"It was a very frustrating game. I think if we had been able to convert even one of the several decisive chances we had, things might have been different, but in breaking that momentum and scoring, in the end, I believe it was Kashima Antlers' game." (Rikizo MATSUHASHI, Head Coach, post-match comment)
This was not just a matter of this match, but a game that strongly made me think, 'If only it had gone in,' 'If only it had been decided.'
About five months have passed, but when talking to the coach and players, they unanimously point to the defeat against Kashima in Sec. 4 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League as the 'turning point of the first half of the league.' Fans and supporters likely share similar feelings with the players to some extent.
Tokyo controlled the pace until the middle of the match. Against Kashima, who were on a winning streak, it was a game where you could say all that was left was to score a goal.
However, after repeatedly missing chances from the first half, the team gradually toned down against the compact defensive formation set high up and the pressure on the ball. From just past the 20th minute of the second half, they conceded consecutive corner kicks, during which Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made crucial saves and faced shots that hit the post. Ultimately, a ball that flowed to the side was delivered in front of the goal, resulting in a foul inside the penalty area and conceding a penalty kick.
Kashima, having regained momentum, further increased the intensity of their gear, limiting passing lanes with pressing defense both vertically and horizontally. Kashima's play and formation, which allowed no freedom, grew stronger as time passed, and Tokyo could not regain the momentum needed before conceding the first goal.
At the 38th minute of the second half, Maki KITAHARA made his J1 League debut as the youngest player at 15 years, 7 months, and 22 days old, attempting to build attacks with through passes to the front line, but it did not lead to an equalizing goal. In the final stages of the match, an additional goal was conceded from a set piece, and the match ended 0-2.
Don't let that passion escape
A match demanding high concentration against Kashima, who base their play on thorough hard work and compact defense. This time, we want to seize the opportunity without missing it and secure the victory.
Since Sec. 20 against Cerezo Osaka, Tokyo has gradually improved their scoring ability with '4' multi-goal matches. Like the matches against Cerezo Osaka and Urawa Reds, they want to get the first goal early to capture good momentum and pressure Kashima both psychologically and physically.
The key attackers are diverse and each is on an upward trend. Marcelo RYAN, who scored his 7th goal; Motoki NAGAKURA, who could not play in the previous match against Urawa due to contract issues; and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who scored for the first time since April in the last match. Expectations are high for their further goal-scoring production.
In defense, Sei MUROYA, Masato MORISHIGE, Yuto NAGATOMO, and Alexander SCHOLZ each contribute their experience through their play. Their high intensity ensures they do not lose in one-on-one situations, and their exquisite sense of distance and balance in challenge and cover prevents opponents from entering the goal area. They also play an important role as the starting point of attacks. Building up from the back of their own half and the bold attacking participation of both fullbacks were undoubtedly effective options that pushed the opponent's set pieces further back in the previous match against Urawa.
On the other hand, Kashima secured a 3-2 victory over Kashiwa Reysol with multiple goals for the first time in seven matches, including Matsumura's additional goal in the second half. Although they were once caught up with a two-goal difference, their strong fighting spirit to take the lead at the very end and the poise to repeatedly seize the momentum from brief openings made it a match filled with what can be called "Kashima's essence."
Looking at the match members, many skilled players are gathered. Hayakawa and Ueda, who received high praise at the East Asian E-1 Football Championship 2025 final tournament, stand in front of the goal, while Leo Ceara, who is leading the J1 League scoring rankings, and Suzuki, who supports the team with high technical skills, form the two forwards. Additionally, Ogawa, facing his former team Tokyo, is known for his left foot that can create scoring opportunities with a single kick. On the bench, Araki, who led Tokyo's attack last season, and Tagawa, known for his driving force, were also listed.
A player to particularly watch is Koike, who supports the team with hard work. In the previous matches, both against Kashiwa and the last game, he played on the right side, and when the ball was on the left side, he tightened his position towards the ball side, almost completely blocking passing lanes. Moreover, he always appears on attacks near the sideline and frequently participates in plays that create chances.
Kashima, based on the 4-4-2 system, aims to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly target the goal through the flanks. In the previous match, their attack with numbers on the sides and quick pressing after losing possession gradually wore down the opposition like a body blow, eventually leading to shooting opportunities and conceding goals.
This round features a night game where the daytime heat is expected to linger even after kickoff. Will the teams take control in close ball contests, or quickly switch from defense to offense? An intense battle awaits, where not a single moment can be taken lightly. We look forward to a match that channels the overflowing energy inside the venue into victory.
Regaining its "brilliance", becoming the "trunk" that supports the attack
Although matches where goals were hard to come by continued, I want to highlight Nakagawa as the player to watch in the previous match against Urawa, where he used his body to push the ball forward and drew in the winning goal late in the game.
Reflecting on the previous match, "In the first half of the league, despite playing good games, we couldn't secure points and kept losing matches. Especially in the Kashima game, we created many decisive chances until the middle of the match, but we conceded a goal from a set-piece situation. This match stands out to me personally as a key and memorable game. Even with good performances, the lack of positive results seemed to bring the players down," the memory of that defeat remains vivid.
However, the skill that earned him both the J1 League MVP and top scorer awards in the 2019 season remains intact. Especially, his compatibility with Nagakura, who joined mid-season, is outstanding. When these two team up, the balance between fast and slow attacks is maintained, preventing the offense from becoming overly chaotic. In fact, after the match against Yokohama FC, Morishige, who played in the back line, told reporters, "The attack became smoother because Nagakura and Nakagawa came to receive the ball," showing that despite being a forward, he also acts as a lubricant for the offense.
After the Emperor's Cup 2nd Round match against Zweigen Kanazawa, where Nagakura himself played as a two-top with Nakagawa for the first time, he said, "It is really easy to play with Nakagawa," highlighting the remarkable understanding between the two players that we want to pay attention to.
In the previous match, he played as a shadow in the 3-4-2-1 formation, and in the first half, a shot from outside the box grazed the bar, narrowly missing the goal and experiencing the bitterness of just falling short. With only 2 goals so far, he surely wants to use this match as an opportunity to enter a goal-scoring spree.
The two center backs likely to face off, Ueda and Kim Taehyung, boast height and strength in one-on-one situations, both being players who represent their respective national teams. Against this formidable defense line, their innate momentary speed, positioning that creates opportunities for teammates, and the brief sparkle that shakes the goal net are captivating and cannot be taken eyes off.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
