Match Review
This is a match where we must show the pride and determination of the blue and red.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance CompanyJ1 Hundred Year Vision League Regional League Ground final round. Following the results from the previous week, the EAST Group first place was decided as Kashima Antlers, and Tokyo no longer had the possibility of a comeback championship in this match. However, for Tokyo, securing a victory here would once again prove the steady progress of the team. Regarding facing each other at this ranking, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "It’s because we have continued to prove our strength. We just have to go and win," while Alexander SCHOLZ expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We must show that this is a match between first and second place in the entire league. This will be a match where we must firmly demonstrate that the team has taken the next step."
Although the comeback championship is no longer possible, this match is one where we want to defeat Kashima with pride on the line. Tokyo'sFIFA World Cup 2026 Japan national team members Yuto Nagatomo and South Korea national team member Kim Seung-gyu are both off the bench, and goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA will start for the first time since the April 1 match against FC Machida Zelvia.The back line from the right consists of Naruki Muroya, Scholz, Hayato Inamura, and Kento HASHIMOTO, with Kento HASHIMOTO and Kota Tokiwa deployed as defensive midfielders. The attackers are Keito Sato on the right and Keita Endo on the left, with Marcelo Hian and Ryunosuke SATO forming the two-forward attack. Additionally, Kei KOIZUMI and Masataka KOBAYASHI have returned to the squad after about a month and a half on the bench.
Since both teams use adaptability as their strength, Tokyo wants to take the initiative early and control the game. The match kicked off at 17:33 at Mercari Stadium, which was hit by unseasonal cold weather.
1st―Create opportunities with high intensity and sharp counters
The match started with both teams canceling out each other's strengths. In midfield, both sides intercepted vertical passes like catching them in a net, and tight defense shut down any runs behind the defense. In the first halfat the 10-minute mark, Tokyo created chances with a solid attack, but Kashima firmly closed the center and formed a block. Inside the penalty area, players Muroya and Sato Ryu attempted to push forward but were unable to break through.
Tokyo increases their attacking scenes with high awareness of negative transitions and speeding up the attack after pulling back into their own half. In the 16th minute of the first half, they sharply pressed in midfield to steal the ball, connected through Endo and RIAN, and Sato Ryu took a shot. They linked good defense to good offense, firmly embodying the Tokyo style they have built up so far.
Continuing with coordinated pressing, they did not allow Kashima any freedom, and through focused play, they prevented chances. By winning battles for the ball in midfield, they connected to good attacks and aimed to score the first goal with sharp attacks. Defensively, they cut off most balls before entering the attacking third. They showed football that does not let the opponent form attacking patterns, suppresses the opponent's strengths, and demonstrates their own qualities.
First HalfAt the 33rd minute, from a sharp counterattack, player Kei Sato broke through vertically on the right side and delivered a cross ball. From the contest in front of the goal, players Endo and Tokiwa took consecutive shots, but Kashima blocked the decisive chances with their bodies. They still could not shake the net to take the lead here.
First HalfAt 42 minutes, from a set piece, Leo CEARA connected with a header, but it went just to the left of the goal. It was a dangerous moment, but we managed to avoid the crisis somehow.
Immediately afterIn the 45th minute, Tokyo created a chance when Kento HASHIMOTO, who overlapped to receive a layoff from Endo on the left side, took on the defense vertically and took a left-footed shot. Although it went wide to the left of the goal, the attack created a chance by quickly crossing over from behind. Tokyo dominated the first half as time expired. The score remained goalless as the match went into the second half.
2nd―While holdingthe initiativethey suffer from a single decisive blow
In the second half, we want to strengthen the pressure towards the goal while firmly managing risks and confidently convert scoring opportunities. Tokyo will start without any player substitutions at halftime.
In the second half, as Kashima increased their pressure from the front, Tokyo also avoided the opponent's press with angled one-touch passes using the goalkeeper and direct plays in tight areas. They searched for attacking opportunities while maintaining possession.
Second HalfIn response to Kashima making two substitutions at the 16th minute of the second half to take the initiative, Tokyo made a switch from Kento HASHIMOTO to Takahiro KO at the 21st minute of the second half. They changed the defensive midfielders aiming for the opening goal.Tokyo tried to break through by using one-touch plays to widely spread the pitch, encouraging PITA to make runs behind the defense, and mixing in sharp vertical passes through the center.
Tokyo shows a build-up where each player firmly repositions themselves and accurately breaks the arrows of the pressing opponents. Although there were noticeable scenes of being pushed back at the start of the second half, they calmly assess the situation, regain control, and continue to advance the match.
Tokyo, wanting to create changes on the pitch, in the second halfat the 31st minute, substituted Kota TAWARATSUMIDA for Endo as the left attacker, and Fuki YAMADA for Sato Ryu as one of the two forwards. They made the substitutions hoping for new combinations.
However, in the second halfat the 35th minute, a pass exchange in midfield was intercepted, leading to a counterattack goal. They were caught off guard for a moment and conceded the opening goal.
Tokyo, wanting to intensify their offense, saw Keisuke Sato attempt a middle-range shot aiming for a course after tenacious ball retention, while Lukian broke free and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot. However, both attempts were stopped by the opposing goalkeeper's saves and did not result in an equalizing goal. Coach Matsuhashi, at the 39th minute of the second half,used his final substitution card to switch Lukian and Keisuke Sato for Leon NOZAWA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA. He made the decision to replace the forwards, entrusting them with the task of equalizing and then turning the game around.
During the 5 minutes of additional time displayed, with the pride of the blue and red at stake, Tawara Tsukida's dribbling breakthrough and Kento HASHIMOTO's sharp crossesattacked the Kashima goal, but they could not shake the net until the end. Showing Tokyo's style from the first half, they ended up with a frustrating defeat, succumbing to Kashima's experienced gameplay.
With this, Tokyohas secured 2nd place in the EAST group. The opponent for the playoff round, which will be held in a home-and-away format starting May 30,will be decided by waiting for the match result ofCerezo Osakafrom the WEST group, which will take place tomorrow, the 24th.
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q. Please reflect on the match.
A. I think it was truly a frustrating defeat, but the players prepared thoroughly for this match, including mentally, and showed a very admirable attitude. Today's performance is by no means something to be pessimistic about, and I believe they fought well. However, even so, how we can pull the 3 points towards us is something we must continue to pursue further.
Q. While showing Tokyo's unique style, it seemed that we were overcome by Kashima Antlers' strong competitive spirit. From the coach's perspective, how do you feel about the difference between us and Kashima?
A. I truly felt that Kashima is a team that wins because they are meant to win.They constantly pursue victory and have achieved becoming champions many times. I believe there is still a significant gap between such a team and the areas where we fall short. However, we have been striving all season to become a team worthy of closing that gap. A worthy appearance, worthy soccer, worthy play, worthy attitude and behavior. I believe that what has been steadily built up in the end is reflected in our current results, but we must raise that level even further. We need to continue seeking to challenge Kashima again, and to challenge teams above us more and more.
Q. To some extent,while it seemed like you were able to compete, you had difficulty reaching the finish. Is there a part lacking in the 'watching the opponent' aspect that the coach often talks about?
A. It's not about the opponent, but I believe it is very important that we play the way we want to. In that sense, it’s not that there was an error or something wrong at that point, but rather that we need to raise our quality even more. I think we were able to express that intention well, especially in the second half, and we created chances within that. However, the opponent's solidity that doesn’t allow us to finish is definitely Kashima’s strength. We need to improve our quality further on how to carry the play through to the finish.
Q. Next is the playoff round. The opponent has not been decided yet, but what kind of performance do you want to show?
A.I believe we just need to properly prepare ourselves, regardless of the opponent, so that we can firmly secure the highest possible ranking we can aim for right now.
Player Interview
Sei MUROYA
Q. In the end,it became a game where the opponent showed their strong competitive spirit.
A. It was a match where we were defeated in a manner typical of the Kashima Antlers. The opponent didn’t have many chances either, but we also couldn’t create many clear-cut opportunities, so I think we wanted to increase the time spent pressing in the final third and deliver a higher quality of play.
Q. After the regional league round ended, there were times when you were competing for the top spot, but where did you feel the difference with Kashima?
AKashima has established their own style, and during difficult periods, the entire team shares the situation and plays simply while firmly enduring. Their way of managing the game is definitely better, and I strongly felt the difference there.
Q, this might be a very detailed point, but is risk management one of the areas that can further determine the outcome of the match and that you want to build upon?
A, regarding today's match, I believe it was a game that had to end 0–0, and I felt that there was a difference in that regard. However, that difference is not very large, and I think we can be confident in what we have done this season. Next season, I believe we can turn things around, and I think we just need to keep believing and working towards that.
Q. What kind of match do you want the playoff round to be?
AAlthough the opponent has not been decided yet,finishing in 3rd placeis important, and I think we need to play matches that lead into next season.
Kota Tokiwa
Q, please review the game despite the disappointing result.
A, because Kashima Antlers'Regional League Groundfirst place was already decided before the match, it was a game we absolutely wanted to win. The result is everything, so I think the 0-1 score reflects our current state. I felt they played efficient soccer.We didn't feel like we were dominated in terms of content, but still ended up losing. It's difficult to put into words. However, I believe the result came because we couldn't deliver quality in the final third and couldn't finish our chances. Instead of fighting on the opponent's terms, we needed to play our own game and control this match. Our build-up and the final part after advancing were important. I personally had a big chance in the first half but couldn't score, so I feel responsible.
Q. I think there is a sense that we were able to show a certain level of Tokyo's unique style, but on top of that, the fact that we couldn't reach the level means we need to work on closing the gap with Kashima from here on.What do you think is necessary to not only bring out our strengths but also surpass them?
A. This might sound a bit abstract, but first and foremost, it's about commitment to winning. The focus from practice to win this important game. Compared to last season, we have really improved, but the fact that we fell short means something is still lacking. I don't mean this negatively, but rather positively, as an area where we can push ourselves further. Also, simply put, since it's football, it's about scoring goals and defending goals. I think that's the difference. In today's game and the previous match against Urawa Reds, we scored zero goals, and today we conceded and ended up losing as a result.
Q. On the flip side, did you get the sense that there was something you absolutely had to do?
A. Over the past six months, including today, the key phrase has been to play our own style of football. I believe this comes from the fact that our focus is directed inward. Because we have confidence in ourselves, everyone believes that if we do that, we can win. These words come from that belief. Instead of looking at the opponent or elsewhere, we need to furtherrefine our own football, especially in the final moments of defense and finishing. I think these are areas where we can improve, and the team is moving in a positive direction.
Q. The most difficult part is really the final moment. The part of deciding and stopping. I don't think there is a definitive answer to this, but how do you approach it?
A. This ties into the commitment I mentioned earlier, but even for a single shot in practice, whether you make it or not, it's important to shoot with the mindset of 'this will decide the game.' I think that attitude is crucial. I haven't been able to score as a defensive midfielder this season, so I have been doing individual practice after team training. When I ask myself if I can perform with the same tension as in a game, I realize I still have a long way to go. I believe that kind of mindset is necessary.
Q. Since before this season, I think everyone has been emphasizing the importance of the weight of '1' in points and goal difference, and truly feeling it firsthand, raising awareness in daily life. Would you say the whole team has genuinely felt this over the past six months?
A. Last season, we were fighting to avoid relegation, so I don't think we paid much attention to that. But this season, we have truly aimed for the championship from the start of the season, and as we joined the battle for first place, I believe everyone experienced the importance of earning 1 point and the significance of scoring 1 goal in a match. Whether we make use of this experience or not depends on us.There are still playoffs to come, so if we reflect on ourselves once again there and develop our fighting spirit, I am confident that I can achieve it personally, and I sincerely believe that this team can aim even higher and win the championship. I think the players who felt this firsthand will continue to push forward.
Hayato Inamura Player
Q, it was a frustrating result, but how do you review the game?
A, I think there were periods when we were able to manage the game well, and what we have built up over the past six months was also evident against Kashima Antlers.We were able to contain them at key moments defensively, so I believe the first half was a game we can evaluate positively, and the first part of the second half was evenly matched. We had chances as well, but we were undone by one chance from the opponent. I think that is the strength of Kashima. On the other hand, we needed to hold firm there. I feel our weakness showed, and it was a very frustrating result.
Q. While patiently maintaining possession at the back and connecting passes, and mixing in long balls from players Inamura and Scholz, you seemed to control the game well. How do you feel about your own performance?
A. In the first half, I was able to accurately execute the intended plays, but in the second half, as the opponents became more cautious, especially after conceding a goal, things got a bit hectic and mistakes increased. I see that as a point for reflection.
Q. I think there was a slight gap at the end while competing for the championship. Where did you feel the difference between your club and the club that won the championship?
A. I believe it comes down to holding the defense until the very end and securing a win even with a 1-0 score, or taking that one crucial goal. Also, set pieces were a weapon for Kashima, and I think they scored close to 15 goals from set pieces, which was something we lacked. That ultimately made a big difference in the end.
Q. Next, you will be fighting in the playoff round.What do you want to show to the fans and supporters?
A. This season, we truly and seriously aimed for the championship,so today's result is really frustrating. We will put all those feelings into the two playoff matches. Although we didn't reach our goal,finishing in 3rd placeis very important. I believe this will lead into next season, and we want to win no matter what.
Q. During the players' lap after the match,the fans and supporters behind the goal sang "You’ll Never Walk Alone." How did you feel listening to that?
A. We have always wanted the support to start from the warm-up,and the fans have listened to that request. Even after losses, they showed through their actions the message "There’s still the next one!" They have truly continued to inspire the team constantly, so we have always wanted to respond with our results. I strongly wished to win today and celebrate with everyone, but we ended up losing, and I feel truly sorry. That’s why for the lasttwo matches, we want to secure wins and express our gratitude.
