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.
In the midst of consecutive matches, I truly believe the players ran until the end without giving up. Although we ended up with 1 point, I want to prepare thoroughly to secure 3 points next time. Regarding the game, I think the first goal we conceded was very regrettable. If we create such gaps, it will be difficult to earn 3 points. However, being able to equalize early on helped stabilize the game somewhat, but there were many technical errors in our attack, relational errors, and judgment errors in today's game. The second half became a bit rough, but we were able to create several chances within that, so if we had capitalized on those opportunities despite the poor content of the game, I believe we could have secured 3 points. In the end, we were pushed back by the opponent and they created several chances, but I want to positively accept the 1 point we defended until the end and work hard to ensure we can definitely earn 3 points next time.
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?
I think that rather than defense, our attack didn't quite fit. The reverse of that becomes defense, and I believe there were parts where we were a step behind. Additionally, there were some mismatches in player conditions in a slightly different environment. We had areas we aimed for, but the differences between left and right created our space. I believe there are always times when we can and cannot go against the opponent, and especially since it was a series of matches, I thought it would be difficult to do everything perfectly. We discussed this at halftime, but we couldn't quite create a good shape. However, we were able to push the ball up to the opponent's goal, so I think if that had gone in, it would have made a difference.
Q, Maki KITAHARA was used as a starting member following the Levain Cup.
I believe he has left a solid mark. He is still young, and of course, I want to keep setting high expectations for him. But first, he has done well in these consecutive matches. I think both the viewers and I believe he is a player who can do even more, so if he can get his condition right and prepare well, I think he can showcase even more of his abilities. I believe he has performed sufficiently in these two matches.
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 are really giving everything they have right now. Cerezo Osaka is also facing today's match after fighting to extra time (on Wednesday), and while considering their condition, it is difficult to change certain positions or decide who to use. The quality of the game may not be great, but it might be sweet to say this, there are parts I want to praise. However, since we haven't earned 3 points, I can't simply praise them; I am proud of how tough they fought in the current situation, and I believe that is how everyone saw it as well. I think the areas where they are lacking are their potential for growth. This game showed that they can become tougher players while improving their abilities and quality as athletes without turning a blind eye to those shortcomings. In that sense, I want to praise the players for aiming higher.
Q: What was the intention behind using Soma ANZAI as the left stopper, and how did it go in practice?
I think he showed his strengths sufficiently. The opponent's right winger is a player with individual power, and we anticipated many confrontations there, which influenced our pressing approach. In that sense, I believe we were ahead. There were parts in our attack where we didn't perform well, and he showed a rather frustrated expression after the match. Rather than a sense of fulfillment, I felt a gaze and intensity that suggested he believes he can do more, so I think he is still a player who can aim higher. I believe it is important not only to have power and speed but also to demonstrate skills accompanied by precise techniques and judgment, so I hope we can pursue that as we move forward.
[Player Interview]
<佐藤恵允選手>
Q: I think it was a very difficult match. Could you please reflect on it?
It was a match where we wanted to hold the ball more. We had the intention as a team to connect from the back, draw the opponent in, and advance, but we often fell into the opponent's high press. Still, there was a consciousness to keep going as a team, and we had several chances to break through. Conversely, if we could increase the scenes and moments where we applied high pressure, stole the ball, and executed short counters, I believe we could definitely win. The scene where we earned a penalty kick was also like that. However, in the latter part of the match, it felt like the opponent had more time to play the football they wanted. I honestly think that we need to run more and fight more throughout the 90 minutes to win.
Q: What is necessary to increase the time spent holding the ball?
I think we need to increase the time the team spends involved with the ball. Starting with the holding midfielders, we should provide more options for the defenders when they have the ball. If the opponent bites on that, it will allow us to bypass them and connect the ball to the shadow players or forwards. There are many players in Tokyo who can showcase their abilities in one-on-one situations, and we need plays that effectively bring out their strengths.
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 made eye contact with Maki KITAHARA. Maki is a player who can deliver a pass exactly where it's aimed in such situations. A very good ball came, and I knew that the defender Nishio is the type who aggressively goes for the ball, so I received a foul in the moment I faked and got past him. Regarding the penalty kick, I struck 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 also hold the ball and has good positioning. I simply focused on passing to Kitahara and disrupting the opponent with movements from there, ensuring Kitahara has space to play. This was evident in the scene where we earned a penalty kick, and he also receives good last passes. I particularly focused on how to receive 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, I focused on not losing one-on-one battles in defense, and in attack, I played with the awareness of positioning like a winger, trying to receive the ball as high up the pitch 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, if I can receive the ball in a high position on the side, I think I can express my natural play better. I feel like I've grasped that sense a little. My position was a bit lower, but I was aware of taking a position like a side back, passing the ball, and making plays from a high position. There are still unfamiliar aspects, but I want to do my best.
Q: When Maki KITAHARA had the ball, it felt like there were various creative aspects in your relationship. How did you consciously approach that?
When A, the shadow, had the ball, I thought that if I ran, the ball would come to me, allowing me to reach my ideal state. I was hoping to utilize my experience as a shadow, even just a little. There were moments when crosses led to assists, and there were chances to score as well. I just need to grasp it firmly and contribute to the team winning.
