Match Preview
"The enemy in front of you is the strongest enemy."
The words that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI focused on for the players the day before the match against Nara Club contain everything.
The 2025 J League YBC Levain Cup will kick off on March 20. This season, the tournament format has changed to include all 60 J League clubs, and J1 clubs will participate starting from the 1st Round. Tokyo's first match will be against Nara Club from the J3 League. They will start the tournament by heading to the away Rohto Field Nara.
The tournament from the 1st Round to the 3rd Round is a knockout competition where the outcome is decided in a single match. It is also a tournament where lower-tier clubs are likely to achieve 'giant killings' against higher-ranked teams, but Coach Matsuhashi showed no signs of complacency and urged the players to adopt a mindset of winning every match. That is the essence of the opening statement.
"This will be a truly important match, just like a league game. The opponent's category doesn't matter at all, and looking at the history, there have been many instances where teams from a higher category have lost. I want to approach this with a completely flat perspective."
This is an important match for us to truly become a better team, not about being superior or inferior. The coach emphasizes, "If we think from the start that we are facing a J3 team, we will definitely trip ourselves up. That kind of mentality is not acceptable. It is crucial to properly position ourselves in this regard." Given that the team is currently in a tough situation with three consecutive matches without scoring in the league, this match is also an opportunity to gain momentum by scoring and securing a victory for the future.
While fresh player selections are being considered, Coach Matsuhashi explained to the players that "the idea of turnover is not something that has been there from the beginning." He has made it clear that player selection will take into account various factors, including the players' conditions and their playing time so far. Many players are eager for playing opportunities, and since the coach himself is looking for a style of football that remains unchanged regardless of who plays, attention is focused on who will show what kind of performance here.
The blue-red battle for the 'Holy Grail' of J begins with an away game against Nara. Although it marks the start of a new tournament, the team's commitment to steadily build up each match remains unchanged. This is what will lead to the league and the team's bright future. We hope you will witness this important match where the coach and players approach it with a determination to win.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: There are four days between the match against Avispa Fukuoka and the next league match. What kind of player selection will you make?
The match against Nara Club is an important first match in the Levain Cup, and with four days in between, players who participated in the Fukuoka match can prepare for this game. Some players will be rested during this period, and I would like to consider various factors in the selection process.
Q: Are there any players you would like to utilize in this match?
A, the concept of turnover has not been in my mind from the beginning. Of course, when I look at the members participating in the match, there is a possibility that players may be swapped. I would like to decide based on past efforts, match playing time, and opportunities, but the most important thing is whether they can maintain a good condition from daily training.
Q: Please tell us your impression of the Nara Club you will be facing.
A team that builds the game while valuing the ball, and I have the impression that they are trying various challenges during the match. We want to approach this match with the same mindset as in the league, and I believe the difference in categories is completely irrelevant. Looking at the history of past tournaments, there have been many matches where teams from higher categories have lost. However, rather than thinking that we must not let it become such a match, I want to be conscious of approaching this match from the same perspective.
Q: It seemed that we struggled against the defense that pressed us from the front in the match against Fukuoka.
Of course, there are technical aspects, but I felt that there were parts that needed to be changed boldly and clearly, including positioning. I have regrets about not being able to express this clearly, but I want to ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes by properly incorporating it into our training. As a team, I want us to prepare well and approach the next match with balance.
[Player Interview]
<Player Kei Sato>
Q: The match against Avispa Fukuoka ended in a disappointing result, and we are far from victory. What improvements are necessary?
ASince the start of the J1 League, the team's understanding of the style of football the coach is trying to implement has deepened, and I feel that we are gradually growing. However, if we don't complete this process quickly, the results will not follow, so I believe it is important to get closer to completion as soon as possible. There is a reality that the forwards are not scoring goals. I think that the forwards, including myself, need to score and turn this into a winning team.
Q: What do you think is necessary to break through the current situation where we are not scoring points?
A, I feel that there are not enough decisive plays in front of the goal. With many teams setting up blocks, I believe it is also necessary to take forceful shots even when entering the attacking third. While it is important to break through beautifully, if we become too fixated on that and fail to score, it is meaningless. I think it is important to have the attitude of aiming for the goal, even in a messy way.
Q, Nara Club is a team that belongs to the J3 League. I believe they will approach the match against clubs from the J1 League with considerable motivation.
No one is letting their guard down, and the coach mentioned that the enemy in front of us is the strongest enemy. It doesn't matter which category the opponent belongs to; we have no intention of changing our fighting style, and I believe that if we can showcase what we have been practicing in the match, we will definitely win. I think the opponent will come at us with considerable momentum, but if we can approach the match with even greater momentum, I believe we will definitely win.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q: Given the great opportunity to participate in matches, how do you want to contribute to the team with your play?
I wanted to participate since the league started, but I fell behind. It took some time, but I believe the opportunity to play in official matches is coming, so I want to prepare well. Depending on my position and who I partner with, the required plays and positioning will change based on the players in nearby positions. Although I am a defensive player, I want to contribute with plays that lead to good attacks, and I want to understand the opponent's plays and situations to build from the back.
Q: The team has gone three official matches without a victory.
Yes, while victory is important, we have been unable to score, so I believe that first and foremost, it is crucial for the team to secure goals. I want to achieve a solid victory and carry that momentum into the league matches. First, I want to focus on winning against Nara Club and ensuring that the team scores effectively.
Q: This is a knockout tournament where upsets are likely to happen. Please tell us the point you are most focused on when facing Nara.
I think scoring early in the game is important. If we can't score and the match progresses, it can lead to a stretched game where we can't play as we want, and time just slips away, making us more susceptible to the opponent's pressure. We want to avoid conceding the first goal at all costs, and in a knockout tournament, I believe the key is how quickly we can score the first goal. I want to support the buildup from the back so that the forwards can launch good attacks.
