeki: I'm happy to hear that. Sato has always been a famous player. He was active in the youth national teams, so I knew him personally as well. Indeed, even when playing together, his skills are high, so while he's tough as an opponent, he's very reliable as a teammate. I think he's a very good player. Sato has precise touches, sharp dribbling, and rarely loses the ball. He can face forward and take on challenges, and since he's good at dribbling, he can attack both vertically and inside, so he can play on either side. He also has stamina and meets high standards in every aspect. He's a player who often makes me think that he is truly skilled at football.

Sato: It sounds like there are no flaws (laughs).

――Is there a part where you both think you won't lose to each other?
Ozeki: I don't think I lose when it comes to passing. I believe Sato is better at dribbling. Especially, I don't lose when it comes to passes that use the space of floating balls.

Sato: There's no doubt about that. There's no place where I can beat Ozeki... none at all (laughs). It's not just stamina, but I think he wins in agility as well.

Ozeki: That is also my challenge, so I think I cannot beat player Sato.

-- The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League has completed two matches. What are your impressions so far?
Ozeki: Personally, I am frustrated because my playing time has been short. I feel a bit helpless as I haven't been able to contribute to the team. As a team, of course, we wanted to earn 6 points, but since we have secured 5 points, I think we have achieved the minimum required result. Of course, there are still challenges, but judging by the results alone, I believe we have played good matches.

――FC Tokyo has won both matches in penalty shootouts.
Sato: I wanted to win both matches within 90 minutes. Regarding the match against Urawa Reds, it was good that we caught up in the additional time of the second half and managed to earn 2 points in the penalty shootout. However, winning the match within 90 minutes remains our current challenge.

— In the Tamagawa Clasico, if it comes down to a penalty shootout, BRODERSEN might be guarding the goal as the goalkeeper. He played together with Fagiano Okayama last season, so I think he is a player we know well, but do you have confidence in scoring?
Sato: I am confident, but he is truly a great goalkeeper who has saved the team many times during penalty shootouts. If there is a penalty situation, including the mind games, it will become difficult.

――Please tell us your thoughts on the Tamagawa Clasico. As a player who came through the academy, you must have a strong desire to participate, right?
Ozeki: Since it's a Clasico, I'm usually fired up, but my excitement rises even more. Because Tokyo is the opponent, both the players and the fans have a strong feeling that we must not lose. Performing well in that match is also a motivation for me as a soccer player.

――How did you view the Tamagawa Clasico during your academy days?
Ozeki: Personally, I went to watch the Nabisco Cup (now the J.League YBC Levain Cup) Final Round, and we lost after Sota HIRAYAMA scored, and I went home crying. Because of that impression, I feel we must not lose the Tamagawa Clasico. That feeling has been with me since then, so it's not because I belonged to the academy, but as a fan and supporter, I have a strong feeling that we must not lose to Tokyo.

――Player Sato also participated in the "Clásico," and when I checked the data, he had scored 2 goals. Do you remember that?
Sato: I remember. Tokyo formed a selected team from the FC Tokyo Soccer School Advanced Class and participated. I was also happy to be chosen for the selected team. I started in the lineup, but after being substituted out, I was brought back in at the end. At that time, we were losing 0-2, but we scored 2 goals and ended the match 2-2, so it remains memorable. Standing on the same pitch as the professionals I had always admired and playing while being watched by fans and supporters was a special experience. In the following top team matches, I remember my parents buying me merchandise and me watching the game while eating Tokyo's stadium food.

*Player Sato who participated in the Tamagawa “Ko” Rashiko (During FC Tokyo Soccer School Advanced Class)

-- Please tell us your impressions of each other's teams.
Ozeki: There are players who have returned from overseas and players who have transferred in, so I feel that the team is well-equipped. When watching the soccer, they play aggressively, and since there are highly skilled and technically proficient players, I believe those players will be a threat in the attacking part. I think it will be important to see which side controls the ball in the midfield.

Sato: There is no major difference in impression from last season, but with Konno joining, the wingers are players who can do anything starting from dribbling challenges. The attackers on both sides are a huge threat, and the striker also has great power and scoring ability. I truly think the attacking power of the three frontline players is amazing. The midfielders and defenders also have high technical skills, and each individual gives the impression of a very high-level team.

――What kind of play would you like to show in the Tamagawa Clasico?
Sato: Scoring goals is important, but if you focus too much on scoring, you can't bring out your strengths. So first, I want to bring out my strengths and think about what kind of play can contribute to the team. I want to aggressively aim for shots and show plays that involve goals.

――How about player Ozeki?
Ozeki: I want to show plays that contribute to goals as well. This is also part of the goals I have set for myself this season, so I want to demonstrate results like goals and assists not only in this match but consistently. Especially in the Clasico, I want to prove myself. Above all, since this is a match we must win, I want to play in a way that contributes to victory.</strong>
*Excerpt from the joint press conference held on February 18