Match Review & Preview

Review of the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale

The Tamagawa Clasico at Ajinomoto Stadium, illuminated by the strong early summer sunlight. Tokyo, who must continue to win every match to chase the top-ranked Kashima Antlers, can take the lead in points and goal difference by winning this match, ahead of Kashima who has a game the next day. In this game that demands such competitive strength, the blue and red players shine at home.

Tokyo showed a high awareness of transitions between offense and defense from the early stages, trying to shift from good defense to good attack. By changing the two-forward combination to Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Ryunosuke SATO, the team proceeded with the match while exploring attacking patterns.

Gradually gaining momentum while searching for build-up exits on the sides and center, the match shifted in the 41st minute of the first half. From a sharp interception by player Megumi Sato, Ryuu Sato on the left side took a shot. The rebound, saved by the opposing goalkeeper, was volleyed in with the left foot by Megumi Sato, allowing Tokyo to take the lead just before the end of the first half.

Even after entering the second half, the team pushed into the opponent's territory and controlled the game, including quick pressing after losing the ball, maintaining dominance. In the 11th minute of the second half, Ryu Sato sent a vertical pass that split through the center of the pitch, which Kei Sato received and turned to the right. When Nakagawa challenged in the penalty area and a scramble ensued, Leon NOZAWA, sensing the goal, ran in and struck with his right foot to score an additional goal.

The team continued to showcase coordinated soccer in both offense and defense, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory. Achieving a season double against Kawasaki Frontale, they kept a clean sheet for the first time in four matches and recorded their fourth consecutive win in the special tournament. Tied with Kashima on points, they took the provisional top spot in the EAST group by surpassing them in goal difference and total goals scored.

This Week's Preview

The day after taking the provisional lead, Kashima Antlers secured a victory over FC Machida Zelvia in a penalty shootout, bringing Tokyo to within 2 points of the top spot once again. That said, it is also true that they have reached a position where they can clinch the championship on their own depending on the result of the direct confrontation in the Final Round. The situation still demands a must-win in every match, but with only 4 games left, each match carries more weight than ever before.

This week marks the 4th match of a five-game winning streak attempt, facing JEF United Chiba at home. To keep the possibility of winning the championship alive, it is a match where we must focus on the game in front of us and absolutely secure 3 points.

Finally within sight of taking the top spot, manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI emphasizes once again the importance of continuing to fight without falling behind Kashima, saying, "Once we catch up, it is crucial not to let go. For us, the only way to move up is to keep accumulating 3 points."

The team is still maintaining good form. The players on the pitch are thoroughly fulfilling their defensive and offensive tasks, fully demonstrating the ability to push forward the moment they gain possession and the determination to recover the ball immediately after losing it. Their awareness is unified beyond what the word "good form" can express, allowing them to play football facing the same direction. There is a strong sense that the team has become capable of scoring from anyone, any formation, and anywhere on the field.

Chiba, struggling at the bottom of the EAST group with 9 points in the special tournament, is being closely watched by Coach Matsuhashi, who said, "They are a team with a very defined style. Especially the relentless speed from the sides, and the interplay in the center hinted at from there." Even so, he added, "While it is natural to exploit their weaknesses, it is important to firmly suppress their strengths," highlighting the focus on neutralizing the opponent's key qualities while bringing out their own strengths.

Considering the consecutive matches in a congested schedule, this will be a game that tests the team's overall strength. The coach commented that the team is "definitely in good condition" and touched on the approach for the upcoming battles.

"Without putting on airs, I will just continue doing what I have been doing. There are parts where the energy is accelerating rapidly, and as a team, we must express that. I believe the efforts of many players have led to the current results, and including the attitude of players who are not given playing opportunities towards their training, they have created the current atmosphere. In such a positive atmosphere, we are able to approach various things with a positive mindset."

Connecting with teammates both offensively and defensively, linking passes, coordinating pressing, and attacking the goal as one united force. Then, defending the goal together as a team. This is the essence of Tokyo's style, and it will continue to be what is expected moving forward. Without ever overreaching or faltering under pressure, it is soccer that outperforms the opponent with full effort in both offense and defense.

Perseverance is power. We will firmly demonstrate what we have built up so far and overcome Chiba standing in our way. This is an important match to carve out the future with our own strength. We will overcome the tight schedule with an all-out effort and pledge victory united as one in blue and red.

Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q: You are currently on a 4-game winning streak and in very good form for the championship race. How is the current team situation? During this period, in what areas do you think the team's strengths have contributed to these results?
A, I believe the team is definitely in good condition. It's not particularly during this period, that this is the case. It is not. The progress made so far and the appropriate training for these results, and the players having suitable daily routines are what have led to the current results.

Q, The point difference is now such that we can win the championship by ourselves.
A, from the beginning of the season, everyone is aiming for the championship, so of course we pay attention to other teams, but I think we have to keep our focus firmly on ourselves as we move forward.

Q. You have been saying all along that you will put pressure on the top-ranked Kashima Antlers, but wouldn't the team grow further by competing under the pressure of this championship race?
A, even without emphasizing it, winning the championship is something everyone aims for from the start, so I think it is important to keep focusing on that and once we catch up to Kashima,never let go.

Q, It is important to win every match, but please tell us again what will be crucial from here on.
A, without being stiff, it is also important to further accelerate the energy from what we have done so far, and I believe we must express that as a team. 

Q. I think we have become a team that can score and win no matter who plays or from where on the field.
A, I truly believe that the efforts of many players have led to the current results. This includes the attitude towards training of players who are not able to participate in matches, and such things help create the team's atmosphere.Being able to tackle various things positively in a good atmosphere is very important and not something easy to achieve. 

Q: You often talk about "becoming a team worthy of winning the championship," and seeing that even the substitute players are aligned in the same direction and the level is rising, isn't it true that you have really become a team worthy of winning the championship?
A has not won the championship yet, so I think it would be appropriate to use such an expression once we have won the championship. From there, whether the team can aim for even greater heights is a matter of stages, I believe.  

Q. This match is crucial for a 5-game winning streak. Looking back at the previous encounter, what is your impression of JEF United Chiba?
A is a team with a very good structure and has rapid attacks that quickly move from side to side. I believe their strength also lies in the central relationships they show while doing this. Of course, exploiting the opponent's weaknesses is important, but I think it is crucial to firmly suppress their strengths. 

Q: There are only 4 matches left in the Regional League Round. How do you plan to approach these games?
A, remains unchanged from before. We can see the future to some extent, but we must not look too far ahead and instead focus on what we can do with who we are now as we go through each day. The only way to move up isto keepearning 3 points continuously, so we want to firmly keep our eyes on that. Of course, we will gradually feel the pressure, but we must not succumb to it, and conversely, we must alsoapply that pressureto our opponents. Stayinggroundedand fighting with our feet firmly on the ground is key. 

Q: I think tomorrow's match will be the toughest in terms of schedule. What do you think will be the key points, including player selection?
A, considering various aspects comprehensively from the previous match, we are thinking about which players to field. However, since we have also achieved good results and created a positive momentum, we will firmly fix the parts that need to be fixed and flexibly change the players where possible. We still do not know how much will be changed. We must compete with overall strength. In terms of overall strength, one approach could be to rotate players who played the full 90 minutes in the previous match during this congested schedule, but how to utilize players within the 90 minutes will also be a key point.

Player Interview

Player Seung-gyu Kim

Q, the match against Kawasaki Frontale was the team's first clean sheet victory in four games. Please review the game.
AWe prepare for every match aiming for a clean sheet. Personally, I was very disappointed that we haven't been able to finish the past few matches with a clean sheet. During this series of consecutive games, players have been rotated for each match. Even so, I am personally very satisfied that we were able to keep a zero score against us. As defensive players, we believe that if we can firmly prevent conceding goals, the talented players up front will surely score, and we fight with that confidence.

Q, Rio OMORI and Hayato INAMURA have played together in two matches. How is the progress in communication and teamwork?
A, I believe it has been built up through playing multiple matches. Right after the game, I made sure to immediately discuss the scenes where we conceded goals or any moments that caught my attention. Even though players Omori and Inamura rarely played simultaneously, each of them participated in matches. Since we have consistently done what we set out to do as a team from the training camp, and our objectives are clear, there was no need for particularly detailed adjustments. However, it is necessary to communicate and respond to events that occur during matches, so we discuss and build on them each time.

Q. After the last match, the point difference with Kashima Antlers has narrowed to 2 points. What do you think will be important from here on to aim for the championship?
A, as the chasing team, if we can secure solid wins, it will surely put a heavy burden on the team being chased. From here on, while focusing on the quality of our play is important, it is even more crucial to concentrate on the results of the upcoming matches. During the game, situations may unfold differently than expected, so in those cases, we want to communicate thoroughly to make corrections as quickly as possible. We prepare for each match one by one, focusing solely on winning. Ultimately, we aim to overtake and claim the championship decisively.

Q. What is important to win the match against JEF United Ichihara Chiba?
A, it is important to firmly seize the flow from kickoff against teams that apply pressure from the front and maintain that control until the end of the match. If you get overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum, it is not easy to regain it. Therefore, even though the preparation time is short, we want to prepare thoroughly and approach the match with readiness.

Q. Since it is Golden Week, I think many fans and supporters will come to cheer. What kind of play do you want to show to those who support you?
A, I believe the current results are thanks to many people coming to the stadium and cheering us on. In the previous match, just as the second half started and I took my position, when I looked up, I saw a huge number of Tokyo fans and supporters dyeing the back of the goal in blue and red. Even though they were supposed to be the farthest away, I could clearly hear their cheers reaching me. To those who create such a wonderful environment, I think the best way for us to repay them is to play our hardest on the pitch and show results. We want to win every single match and give back to everyone who supports us so passionately. Please continue your enthusiastic support this match as well.

Takahiro KO

Q. The team has won four consecutive games, and it seems like a good momentum is continuing. Although I think there are some physical challenges due to the consecutive matches, how is the team's atmosphere?
A, we have been able to approach both practice and matches with a really good atmosphere. The match against Kawasaki Frontale was about securing our first 4-game winning streak in a while, but we didn’t get too caught up in that. Instead, we focused solely on winning the match in front of us to keep applying pressure on Kashima Antlers. Everyone understands that each match is truly important, and I believe that’s why we are able to fight hard in such a positive environment.

Q. Although the goal is set on winning the championship, is it emphasized and communicated throughout the team that they focus entirely on the upcoming match without looking too far ahead?
A, there is no doubt that everyone's gaze is aligned. No player is looking ahead, and including the staff, everyone is truly focused on the match right in front of them. Since we are in a series of consecutive matches and the next game comes quickly, I believe everyone is spending their time thinking only about securing 3 points in the match at hand.

Q. In the previous match against Kawasaki, I think there were some struggles, especially in the first half, in terms of the content of the game.
A, most players have been playing three consecutive matches, and with the heat, it was difficult at first. I also played in the starting lineup for the first time in a while, and initially, I struggled a bit to find my rhythm. Personally, I felt that as time went on, I gradually got into the flow, and I think everyone was able to play more freely after scoring the opening goal. Considering the consecutive matches, the heat, and only two days of rest in between, I really think the players who kept playing in these matches did an amazing job.

Q. This season, it feels like the team has firmly established the strength of enduring during tough periods and capitalizing on a single chance.
A, I think there have been many such developments recently. In the match against Kashiwa Reysol two games ago, we were under pressure for a long time, but scoring towards the end of the first half was very important. In the match against Mito Hollyhock, we fell behind first, but we managed to turn the game around by the end of the first half. Regarding the Kawasaki match, I think it was a similar situation to the Yokohama F.Marinos game. The opponent applied pressure from the front, and with the heat, it was a tough period, but we still managed to score around the 40th minute of the first half and went into halftime with the lead. I believe that was a very significant moment for the team.

Q. In the match against Kawasaki, you stood on the pitch as a starter for the first time in a while. How was your performance and condition?
A, it really had been a long time. Returning from injury, then being sidelined again was a first experience for me, so I couldn’t quite get the sharpness in my body that I envisioned, my condition didn’t improve, and my mind wasn’t fully keeping up. But just recently, my senses have truly started to improve, and the worries about my leg have disappeared. However, the team had won three consecutive games, so I was a bit nervous for the Kawasaki match, which was the first time in a while (laughs).

Q. Even so, at the timing when the period of endurance improved, I had the impression that Takahiro KO was able to control the game well.
A, I started to think that the rhythm was being established, and gradually things got better. We were able to create a solid good shape up to scoring additional goals in the second half, and I felt that my sense of the game had finally returned. Even when I wasn't playing, watching from the bench, the team was really performing well, and I was able to spend time in good competition. While receiving good stimulation from that, I also had the desire to work hard for my own growth.

Q. The next opponent is JEF United Chiba. Although some people around us might be optimistic based on the standings, from the perspective of how Tokyo approaches the match, I think this is a game where we must focus on ourselves and give it our all.
A, as I mentioned earlier, it’s not about the opponent, but rather if we can deliver a solid and good performance ourselves, the results will naturally follow. As Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI often says, if we can have the courage and a strong desire to "do better than the last match," I believe we can work towards securing 3 points.

Q: Since it is the last day of Golden Week, a large number of visitors are expected, including many children. Please give a message to the fans and supporters, as well as to the children.
A, we are also united as a team, and in terms of the team continuing to win, there is no doubt that the cheers from the fans and supporters are a great source of strength. Including the support from the warm-up period, there is a strong feeling that we are fighting together, so we want to keep fighting while maintaining this. I believe many children will come to watch as well, and we want to play a match that gives courage to many people, earn the full 3 points, and work hard so that everyone can leave the stadium with a smile.