Match Review & Preview

Review of the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale

The Tamagawa Clasico held away was a match that strongly impressed the evolution and growth of the blue and red.

In the match against Kawasaki Frontale, which was won after penalty shootouts in the first two games of the season, the team's unified common goal was "3 points." The players, aiming for a victory within 90 minutes, overwhelmed their opponents with aggressive soccer right from kickoff.

Right from the start, Marcelo RYAN created a big chance from a long feed by Alexander SCHOLZ, and afterwards they increased the pressure from the front line, launching coordinated presses to prevent the opponent from creating chances. They repeatedly approached the opponent's goal, mixing short counters with possession play.

The attack bore fruit in the 18th minute of the first half. Keita ENDO received the ball on the left side and sent a long feed into the penalty area. Motoki NAGAKURA contested for the ball, and Julian picked up the loose ball, carried it to the right, and struck the net with his right foot, giving Tokyo the opening goal.

However, at the 31st minute, a momentary lapse allowed right side back player Yamahara to get free, and he skillfully scored from a cut-in to equalize. Since the first two matches both ended with just one goal, Tokyo had set the themes of not only winning within 90 minutes but also scoring multiple goals in this match. Even after the game was brought back to square one, they continued to dominate by seamlessly coordinating offense and defense, aiming for the second goal.

Then, in the 38th minute of the first half, the eagerly awaited go-ahead goal for the red and blue was born. Kouta TOKIWA, who received a horizontal pass from Hayato INAMURA in the back line, made a sharp vertical run, and using RIAN, who was near the post, as a pivot, the ball was spread to the right side. Kei SATO passed to Sei MUROYA, who ran through the inside, and the number 2 struck a powerful shot with his right foot from a tight angle! With the captain's shot piercing the near side, the red and blue took a step forward.

In the second half, they continued to display aggressive soccer both offensively and defensively, hardly allowing Kawasaki to form any attacks. They maintained focus until the end of the match, shutting down their opponents and reaching full time. Achieving multiple goals as planned and securing a victory within 90 minutes, they successfully marked a splendid three consecutive wins to start the season.

This Week's Preview

A home game against Kashiwa Reysol, aiming for a fourth consecutive opening victory. It will be a match where we must firmly connect the momentum so far and focus on the game in front of us.

The previous match against Kawasaki Frontale marked the first "3 points" of the season and the first time scoring multiple goals. Although conceding one goal, the team maintained an aggressive stance both offensively and defensively, kept control throughout, and was able to achieve a match where the performance matched the result.

Kento HASHIMOTO, who was included in the starting lineup for the first time in the special tournament and showed outstanding presence both offensively and defensively, said, "Even after conceding the equalizer, we were able to score additional goals without getting discouraged, which is proof of the team's growth. We also created several big chances, so I want to keep increasing opportunities and scoring more goals." Due to the nature of the sport of soccer, momentary errors can lead to accidental goals. To continue accumulating '3 points,' it will be crucial to consistently score multiple goals moving forward.

The victory against Kawasaki was a clear and decisive win both in name and reality, but there is absolutely no relaxed atmosphere among Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI or the players in blue and red. On the eve of the match against Kashiwa, the coach said, "We have no choice but to keep this up. We need to always approach with a challenging attitude, and thinking we are invincible or feeling satisfied is the most dangerous thing. There is always much to strive for, and not only on the pitch but also in our private lives, it depends on how much we can dedicate ourselves daily to pursuing that. I emphasize this to the players, and I believe we are able to train with an atmosphere aimed at reaching higher levels," he said, tightening his focus while expressing a sense of readiness.

The team's awareness of 'plus one' cannot be overlooked. With the attitude of 'One more GOAL,' they are always aiming for an additional score, and by each player improving their running ability, they are trying to create a style of soccer that makes playing with 11 feel like playing with 12 or 13. They show intense defense with coordinated pressing around the ball, and when transitioning to attack, they fiercely rush toward the opponent's goal. This foundation is becoming established and is one of the strengths of this season's “Rikizo Tokyo.” Even if the opponent adapts, they want to draw the momentum with fighting spirit and adaptability that surpasses that.

The slogan '+1' is clearly changing not only the team but also the players' mindset. Kouta Tokiwa, who has started in the first three consecutive matches since the opening, said, "If we can show enough stamina to make the opponent feel like they are facing one extra player, we can naturally control the game. I am conscious of this in both offense and defense, and if we can make it not just +1 but +2 or +3, we should be able to dominate even more. This message is strongly conveyed by the coach, so I think everyone is aware of it and acting accordingly. My strength lies largely in my stamina, and also in bringing out the best in those around me, so I always want to be the +1 for my teammates. You can't win the championship without being the strongest team, and for that, strong individuals must come together. I want to become that kind of player and be able to cover for my teammates as well," leaving a comment that shows a high level of awareness.

Kashiwa Reysol, who finished second in last season's Meiji Yasuda J1 League, have suffered three consecutive losses since the start of this season's special tournament. Despite recording league-leading numbers in expected goals and chance building points, they have yet to translate these into results. It is easy to imagine they will show a fierce fight to break their losing streak. Although they have not been able to produce results, they remain an opponent that will not allow any complacency.

For Tokyo, aiming for a 4-game winning streak, the key point is how to take control of the game first. Since Kashiwa is also a team that focuses on aggressive pressing like Tokyo, it is important to carefully judge when to use possession and simple attacks while observing the opponent's approach to aim for goals. They must show adaptability and skillfully manage the game according to the timing. Additionally, having secured multiple goals and a win in the previous match over 90 minutes, they want to add a victory with a clean sheet. Guardian Kim Seung-gyu said, "We haven't kept a clean sheet yet this season, so next time I want to achieve a shutout. We can't move up unless we win one by one, so I will forget about the 3 consecutive wins and prepare for the next match as if it were the Final Round," expressing his determination for the match against his former team.

I want to get better, I want to get stronger──. That desire will carve out the future. Both the match content and the results must be steadily and stoically built up one by one. That is the only way to become a "team worthy of the championship." To truly become a strong team, the blue and red eleven stand on the pitch of Ajinomoto Stadium with a vow to win every match.

Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI

Q. When watching the players, I feel that many of them have a strong desire to become "stronger."
A, always gives 100 percent of everything they have in response to what is required in training. As the overall picture has come together for each individual, they approach daily practice with a high level of awareness. Truly, compared to before, the training now gradually has an atmosphere of "aiming higher."

Q, "You always say 'to be a team worthy of the championship,' and I think the foundation, including the atmosphere and the style of soccer, has been established."
A, there is nothing that can be fulfilled by continuing, and there is no point where it is okay as it is. I believe that the most dangerous times are when the situation is stable and we feel satisfied. There are always many things to seek, and how we spend each day to pursue them is important. This applies both on the pitch and in our personal lives.

Q, Kashiwa Reysol is struggling with three consecutive losses. How do you view Kashiwa this season?
A, I am not concerned at all about the (three consecutive losses) numbers. What matters is that we firmly outperform Kashiwa on the day, so this time we want to settle it within 90 minutes with zero goals conceded and aim for consecutive wins.

Q: Kashiwa is currently on a losing streak, so I think they will approach the match with a strong determination to win here.
A: In the end, I believe the hungrier team is stronger. Winning does not satisfy our desires, and we have not yet reached any particular goal, so we must continue working towards our objectives. We always need to be greedy and stay hungry.

Player Interview

Player Kei Sato

Q: In the match against Kawasaki Frontale, you recorded an assist and were involved in scoring opportunities, and it seems like your form is improving. How do you feel after completing the first three games since the season opener?
A, gradually improving, and compared to the 1st and 2nd rounds, the 3rd round had the best condition and play. I have the image that it will continue to get better from here, and I am playing on the right side with Sei MUROYA, and that relationship is also steadily improving. As a result, being able to score on that side really boosts confidence.

Q. In the assist situation, you chose a lob pass when the opponent's marker put out their foot. Is this quick decision a sign of your good condition?
A, in that scene, my head was up, and above all, I was calm. I've never made a pass like that before (laughs). Even though two opponents were closing in tightly, when player Muroya came in free, I anticipated that the opponent would try to reach with their foot, so I chose a lob pass. I think being able to play with such composure led to that assist.

Q. I wanted to make sure to convert the clear chance.
A, that was a scene where I hit the ball too high. I put in a bit too much power. I wanted to hit it in a more relaxed state. It's also a part where I received advice from Nao-san (Naohiro ISHIKAWA CG) last season, so I need to go and get advice again.

Q. Regarding the match against Kawasaki, including your own movements, it seemed that what the entire team needed to do became clear, and everyone's direction was aligned.
A, I felt the same way on the pitch. I also had the sense that we were overwhelming Kawasaki, a team that constantly competes for the championship. Especially in the first half, we were able to shut them out to the extent that the only shot they had that resulted in a goal was just one. On the other hand, we took many shots, and while finishing ability is of course important, I felt on the pitch that we were dominating to that extent.

When considering the factors, it is important for us to hold the ball and take control, but the purpose is not to pass the ball around aimlessly. I believe the key was always being conscious of building up play by working backwards from the goal. The direction is aligned within the team, and most importantly, the intensity has significantly increased. The speed of switching between offense and defense, the number of sprints run compared to the opponent, and physical strength in ball contests were the reasons for our victory against Kawasaki. I think this was evident even to those watching from outside, and the players on the pitch also felt that this was a valuable achievement.

Q, Is it because you communicate and encourage each other on the pitch that you can play with such high intensity?
<div>A. Of course, we play with high intensity even during practice, but rather than players just demanding it from each other, in matches the intensity chains together progressively. When someone applies pressure, others definitely follow in coordination, and similarly, I think there is a linked increase in intensity. It's like a chain of fire. The passion spreads, raising the overall intensity of the entire team.

Q: After gaining confidence from the previous match, you face Kashiwa Reysol. Last season, it seemed you struggled with their fluidity and coordination.
A, in terms of taking action ourselves, of course, when it comes to defense, we want to apply a high press without dropping back, and we are visualizing this in practice. If we can catch the opponent with a high press, it will definitely create opportunities. There is space, so that is the first target. Even if we get bypassed, we can fall back and set up a defensive block. Whichever option we choose, everyone is confident in their ability, so I believe we can respond very flexibly to the opponent's attack.

Kashiwa has incredible fluidity and finished last season with good results in the league. Although they have lost their first three matches this season, their style of play is clear and shows a maturity as if they have been building it up for two or three seasons. They are a sophisticated opponent, but we will not be complacent or overconfident just because we are currently in good form. First, we want to firmly understand what we need to do and maintain intensity as we move forward.

Player Seung-gyu Kim

Q. We have conceded goals in three consecutive matches so far. What is necessary to achieve a victory without conceding any goals?
A, personally, I am disappointed that we have not yet had a match without conceding a goal. I prepare with the defensive players to finish each game with a clean sheet, and after every match, we discuss in detail the points to reflect on and work on improvements. I feel that things are progressing smoothly, so now I want to connect that to results.

Q: Please tell us your impression of Kashiwa Reysol.
A, Kashiwa maintains possession of the ball while continuously making high-quality movements to effectively use space. Not only individual tactics but the entire team plays in a well-coordinated and disciplined manner. In addition to high-quality play, they are a team that runs hard, so I believe we must never lose in terms of quality or fighting spirit.

Q. What do you think are the key points to winning against Kashiwa?
A, Kashiwa is a team that maintains possession of the ball and has many highly skilled players. Therefore, when the opponent has the ball, the entire team needs to defend in an organized and solid manner. Tokyo has many good players up front, so I believe they will score. As the goalkeeper, I believe that if we do not concede any goals, we will definitely win. In meetings, the information necessary to score against Kashiwa is shared with the entire team, so if we can properly express that aspect, I believe we can win.

Q. What is necessary to achieve four consecutive wins?
A, the players are confident because we are on a 3-game winning streak. However, without becoming complacent, it is precisely at times like these that we must sincerely focus on the style of football we want to play and reaffirm our commitment to what we have done so far to achieve it. We want to prepare even more diligently to win than in previous matches.