Match Review
An away match against Cerezo Osaka at YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM. Tokyo defeated Omiya Ardija 3-1 after extra time in the 2nd Round of the 2025 J League YBC Levain Cup held midweek, with Marcelo scoring a hat trick, including his first goal since transferring to the team. Riding that momentum, they aim to secure their first league win in 8 matches. Recovering from the intense 120 minutes against Omiya and successfully scoring goals to secure the victory is the mission they want to accomplish to enter a positive spiral.
The team made 9 changes to the starting eleven from the match against Omiya Ardija. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA returns, with the final line consisting of Kanta DOI on the right, Tetsuhira OKA in the center, and Soma ANZAI as the left stopper. The midfield duo features Kento HASHIMOTO and Takahiro KO, while the wings see Kosuke SHIRAI on the right and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left for the first time. Maki KITAHARA makes his first league start as an inside half alongside Megumi SATO. And the formation includes Teruhito NAKAGAWA as the lone striker. Attention is focused on how players assigned new positions and roles, as well as those taking on challenges for the first time, will perform.
The match kicked off at 15:03 in a warm climate reminiscent of early summer.
1st HALF - Although we conceded a goal early on, we head into the second half with a Kane goal.
Tokyo is advancing the match with a variable system where Shirai drops to right back depending on the situation, forming a back four. In the 6th minute of the first half, while trying to connect passes and look for attacking options, they lost the ball due to a misalignment in the build-up at the final line, resulting in a strong attack from the opponent. They were shifted from side to side and ultimately conceded a goal to Hatton. They fell behind early in the match, losing a point.
Tokyo continues to show noticeable disruptions in their passing work from the final line. There are repeated scenes where they create critical chances from losing the ball in their own territory.
In a situation where they wanted to equalize, it was player Kitahara, making his first start in the league, who initiated the play. He dribbled down the left side and cut back to the center, where player Sato received the ball, evaded one defender, and was fouled, earning a penalty kick. The player wearing number 16 took the penalty, took a deep breath to focus at the spot, and calmly kicked the ball to the lower left corner, catching the opposing goalkeeper off guard. He successfully converted the chance to equalize, bringing the match to a 1-1 tie.
The first half continues with periods of pressure. Defending desperately against the opponent's crosses from the sides and the center. The timing for regaining possession is unclear, making it difficult to transition from solid defense to effective attack.
In the 34th minute of the first half, player Kitahara boldly advanced from near the halfway line along the left side to change the flow of the game, dribbling a long distance into the penalty area, but he was surrounded by opponents and could not create a chance. Although it unfortunately did not lead to a decisive opportunity, it was an initiative that shone with positivity.
In the 39th minute, starting from a vertical pass by player Hashimoto, who had dropped back to join the build-up, player Tawaramizuki cut in from the left side and delivered a cross with his right foot. Player Takashi, who had made a run to the far side, timed his jump well but narrowly missed to the right, failing to score the go-ahead goal.
Tokyo gradually finds its rhythm, mixing short and long passes. In response to the opponent's three forwards attacking from the flanks, they adjust to a four-back formation by dropping Shirai to right back and sliding Anzai to left back. The match ends the first half after three minutes of added time, following a back-and-forth development. They managed to recover from a difficult start, but did not gain control of the game. They head into halftime with issues remaining on both offense and defense.
2nd HALF - Substitutions made to aim for the go-ahead goal, but no victory after 8 matches.
No substitutions for either team at halftime.
In the second half, where they wanted to take the initiative, it was Tokyo that aggressively attacked. Right after the start, player Tawara Sekita broke through on the left side and dribbled forward. He carried the ball all the way to the goal but unfortunately missed to the right of the goal.
In the 7th minute of the second half, player Dohi attempted to advance from his own half but lost the ball near the penalty area. This led to a critical situation, but player Nozawa made a big save in a one-on-one against player Hatton. Thanks to the goalkeeper's super play, the team managed to escape from danger.
The first to move was Tokyo, aiming to break the deadlock. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI switched from Shirai to Yuto NAGATOMO and from Kitahara to Marcelo RYAN. They placed RYAN at the forefront, with Nakagawa and Sato lined up in the second row.
In the 21st minute of the second half, Hashimoto passed to the space ahead on the right side. Here, RIAN broke free and, with speed and skillful movement, took possession of the ball and approached the goal, leading to a surge in Tokyo's offensive play. In the following 24th minute, from the right side, Nagatomo spread the play forward, and after Sato dropped the ball, RIAN took a right-footed shot. This went just wide of the right side of the goal, but the striker, who achieved a hat-trick in the midweek match against Omiya, continued to create chances.
In the 29th minute of the second half, players Tawaratsukita and Hashimoto were substituted for Kei KOIZUMI and Keigo HIGASHI, who took the same positions. Furthermore, in the 37th minute, Leon NOZAWA was brought in to replace Nakagawa. All five substitution slots were used, entrusting the outcome of the match to the players on the pitch.
After 4 minutes of added time in the second half. The blue and red team aggressively pressed from the front aiming for the goal in pursuit of 3 points, but the whistle for time up sounded mercilessly. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and they were unable to secure a victory for the first time in 8 league matches.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Tetsuhei OKA/Kanta DOI/Kosuke SHIRAI (substituted in 61 minutes: Yuto NAGATOMO)
MF Soma ANZAI/Takahiro TAKAHIRO/Kento HASHIMOTO (substituted in 74 minutes: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 74 minutes: Keisuke KOIZUMI)/Maki KITAHARA (substituted in 61 minutes: Marcelo HIAN)
FW Keisuke SATO/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 82 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Kenta TOKIWAGI
FW Ewerton Gaudino
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
19th minute of the first half: Sato Keiun
<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Koki FUKUI
DF Ryosuke SHINDO/Kyohei NOBORIZATO/Hayato OKUDA/Ryuya NISHIO
MF Shunta TANAKA/Motohiko NAKAJIMA (26th minute: Shinji KAGAWA)/Sota KITANO (41st minute: Vitor Bueno)
FW Rafael HATTON/Tiago ANDRADE (33rd minute: Reiya SAKATA)/Lucas FERNANDEZ
SUBS
GK Jin Hyeon KIM
DF Kakeru FUNAKI/Takahashi Niko
MF Masaya SHIBAYAMA/Hinata KIDA/Satoki UEJO
MANAGER
Arthur PAPAS
GOAL
6th minute of the first half: Rafael Hatton
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: Please summarize the match.
A, despite the consecutive matches, I truly believe the players ran through to the end without giving up. Although the result was just 1 point, we want to prepare thoroughly to secure 3 points next time. Regarding the game, the first goal conceded was very unfortunate. If we create such gaps, it will be difficult to earn 3 points. After equalizing early on, we were able to somewhat stabilize the game, but there were many technical errors in attack, relationship errors, and judgment errors in today's game. The second half became a bit rough, but we still created several chances, so if we had capitalized on those despite the poor content of the game, securing 3 points would have been possible. In the end, we were pressed by the opponent and they created some chances, but we defended until the end and take the 1 point positively, aiming to definitely get 3 points next time by working hard.
Q: I think the defense didn't work well due to the sudden formation of a three-back line caused by poor condition. What are your thoughts on that?
A, I think it was more that the attack didn't click rather than the defense. Since the flip side of that is defense, I believe there were parts where we fell behind. Also, in a somewhat different situation, there were parts where the players' condition and coordination didn't go well. We had places we aimed for, but the left-right difference created space for the opponent. I believe there are always times when we can go forward and times when we cannot, especially since it was a series of consecutive matches, so it was difficult to do everything perfectly. We talked about that at halftime, but we couldn't create a good shape. Even so, we were able to push the ball up to the opponent's goal area, so I was thinking it could have been decided if that had worked out.
Q, Maki KITAHARA was used as a starting member following the Levain Cup.
<div>A, I think he definitely left his mark. He is still very young, and of course, I want to keep demanding more from him, but first of all, he gave his all in this series of matches. Those watching, including myself, believe he is a player who can do much more, so if he can get back into good condition and prepare well, I think he can demonstrate even greater ability. I believe he performed well enough in these two games.
Q: I think there were scenes where the team made up for individual mistakes and showed a fighting spirit as a team. How does the coach perceive the players' sense of responsibility?
A, I think they have truly given everything they have right now. Cerezo Osaka also fought until extra time on Wednesday and came into today's match in the same way, and considering their condition, it was difficult to change certain positions or decide who to field. While the game content was certainly not good, and it might be a bit lenient, there are parts I want to praise. However, since we haven't earned 3 points, I am not simply praising them. I am proud that they fought tough in the current situation, and I think everyone saw it that way too. The areas where they fall short are their potential for growth. This game showed that without turning away from that, they can improve their abilities and quality as players and become tougher competitors. With the aim to strive for even more, I want to praise the players.
Q: What was the intention behind using Soma ANZAI as the left stopper, and how did it go in practice?
A, I think he was able to fully demonstrate his strengths. The opponent's right winger is a player with individual power, and the pressing approach was based on the assumption that there would be many confrontations there. In that sense, I believe we were ahead. There were parts in the attack where he couldn't perform well, and he showed a very frustrated expression after the game. Rather than a sense of fulfillment, I felt a look of determination and intensity, as if he believed he could do more, so I think he is a player who can still aim higher. It's not just about power and speed, but I believe it is even more important to demonstrate skills accompanied by accurate technique and judgment, so I hope we can continue to work on that.
[Player Interview]
<佐藤恵允選手>
Q: I think it was a very difficult match. Could you please reflect on it?
A, it was a match where we wanted to control the ball more. The team aimed to connect from the back, make the opponent commit, and advance forward, but there were noticeable moments where we got caught by the opponent's high press. Even so, the team maintained the awareness to keep trying, and we managed to break through and create several chances. On the other hand, if we could increase the moments and periods where we apply a high press, win the ball, and launch short counters, I believe we can definitely win. The scene where we earned the penalty kick was an example of that. However, towards the end of the match, it felt like the opponent had more time to play the football they wanted. Honestly, I think we need to run more and fight harder throughout the full 90 minutes to win.
Q: What is necessary to increase the time spent holding the ball?
A, I think it is important to increase the time the team is involved with the ball a little more. I also believe it is necessary to increase the options for players holding the ball, starting with the defensive midfielders and defenders. If the opponent bites on that, it will lead to passing the ball over them to the shadow players or forwards for the first time. Tokyo has many players who can demonstrate their abilities in one-on-one situations, and plays that effectively bring out their strengths are needed.
Today, we couldn't show the scenes where we usually spread the play through the midfield or the holding midfielders. There were times when the marking on the holding midfielders was tight, but within that, there were moments when we, as the shadow players ahead, received the ball and dropped it to the holding midfielders to encourage forward play. I want to increase those kinds of scenes.
Q: There was also a penalty kick earned from a short counterattack.
A, Teruhito NAKAGAWA collapsed near the goal, and I also made eye contact with Maki KITAHARA. KITAHARA is a player who can deliver a pass exactly where he aims in such situations. A very good ball came, and I knew that the opposing player Nishio, who faced me, is the type to aggressively challenge for the ball, so I made a one-fake move and was fouled after getting past him. Regarding the penalty kick, I kicked it with confidence.
Q: You played alongside Kitahara in the inside half position. Is there anything you were conscious of?
A, Kitahara is a player who is good at receiving the ball between the lines. He can hold the ball well and has good positioning. I simply focused on passing the ball to Kitahara and then disrupting the opponents with movements from there to secure Kitahara's play space. This was also the case in the scene where we earned the penalty kick, and he delivers good final passes. I was especially conscious of how he receives the ball in front of the goal.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: You were in the starting lineup as a left wide player this match. What aspects were you focusing on?
A, defensively, I made sure not to lose in one-on-one situations, and offensively, I played with the awareness to position myself like a winger and receive the ball as high up the field as possible.
Q: The team is facing a tough situation, but as a player, didn't you want to make a change in today's position?
A, on the sideIf I can receive the ball in a higher position, I believe I can better express my natural style of play. I feel like I have started to get a grasp of it. Although my position was a bit lower, I took up a role similar to a fullback, playing quick passes and aiming to make moves from a higher position. There are still parts I'm not used to, but I want to keep working hard.
Q: When Maki KITAHARA had the ball, it felt like there were various creative aspects in your relationship. How did you consciously approach that?
A, when the shadow had the ball, I thought that if I ran, the ball would come to me, and I could bring it to a more ideal state for myself. I was hoping to make use of my experience playing as a shadow even a little. There were also moments where crosses led to assists, and there were chances to score as well. I just need to firmly seize those opportunities and contribute to the team’s victory.
