<Match Review>
"The only title we can aim for now is the Emperor's Cup. Anyway, we want to reach the Final Round. It's not about breaking down beautifully, but about thinking what we can do to win." (Player Yoshimasa Sato)
Following last week's 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 36, the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round will see FC Machida Zelvia face off for the second consecutive week. The match held at Japan National Stadium is an extremely important game where both teams aim to showcase the culmination of this season and secure their ticket to the Final Round.
The game a week ago was endured with tenacious defense, and Soma ANZAI scored in the final stages to secure a 1-0 victory. They maintained high concentration to defend thoroughly and earned 3 points by winning decisively on the counterattack. This match as well, they approach the game with the determination to "not lose in spirit, defend together, attack together, and go for the win" (Teruhito NAKAGAWA).
The starting members for this match have two changes from the previous week's game. With goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu selected for the South Korean national team, Go HATANO returns to the official match pitch for the first time since the June 22 Meiji Yasuda J1 Round 21 match against Gamba Osaka. The back line from the right consists of Yuto Nagatomo, Alexander Scholz, Masato Morishige, and Naruki Muroya. The defensive midfielders Takahiro KO and Keigo Koizumi start again following last week. The attackers are Soma ANZAI on the right, who scored the winning goal in last weekend's game, and Marcos Guilherme on the left, with Megumu Sato and Teruhito NAKAGAWA forming the forward partnership. Additionally, Wataru GOTO is on the bench for the first time since turning professional, and Marcelo Jean has been included in the squad for the first time in about a month.
The blue and red family, filling the away side, supported the players with passionate cheers from the warm-up before the match, creating a home-like atmosphere using blue and red flags in the Semifinal Round. The kickoff took place at 13:10 under clear skies at Japan National Stadium.
1st HALF—With high concentration and intensity, leaving no openings to the opponent
Machida pushes forward with long balls just like in the previous match. Tokyo builds two lines of blocks with the back line and midfield, while the two forwards firmly limit the passing options, not allowing the opponent any freedom. Everyone maintains a high awareness of second balls, preventing the opponent from creating chances.
Although the early stages were marked by playing mostly in their own half, they gradually gained control of the ball by winning battles for possession and pushed forward, increasing their attacking opportunities. In the 16th minute of the first half, they connected passes on the right side, and player Sato unleashed a powerful right-footed long-range shot. Although it was blocked by the opposing defender, it became a symbolic scene that drew the momentum of the match in their favor.
Tokyo continues to press actively in the front line during negative transitions, working together to immediately recover lost balls and maintain control of the match. With an increased number of corner kicks, including shots from distance and crosses from the sides, there is growing anticipation for goals from set pieces as well.
Even in defense after launching an attack, they impress. By pressing in coordination at a high position, they delay the attack and firmly intercept Machida's passes intended for counterattacks, depriving them of freedom and preventing them from forming attacking plays.
Nagatomo responded firmly to Machida's key player, whom he described as "providing about 80 to 90 percent of the attacks" from Yuki Soma. In the 34th minute of the first half, Soma delivered a cut-in cross, and Mitchell DUKE connected with a header in the center, but goalkeeper Go HATANO securely caught it straight on. The number 13, making his first appearance in a while, supported the back line with stable play, also handling the opponent's long throws with outstanding height.
Just before the end of the first half, there was another dangerous moment from a hot connection between Soma's cross and Duke's header, but it went wide to the left of the goal, narrowly avoiding danger.
In the first half, Tokyo's two forwards flexibly dropped into midfield to join the build-up, creating a numerical advantage while looking for attacking opportunities. Although the opponent's five-back line combined height and solidity, preventing a complete breakthrough, Tokyo succeeded in controlling the game both offensively and defensively through focused play and coordination. As the match headed into the second half, where scoring goals would be crucial, the team reached halftime accompanied by chants from behind the goal urging "Seize the Cup."
2nd HALF—Unable to break the deadlock, the match goes into extra time
Both teams entered the second half without any substitutions. From the very start, they seized the momentum with aggressive pressing. Player Sato made a powerful vertical breakthrough and delivered a cross ball. After the ball was deflected, Player Nagatomo aimed a middle-range shot, showing a strong focus on scoring the opening goal.
In the 6th minute of the second half, the opponent broke through and the ball hit their hand, but it was not judged as a handball and a corner kick was conceded. However, Go HATANO firmly caught the ball in the center. Breaking the unpleasant momentum, the team aimed for the opening goal again with aggressive soccer.
Tokyo wants to connect good defense to good offense. In the 16th minute of the second half, they made a proactive substitution, replacing Nakagawa and Marcos with Ryan and Leon NOZAWA. Since Nakagawa had been the tactical centerpiece from the start with his skillful positioning and pressing from the front, it is worth watching what changes this substitution will bring to both offense and defense.
The concentrated defense of the red and blue remains unchanged. In the 31st minute of the second half, a sideways pass connected after regaining the ball in their own half slightly missed, almost leading to a counterattack by the opponent, but player Muroya made a brilliant sliding tackle after a fierce dash to press back. Number 2 showed excellent crisis awareness and a wonderful play to recover the ball without committing a foul.
The match progressed with a scoreless deadlock, creating a tense situation where a single goal would determine the outcome. Behind the blue and red goal, fans continued their passionate support with the sound of trumpets, cheering loudly to encourage the players and energize the stadium as they aimed to advance together to the final stage.
However, the match remained unchanged even during the 4 minutes of additional time in the second half. The game, which was a ticket to the Final Round, was carried over to a 15-minute half extra time.
EXTRA TIME—Did not reach the Final Round
As the team forms a circle heading into extra time, chants of "Seize the cup" fly once again from behind the goal, filled with blue and red flags. At the 10th minute of the first half of extra time, they connected passes on the right side to earn a corner kick, and player Nagatomo stirred up the blue and red family with a big gesture moving both hands up and down, uniting the pitch and stands as one in pursuit of victory.
In the 11th minute of the first half of extra time, Nozawa broke away on a counterattack and approached the goal while running alongside an opposing player, but he was unable to take a powerful shot under pressure from the opponent, and the goalkeeper caught the ball.
The defense, which had built a wall of blue and red up to this point, was caught off guard for a moment. In the 13th minute of the first half of extra time, a long ball was dropped behind the defensive line, and Hayashi, who broke free, scored with a lob shot that went over Go HATANO's head and into the goal. An unexpected goal was conceded.
The Tokyo bench immediately reacts to this development. Kanta DOI and Keita YAMASHITA come in, replacing Sato and Koizumi. YAMASHITA takes one of the two forward positions, while DOI assumes the defensive midfield role. Additionally, Anzai is switched out for Keita ENDO as they push to recover the one-goal deficit.
Tokyo, wanting to somehow bring the match back to square one, used their last substitution at 3 minutes into the second half of extra time, sending Keigo HIGASHI onto the pitch in place of Takahashi.
However, 4 minutes into the second half of extra time, Soma attempted a breakthrough from a deep position on the right side of our own half, and this cross was met by Se Hun OH at the near side, resulting in a goal conceded. We suffered a regrettable additional goal.
Behind the goal, fans continue to support the players with the chant "Pour your passion, seize the championship," sending a message to the team pushed into a difficult situation. Responding to this energy, Tokyo in the 29th minute of the second half of extra time, player Nozawa skillfully attempts a cut-in from the left side with clever steps and strikes boldly with his right foot, but the shot goes straight to the goalkeeper.
In the 15th minute of the second half of extra time, a scramble occurred in front of the goal from Endo's left corner kick, and Go HATANO, who had advanced forward, aimed a right-footed shot, but it was blocked by the opponent and could not shake the net. The team united as one in blue and red made a desperate counterattack until the end, but it was unsuccessful, and the challenge to reach the top of the Emperor's Cup ended in the Semifinal Round.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Naruki Muroya/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO/Alexander Scholz
MF Soma ANZAI (15+2 min of first half of extra time: Keita ENDO)/Yu Takao (3 min of second half of extra time: Keigo Higashi)/Kei Koizumi (14 min of first half of extra time: Kanta DOI)/Marcos Guilherme (16 min of second half: Leon NOZAWA)
FW Megumu Sato (14 min of first half of extra time: Keita YAMASHITA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (16 min of second half: Marcelo Gian)
SUBS
GK Wataru GOTO
DF Henrique TREVISAN/Kosuke SHIRAI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
―
<FC Machida Zelvia>
STARTING XI
GK Kosei TANI
DF Henry Mochizuki Kaiki / Gen SHOJI / Dreshevich
MF Hotaka NAKAMURA (12th minute of second half extra time: Asahi MASUYAMA) / Hiroyuki MAE / Yuta NAKAYAMA (7th minute of second half extra time: Hokuto SHIMODA) / Kotaro HAYASHI
FW Mitchell DUKE (29th minute of second half: Na Sanho) / Yuki SOMA (12th minute of second half extra time: Kanji KUWAYAMA) / Shota FUJIO (29th minute of second half: Se Hun OH)
SUBS
GK Yoshiaki ARAI
MF Ryohei SHIRASAKI/Takaya NUMATA/Keiya SENTO
MANAGER
Go KURODA
GOAL
13th minute of first half of extra time: Kotaro HAYASHI / 4th minute of second half of extra time: Se Hun OH
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please summarize today's match.
A, it was a very disappointing result. Throughout the match, I think there were many moments where we struggled to establish our own flow. While there were some satisfying aspects in our defensive play against what the opponent brought, in a game and flow like this, we discussed with the players that it is crucial who seizes that momentary chance. Unfortunately, we were unable to do so and the opponent took it instead. It was a very disappointing game, but the players really fought hard, and in that regard, I believe they showed excellent play.
Q: The match went into extra time, and I believe there were various factors such as fatigue. Could you please explain the intention behind the substitution of the defensive midfielder?
A, first of all, there was considerable fatigue and some cramping in the legs, and also, since we had to go for the score, the last card we played was for Keigo HIGASHI. It was about the distribution in attack. In a very open flow, by having the ball come to him several times at such points, the intention of the substitution was to make good use of players like Marcelo RYAN and the forwards.
[Player Interview]
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q, please review the game.
A, I think it was simply a complete defeat. The result is everything.
Q. What was your strategy for trying to score once the match went into extra time?
A, the opponent also simply aimed for the forward or kicked diagonal long balls, so the strategy was to pick up those second balls and calmly connect passes to push into the opponent's territory. However, although there may have been chances, I think we need to intentionally increase the number of opportunities we create. Personally, I also feel that I need to improve in distributing and making runs to create chances.
Q. I think this was a match we faced in a difficult situation.
A, There have been many tough situations in the Emperor's Cup so far, but I believe we were able to come this far with the strength of everyone. Today as well, I wanted to win with an all-out effort and see a higher level of achievement. However, I believe the result is everything, and although it may be a small difference, I feel that those differences accumulated and became a significant gap in the final outcome.
Q. This season will end after two more league matches. How do you want to connect this frustration moving forward?
A, physically it might be good to reset once, but during the break, each player should firmly accept this defeat and, as professional soccer players and players of Tokyo, we want to show solid play in the last two matches.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q. It was a close game and a disappointing result, but how do you look back on the match?
A, the opponent did not change anything from last week, but I think we could have connected more at our feet, and I believe this is the result of not being able to do what we wanted to do.
Q. I think the team was strongly committed to winning the Emperor's Cup title. How do you perceive the result this time, and how will you shift your focus moving forward?
A, We truly wanted to win the Emperor's Cup, and as a team, our determination was strong. We wanted to win and advance to the next round, but unfortunately, we lost. However, there are still two league matches left this season, so it’s difficult to switch gears immediately. But as professionals, we must firmly reset and fight in the league matches. Even though the fans and supporters were as disappointed as we were, they applauded us after the match. I felt very ashamed of myself and deeply regret not being able to meet the expectations of our fans and supporters. When we were making our final lap, they were applauding, and to live up to that hope, we really need to reset ourselves. We want to win the last two league matches and finish the season strong.
Q. Defensively, you were able to neutralize the opponent's strengths, but what was needed in terms of scoring goals on the offensive side?
A, I think it was necessary to play our own style of football and be thorough with the ground play (at our feet). We knew the opponent was strong in the air (aerial battles), so the key was how we receive the ball between their lines, lure them out, create space, and exploit it. The biggest reason for our loss was that we couldn't execute what we practiced in that regard. Although the defense really held strong, it is very frustrating that we couldn't score.
Q. It seemed like you were able to create good opportunities in the first half, but it felt like things didn't quite click in the second half. What factors contributed to that?
A, we were unable to apply pressure from the front, which allowed the opponent to maintain possession of the ball. Defending with just two forwards against the opponent's five defenders makes it impossible to fully regain possession. The opponent's attack aimed to lure out our central midfielders and then play long balls to win the second ball. We decided that rather than allowing long balls, it was less risky to have our two players chase and let the opponent keep passing, waiting for them to get frustrated. We consciously defended with two players, but as we struggled to fully regain the ball, the opponent gained control of the game.
＜Sei MUROYA＞
Q, We were just one step short of advancing to the Final Round.
A, we did our best, but the difference in the details led to conceding goals. The match has just ended, so I can't think about anything right now, but it's really disappointing not to make it to the Final Round.
Q: You conceded a goal in the first half of extra time in a balanced match. How do you reflect on the overall approach to the extra time?
A, we understood the opponent's intentions and aimed to endure firmly and score from a counterattack. However, I think there were some unsatisfactory aspects regarding the quality of the counterattack and how the team moved the ball. It was painful for the team to concede a goal during that period, and conceding an additional goal in the second half of extra time was a factor that ended the match in that way. At the very least, we wanted to proceed with a 0-1 situation, and as a team, we wanted to convert chances into goals until the very end.
Q. I think you demonstrated strength in one-on-one situations throughout, such as preventing the opponent's counterattacks.
A, we understood what kind of soccer FC Machida Zelvia would bring, and we also knew that if we couldn't outperform them in key moments, we wouldn't be able to secure a win. I believe the players on the pitch gave 100 percent effort and executed the plan. We lacked a bit of strength and a little luck. However, I am proud of this team.
Speaking of the league matches, despite the tough times when we were caught up in the relegation battle, it was thanks to the efforts of Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI and the staff, as well as the hard work of the teammates, that we were able to advance to the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round. In that regard, I am truly grateful.
