Match Review & Preview

Review of the Previous Match Against Mito Hollyhock

The first match of the crucial five-game stretch that will determine the season's outcome saw the Akarenga Army fully demonstrate their characteristic offensive power against Mito Hollyhock at Ajinomoto Stadium.

Amid attention on how to respond to Mito's high press and solid defensive block that troubled them in their previous match in March, Tokyo took control and overwhelmed their opponents with attacks mixing build-up play from the back line and counterattacks. Although Mito gained momentum after scoring first at the 17th minute by exploiting a brief lapse, Tokyo quickly regained control of the flow, and at the 35th minute, Marcelo RYAN scored a spectacular goal with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area to equalize.

At the 43rd minute of the first half, Tokyo added another goal through their characteristic hard work. Sei MUROYA made a vertical pass, and Keito SATO broke free and initiated intense chasing, causing the opposing player to make a desperate back pass. At this moment, Ryunosuke SATO coordinated pressure on the opposing goalkeeper, and without hesitation, Keito SATO, who repositioned in front of the goal, picked up the loose ball and scored, achieving a comeback. Furthermore, in the first half's additional time, Lukian was fouled and earned a penalty kick. Lukian himself converted it, scoring the third goal and extending the lead going into halftime.

Even in the second half, Tokyo continued to neutralize Mito's strengths while advancing the match. They drew the opponents into their own half and focused on well-timed counterattacks, inserting effective vertical passes to seize control. In the 23rd minute of the second half, from a corner kick sequence, player Muroya powerfully carried the ball forward and unleashed a spectacular strike with his right foot, scoring the fourth goal.

Conceding a goal immediately after scoring is a point to reflect on, but at the 30th minute of the second half, Ryu Sato scored his first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium from a cross by RIAN who broke through the left side, making it the 5th goal. They recorded a season-high 5 goals and started the 5-match series with a comfortable victory.

This Week's Preview

Four days after a big win. FC Tokyo faces an away match against Kashiwa Reysol. The situation remains unchanged as they trail the top-ranked Kashima Antlers by 6 points, and this game is crucial to continue accumulating victories within 90 minutes to keep the possibility of a comeback championship alive.

Following the big home victory, there is a tendency to enter the match somewhat carelessly. However, the current team atmosphere even tightens such complacency. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI reportedly said the following to the players ahead of the upcoming match against Kashiwa.

There is a saying cherished by Katsuya Nomura: "There are mysterious wins, but no mysterious losses." Victory is what we desire most, and the win against Mito is the result of what we have built up so far, so it does not feel mysterious. However, when we lose, it is not to the opponent but to ourselves. Since this is a sport with opponents, losing to them can happen, but if we stop valuing what we have consistently maintained and stop doing the basics, we lose by our own doing. We must never fail to do what needs to be done in every moment, and mentally, we must not lose to ourselves in thoroughly committing to that.

Looking back, the second goal against Mito, where player Megumi Sato chased the ball without giving up and pressed in coordination to seize the ball, is emphasized by the coach as a scene that demonstrated the important aspects the team has valued. Every player on the pitch left no gaps and showed seamless continuity to score the goal. It can be said that this goal contains what Tokyo should cherish.

Kashiwa Reysol was defeated 0-2 in the previous match on February 28. This was the only match in the special tournament this season where they lost within the regular 90 minutes. They failed to capitalize on many early chances, gradually lost momentum, and in the second half, they were hardly able to demonstrate their strengths in both offense and defense.

Inamura Hayato, who started this match as a center back, said, "It was a frustrating game personally, and I definitely want to win to repay that loss. I recalled the memory of not being able to completely shut down Kakita, and the coach's words, 'There are mysterious wins, but no mysterious losses,' matched my own thoughts, and I truly felt that way. In the match against Mito, the team conceded two goals, and it didn't feel like a game where we scored five. We just have to win every game from now on, so no matter who the opponent is, I want to focus on winning within 90 minutes." He quietly ignited his fighting spirit.

Kashiwa, led by head coach Ricardo RODRIGUEZ, has achieved results based on possession football, but this match will see key attackers Kubo and Koizumi suspended. Even so, the team's concept remains unwavering, and Tokyo aims to fully demonstrate their strengths while understanding those of their opponents. Coach Matsuhashi expressed confidence, saying, "We will turn what lies behind the opponent's strengths into our own. The opponent will also be thinking, but we want to bring out our strengths in a well-balanced way while making the most of our current momentum."

With 5 goals in the previous match, the team's total goals became the highest in the EAST group. The expected goals are also at the top. The attacking unit has firmly begun to blossom. The style, which can switch between possession football and sharp counterattacks depending on the situation, is steadily maturing. The attacking force has become solid and powerful.

We have no choice but to keep winning. There is no other way. After the defeat in the previous match, chants from behind the goal at Ajinomoto Stadium inspired the team with cries of "Pour your passion into it! Seize the championship!" About two months have passed since then. With strong conviction in our hearts, the entire Blue-Red family has come to a place where, while keeping the goal firmly in sight, we can greatly grow ourselves. The never-give-up attitude is the Tokyo style cultivated over generations. Step by step, match by match, the Blue-Red army advances this round with the determination to win every game. Supported by the encouraging voices of the fans.

Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q. There was a two-week preparation period before the last match, but this time the schedule is four days in between. What kind of message did you give to the players during this period?
A, since it was after a big win, it wasn't about closing things off once, but we had that kind of communication. At that moment, I suddenly recalled a phrase often mentioned by Katsuya Nomura, which might also be from Sun Tzu's Art of War: 'There is a mysterious kind of victory in winning, but no mysterious kind of defeat in losing.' Winning is, of course, what we desire most and what fulfills our goals. However, I do not consider this victory mysterious; it came from what we have built up. But I wondered what it means that there is no mysterious defeat when losing. When I thought about it myself, I felt that various things, including intuitive feelings within me, led me to realize that when we lose, it is not that we lost to the opponent, but rather that we lost to ourselves. That is probably why there is no mystery. Since there is an opponent we are fighting against, naturally, there will be times we lose to them. The match result cannot be controlled, and it is about how we perceive it. Simply put, we talked about stopping ourselves from losing to ourselves or doing things that cause us to lose by our own doing.

 To lose to yourself, to lose by your own doing, means that you can no longer continue what you have been doing, you can no longer focus on it, you stop doing the obvious things naturally, and simply cannot switch your mindset. This was clearly shown in the second goal against Mito Hollyhock. The ball was passed from Sei MUROYA to Keito SATO, but it was by no means a good pass. At that moment, some forwards might have given up, or stopped moving and hesitated to press, allowing a back pass. But he did not do that. If the ball was not going to be his, he immediately switched to defense and started pressing. The moment the ball reached the goalkeeper, Ryunosuke SATO also coordinated well and initiated the press on the opposing goalkeeper. As a result, they forced a mistake from the opponent, which Keito SATO successfully recovered and scored a goal. Everything happened in the flow of the game, and at every moment, without thinking even for a second about what needed to be done, they played seamlessly and continuously. This was a crucial moment to see if they could maintain that continuity and seamlessness.

 It is very important to continue doing that from now on. This is not about physical strength but about mentality. If you stop doing what you should do moment by moment, or if your actions towards what you should do decrease, it might lead to losing from within or losing to yourself. When I saw the moment of the second goal in the Mito match or remembered the time to tighten things up, these were the words I conveyed to the players within myself.

Q. The next opponent, Kashiwa Reysol, is the only team that defeated us within 90 minutes this season. In that match, although we created many chances in the first half, we couldn't finish them off, and it seemed the momentum shifted to the opponent. With that in mind, what are your thoughts?
A, I have been watching recent matches and I am not focusing on whether they view those matches positively or whether they use them as a reference. Instead, I am thoroughly analyzing the current Kashiwa team and conveying that to the players. Rather than focusing on the loss in the previous encounter, we are concentrating on our strengths, what we have built up over time, and what we still need to work on. I believe we have used this period to carefully analyze the game and prepare thoroughly. They are a team skilled at controlling the rhythm of the game, so we need to calmly focus on what we must do and figure out how to disrupt their rhythm. We understand their strengths in creating rhythm and will counter those with our own strengths behind the scenes. If we can do that, I believe we can fully leverage our current momentum. However, I think the opponent will also be considering this, so I am thinking about how we can balance and execute our approach well.

Q. This is the second match of a five-game stretch. We are still 6 points behind the top team, Kashima Antlers. I believe the situation where we must win has not changed, but how do you perceive the importance of this match?
A, that hasn't changed. Each match from here on is very important, and of course, there is the momentum from the previous game, as well as the fact that we lost the last match against Kashiwa. Naturally, those feelings are there. However, right now, I believe it is important to focus on how to earn 3 points in each match.

Player Interview

Marcelo RYAN

Q, Expectations are rising for goals in three consecutive matches.
A, of course it would be great to score in three consecutive matches, but right now I believe the team's victory is more important than my own goals. I am focusing on preparing for the next match and securing a win.

Q, This will be a match against an opponent we particularly struggled with in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League.
A, everyone understands that this will be the most difficult match. For tomorrow's game, we have prepared to the fullest to secure a victory and show a different side than in our previous encounter, so we want to stay focused for the full 90 minutes.

Q. If they come with a high press, I think it becomes important to effectively use the space behind.
A, in the four days since the match against Mito Hollyhock, we have also conducted tactical training, and Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI has communicated how to respond on the pitch. We want to properly demonstrate what we have prepared during this period in the match and aim to secure a victory.

Q. In the situation where we are chasing Kashima Antlers, we face a series of matches where only victory is acceptable.
A, right now, the most important thing is not to worry about Kashima, but to fully express what we can do and win the match in front of us. That is the most important thing at this stage.

Player Hayato Inamura

Q: In the previous match against Kashiwa Reysol, the first half went well, but from the middle of the second half, the momentum shifted and we ended up losing. What are your thoughts going into this match?
A, so far the only 90-minute loss was against Kashiwa, so while it's not exactly about avenging that, it was a frustrating match personally, so I definitely want to win. In the previous match against Mito Hollyhock, we were able to maintain high intensity and win with multiple goals, so I want to continue that.

Q. It is said that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI mentioned, "There are mysterious wins, but no mysterious losses." How did you feel when you heard those words?
A, I thought exactly the same. In the previous match against Kashiwa, there were many scenes where I couldn't completely shut down the ball going to Kakita, so I also have the desire to be able to stop that. The words of Coach Matsuhashi matched what I was thinking, and I truly felt that was correct.

Q. After scoring 5 goals, there is inevitably a tendency to enter the game a bit lightly. After hearing Coach Matsuhashi's words, how did the team's atmosphere change?
A scored 5 goals but conceded 2, so it was not a match where the team felt like they had scored 5 goals. Since there were many transitions between offense and defense during the match, we did not focus much on the fact that we scored 5 goals.

Q. The goal remains to win all the matches from here on, but please tell us about the importance of this match and the key points of the game.
A, since we have to win all the remaining matches, we want to focus on securing a victory within 90 minutes regardless of the opponent. Their defense is strong, so including myself, we need to firmly shut down their key players and make sure not to lose in individual battles. In attack, we have developed various offensive options, so by skillfully using them, we aim to score the opening goal early and take control of the game. 

Q. While the opponent is circulating the ball, Tokyo can also choose both to circulate the ball and to launch quick counterattacks. What are your thoughts on this aspect?
A, in the previous match against Mito, we scored through counterattacks and by connecting multiple passes, so we want to continue that. During practice, Coach Matsuhashi told us, "Let's improve the quality," so we want to enhance that. Also, we want to be able to score from set pieces as well.