Tamagawa Clasico Special Talk
FC Tokyo: Naohiro ISHIKAWA Community Generator
Kawasaki Frontale: Junichi Inamoto Frontale Relations Organizer
Host: Mari Hibino
Hibino: I would like to hear from both of you about your impressions of each other during your playing days.
Ishikawa: Mr. Inamoto is two years older than me, and I think he didn't know about me at that time. Inamoto was in the first year of junior high school playing for Gamba Osaka Junior Youth, and I belonged to Yokohama Marinos (at that time) Junior Youth Oppama. So, I always knew that Inamoto was an amazing player.
Inamoto: Did it also spread to the east (laugh)?
Ishikawa: Someone said Inamoto. After that, he appeared in the J.League, and I watched him play with Mboma and others at Mitsuzawa.A Stadium and other places.
Inamoto: It was 1997.
Ishikawa: I watched the seniors rise up like that. However, the first time I played together with them was in the 2003 Japan national team, when ZICO was the coach. That was the first time we played together.
Hibino: What was your impression of the national team?
Ishikawa: He was already active overseas at a high level, so I was too intimidated to really talk to him. Around my generation, there were players like Daisuke MATSUI, and our generation was called the gap generation, so while we had the desire to catch up and surpass them, he was like a reliable older brother figure.
Hibino: On the contrary, how does Mr. Inamoto see Mr. Ishikawa?
Inamoto: I hardly have any image of Marinos; my impression is definitely FC Tokyo. The first time we interacted was on the national team, so I barely remember that his speed, breakthrough ability, and the quality of his crosses on the right side were really good (laughs).
Hibino: In terms of generation, since there is only a two-year difference, was it a time when Mr. Inamoto was someone you admired?
Ishikawa: That's right. I was thinking about how I could catch up. I transferred to FC Tokyo in the 2002 season, and at that time, I was watching the scenes of the World Cup where players were performing brilliantly. Although we are both professional players, I was watching from the stands. On that stage, I felt a huge gap even though we are both professionals. Since then, I have been constantly thinking about how I can close that gap and fighting to achieve it.
Hibino: Inamoto-san, how is it?
Inamoto: He was active at that time (laughs).
Hibino: I think this upcoming Tamagawa Clasico will be an important match. Could you please share your analysis of both teams, or how you view the current condition and situation of the clubs?
Ishikawa: In a word, my impression is that the players are able to play without stress. I think this season, especially, we have been able to blend the build-up play, which we have been experimenting with, and our characteristic fast vertical soccer. The balance and relationship of each player's position with the players around them, front, back, left, and right, seem to be very smoothly coordinated in both offense and defense.
Hibino: I feel like various players are taking turns to shine every day, and the competitiveness is really coming out.
Ishikawa: That's right. While there are always rivals in each position, it's not only about showing your own style, but also about how we create an environment where everyone can play comfortably. Compared to last season, our coordination has become smoother. As I mentioned at the beginning, there is an impression of offensive and defensive movements flowing out naturally without stress.
Hibino: What is your recent impression of FC Tokyo from your perspective, Mr. Inamoto?
Inamoto: I have a strong impression that we are scoring goals. In total goals, we are currently around 1st or 2nd place in J1, and at the same time, we have very few goals conceded, showing a very good balance. We haven't lost, and I think we've only lost once, so I feel we are on a very upward trend. Even when various players come out, the same results come, and the same style of football can be played. I believe this is the fruit of what Coach Matsuhashi has continued to do, which has emerged over the past six months.
Hibino: How has Kawasaki Frontale been recently?
Inamoto: Despite some injuries, winning two consecutive matches (Yokohama F.Marinos, JEF United Chiba) is very significant. As the team is gaining momentum, with two away games in a row coming up, if we can secure victories there, I think we still have a chance to reach the top.
Hibino: What is your view on the current situation of Kawasaki, Mr. Ishikawa?
Ishikawa: Their destructive power and individual abilities are indeed high, and there are parts that have been developed over a long time. I think this is where the good aspects of Kawasaki so far and the soccer style that Coach Hasebe is building are being fused together. I strongly feel the danger when these elements come together, and we must be careful.
Hibino: As we approach the Tamagawa Clasico under these circumstances, I would like to look back on the last match, the Tamagawa Clasico held on February 21. At that time, Kawasaki was the home team,1-2andFC Tokyo won.
Ishikawa: We were able to score with a build-up play and by quickly advancing forward with long balls from Motoki NAGAKURA to Marcelo RYAN, and then there was also a wonderful goal by Kawasaki's Yamahara. After that, in terms of coordination, which has been active recently, the relationship between Sei MUROYA and Keito Sato allowed us to score goals, and even when we conceded, we were able to score again immediately, which I think was very significant.
Hibino: Inamoto-san, how is it?
Inamoto: We played at home, but I got the impression that it was almost entirely FC Tokyo's pace. Yamahara scored a wonderful golazo shot, but FC Tokyo quickly equalized, and the 90 minutes ended without many good moments after that. It was very unsatisfying, and despite playing at home, the content was not very good. Personally, what I was paying attention to in that match was the matchup between Yuto NAGATOMO and Ienaga, and I viewed that from a slightly different perspective.
Hibino: What did you think after actually seeing it? We've been teammates all along.
Inamoto: Both of you looked energetic. When I was around 40 years old, I was at an age where I was either in J1 or not, so seeing both of you playing at the top level of J1 made me think, even if just a little, that I still want to play soccer.
Hibino: I was thinking about how long I want to play soccer.
Inamoto: Well, about 1 or 2 minutes (laughs).
Hibino: I would like to ask about the highlights of this Tamagawa Clasico. Ishikawa-san, could you tell us what the key points to watch are and which players to pay attention to?
Ishikawa: Since it's a home game and during Golden Week, the focus is naturally on scoring goals and how we express our style. This has always been something I've been particular about since my playing days. No matter how many goals we concede, we always aim to score. Looking back, there were many moments when we got caught out because of this, but that's also what leads to high-scoring games. The match against Mito was like that too. It's about creating opportunities and matches where everyone can share the joy of scoring. We have our own theme called '+1Goal (One More Goal),' and I expect an attacking style of football where we keep scoring, recover if we concede, and continue to build on our goals.
Hibino: Inamoto-san, how is it?
Inamoto: As Nao just said, I don't want the Clasico to end 2-1 or 1-0. I think it's always been a contest of who will come out on top. It's that kind of match, and since it's the precious Golden Week, I think the theme this time is family. I hope it will be an exciting game with goals scored back and forth, one that makes people want to come watch again.
Hibino: Both of you mentioned this, but why do you think the Tamagawa Clasico ends up being a match where goals are exchanged and remains a passionate, memorable game?
Ishikawa: There may be a clash of wills. Our style is clear, and it comes down to which team can achieve results with that style. The level of attention is high, and honestly, at the start of the 2007 season, it began with "What is the Tamagawa Clasico?" Mr. Inamoto has experienced clasicos and derbies overseas, but I think this is a bit different.
Inamoto: When I joined Kawasaki and heard about the Tamagawa Clasico, I thought, "Oh, I see" (laughs). However, I believe it is something we all create together, and this event has been held many times now. I think the history woven since the 2007 season has shaped the Clasico, and as time goes by, it will become more and more a clash of pride. So, I hope many goals are scored and that the Clasico becomes even more of a cultural event.
Hibino: Mr. Ishikawa has been involved since the first Tamagawa Clasico, do you have any memories of it?
Ishikawa: There are various things. It was quite striking that even when we scored, we couldn't win.
Hibino: There were times when we conceded a lot of goals.
Ishikawa: There was a game where we conceded 7 goals, and it was the first time while playing soccer that I thought, "Please stop already." The previous season had a dramatic comeback victory (the 5-4 comeback in the 2006 season), where Yasuyuki KONNO scored the winning goal at the end. There are really many flashy matches. The last time was 2-1, so Tokyo doesn't want to concede goals, but more than that, we want to show that we can score more.
Inamoto: That's right. I transferred in the 2010 season, and the match we played that year at Todoroki Stadium was the best in my life in terms of dribbling sharpness, and it left a very strong impression on me. We won with a score of either 3-1 or 3-2, but that impression is very strong. On the other hand, I don't have many memories of winning away games, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes away this time.
Hibino: In that context, I would like you to name two players to watch.
Ishikawa: Many names come to mind, but it's Kyota Tokiwa. There were many attacking players, but Tokiwa, who has firmly taken his position and shown his presence through coordinated offense and defense since this season, is expected to make this match a turning point to build his career along with the club and Clasico's history. I want Kawasaki fans and supporters to definitely recognize his presence.
Hibino: He is a player with a very passionate spirit.
Ishikawa: He is passionate and in his second year after graduating from university. Originally, he came from our youth system and went to Meiji University to gain experience. Since he was playing in J3 matches with FC Tokyo U-23 back then, he has a certain roughness in a good way, but now he has become more refined and can play while considering the team. We have very high expectations for his leadership in that regard.
Inamoto: The previous player is the same, but it is definitely Maruyama at the back. He is a veteran, but Kawasaki tends to focus on the front, so how much he can hold firm at the back and his leadership are important. The team feels a bit quiet overall, so if Maruyama, who talks the most, can firmly take leadership, I think there is a chance to win.
Hibino: FC Tokyo is also his former team, after all.
Inamoto: That's right. I think the motivation is high, and since it's a series of consecutive matches, we don't know what will happen, but I want to have high expectations. The defense feels much tighter, which was evident even when watching practice, and they have shown stable performance in actual matches as well. I think that's the skill that only veterans can demonstrate.
Hibino: Since the theme this time is family, and I believe both of you have children, if you were to bring your children to watch this match, what aspects of soccer would you like them to enjoy?
Ishikawa: It's definitely the atmosphere at the stadium. It will be dyed in blue and red, and you can hear Kawasaki's cheers. Depending on how the match unfolds, there are moments when the voices get louder, chants come out at just the right timing, and the rhythm and changes within the game—the exciting parts and the calmer moments—I want families to experience all of that. Rather than overthinking it, I hope you can simply feel the atmosphere, the voices, and the flow of the match.
Inamoto: I think a huge number of fans will come, so I believe the true charm of soccer is being able to experience that atmosphere and extraordinary feeling at the stadium. I hope families can enjoy each other's chants, cheers, and their timing together, and since I expect many goals to be scored during the match, I want everyone to firmly imprint those moments in their memories before they leave.
Reporter: You mentioned your family earlier, but if you were to introduce a player you want your children to see at least once, which player would it be?
Ishikawa: For me, it's player Kei Sato. What I want people to focus on is definitely his dedication. The intensity in defense and quick transitions led to goals in the match against Mito Hollyhock. He pays attention to details, especially in situations where he doesn't have the ball, pressing aggressively and steadily building that intensity, which creates opportunities. He is a player who can consistently demonstrate this. Of course, I want people to also watch the moments when he scores or assists, but above all, I want everyone to see how he fights aggressively and with full effort for the ball.
Inamoto: It's player Wakisaka. I think he is the player closest to what Frontale stands for, and in terms of technique and ball carrying, he is definitely a player typical of Kawasaki. Since he is from the academy, I think imitating his play is very helpful for development.
Hibino: We have heard various stories, but now I would like both of you to predict the score for this Tamagawa Clasico match. So, please both say your predictions at the same time. Inamoto-san says 4 to 3, Ishikawa-san says 4 to 1. Could you please explain your predictions?
Ishikawa: That's right. It's about exchanging goals, but I still didn't want to concede any, so I kept it to one goal against. Also, Ajinomoto will be electrified four times. In the previous home game against Mito, we scored 5 goals, and while I hope for even more goals, considering past matches against Kawasaki, I thought it wouldn't be that easy. Still, including hope, I predicted 4 to 1.
Hibino: Mr. Inamoto is 4 to 3, right?
Inamoto: I think this scoreline is the most interesting to watch. It's hard to predict how the game will unfold with goals being exchanged, but a match with a total of 7 goals is one that will become a memorable experience for families watching together.
Hibino: How is the development going?
Inamoto: The score was 2-2 in the first half. It might be more exciting if there is a comeback from there. I think it would be very thrilling if the game develops that way.
Hibino: Ishikawa-san, how is the development going?
Ishikawa: The game developed with us conceding a goal a little earlier, but recently we don't panic even if we concede, so first we scored one goal in the first half to make it 1-1. From there, including the substitute players, we accelerated and scored 3 goals to make it 4-1.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
