<Match Review>
A match where we faced the Urawa Reds, who have experienced the world, at Ajinomoto Stadium. For Tokyo, it was a game to avenge the frustration felt two months ago away and to show a strengthened form with new players added.
This matchweek, Motoki NAGAKURA, who is on loan from Urawa, was unable to play due to contract issues. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI formed a starting lineup that changed 10 players except the goalkeeper from the Emperor's Cup 3rd round match against Oita Trinita held two days ago. Sung-gyu Kim was positioned as the last line, and the final defensive line featured J.League Best Eleven veterans Yuto Nagatomo on the right, Alexander Scholz, Masato Morishige, and Naruki Muroya. The defensive midfield duo consisted of Hiroshi Taka and Kento HASHIMOTO, while the attacking midfield included attackers Keita ENDO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. The two forwards were Keito Sato and Marcelo Jian. Keita YAMASHITA, recovered from injury, was named on the bench for the first time since the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 6 match against Fagiano Okayama on April 6.
Urawa, having experienced the frustration of three consecutive losses at the FIFA Club World Cup, is expected to show a spirited fight to demonstrate their experience facing the world on the J-League stage. Both teams absolutely want to win this important game, which kicked off at 19:03.
1st HALF—First goal as planned but conceded goals in quick succession
The blue-red eleven showed a focused start and immediately brought excitement to Ajinomoto Stadium. In the 6th minute of the first half, Endo skillfully headed the ball to the opposite side from a left-footed cross by Nagatomo, who recovered possession high on the right side, and Tokyo took the lead. They succeeded in taking the lead early, just like in the previous away match.
Tokyo continues to play aggressive football even after taking the lead. In the 13th minute of the first half, they executed coordinated pressing high up the pitch to win the ball, and finally, from player Sato, a last pass was made to player Nagatomo who overlapped. Although the ball went over the crossbar, they created a scoring opportunity with a bold attitude.
However, in the 15th minute of the first half, the right side was broken through, allowing a cross, and the ball that spilled from the contest in the center was picked up, resulting in Yasui scoring a grounded middle-distance shot to equalize.
Then, at the 20th minute, Watanabe broke away on a counterattack and scored a one-on-one against the goalkeeper, conceding a goal. The space left by Scholz's fall was exploited to break through, allowing the lead to be overturned.
Tokyo launches a counterattack without losing heart. In the 24th minute of the first half, Endo's free kick was parried, and Tawara Tsukida struck a powerful volley without letting the ball drop after a one-touch control. This was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper's excellent save, but Tokyo immediately pressed forward into the Urawa territory.
Tokyo keeps up the pressure. When Tawara Tsukida shows a dribble trying to cut through a narrow area, Endo creates a scoring opportunity for RIAN with a sharp through pass while turning around. In the 39th minute of the first half, RIAN breaks free again after a pass exchange with Takashi and aims with his left foot. While extending the time spent pressing into the opponent's territory, they continue to create big chances but fail to score. They want to change the game by converting these good opportunities.
In the 4 minutes of first-half additional time, Hashimoto pressed back near the right sideline and stole the ball. From a pinpoint cross, it seemed that RIAN scored with a header, but with VAR support, Hashimoto's play was judged a foul, and the goal was disallowed. Despite creating many chances, the team went into halftime trailing by one goal.
2nd HALF—Pushing through with a solid attack, a brilliant come-from-behind victory
Both teams started the second half without substitutions. Number 33, returning from the Japan national team, impressed on the left side. At the 7th minute, player Tawara Tsukida stole the ball just before the halfway line, advanced with it himself, and faced a vast open space. He quickly accelerated and dribbled at high speed into Urawa's territory. He then cut into the pocket and crossed back to the center with the outside of his right foot, where player Endo rushed in. It was a decisive moment, but the shot went wide to the left of the goal and did not score. Tawara Tsukida continued his aggressive forward runs, creating highlights in a short time with shots from cut-ins and more.
An accident occurred here for Tokyo. Endo, who scored the opening goal and was involved in many chances, was forced to be substituted due to injury. In the 13th minute of the second half, Soma ANZAI came on as a substitute and took the right attacker position.
While maintaining control, the red and blue team continued to create close chances and finally shook the net. Tokyo, pushing forward from the right side, in the 22nd minute of the second half, Lukian received a right-footed cross from Nagatomo in the center, held the ball, turned, and struck with his left foot. The shot deflected off an opposing player, went over the goalkeeper's head, and was absorbed into the goal. Following the opening goal, this equalizer was born from another assist by Nagatomo. Lukian, who had been involved in numerous scoring opportunities since the first half, finally brought joy as Tokyo leveled the match.
Tokyo, eager to gain momentum all at once, made substitutions in the 30th minute of the second half: replacing Sato, who had been struggling upfront, with Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who can act as the team's "lubricant," and replacing Tawara Tsukida, who had repeatedly tried to break through on the left side, with Leon NOZAWA, who can battle both offensively and defensively. They aimed to take the lead and invigorate the pitch.
Tokyo, pressing forward with a solid attack, faces Urawa aiming for a decisive counterstrike. Supported by the incredible atmosphere created by a crowd of 35,687 spectators, the intense and tense battle continues. Tokyo creates a scoring chance with Nozawa's volley while turning around, and Urawa's Thiago SANTANA also breaks through sharply to shoot. Both narrowly miss the goal, but each comes very close.
In the 39th minute of the second half, player Nagatomo delivered a right cross, and player Anzai in the center attempted a bicycle-style direct volley. However, this also went wide to the left of the goal, and they could not score the go-ahead goal.
The last substitution card chosen by Coach Matsuhashi was player Yamashita, returning to the match, and team captain Kei KOIZUMI. Both were sent onto the pitch, replacing players Hian and Takashi.
And then, in the 43rd minute of the second half, a go-ahead goal that turned Ajinomoto Stadium into a frenzy was born. Anzai's left corner kick was cleared, but Nozawa struck the rebound with a half-volley. The ball deflected off an opponent, becoming a floating ball heading toward the goal, where Nakagawa rushed in. He pushed the opponent's clearance with his body and scored the go-ahead goal, with the three substitute players playing a central role as Tokyo finally turned the match around.
After the 8 minutes of added time were displayed, a fierce back-and-forth battle unfolded, but Tokyo maintained their concentration and held their defense until the final whistle. They played an intense game full of passion in both offense and defense, delivering a brilliant late comeback victory that avenged the frustration they experienced away from home, winning a thrilling match.
At the moment the match ended, the players on the pitch all showed a passionate guts pose, and the victory anthem of the "City That Never Sleeps" echoed throughout Ajinomoto Stadium. The fans and supporters who continuously cheered in the best atmosphere, and the players who showed a soul-stirring comeback victory—. It was a great victory achieved with united red and blue spirit.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Kim Seung-gyu
DF Muroya Sei/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO/Alexander Scholz
MF Ko Woo-young (41st minute second half: Keisuke Koizumi)/Kento HASHIMOTO/Keita ENDO (13th minute second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (30th minute second half: Leon NOZAWA)
FW Megumu Sato (30th minute second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Marcelo Hyan (41st minute second half: Keita YAMASHITA)
SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
DF Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI/Kosuke SHIRAI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
6th minute of the first half: Keita ENDO / 22nd minute of the second half: Marcelo RYAN / 43rd minute of the second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA
<Urawa Reds>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hirokazu ISHIHARA/Danilo Boza/Marius Høibråten/Yoichi NAGANUMA (2nd half 28 min: Takuya OGIWARA)
MF Samuel Gustafson/Kaito YASUI (2nd half 39 min: Taishi MATSUMOTO)/Takuro KANEKO (2nd half 28 min: Takahiro SEKINE)/Ryoma WATANABE/Matheus Savio (2nd half 17 min: Thiago Santana)
FW Hiiro KOMORI (2nd half 17 min: Yusuke MATSUO)
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
DF Rikito INOUE
MF Tomoaki OKUBO/Genki HARAGUCHI
MANAGER
Maciej Skorza
GOAL
15th minute of the first half: Kaito YASUI / 20th minute of the first half: Ryoma WATANABE
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please summarize today's match.
A, I am very happy that we were able to win today thanks to the players who fought without giving up until the end, and to all the fans and supporters who support us.
Q. In the second half, you maintained possession and played the soccer you aimed for. Was that according to the coach's plan?
A, it may have gone as rehearsed, but the next stage beyond what was communicated to the players during rehearsal rarely happens. Attacking firmly, especially from the sides, is a key point in building up the groundwork in the center. However, although it felt like we stayed there throughout, there were several moments when we could have passed through the center, but the challenges to do so were very few. Because we didn't get inside there, the distance between the attacking front players hardly shortened. I think there were few moments when we entered between the opponent's lines, slipped through, or stretched to get into those gaps. However, I believe the actions carried out with clear intent were done very well.
Q. Especially in the first half, there were clear chances, but how do you think about the fact that the match ended up like this because those chances were not converted?
A, the more I talk about it, the more it sounds like an excuse, but while I am confident that we have created many scoring opportunities in many games this season, we just haven't been able to finish them. However, to move up, we have no choice but to convert those chances, and today as well, we had several opportunities in the first half but couldn't capitalize. The finishing ability of the forwards, and how to build a collective relationship with this kind of content, including anticipation and maintaining proper positioning and continuity, ultimately leads to the fact that if there is no one there, we cannot break through the goal, which is what I felt watching today's game.
We absolutely had to finish there, so at halftime I strongly told the players, 'Get the result,' and sent them out with that message. Then Marcelo RYAN's goal was born, and the rhythm improved a bit. Additionally, at halftime I said, 'The stage is set now.' Regarding how we were beaten last time, I usually don't use words like revenge or payback, but here I said, 'Let me say this: we will definitely get even. Play firmly with the thought that in the end, we will be the ones smiling.' With that mindset, they fought in the second half, and I think they are very cool players.
Q. Today again, you placed Sei MUROYA as the left side back and Yuto NAGATOMO as the right side back, and I think this strategy was effective. What was the intention behind this approach?
A, of course the aim is that Urawa has strong players on both sides, and of course also in the center, so considering the current situation, I thought the balance was good and selected them, and I believe both players delivered very good performances. Especially Nagatomo provided the assist for the first goal and can deliver crosses like that. This season, he has been doing a very good job on the right side.
However, both player Muroya and Kosuke SHIRAI mainly play on the right side, so honestly, it is difficult to use them there. On the left side, there is Kashif BANGNAGANDE, so the selection was balanced to manage that area and how to neutralize the opponent's strengths, plus how to perform offensively, resulting in a balanced deployment.
Q: In the previous away game against Urawa, when you lost after a comeback, the coach mentioned mental challenges. What was the most important thing to change mentally for today's match?
A, rather than how I personally change my mentality towards the match, since it was a series of consecutive games, right after the Oita Trinita match we had a long-distance trip, so I was fully occupied with some tactical adjustments. However, in the pre-game meeting today, I said something like, "I want you to remember once again how we played when we faced Urawa last time. It was by no means a bad game. We took the lead, pulled away, but in the end, we ran out of strength. That won't happen this time. We have to play today’s game to bring the result closer to us ourselves." But at halftime, the situation reversed again, so I tried to convey to the players what I meant by the phrase 'the stage is set' in my own way.
[Player Interview]
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q: Please reflect on the match.
A, Matheus SAVIO, who faced me on the same side, was a very big threat. To firmly suppress him, I was conscious not only of taking a defensive stance but also of participating in the attack myself to lower his playing position and use my stamina to push him into deeper areas. In the previous match, we suffered a frustrating come-from-behind loss to that opponent, so as a team, we entered the game with the mindset of "repaying the debt." There was a period when the team was down 1-2, but overall, we were able to maintain a good performance.
Q: I think you made a significant contribution to the victory with your two assists.
A, the players were all gathered in front of the goal, and I thought that as long as I delivered a good ball properly, someone would connect with it. I'm glad it led to a goal in a good way. Regarding the assist to Marcelo RYAN's goal, he skillfully turned and took the shot. I didn't expect that goal to have an assist, and I found out after the match (laughs).
Q, How do you feel about joining the team from the East Asia E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final Round in Korea (E-1 Championship) and being able to show results as a result?
A, I gained confidence by representing Japan national team in the E-1 Championship. Above all, I want to achieve the experience of lifting the cup at the E-1 Championship here in Tokyo as well. I have become addicted to it. I am also addicted to the World Cup, and I am gradually becoming addicted to lifting cups. I want to set goals to win the league in Tokyo and to win the World Cup with the Japan national team, and I want to fuel my energy toward both cups.
<Keita ENDO>
Q. Today’s match came after a very frustrating loss in the previous away game. Looking back on it now, how do you feel?
A, I would say it was thrilling and an interesting match. I think we had a frustrating loss in the previous encounter, so I'm glad we were able to get our revenge this time.
Q. Was this what the entire team was thinking heading into the match?
A, I was thinking. In the previous match, it was 1-0 at halftime, but then we were overturned and lost, so I confirmed that we were being tested. From here, we also thought we would come back like the Urawa Reds did last time, so I'm glad we were able to turn it around as planned.
Q, in the previous match against Urawa, after scoring a goal, you said, "I want to score goals that can lead the team to victory." Today, you scored a goal that contributed to the win. Looking back at the goal scene again, how do you feel?
A, I think a good relationship was built on the right side between Yuto NAGATOMO and Alexander SCHOLZ, and from there, I believe I was able to head the ball with a good touch, almost deflecting it from NAGATOMO's cross. Honestly, it was a goal that didn't really feel like me.
Q. Did you just make contact with the header?
A, that's right. The crosses were quite fast, so rather than hitting it thickly, I imagined hitting it thinly.
Q. Besides scoring goals, haven't you gotten more comfortable and found it easier by making passes behind to RIAN on the right side and building a good relationship with Nagatomo?
A, I have played on the right side so far, and honestly, I felt that I was not performing well myself. Even so, I wanted to meet the expectations of Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, who continued to use me. Today, I was able to leave a mark with one statistic, and personally, creating chances beyond just scoring gave me confidence.
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q, please review the game.
A, there were both good and bad points. Overall, I think it was a good match. There were many chances, but there were also moments when we couldn't finish, and there were times when we conceded goals and the momentum was against us. However, it was good that we ultimately came from behind and won.
Q, there were many chances in the first half, but we were finally able to score in the second half.
A, we had two chances in the first half but failed to convert them, which I regret. Missing those opportunities made me determined not to get discouraged and to focus on scoring, which led to the goal in the second half.
Q, I think being able to equalize at that time gave the team a good momentum.
A, I think my play was not bad, and I was able to move well. However, I also reflect on the fact that I missed a scoring opportunity. Now that the off-season is coming, I want to rest well and then approach training for the upcoming league matches when they resume.
