＜Previous Match: Nagoya Grampus Review＞
The Sec. 27 match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League held at home against Kyoto Sanga F.C., the Emperor's Cup quarterfinal against Urawa Reds with a tight schedule of 2 days and 3 days in between, and the previous match against Nagoya Grampus. Despite many injured players and the suspension of three experienced players, Yuto NAGATOMO, Kento HASHIMOTO, and Kei KOIZUMI, the game proceeded with Tokyo maintaining possession of the ball.
The key player was Kouta Tokiwa, who got his first start in the league as a defensive midfielder. In attack, he showed movements that demonstrated a wide field of vision, and he made his presence felt with proactive defense that anticipated the flow of the game.
His movement to receive the ball in space is also good, and while supporting those around him, he displays play that can be called the "midfield dynamo." Early in the game, he powerfully aimed a long-range shot, and in the 42nd minute of the first half, he intercepted the ball in an advanced position and carried it forward, becoming the starting point of a scoring opportunity that connected from Motoki NAGAKURA to Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Although it unfortunately did not result in a goal, it was a scene that showcased his distinctive qualities.
However, against Nagoya, who solidified their defense with a five-back formation, the attack struggled and was unable to break through the attacking third. In the first half, while Nagoya also created chances, the team showed physical defense and went into halftime with a scoreless draw.
Shortly after the start of the second half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a flying save to try to boost momentum from the defense, but in the 20th minute of the second half, the opponent scored from a scramble in front of the goal following a right corner kick. Nagoya, who increased pressure from the front compared to the first half, was given more opportunities for set plays, resulting in conceding the opening goal from that flow.
After that, the blue and red eleven launched a desperate counterattack. The players' determination paid off in the 37th minute of the second half.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE's cross ball from the left hit the opponent's head and flowed in front of the goal, where the opposing goalkeeper made a catching mistake. Keita ENDO did not miss the moment, quickly stretched out his right foot, and pushed the ball into the goal to score the equalizer. With the thought of "if something happens," the player wearing number 22 kept his concentration until the end, and Tokyo brought the match back to even.
In the additional time of the second half, substitute player Marcos Guilherme launched a counterattack and made a through pass. Endo, who broke away, sent a decisive last pass in front of the goal, but the timing was just slightly off with Kei Sato, who was running in from behind. Tokyo missed this golden opportunity and time was up. The away match ended in a painful 1-1 draw as they could not break through the opponent's solid defense.
This Round's Preview
"Nothing but victory. We have to win." (Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
"A match where only victory is demanded" (Keita ENDO)
"Players must approach the match with a special mindset" (Masato MORISHIGE)
Yes, what is required this round is victory. Nothing else. Of course, the content and tactics are also important points to win, but how much thirst for victory, awareness, and determination can be expressed on the pitch. That will be the decisive factor more than usual.
This week marks the first match after the international match week break, with Tokyo hosting Verdy at home. Both teams share Ajinomoto Stadium as their home ground. This is an opponent they absolutely cannot lose to, no, they must absolutely win against.
This break period worked greatly in favor of the Red and Blue. Players who had been absent gradually returned, significantly strengthening the squad depth and allowing the team to face important games. Additionally, Yuto NAGATOMO of the Japan national team and Kim Seung-gyu of the South Korea national team joined the team after their respective countries' expeditions to the United States. Both played one match each on the pitch and surely vowed to perform well with the Red and Blue as they head into the survival phase of the main tournament.
Tokyo V, currently 15th with 32 points, is one position and one point above Tokyo. Player Endo said, "Looking at the standings, we want to win here and build momentum. The opponent is a team strong in stamina and ball challenges, so we want to be fully prepared and not fall behind." Meanwhile, player Nagatomo emphasized the importance of this match, saying, "Every match from here on is crucial. Winning this Tokyo V match will give the team the strength to move forward."
Just one match, yet still one match. Player Morishige speaks with a calm tone filled with passion, saying, "It is one league match, but this match holds a different meaning."
Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, who experienced a unique atmosphere in the previous match, is also determined to send his players out with resolve for the game against Tokyo V.
"I truly believe it will be a space filled with energy. I am certain that the players will be fully committed, so I want them to give their all and completely embrace that atmosphere. I also want them to absorb the energy from everyone supporting us and fight with it. We fully understand that it will be a very intense battle, and within that, we want to play a game where we firmly secure 3 points."
Looking back, since the 2011 season when we faced each other in the J2 League, the league matches have ended in draws for five consecutive games. Player Nakagawa commented, "We have to settle this here and show that 'Tokyo is strong.' We want to express the passionate feelings of all the fans and supporters on the pitch." He spoke about his determination to aim for victory on behalf of the Aoaka family.
On September 13, in the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Premier League 2025, FC Tokyo U-18 faced Verdy Youth. The team united and fought tenaciously, securing a dramatic victory with a final round goal in the second half's additional time. The "younger brother" team achieved an auspicious win, connecting to the top team. This can also be said to be the support of the Blue-Red family.
Since there have been no clean sheets in the last 7 official matches, a defensive resurgence is essential. And the attacking side must also show the power to shake the goal net with determination. It goes without saying that we must not lose in one-on-one battles, and we want to surpass the opponent in both offense and defense to echo the victory anthem at Ajinomoto Stadium.
After the previous match ended in a draw at Toyota Stadium, chants of "We can't lose to Verdy" continued to echo from behind the goal. Those cheers were also sent to player Endo, who went to greet the fans alone after finishing the post-match interview. Wearing number 22, he said, "It's not a given that they would sing so much just for me alone, and I want to respond to that feeling." Back in the locker room, he repeatedly looked back to answer the fans' voices and tapped the emblem on his chest with his right hand.
The message of fighting together as one has been firmly conveyed to the team. Therefore, the players on the pitch have no choice but to respond to that feeling. Keep your heart passionate and your mind cool.
Push forward your burning passion and demonstrate your value on the pitch. United in blue and red. Prove that Tokyo is Tokyo at home in Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. How do you view the match against Verdy?
A, I think it will be a heated battle. I believe it will be a space filled with energy, and I want to fully embrace that. I think the players have the mindset not to be overwhelmed but to overwhelm the situation, so we want to unleash that energy to the fullest. We also want to absorb the energy from the fans and supporters who back us. I don't think it will be a calm game, and we are fully aware of that. We want to firmly secure the 3 points within that environment.
Q. Considering the current situation of the opponent, what kind of match do you anticipate?
A, this week, while talking with the players, we had both good results and challenges. That is natural, and we cannot be complacent with the good outcomes, nor do we need to be negative just because challenges arose. It is difficult to proceed with the match exactly according to tactics, so we want the entire team to properly understand the intentions and respond flexibly to situations and moments of transition. The ability to recognize a chance as a chance and a crisis as a crisis is very important in the game. Including those aspects, we were able to prepare well, and the players are maintaining good condition.
Q: The opponent is expected to fight tenaciously, but I think it is important to push through and secure the victory until the end.
A. The probability of scoring is highest when taking a shot near the goal area, so ideally, you want to get there every time. However, goals are not always scored from perfectly executed plays or the highest probability spots right in front of the goal. Even without a perfect setup, goals can be scored from crosses. It's not just about probability; even if there is only one player in front of the goal, if a cross is delivered and that player connects well, a goal can be scored. If everything only focused on high probability or high precision plays, there would be no challenges, and the ball would rarely reach the goal. The area in front of the goal is a place where you should boldly take on challenges. If the opponent defends that area firmly, it becomes absolutely necessary to try different approaches and keep challenging.
Q: In the league matches, we have conceded goals in the last 7 consecutive games.
A, that is our own challenge. Even in really good games with good match content, there are ways of conceding goals that feel like the knee suddenly buckles. To prevent that at the final moments, individual strength, organizational strength, and mentality are all necessary. After all, the weakness in those areas comes down to how seriously we can eliminate each issue one by one in daily training.
[Player Interview]
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q, Tomorrow is a match against Verdy.
A, Everyone is well prepared both mentally and physically, so now we just need to defeat the opponent. We all want to go for the win together.
Q. This week, while training with a focus on the 'connection' between plays and players, what kind of response or feeling have you experienced?
A, I believe there is still room for improvement, and there are parts that have gotten better with each match, but everyone needs to show their desire to win more prominently. I want us to fully demonstrate this in all upcoming matches, including tomorrow's game.
Q. How do you think about the key points to break down the opponent's defensive block?
A, we are working on the quality of the attacking third as a challenge for this season. Since the situation differs in each match, I believe it is important to play with creativity and without fear of mistakes while observing the opponent.
Q: Don't you also have a strong desire to score your first goal of the season in this match?
A, I want to start scoring soon. I feel that I need to increase the number of times I get into the goal area when I see a chance. Along with that, I also need to increase the number of opportunities. I believe the play required of me is to stabilize the build-up from the back and join the attack at the right timing. I want to show play with that awareness.
Player comments ahead of the 9/15 (Mon, holiday) match against Tokyo V arehere
