＜Emperor's Cup 2nd Round Preview＞
The 2nd Round, which is the first match of the Emperor's Cup, is expected to feature a fresh lineup on the pitch. Just three days after the Sec. 20 match against Cerezo Osaka in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League on June 14, players who have had limited playing opportunities this season and those returning from injury have been preparing for this match. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI also mentioned that he wants to select the members considering various factors such as condition and playing time so far. Players like Motoki NAGAKURA, who joined in June, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who has returned from a long-term absence, will likely bring fresh energy to the team.
Aiming for their second championship in 14 years, the Ishikawa Prefecture representative Zweigen Kanazawa, who first defeated Chukyo University, the Aichi Prefecture representative, 6-0 in the opening match, will face the 2nd Round. Already, in other venues of the 2nd Round held on June 11, there have been several upsets where lower-tier clubs have defeated higher-tier ones.
Coach Matsuhashi said, "I think the first match is really important, so we want to approach it with a focused mindset. I don't think we need to be overly conscious, but we want to believe in our own strength and take the initiative to attack the opponent. If we try to be too calculating, we might get caught off guard." In this single-elimination tournament, the coach's constant mantra, "The enemy in front of you is the strongest enemy," will be put to the test in this must-win match.
And Coach Matsuhashi highlighted "transition" as the key focus of the game. To break through Kanazawa's block set up in the middle zone and shake the goal net, the switch between offense and defense is crucial. Immediately after gaining possession, they want to approach the opponent's goal before Kanazawa sets up their block, and right after losing the ball, they aim to quickly regain it to deny the opponent attacking opportunities.
On the other hand, Coach Matsuhashi says it is also important to calmly connect the ball even when positioned in midfield.
"We can somewhat anticipate how the opponent will respond while we maintain possession of the ball. Where the spaces open up, and who will move into those spaces. The timing of when to receive the ball. How the surrounding players engage with this, and where to target next—if we can move the ball well, there will definitely be mismatches. That becomes a crucial point."
He scored 2 goals in the recent match against C Osaka, but the coach said, "There were still many opportunities to score," and continued like this.
"That has always been a challenge. Data shows that there are many big chances in the league. There are also many missed opportunities. How to convert those decisive chances determines the outcome. This is something we must continuously strive for, whether in the league or cup matches."
If the players hungry for playing opportunities can resolve the urgent issue of lack of scoring ability, the team should gain momentum heading into the J1 League Sec. 21 match against Gamba Osaka, played with only three days' rest. Furthermore, if they win the championship for the first time in 14 years, it will lead to the AFC Champions League 2.
The match that paves the way to Asia kicks off at 19:00 at Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. In the match against Cerezo Osaka, it was a game where we managed to equalize by scoring at the crucial moment.
A, I still think there were many opportunities to score. This has been ongoing. I believe every club has scenes where they fail to convert chances, but data shows that we have one of the highest numbers of big chances in the league. However, there are also many missed opportunities. Whether we can convert these big chances will determine the outcome, so I think we must continue to strive for this, regardless of the league or cup matches.
Q. In the 2025 J.League YBC Levain Cup, you experienced some regrets, and now a new cup competition is starting. How do you feel about it?
A, I truly believe the first match is the most important. We all want to stay focused and determined. I don't think there's a need to be overly conscious of anything, but we want to trust our own strength and approach the game with full power from the start. I believe we have to be the ones to take the initiative and attack.
Q. The temperature is rising, and the match will be held within a short period of three days.
A, I would like to decide the members considering various factors.
Q. What is your impression of Zweigen Kanazawa?
A, the impression is of a very solid team. There are players in the front line who have also been active in the J1 League. I think they are definitely an opponent not to be underestimated. There are players with individual skills that can punish you if you show even a slight weakness. I hope we can be fully cautious of that and exploit the opponent's weak points.
Q. It is expected that the time holding the ball will be longer in tomorrow's match.
A, I don't know if it will take long, but since the opponent is a team that firmly strengthens their defense, transition will be a very important keyword.
[Player Interview]
<Leon NOZAWA>
Q. In the match against Cerezo Osaka, I think it was a game where I was able to demonstrate my strengths, including assisting the equalizing goal.
Although the match against C Osaka ended in a draw, I personally felt a sense of accomplishment and was able to build visible results. My condition is good, and my confidence is growing. As a team, we bear responsibility for not securing the win, including those of us who came on as substitutes, and there is frustration in not leading the team to victory. That is precisely why I want to respond with visible results in the matches I play in and work hard so that people say, "We won because Reion played." I want to dedicate myself earnestly from the next match onward to gain such trust and growth.
Q. After starting in the Levain Cup match against Shonan Bellmare, you expressed some reflections after the game. Based on that experience, what kind of mindset do you want to have going forward?
A, although I started in the match against Shonan, I was unable to contribute to the victory. There were some good moments in my play, but the result was elimination. This Emperor's Cup is also a one-match knockout tournament, so the focus on winning is even greater. As a forward player, I want to be mindful of the numbers and results and meet the expectations of the fans and supporters.
Q. I think there is a high possibility that players who have had little playing time in the league matches so far will also get a chance to play.
A, Although there have been some tactical changes as a team since the suspension ended, the basics have not changed. No matter who plays, both as a team and individually, we just need to express what we have to do and what is expected of us in the match. We want to make good use of each player's strengths, focus on what we need to do rather than the opponent, and aggressively aim for victory.
Q: The league matches and tournament formats are different, but I believe that winning this match will have a positive impact on both the team and individuals.
A. I believe that if I achieve results as an individual, my opportunities to play in league matches will increase, and as a team, I feel that winning this match will set us on a good path. It is undoubtedly an important game. There is, of course, the difficulty of a one-shot match and a unique atmosphere, but as a team, we want to align our focus and fight together.
<Ewerton Gaudino>
Q: In the previous match against Cerezo Osaka, you played for the first time in a while. Please tell us what went well and what challenges you faced.
A, personally it was a short time, but I was able to move well and had several chances to shoot. I wanted to finish those opportunities. As for the whole team, the system changed, and there were many good chances created. Although we conceded goals and there are points to improve, I think good scenes were born because of the system change.
Q, You played as one of the two forwards. How was playing in a position closer to the goal than before?
A, in the position I played, there was another forward very close by. I was always able to play in a position close to the vital area. So, there were scenes where I created chances with my own passes and dribbles, and scenes where I received passes to create chances. Conversely, whether as one of the two forwards or as a side midfielder, there was no difficulty in either position.
Q, Tomorrow is the Emperor's Cup. I think it will also be an opportunity to appeal for participation in the league matches.
A, we give our all in every match. No matter the time or the game, we do our best to participate. In the next match, we will play solely to help the team win. And we want to share the joy together with our fans and supporters.
