Match Review & Preview
Review of the Playoff Round First Leg: Cerezo Osaka Match
The playoff round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, held in a home-and-away format. FC Tokyo, who finished 2nd in the EAST regional league round, faced Cerezo Osaka in the 3rd and 4th place decider. They first took on the away leg of the first match.
From the start of the match, both teams showcased their strengths in an exciting game. Tokyo’s Ryunosuke SATO, positioned as one of the two forwards, skillfully received the ball with clever positioning and served as the focal point of the attack. The team thoroughly committed to advancing forward, effectively blending aggressive pressing with short counters and sharp, accelerated attacks while maintaining possession. Defensively, goalkeeper Hayate TANAKA made a series of fine saves from the outset. The team progressed the match aiming to connect solid defense to strong offense.
The game changed in the 36th minute of the first half. Ryunosuke Sato firmly held the ball on the left side and passed it forward, from where Keita Endo broke through powerfully down the vertical. When Keito Sato charged in with momentum on this return pass, the opposing player failed to clear it properly, causing an own goal. Tokyo, increasing pressure forward, took the lead.
Although the goal conceded just before the end of the first half brought the match back to square one, we succeeded in taking the lead early in the second half with a well-designed set play. From a right corner kick, Kento HASHIMOTO chose a short corner, and Kei KOIZUMI, receiving a pass from Kouta TOKIWA, delivered a cross. Here, Marcelo RYAN powerfully headed the ball in, allowing the blue and red to pull away from Cerezo Osaka.
However, in the 34th minute of the second half, the side was broken down again, and the opponent equalized, leading to the final whistle. Having their two leads caught up with, the first leg ended in a 2-2 draw.
This Week's Preview
The first half last weekend ended in a 2-2 draw, and the final rankings for 3rd and 4th place will be decided by the result of the second half“ held at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium). If the score is tied after 90 minutes, there will be two 15-minute halves of extra time, and if still undecided, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.
"We want to finish in a solid and good way"
These are the candid words spoken by Rikizo MATSUHASHI ahead of the second leg of the playoffs against Cerezo Osaka at the National Stadium. In addition to marking the final match of this season’s special half-year tournament, the coach’s words also carried the significance of the last match for the number 10, who has contributed to Tokyo since joining in the 2013 season. Coach Matsuhashi continues.
"I truly believe he has contributed greatly to this club and is a wonderful player who has left a significant legacy. Although the time I have been involved with him has been short and I haven’t been able to give him many opportunities to play this season, he still said, 'I will be fully prepared when my chance comes,' and has maintained a professional attitude in his daily training. I think everyone will fight for him tomorrow, and that’s something I would like to ask not only of us but also of everyone who will be filling the stadium."
Wanting to send off the veteran with a victory—Keigo HIGASHI, sensing the feelings of those around him, responded to Manager Matsuhashi’s words by tightening his resolve for his final match in blue and red, and also expressed his feelings toward the blue and red family he has fought alongside.
“I would be happy if everyone could play with even a little bit of that feeling. For me, it’s the last time, but for the team, there is a future including next season and beyond. Tomorrow is not a practice match; it’s a game we absolutely must win. I have seen how unforgiving the world of competition can be. Tomorrow, I want to contribute to the victory as a member of the team. To the fans and supporters, the only word I can say is ‘thank you.’ Even though I’m not a homegrown player, I was entrusted with the number 10 and the captain’s role. I am fully aware of the harsh voices I’ve received, but even so, I have truly received a lot of support and encouragement. I can only express my sincere gratitude for that.”
The day before the match, during the pre-practice meeting, number 10 stood in front of his teammates. Looking back on that moment, he recalled, "If I talked too much, I felt like I might cry," and said, "I want to win tomorrow’s match and then have a good cry. So, let’s all do our best until the end."
An important match to fully demonstrate what we have built up and achieve results, connecting to the future in various ways. What is needed here is a “challenge.” While adapting flexibly in battle, we must make the opponent follow what we want to do. It is not about making safe choices, but about continuing the challenge to fully bring out our strengths. This will truly be a battle to prove the team’s strength through results.
United as one in blue and red, we will seize victory. Beyond that awaits a grand finale filled with smiles and tears.
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q. You are approaching the last practice and the last match of this season. How do you feel right now?
A, It’s no different from usual. Not because it’s the last time, but I want to win this match properly and finish on a good note.
Q. We will be playing against the same team again within a short period. Could you please share your impressions from the previous match and how you plan to approach tomorrow’s game?
A, they were the team we expected, and there were parts where Tokyo performed well, but there were also aspects where they clearly showed their own style, so we want to make sure not to let that happen. Rather than adapting to the opponent, we want to make Cerezo Osaka adapt to what we want to do.
Q, What do you think will be necessary for that?
A, I think it is very important to firmly control the ball ourselves and take the initiative in the game. However, when the ball is with the opponent and we are pushed deep into our own half, how actively we attack the ball and connect the ball we win to the next attack—that will be one of the key points in drawing victory closer.
Q. I think there will be times when the pressing from the front is working well, and times when you aim for both pulling back and launching long counters.
A, we cannot create that situation ourselves, so I think it is important that when it happens, the team aligns their focus and plays together properly.
Q. The announcement of Keigo HIGASHI's contract expiration has been made.
AAlthough my time working with him has been short, I truly believe that his contributions to this club have been significant, as I see him now. He is a player who genuinely loves football and gives the impression of someone who truly values the ball. I feel within myself whether several young players, those who still have a long future ahead, have been able to properly observe and learn from his attitude.
Q, don't you also have the feeling that you want to send him off with a victory?
A, I believe everyone will fight for Keigo HIGASHI tomorrow, and this is something I would like to ask not only of us but also of the fans and supporters who will fill the stadium.
Player Interview
Player Kei Sato
Q, please review the game of the 1st Round playoff match against Cerezo Osaka.A, during this half-season playing against teams from the eastern side, I felt a strength in their fluidity and freedom in attack that no other team had. It was an opponent we had never faced before, so I felt it was a difficult match. However, we were able to fully demonstrate the quality of our attack, including in the build-up phase, so I view positively that we took the lead twice with the opening goal and the go-ahead goal. On the other hand, it was a challenge that we could not hold onto that lead despite pushing forward and controlling the game, and the team reviewed this in meetings as well. I believe the goals conceded would not have happened if we had maintained our usual defensive standards, so we plan to review the footage once again and prepare for the 2nd Round.
Q, In terms of taking action ourselves, I think there were periods when we controlled the opponent.
AAs I mentioned earlier, I think we could have shown more intensity in our defense rather than in our attack. Of course, there were moments when we made good defensive plays and won the ball, and there were also opportunities to launch short counters. However, when reviewing the scenes of the goals we conceded, I feel we did not apply enough intense pressure on the ball holder. Because we failed to do that, we gradually dropped back, which led to the second goal against us. Regarding our attack, we understood that we could make improvements during the match and adjust our positioning even in the build-up phase. I believe that in the next match, it will be more important to focus on defense to the extent that we do not allow the opponent to do anything, rather than on attack.
Q. How do you evaluate your own performance?
A, the attack was also unsatisfactory. I think we could have had more fluidity on the sides, and it would have been better to increase movements behind the defense as well. In response to their fluid movements, we tried too much to match by taking similar positions. Rather than matching the opponent, the best approach is for us to take the lead in positioning, not allowing the opponent to do anything and preventing them from showing their strengths in attack. I believe this applies not only to our attack but is also important for our defense.
Q. Including the regular season, it has been a short season of just six months, but would you say it was a season where the team achieved both results and quality?
A, since we were aiming for the championship, it ended up being a very frustrating season. However, looking at it as a buildup from last season, the intensity has increased compared to the start of this season, and the team’s shared vision of what we want to do has become more aligned. We have worked on this based on reflections from last season, so I think it turned out to be a good season. Since the goal was to win the championship, if you only look at the results, it might be seen as a failure, but I don’t think there is anything to be pessimistic about. On the contrary, it has given us confidence that we can definitely win next season. We have always talked about “building up, building up,” so if someone says, “In the end, you didn’t win,” that’s true, but building up is absolutely essential to winning. We definitely felt that progress. I felt it, and everyone else must have felt it too. That is what led to the result of competing for third place. Next season, we absolutely want to win the championship and prove that what we have been doing was not wrong.
Q. The final match is the 'Big Thank You Day' held at home. How would you like to show your gratitude to the fans and supporters through your play in the last game?
A, we can play the final match with a clear motivation of whether we finish third or fourth. As a team, we can give it our all, and last season we weren’t able to perform well on 'Big Thank You Day.' This time, we intend to show the culmination of this season in a way that can’t be compared to that. United as one team, together with our fans and supporters, we absolutely want to win and finish with a smile.
Q. By the way, you recorded assists at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) both last season and this season. Do you feel a sense of being the “National Stadium Man”?
A, Indeed! I have a good image. Last season, I assisted Soma ANZAI's winning goal in the league match against FC Machida Zelvia. This season, I also assisted the early opening goal right after kickoff in the match against Yokohama F.Marinos. Since I have a good image, I want to give it my all.
Player Hayato Inamura
Q. It has been half a year since you transferred to FC Tokyo, and this match will be the one to conclude the season you have fought through.
A, I’m disappointed that we couldn’t achieve the championship we aimed for. Speaking personally, considering my playing time since last season and the growth I’ve made, my honest feeling right now is that I’m glad to have joined this team.
Q. Regarding the defensive aspect, as you gradually accumulate more playing time, I believe there are parts that have improved. How do you feel about that?
A, I do feel that I have grown in some areas, but in the matches we lost this season, there have been quite a few goals conceded due to mistakes on my part, so it was also a time to reaffirm that there are still many areas where I am lacking. I feel that there are still many challenges ahead.
Q. The first leg of the playoffs against Cerezo Osaka ended in a 2-2 draw. Playing the same opponent again so soon means, conversely, that this match will show how much we have been able to improve in this short period of time.
A, during the previous match, there were difficulties due to the heat and it being our first away game in a while, so if asked whether we were able to perform at 100 percent of our ability, I would say no. I am really looking forward to playing at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium), and since we often achieve good results at the National Stadium, I believe that if we, including myself, can give our all, it will lead to a good outcome.
Q, you mentioned wanting to score goals as well. How does it feel?
A, Set pieces are increasingly becoming opportunities for the whole team, so I want to aim carefully. While also targeting long shots, I want to go for scoring goals.
Q, you played as a left side back in the first match of the playoff round.
A I also played as a left side back at Celtic FC, and I believe being able to play both center back and side back increases my chances of being selected for matches where the number of players is limited. It was challenging last time since it had been a while, but I want to be able to perform more solidly. Personally, I still want to compete in the center, but I hope they see this as an option for me.
Q. The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League is coming to an end. I believe the fans and supporters are also hoping for a victory in the final match. Please share a message.
A, they have been passionately supporting us since I joined this season, but starting around the match against Verdy, they began to listen to our requests, cheering us on from the warm-up, and even after losses, they always encouraged us and supported us until the very end, which I am very grateful for. Among the players, we often talked about this and throughout the season said, "We want to properly repay the fans and supporters with results." Although it was disappointing that we couldn't win the championship, I want to do my best to finish in third place with a win in the end, and I would be happy if everyone fights alongside us.
Keigo HIGASHI
Q. In the first leg of the playoffs, you were playing away and took the lead twice but were caught up. You started on the bench and came onto the pitch towards the end. How did you feel about the match overall?
A, due to the regulations of this tournament, the teams were divided into East and West, and it was the first time we faced a team from the West side. I felt that their characteristics were completely different. Of course, there were various characteristics among the teams on the East side as well, but their playing style was different from the teams we faced in the East. I found that interesting and wondered if it was something different. Naturally, there were teams on the East side that aimed to play soccer similar to Cerezo Osaka, but I felt there was a difference in that the West side played in a more freestyle manner.
Q. You faced an opponent with a style you hadn’t experienced this season, and considering you took a two-goal lead, weren’t there many positive aspects?
AYes, that's right. However, it had been a while since we conceded two goals. Against Cerezo Osaka's attacking style, we will need more strength to hold onto that lead in the next match.
Q. The match had opened up by the time you entered the game. Was there anything you were particularly conscious of when stepping onto the pitch?
A, the 2-2 scoreline away from home was not bad, or rather, it was a situation where if it ended like that, it would have been acceptable. However, the flow of the game was such that we were being pressed quite a bit, and I felt it would be quite tough if we were pushed back any further into our own half. Taking that into account, when I came on as a defensive midfielder, I intended to commit more players forward and get involved in the areas in front of the goal. Of course, as a defensive midfielder, moving forward creates space behind and there is a risk of danger from both sides, but if we could win and return home, it would be a significant advantage, so I thought we definitely had to go for the goal. I entered the pitch with the hope that I could be a trigger for that.
Q. After Keigo HIGASHI actually came onto the pitch, the team started pushing back and was able to hold the ball in advanced positions. Even though he was playing as a defensive midfielder, I felt that the area he covered was quite extensive.
A, Even though I wanted to increase the number of players forward to create a numerical advantage, the heat and the fact that it was late in the game made it difficult for players to move forward. Feeling the atmosphere where we couldn’t push back, I tried to create a turning point to rally during that period, whether with a long ball or by playing one-twos with Ryunosuke SATO. That was my intention when playing.
Q, This match was your first appearance of the season.
A, yes. I had been included in the squad, but suddenly being called to play was quite challenging. However, well, I have been in the professional world for over ten years (laughs).
Q. Today, you announced that your contract will expire at the end of this season. Tomorrow's match will be the last time you play wearing the blue and red uniform.
A, I am truly full of gratitude. Over the past 14 years, I have kept running in my own way, and I have appeared in over 400 official matches with this team, FC Tokyo. Of course, there were good times and difficult times, but having gained this much experience has become a treasure for me. While I still want to continue playing as an active player, I feel that I have given my all in what I could do here in Tokyo.
Q, Tomorrow’s match will be held at MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium). It is the stage where we won the Levain Cup in the 2020 season and lifted the cup as captain.
ATo be honest, I would have preferred “Ajinomoto.” For me, when it comes to Tokyo’s home, it’s definitely “Ajinomoto.” Of course, I have many memories at the Japan National Stadium as well, but it feels like a second home to me. I’ve experienced both good and bad there, so it’s a bit frustrating not to have played any matches at “Ajinomoto” this season. However, having the chance to be involved in a match at the Japan National Stadium, one of the top-class stadiums in Japan, feels like fate in some way.
Q. What do you want to leave behind for the younger teammates and the fans and supporters who come to watch?
A, I don’t know what kind of atmosphere it will be, but this is by no means a farewell party for me. Tomorrow’s match will be my last playing for Tokyo, but I believe this team still has great potential and a promising future ahead. It’s an important match to connect to that future. It’s not an exhibition match, and I think it’s crucial to win against C Osaka first and carry that momentum into next season. If I’m needed to help win, I would like to be used, but this is not a time for anyone to be considerate of me; I want to fight truly to win, for Tokyo. I believe I have always shown that kind of attitude, and I want to keep doing so until the very end.
