Match Review
The excitement rises behind the goal even before the match starts. A loud chant of "We can't lose to Verdy. Let's show them our strength" welcomes the players heading to warm up.
Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision LeagueThe EAST group has 3 matches remaining. To keep the top-ranked Kashima Antlers, who are 5 points ahead, within reach, and to demonstrate that Tokyo is blue and red, this match against Verdy, who also call Ajinomoto Stadium their home, is crucial to secure 3 points.
In the first match of the 'last 3,' the red and blue starting eleven made four changes from the previous match. The goalkeeper was Kim Seung-gyu, and the back line from the right consisted of Shoya, Alexander SCHOLZ, Masato MORISHIGE, and Yuto NAGATOMO. SCHOLZ started for the first time since the 12th round match against Mito Hollyhock, MORISHIGE made his first start of the season, and NAGATOMO, who returned to the lineup in the previous match, was named in the starting eleven for the first time in about two months. The defensive midfield duo was Kento Hashimoto and Kota Tokiwa, with attackers Keito Sato on the right and Keita Endo on the left, and the two forwards were Marcelo RYAN and Ryunosuke SATO.
To achieve a comeback championship, in the next match,the only option is to secure consecutive wins within 90 minutes and then wait for Kashima's result. The players, determined to win each match and leave nothing to chance, entered the field as the 'Blue-Red Cross Flag' appeared behind the goal and 'TOKYO' was choreographed in the back stand. The kickoff took place at 15:03 in the best atmosphere that united the stadium as one.
1st―Conceded the first goal butwith the captain'sstrikewe caught up
The match started with intense battles for the ball from the beginning.At 4 minutes, Tokyo created a chance through the movement of Kento HASHIMOTO advancing from midfield. When number 18 switched the play to the left side and moved forward, Endo received the ball via Nagatomo, adjusted his position, and sent in a cross, which Kento HASHIMOTO headed towards goal. Although the shot went over the bar, they immediately showed a strong attacking presence.
Tokyo, who switch between high press and mid-block defensealso look for attacking opportunities by mixing build-up play and sharp attacks against V. When Nagatomo on the left side shows energetic play with powerful long dashes and high-headed headers, Ryū Sato drops from the front line to midfield, becoming an outlet for build-up and a key point in the attack.
First HalfIn the 19th minute, Endo on the left side made a large side change to the right front, where Sato Kei broke through and took the ball forward, unleashing a powerful shot with his right foot. Although it unfortunately hit the crossbar, Ajinomoto Stadium was electrified by the dynamic and intense attack.
Furthermore, at the 24th minute, Ryu Sato, facing forward in a tight area, delivered a through pass that broke through the opponent's defense. Lucas RIAN aimed with his right foot, but the opposing goalkeeper dived to make the save. The ball barely failed to shake the net.
Although they were pushed back by the opponent's high press in the early stages, Tokyo is moving forward as a team with Ryu Sato skillfully positioning himself in the intermediate area to turn, and Hian targeting the space behind. They want to quickly score the opening goal at this pace.
However, in the 29th minute of the first half,they were scored against after the opposing goalkeeper's long ball was pushed forward, and Morita broke through with a one-touch play. While controlling the game, they conceded a regrettable opening goal.
Tokyo wants to bring the match back to square one. In the 36th minute of the first half, when player Scholz made a through pass, player Sato Kei broke through on the right side and crossed the ball back, player Muroya ran into the front of the goal for a one-touch shot. However, this shot went straight to the opposing goalkeeper and did not result in an equalizing goal.
Tokyo continues to increase their offensive pressure. Multiple players powerfully engage with the ball, pushing into the opponent's territory, showing a solid attack from both the left and right sides, raising their determination for an equalizing goal. TokyoV sets up a formation leaning towards a 5-back defense, so the key point is how to break through the opponent's defensive line.
That pressure finally pays off. In the 41st minute of the first half, Ryuu Sato received the ball in a central position just outside the penalty arc and, after a delicate ball touch turn, made an accurate through pass with his right foot. The player who broke through in front of the goal here was Sei MUROYA. The captain, who said the day before the match, "We want to prove our attitude on the pitch," swung his right foot and struck the goal, allowing Tokyo to equalize the match.
The first half ended as it was1-1. The must-win game would be decided in the second half.
2nd―Motoki's dramatic Final Round goal leads to a come-from-behind victory! WE ARE TOKYO!
Absolutely win—. Entering the second half with determination, Tokyo replaced attacker Kumatoriya with Arai,while Tokyo faced the game without any player substitutions.
In the second half, Nagatomo energized the stadium with a big gesture after showing aggressive play.At 4 minutes, Ryu Sato delivered a free kick from the left side, and Morishige aimed with a header in the center. Although it went over the goal, it was an attack that immediately showed the desire to win.
A fierce battle for the ball continued, and Tokyo intensified their attack aiming for a comeback. In the 20th minute of the second half, a long ball supplied from the back was missed by the opposing defender. Lucas RIAN, who was targeting this, broke through and took a shot, leading to a chaotic scramble in front of the goal. Endo and Muroya entered aiming for the goal, and when the opponent cleared the ball, the referee blew the whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. However, with VAR support, an on-field review was conducted and the decision was no penalty. Unfortunately, they could not earn a kick that would lead to a comeback.
Tokyo, determined to score the go-ahead goal at all costs, made their first substitution in the 32nd minute of the second half.Replacing players Hyan and Nagatomo, they brought in Motoki NAGAKURA as one of the two forwards and Kento HASHIMOTO at left side back.
While chants of "Let's show them our strength" were being sent, Tokyo firmly defended the goal with their bodies and continued aiming for the go-ahead goal. In the second halfat the 41st minute, Morishige was replaced by Hayato Inamura at left center back, and Ryu Sato was replaced by Teruhito NAKAGAWA sent to the front line.
The second half added time is7 minutes. Tokyo used their last substitution slot, switching from Endo to Fuki YAMADA. Sato Kei was moved to the left attacker position, and Yamada took the right side.
Tokyo pushes forward with player Kento HASHIMOTO as the target man, advancing with crosses from Kento HASHIMOTO on the left and feeds from Inamura.In the 90+5 minute, the passion of the Red and Blue family brings joy to Ajinomoto Stadium.
While continuously pushing forward aiming for a goal, player Kei Sato took a shooting kick. Although he didn't make solid contact, player Nagakura in the center skillfully trapped the ball with his left foot and carried it forward, then carefully gauged the opposing goalkeeper's position and lofted a delicate shot with his left foot—a fine goal! They finally succeeded in turning the game around.
A dramatic goal was scored at the last moment, and the final whistle blew after everyone defended the goal until the end. Following the loud cheers and big applause of 'WE ARE TOKYO!', the chant 'Put your passion into it! Grab the championship!' echoed throughout.WE ARE TOKYO!
They showed a passionate battle in a game they absolutely had to win, securing a hard-fought 3 points with a dramatic goal near the end.On this day, Kashima won a penalty shootout against Yokohama F.Marinos in a separate match, narrowing the point gap with the top team to 4.
After winning the final home game in the regional round, the team and players joined together in a powerful chorus of the victory song "You’ll Never Walk Alone," believing in the comeback championship. With the right to challenge for the comeback title still in hand, the entire team united in red and blue now faces the last two away matches.
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q. Please give us your thoughts on the match.
A. It was a tough game, but I think it is truly wonderful that we were able to secure the win and earn 3 points in the full 90 minutes. I am grateful to the players, and I would also like to thank the fans and supporters who created this atmosphere.
Q. I think the opponent's strengths were also a factor in making it a difficult game. What are your thoughts as the coach?
A. First, regarding how we deal with the opponent's pressing,the opponent's defensive awareness and their organized structure are, in a way, easy to understand. We focused on the intensity of their pressing and how to slightly shift that intensity. Rather than moving around during practice, we have been working on how to build our play against teams using a five-back formation, so we reviewed that in the pre-match meeting.
However, the timing of the defensive midfielder's involvement was a bit too early. This caused the central area to become thin too soon, and although we originally wanted to start with play around the flanks, there were more passes cutting through the center. From there, there were chances, but if we lost the ball, it quickly turned into a counterattack through the center. Seeing this, in the second half, we aimed to correct that and make the center back's forward movement smoother. This was a somewhat difficult aspect in the first half. Ideally, we wanted to secure the space on the side a bit more offset, but rather than just taking space, we aimed to establish territory there and use it as a base to advance centrally or switch to the opposite side to create chances. That didn’t go very well. While this was partly due to our performance, it was also a difficulty that showed the opponent's excellent defense.
Q. How did you switch your mindset after the match against JEF United Chiba four days ago? Also, please share your evaluation of Yuto NAGATOMO.
A. The previous match was truly a very frustrating defeat. However, by the time we went to the locker room after the game, the players had already firmly switched their focus to the next game. Of course, there was still frustration, but since the remaining games are limited, they shifted their attention to what we can do. Because of that, I didn’t feel the need to say anything more from my side, and I think it was really wonderful that they were able to express that mindset clearly in today’s game.
Regarding player Nagatomo, although it has been quite difficult to accumulate match-like training during the consecutive matches so far, he himself, along with the physical and medical teams, has carefully monitored his condition and has steadily improved up to this point. Despite not being able to do match-like training during these consecutive games, the way he has been able to raise his condition and demonstrate this level of performance is certainly due to his abilities, but also clearly reflects his spirit and willpower. That energy was firmly conveyed to the team today. Perhaps it even reached the entire stadium. I believe this game truly showcased his wonderful character and excellence as a player once again.
Q,Due to the season transition this year, with consecutive matches during Golden Week increasing attendance, the team is now in a position to compete for the championship. How is this situation affecting the team?
A, Since this tournament is divided into East and West, we cannot play against all teams, but even so, while many call it a "special tournament,"for me, it is not so much about it being special, but rather focusing on how the team can produce results within the given circumstances and environment. We started the season with that focus. We set our goals and steadily work towards them. Being able to create a state that approaches those goals builds confidence as a team. However, I don't think this guarantees anything for the future, so it's not about having had an extremely important or valuable experience. Instead, we have constantly thought about what we can do in the current situation. In that sense, I believe the current results are truly excellent.
Q. In a situation where you wanted an additional goal,please tell us the intention behind substituting Marcelo RYAN for Motoki NAGAKURA.
A. RYAN was not in a condition to start and play in such a short period of consecutive matches. After confirming with him, he played very aggressively and created some close chances,but by bringing in a player with a slightly different playing style, we wanted to create more variation. NAGAKURA is also very good at ball retention and has the ability to draw the ball out. Also, he has the power to score goals even when turning and facing away from the goal, as was the case with the goal that was scored. While the result was positive, when he came on as a substitute, I told him, "If you don't lose the ball, there will definitely be chances." He embodied that well, and in addition, he contributed to scoring, so I think NAGAKURA performed wonderfully.It is quite difficult to find the perfect way to change the flow of the game, but we aimed for that. Also, with NAGAKURA coming in, the combination with Teruhito NAKAGAWA is good, so if we could add that positive factor, we expected it to lead to even better attacks, which is why we made the substitution.
Player Interview
Motoki NAGAKURA
Q. You came on as a substitute during the match. What did you focus on when entering the game? What words did Director Rikizo MATSUHASHI say to you?
A. The result is everything, so I focused on scoring goals when entering the match. Director MATSUHASHI told me, "If you don't lose the ball, chances will come." I was watching the team from the outside when I wasn't playing, and everyone was performing well, so I worked hard to join in and play my part.
Q. Please comment on the scoring scene. I think being able to calmly take the shot in that situation is typical of Motoki NAGAKURA.
A. I received the perfect pass from Keito Sato. After that, I played in my own world. When I broke free, it was a one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper, and I saw that he jumped in first, so I think I was able to stay calm.
Q,The fans and supporters created a wonderful atmosphere. How did you feel standing on the pitch?
A, The usual match atmosphere is great, but I definitely felt that the Verdy match has a special vibe. The cheers when I scored the final goal were amazing.
Q. The competition within the team is intense. Looking ahead, what are your thoughts?
A. In the end, I believe it comes down to the strength of the team. There is competition within the team, but at this point, I think we have moved beyond that.
Q. The next match is against the Urawa Reds, who are on a 4-game winning streak. What will you focus on?
A. Since the consecutive matches have ended, we will take a break together and prepare to win against the Urawa Reds, who have momentum. I think scoring the first goal is important, so I want to focus on that.
Q, The point difference with Kashima Antlers is 4. We are still in a position to catch up with Kashima, but what are your thoughts?
A, To make the most of today's victory and to put pressure on Kashima, we just have to win the next match as well.
Sei MUROYA
Q, please review the game.
A, it was quite a difficult match, but we managed to catch up in the first half. I believe it was the result of everyone believing and working hard.
Q. You skillfully found a pocket in the opponent's defense for the goal scene, was that intentional?
A. Since the opponent was playing with five at the back, I thought there would inevitably be mismatches or openings around the fullback area, so I planned to keep receiving the ball inside. I intended to have Keito SATO positioned wide and receive the ball myself, and Ryunosuke SATO delivered a really good pass, so I was able to finish in a good situation.
Q. Did the shot feel good?
A. I just went for it with all my might.
Q. The second half included some difficult periods. What were you thinking about while playing?
A. The opponent eased up on the pressure compared to the first half, and we had more opportunities to keep possession, so I thought there might be chances. While focusing on not conceding goals, I played thinking about adding depth to our attack,and making sure the few chances the opponent had did not result in goals.
Q. How did you feel the moment Motoki NAGAKURA scored the goal?
A. Honestly, it was pure joy. Everyone felt the same, but it was nothing but happiness. It was truly the best moment.
Q. It seemed like you were encouraging the team more than usual during the match.
A. The purpose was to encourage the team,and today, with veterans like Masato MORISHIGE and Yuto NAGATOMO on the team, I truly felt we could fight with great confidence.
Q. The point difference with Kashima has narrowed by one. With a 4-point gap remaining for the last two matches, how do you feel about the future?
A. We will continue to focus on securing 3 points at all costs. While we are somewhat relying on others, we will keep doing what we can.
Q. This seems to be your highest scoring season in your career. What do you think is the key factor behind your success?
A. In terms of offense, I believe the biggest factor is that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI gives me freedom. Also, my teammates cover the spaces I leave when I move forward, which is very important. So, I don't think these results are just mine alone.
Q. How did you feel about the atmosphere at the stadium today?
A. It was truly a wonderful atmosphere with a lot of pressure, and I think we were challenged to see what we could do under those conditions.Being able to achieve a result under such pressure was a significant 3 points for the team.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q. This season has been tough, but you started in a crucial match.
A. I was always prepared so that I could take my chance no matter how it came. I believe that resulted in today's match outcome. Hayato Inamura, Alexander SCHOLZ, and Rio OMORI have consistently played well as center backs this season. I was inspired by their play. I focused on expressing the play I needed to do as I entered the match.
Q, Yuto NAGATOMO took the left side back position, forming the final line together.
A, There was a man even more passionate than me right next to me on the left (laughs). Naturally, I was drawn in by that passion, and since we had the same rehabilitation period during the season, watching Yuto NAGATOMO's approach beside me gave me great motivation. I am happy that the two of uswere able to start together and win.
Q. The point difference with Kashima Antlers, who are first in the EAST group, is 4 points.
A. It's not about Kashima; what's important is to win the next match and continue our winning streak. The determination shown in today's game led to our victory. We want to maintain that spirit and fight tenaciously until the final match.
Q. How did you watch Motoki NAGAKURA's additional time goal from the bench?
A. I thought, "It's definitely Motoki," (laughs). I was reminded once again that he is a wonderful player who delivers in big moments.
Ryunosuke SATO
Q, please review the game.
A, I felt a huge rush of adrenaline, and I believed that only a victory over the full 90 minutes could truly make the fans and supporters happy from the bottom of their hearts. Fighting together as one club, today's match is truly a joy in that sense.
Q. In the scene of the equalizing goal after conceding the first goal, you set up Sei MUROYA with the final pass.
A. In the past few matches,Sei MUROYA has been moving inside and had several opportunities to be quite free, and I’m glad that the accumulation of those moments connected well today. I was happy to be able to make a pass that led to a goal.
Q. With the announcement of the World Cup squad coming up next week, wasn't this a good opportunity to make an impression?
A. Not just for this match, but I have always given my best, so I have built up my performance in every game so far. There was nothing special about today.
Q. Regional League Groundalso has 2 awaymatchesleft. Based on today's results, there is still a chance to overturn and win the championship. Please share your enthusiasm towards that goal.
A. Although there is a final match, I want to focus solely on winning the next match against Urawa Reds.
Q. The stadium had an amazing atmosphere before the match, and the fans and supporters energized the stands with a choreo.
A. I got goosebumps from the warm-up, and I feel fortunate to have been able to step onto the pitch in such a special match against Verdy as a player who came through the academy.
Q. Do you feel that the power of the fans was a factor in bringing about the comeback victory?
A. Yes, definitely. I think that was certainly the case.
Q. Before the second half started, you were the first to come out onto the pitch and seemed to be feeling something as you looked at the atmosphere in the stadium and the fans and supporters.
A. I was imagining myself scoring and heading towards the goal behind the stands.
Q. At the end, you linked arms and sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" together with the fans and supporters. How did you feel?
A. It was my first time singing "You'll Never Walk Alone," and also my first time joining the chant, but since I was able to sing it, I think it went well.
