Review of the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia
The opening match of the 2026/27 season was held at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. The memorable start of the new autumn-to-spring calendar brought FC Tokyo an unexpected and bitter result, despite the team feeling the progress it had built up.
In an open contest with possession swinging rapidly from one side to the other from the outset, it was the Blue and Red who struck first. In the fifth minute of the first half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu sent a long ball toward Marcelo Ryan, who was looking to break through up front. The keeper's kick—he said, “I made eye contact with Ryan”—was delivered accurately into the attacking area. Ryan cleverly got past his marker and surged forward, then blasted a right-footed shot into the net from a ball headed on by Keiin Sato. Tokyo got off to the perfect start, taking the lead with a sharp, Tokyo-style attack.
The team continued to play at a high tempo. Sei MUROYA repeatedly created chances with angled through balls and incisive vertical passes after moving inside. They produced numerous clear-cut opportunities, delivering a performance that once again highlighted the potential of a new season in which they have set their sights on the title.
However, after being exposed down the flank and conceding the equalizer in the 27th minute of the first half, Kento Hashimoto was shown a red card in the 38th minute, leaving the team at a numerical disadvantage. They then conceded the go-ahead goal just before halftime and entered the second half trailing by one.
Tokyo were desperate to get back into the match, but a direct free kick in the 6th minute of the second half put them two goals behind. Further goals in the 20th and 35th minutes made it 1-5. After such a promising first-half performance, they ended up losing the opening match by an unexpected scoreline.
This Week's Preview
This is a crucial match in which the team will need to bounce back from its opening-game defeat.
Late in the match against FC Machida Zelvia, with the scoreline having gotten away from them, the fans and supporters behind the goal raised their voices despite the difficult circumstances. After the match, they conveyed the importance of restarting with a chant directed at the players as they made their lap around the stadium: “Show your passion! Seize the title!”
Encouraged by this support, the team is determined to maintain a positive attitude. Sato said with determination, “The fans and supporters are cheering for us loudly and have high expectations of us, so we have to keep going. We absolutely cannot lose two in a row, so we will definitely go for the win next time.” Captain Muroya also remained positive, saying, “What matters now is how we respond from here. I want to show our fans and supporters that we will come together as a team once again.”
There is no doubt that the scoreline was a major shock. To be honest, however, the way the match was managed also left much to be desired. While down a player, FC Tokyo conceded the go-ahead goal just before halftime, followed by another early in the second half. The poor timing of the goals conceded and the team's fragility after conceding are issues highlighted by both the manager and the players. Even when unexpected incidents occur, the team must focus on the details and work patiently to turn zero points into one and one into three. A single goal scored or conceded can ultimately affect the final standings. These are aspects that must be valued if the team is to aim for the top.
That said, only one match has been played so far, and there are more than enough games still to come. Until they were reduced to 10 men, the match against Machida also proved that what the team has built up is not wrong. Muroya reflected, "The first half was completely our game, and we got off to a truly excellent start," adding, "I think it was a match we could hold our heads high about until the sending-off."
That is precisely why the next match is so important. Their opponents, Vissel Kobe, won the half-season Meiji Yasuda J1 League Centennial Vision League and have consistently been in the title race in recent years, including back-to-back league titles in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Their success has been built on a style centered on long balls and crosses, executed by powerful, hard-working talents. In their opening match against Avispa Fukuoka, they earned a 1-0 victory by creating many situations in which their individual quality prevailed, including Yuya Osako's hold-up play and Yoshinori Muto's driving runs.
Tokyo will be without Kento HASHIMOTO, who was sent off in the opening match and has received a two-match suspension. However, Soma ANZAI joined the team just before the season opener, while Yuto NAGATOMO's return to the squad was announced on the day of the opening match. Along with Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Hirotaka ISHIHARA can also play on either flank, giving the team more options in player selection. Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI said: “We have two players who can play on either side, and whoever plays should be able to deliver a solid performance. The team has been training with a tremendous attitude, at a level worthy of earning points, and there is a strong determination throughout the squad to give everything for this match. We want to show that in tomorrow's game. Kobe are a club that have delivered results and are worthy champions. We have to surpass teams like that.”
The blend of possession-based play and counterattacking football Tokyo showed in the first half against Machida is the style the club has continued to pursue. They created numerous chances in a short span from the opening whistle. Their high expected-goals numbers remain unchanged. That is why they must develop the ability to finish chances and see out victories. This week's match against Kobe will be an important one, as the team looks to build on the positives, take on board the lessons learned, reset mentally, and aim for its first win of the new season.
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q: The result of the opening match was shocking if you look at the score alone, but I imagine there were also encouraging aspects to the performance. What feedback did you give the team?
A: We went over with everyone once again how to play when we are down a player. But naturally, there were moments when our vulnerabilities were exposed. Some involved set pieces, while others had nothing to do with the numerical situation, so we have been going over those details again as a group, including today. In the early stages of the match, it is hypothetical, but I think we had enough chances that scoring three or four goals would not have been surprising, and I think it is important to make sure we take those chances. The players performed very well and played the right way. We did concede an equalizer while the teams had the same number of players, but even so, I feel it was still an early phase in which we could have shown more of our own style. I hope we can continue to show that properly in the next match as well.
Q: Although you had a numerical advantage, I think the timing of the goals conceded was not good.
A: I was also thinking ahead to the next step, and then suddenly looked up to see that we had conceded. I had a lot of uncertainty myself in that respect. I made the decision that I felt was the best option—the one I thought was right. However, there were aspects I did not fully communicate to the players, down to the specific tasks required of them, and I told the players that as well. Rather than focusing on the shape, we have spent a short time working through the basics: the tasks themselves and the fundamental hard work required when we are a player down. I do not think we had been in a situation with one fewer player at any point in the games so far. But if we prepare for the worst, it is something that can always happen, and we have to make sure we learn from it so that if the same thing happens again, we do not end up with the same result.
Q: As we aim for the title, I think it will be important to turn zero points into one, and one into three, and consider how to keep accumulating points.
A, Of course, points are very important. However, their significance changes greatly depending on how far the league has progressed, the number of points at that stage, and where we stand. There are still things that are hard to see after just one match. We may have lost out on three points in that match, but there is still more than enough time left, so we remain hopeful. I believe we will definitely take three points in the next match and play a game that allows us to build positive momentum again.
Q: We need to reset and approach this with the same mindset as we had for the opening match. In terms of building from here, what kind of game do you want this to be?
A: Simply put, we want to be able to consistently choose the highest-priority options: moving the ball and deciding how to attack the space behind them. Of course, they are also a team that excels at working very hard, so first and foremost we must not lose our individual battles. If we are fully aligned in our approach to what we are trying to do, I believe we can create plenty of chances.
Q: What is needed to reset?
A: I think it means not dwelling on it. There is a saying, “If your mind is not present, you may look but not see.” If your mind is not focused on it, then even if there is a problem right in front of you, you will not see it. Unless we properly shift our focus to the next match, we will probably remain unable to see what is needed. It would be wrong to head into the match against Kobe with our minds still on the FC Machida Zelvia match, so I want the team to make that switch properly.
Q: How do you assess Vissel Kobe as an opponent?
A, Not only last season, but over the past few years, they have consistently been a club worthy of being champions—or one aiming to become champions and actually achieving it. We have to overcome teams like that. All we can do is work hard to make sure we do.
Q: What is your impression of Kobe?
A: There is no doubt about the individual talent they possess. They have many players who work extremely hard, and I think they are a team with a high level of quality in the fundamentals.
Q: After the match, the fans and supporters showed their determination, saying, “Let’s win the title” and “Let’s go again from here.” How do you feel about that?
A: We are truly grateful. We are very happy to have their support. But it is not as if we are hanging our heads, and we are not looking down. We need to properly accept what has happened and focus on how we move forward from here, so I think we must not allow ourselves to be overly affected by it.
Player Interview
Marcelo RYAN
Q: Against FC Machida Zelvia in the previous match, the team played well until around the 25th minute of the first half.
A, Looking only at the first 25 minutes of the first half, we were able to show what we had worked on during the week. But that is in the past. What is important is how we approach this week's match based on that experience. I believe we have prepared well for tomorrow's match against Vissel Kobe.
Q: Looking only at the result, it was a shocking one. How will you bounce back from it?
A, When it was 11 against 11, the match was going in our favor. We were unable to respond well when things happened in that game that did not work in our favor. But as I said earlier, that is in the past, so we will move on without dwelling on it and approach the next match. We still have 37 of the 38 rounds to play. More than how last round's match ended, what matters most is how we finish the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. To that end, I want to work hard in tomorrow's match as well and contribute to a victory.
Q: You had chances to score three goals early in the first half. Even in the finer details of your play, you seemed to be in good form.
A: I felt the same way, but the team’s motivation was so high and we went into the match in such a positive frame of mind that it felt like we could have won comfortably. However, there were still areas we had not fully worked out in terms of how we should respond in situations like that. I do not think there is any point in saying anything now about past matches. We want to prepare to put in a good performance tomorrow and add three points.
Q. Our next opponents are the champions of the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League.
A. I expect it to be a difficult match. Not just me, but the whole team is looking forward to facing them. Everyone knows they are a high-quality team. We will stay focused on tomorrow's match and constantly think about how we can beat them.
Q, What will be important in order to beat Kobe?
A: I think the details will determine the outcome of the match. There is no doubt that it will be a difficult, tough game. I believe the result can be decided by one or two small plays. The whole team understands that we cannot win unless we approach the game giving 100 or 120 percent, from the first minute of the first half until the final whistle after stoppage time. We want to place great importance on that and play accordingly.
Kento HASHIMOTO
Q: Following the result of the opening match, how do you plan to bounce back from here?
A: We need to avoid back-to-back defeats, and we have prepared well again, so I think we can fully show our strengths.
Q: Looking at it in detail, you made a really strong start and played so well that it felt like you could score any number of goals. But what do you think caused the game to fall apart?
A: We got off to a really good start and were able to play the kind of football we wanted to play. But once we concede, we tend to lose some momentum, or rather, our spirits drop. I think that is a weakness of ours—of FC Tokyo. Of course, scoring a second and third goal is important as well, but I think having the mentality to bounce back properly even after conceding will be important throughout this season.
Q. With that in mind, what have you discussed within the team this week and shared among the players as a common understanding?
A: It was a truly disappointing game, but there were positive aspects as well. We discussed preparing so that we can show those strengths properly, and making sure to get back to defending solidly even during difficult periods—those are the areas we agreed we need to work on.
Q: Looking ahead to the match against Vissel Kobe, they are a formidable opponent who won the Meiji Yasuda J1 100 Year Vision League. What do you think will be the key points?
A, They are an extremely strong side, with many players who have distinct qualities, so first of all, we must not lose our one-on-one battles. We also need to play our own football while keeping an eye on the opposition. There is a lot to do in both attack and defense, but I think it will be important to play aggressively.
Q: Hashimoto, you also played for the club, and there are players such as Muto who may hold special memories for you. What kind of performance do you want to focus on against an opponent like that?
A. If we can contain them, I think their attacking threat will be cut in half. My biggest tasks are to make sure I do not lose the one-on-one battles and to win the second balls. I want to defend well enough to stop their momentum.
Q: What kind of mentality do you think is needed at times like this?
A: I think we have been able to put it behind us well. The season is long, and games like that happen, so I think we have moved on in a positive way. We want to keep looking ahead, and especially at times like this, we want to show from the start of the match that we are united as a team and ready to fight.
Q: Have there been any moments over the past week when you have felt the impact of Yuto Nagatomo's return?
A: Yes. His voice carries throughout the team, even during training, at just the right moments. It motivates all of us—including me—to feel that we need to do more and more, so I think he is having a very positive influence.
