Match Review & Preview

Review of the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia

The game marking the halfway point of this season's first half,saw 3rd place Tokyo face 2nd place FC Machida Zelvia away. Determined to secure 3 points for the championship, the match kicked off at Machida GION Stadium in the rain. 

The Blue-Red Eleven, who have not forgotten the frustration of losing in last autumn's Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round, entered the match aggressively from the start. They played in the opponent's territory while circulating the ball, and even when they lost possession, they immediately regained it through rapid negative transitions and kept pressing forward. 

On this day in Machida,due to a schedule change following Machida's advancement in the AFC Champions League Elite, the match was held the day after the International Match Week, with Japan national team player Ryunosuke SATO and South Korean representative Kim Seung-gyu absent. However, goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA, making his J1 League debut, energized the team from the back. In the 29th minute of the first half, he made a fine save when player Fujio broke free. 

The defense did not allow the first goal, allowing Tokyo to regain control of the game. It was the 32nd minute. Keita ENDO received the ball on the left side, cut inside, and sharply struck with his right foot, sending a ground shot piercing the near post for the opening goal. Although there had been a period where Tokyo could not get a shot on target despite dominating the match, with this bold strike, Tokyo took the lead. 

The red and blue team has thoroughly established a style of seamlessly transitioning from highly focused defense to attack. This attitude continues to be passed on to the players brought in as substitutes even in the second half. 

Second HalfAt the 19th minute, Marcelo RYAN, who had just been sent onto the pitch, fiercely pressed on the right side, forcing the opponent into a difficult back pass which Keisuke Sato intercepted. "I was aiming for the back pass," said Sato, who powerfully struck the ball into the goal with his left foot from a tight angle to score an additional goal. 

Then, at the 33rd minute, once again on the right side, player Keito Sato powerfully carried the ball vertically and delivered a cross ball.It was initially judged as a corner kick, but with VAR support, it was determined that the opponent had handled the ball, and after an on-field review, a penalty kick was awarded.Keito Sato converted it with his right foot, extending the lead to three goals with two strikes from the number 16, who started as one of the two forwards for the first time this season.  

In the final stages, rookie Yuta SUGAWARA, who was promoted from the academy, made his professional debut, and the match closed with a clean sheet. Despite the bad weather, supported by the passionate cheers of the blue-red family, we won the first half of the consecutive matches against Machida with a score of 3-0, rising to provisional 2nd place with 19 points.

This Week's Preview

And now, the bell for the second round is about to ring. At Ajinomoto Stadium, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, facing the challenge, called out to the players, "It is not only us who face difficulties; the opponent will also have a tough game. This match is important for both sides as we build up. It is not difficult just because we are winning; it will also be a challenging game for Machida."

Player Kei Sato, who scored two goals in the away game on the 1st, also tightened his helmet strap after the victory.

"Last season, we had two consecutive matches against Machida, winning the first league match but losing in the next Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round. This season, we have also grown, so we want to secure two consecutive wins."

The perspective on the style of play, which involves pushing the opponent into their territory and advancing towards the goal while circulating ball possession and recovery, has begun to align.

From here on, "Because the tactical aspects have been organized and the line of sight has aligned, by improving the individual skills and judgment that govern this, the accuracy will become even higher. It will be a task of steadily building up the basics" (Coach Matsuhashi).

The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League has entered the second half, with the last 9 matches remaining. Using every match as a stepping stone, the Blue-Red team will continue to draw an upward growth curve toward the final match of the season against the top-ranked Kashima Antlers. This match against Machida is a test of their determination to win the championship.

Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q. You won the first match of the consecutive games against FC Machida Zelvia, and tomorrow will be the second match. What kind of words did you say to the players?
A, I believe that not only for us but also for the opponent, it will be a difficult match. The outcome of this game will lead to the next, so it remains an important match for both teams to build upon from here. In that sense, it's not that it's difficult just because we won the first match; I mentioned that it will also be a tough game for Machida.

Q. The players who participated in the previous match showed good performance. How do you plan to manage player selection for consecutive matches?
A, I don't think it's necessary to be extremely humble. If we are in good form and played a good match, I believe it would be great if we can repeat the same performance. While repeating, we prepared both offense and defense during today's practice, anticipating what kind of formation the opponent might use. In this situation, we were able to align our perspective well with the players by thinking from the opponent's standpoint about how to proceed. If it becomes a similar battle as last time, we want to firmly repeat our plan once again, because I believe a truly strong team is one that can overturn the situation even if the opponent knows the plan, so we want to use various methods. However, moving towards the goal is the fundamental premise.

Q. I believe that continuing to score multiple goals leads to victory. What are your thoughts on this?
A, of course I want to continue, but I think it is very difficult. Scoring 3 goals against Machida every time is quite challenging. On the other hand, it's not that a 1-0 or 2-0 win is acceptable just because it's difficult; I believe we must approach the game with the determination to overwhelm the opponent.

Q. The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League has reached the halfway point, and you are currently in 2nd place. What do you think will be important from here on to chase the top team, Kashima Antlers?
A, we are always challengers. Since we face Kashima in the final match, we want to keep the right to challenge until then. Of course, it would be great if we can surpass Kashima before that, but since the stage is set to play against Kashima away in the final match, it is important to see what situation we are in at that time. However, there are still many opponents to face before the final match, so we want to steadily build up and clearly focus on what kind of stage we should create for the last game.

Player Interview

Kei KOIZUMI

Q: You have back-to-back matches with only three days in between against FC Machida Zelvia. You started in the match against JEF United Ichihara Chiba but did not play in the Verdy match, and in the previous away game against Machida, you came on as a substitute.
A, since it is a series of matches with only three days in between, I think every team has to approach it as an all-out battle. Regarding my own situation, I don't think about anything too complicated; I just want to do my best for the team. Above all, the result is the most important thing, so if I play, I believe that winning that match is a result in itself for me. First, I want to prepare well so the team can win and step onto the pitch with confidence. Once I'm on the pitch, all that's left is to give it my all.

Q. In the match against Chiba, Koizumi's performance seemed to directly reflect the team's performance, and it looked like he was controlling the entire team well.
A, I believe I could have contributed more both offensively and defensively. Even though I didn't get much playing time, I stayed consistent in my physical condition without getting too high or low emotionally. So, I felt that when I suddenly played the full 90 minutes in the Chiba match, I was able to perform well. Even if my playing time is limited, I want to do my best to help the team win. Since this is a consecutive match against the same opponent and Tokyo won the last time, the other team won't want to lose twice in a row and will come with strong determination. Rather than just accepting that, I want to forget about the previous game and, since this is a home game, take positive initiative and keep making proactive moves.

Q: Even in the previous match against Machida, I feel that not reacting awkwardly to the opponent and focusing on what we need to do ourselves leads to better content and results.
A, well, if there are too many reactive movements, it inevitably becomes tough and the game gets controlled by the opponent. I believe that because we are currently able to make very good defensive actions ourselves, it leads to good attacks, and I think we should continue that. However, there will definitely be times when things don't go well, and during those times, the players on the pitch should communicate and encourage each other.

Q: Although it is a short season, the match against Machida this week marks the start of the second half. With the team aligned towards the goal of winning the championship, I believe there will be consecutive matches that we cannot afford to lose, especially because the season is short.
A, although that is the situation, the most important thing is to focus on the upcoming match. Personally, I believe that rather than looking too far ahead, winning the match in front of us and continuing that will lead to what comes next. Both individually and as a team, I think it’s important to value the immediate opponent and prepare thoroughly.

Q: In the previous match, you came on as a right side back midway through the game, but this season you have mainly been used as a defensive midfielder. Does anything change depending on the partner you play with?
A, there might be some to a certain extent, but both off the pitch and during practice, I think we communicate well with all the players. Of course, while they may seem similar in type, they are not exactly the same; although many players appear to be of the same type, there are slight differences. Not only myself but also Kouta TOKIWA, Keigo HIGASHI, Kento HASHIMOTO, and Takahiro KO, I believe everyone plays thoughtfully. However, no matter how much you analyze the opponent, especially on the pitch, you have to adapt flexibly. The players on the pitch must make decisions according to the situation. Communication among players is important there, and no matter who is playing, we want to discuss what to do now, make decisions, and play accordingly.

Q. Lastly, as you face Machida at home in the second half of the season, please give us a passionate message.
A, well... let's definitely win!

Ryunosuke SATO

Q. How do you feel after finishing activities with the Japan national team?
A, I once again felt that the level of Japanese football is high. Seeing that we could win against the England national team if we played to our potential was very inspiring.

Q. Aren't you eager to channel the frustration of not being able to play in matches into FC Machida Zelvia?
A, I felt that I need to do much more in Tokyo, and I want to aim even higher. I am in perfect condition, so I want to show plays that lead to victory and be called up to the Japan national team again.

Q, this marks the halfway point of the league season, and you are in a position to aim for the championship.
A, I believe we must compete for the championship until the very end, and by always being in that situation, I think it creates an environment where both myself and the team can grow. Therefore, I definitely want to keep challenging Kashima Antlers.

Q. To close the gap with Kashima, I think the second match against Machida will be a very important game.
A, I myself was not able to play in the first match, but since this is the second match, I think there will be difficulties, and the opponent will also prepare countermeasures, so I want to overcome that. Matches against Machida are always tough. I want to prepare thoroughly so that we can surpass the opponent in spirit as well.

Q. What kind of play do you want to show if you participate?
AI definitely want to make plays that lead to goals. Of course, since we aim to win the championship, we must keep winning, and for the selection of the World Cup squad beyond that, I believe that as long as we are playing in the J.League, we need to achieve better results than players playing overseas. In that sense, I want to play every match with the intention of producing results, not just this game.