<Match Review>
The final league match of the 2025 season, hosting Albirex Niigata at Ajinomoto Stadium. This match is designated as 'Big Thank You Day,' where the club and team will fight with gratitude for the past year expressed to various parties. It will be a game to demonstrate the passion and determination held deep in their hearts on the pitch and to respond firmly with a victory.
Also, on December 4, ahead of this match, the contract extension of head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI was announced. This match requires the team to firmly showcase the culmination of the efforts built up since the camp, while also continuing to carry the hopes for the 2026 season's Meiji Yasuda J1 Hundred Year Vision League.
The starting members in red and blue standing on the pitch for the last match of the season featured goalkeeper Go HATANO. The back line, from right to left, consisted of Yuto NAGATOMO, Alexander Scholz, Masato Morishige, and Sei MUROYA, who lined up together for the sixth consecutive official match. The defensive midfield duo was Takahiro KO and Keisuke KOIZUMI, pairing up for the fifth consecutive match. On the right attack was Soma ANZAI, and on the left attack was Keita ENDO. The two forwards were Keisuke SATO and Marcelo. Additionally, Motoki NAGAKURA, who had been sidelined with injury since September, was on the bench. It is very encouraging that the man who supported the comeback in the second half of the season returned to the pitch for this match, which was meant to showcase the culmination of the season.
1st HALF—Conceded the first goal, but equalized with Endo's goal just before the end of the first half
As the coach had warned before the match, Niigata started aggressively and took control of the game early on. However, Tokyo, boasting a solid defense that allowed only 2 goals in the last 5 league matches, continued to suppress the opponent's attacks with focused defense in this match as well.
At the 9th minute of the first half, as the red and blue team gradually gained momentum and started creating chances with fast-paced attacks, they were caught off guard for a moment and Mateus MORAES scored a powerful long-range shot from outside the penalty area, conceding an unexpected opening goal.
Tokyo, eager to equalize early, in the 13th minute of the first half, with excellent coordination among Nagatomo, Takashi, and Sato, advanced deep down the right side. Takashi sent the ball forward with his right foot. Anzai, receiving it, calmly tried to slot it in with his right foot, but the well-aimed ball was deflected by the left post, narrowly missing the equalizer.
Niigata continued to hold the initiative. Tokyo responded with Go HATANO's excellent saves and Morishige's skillful ball recoveries, but they struggled to connect the balls they won effectively, and continued to suffer as Niigata launched successive players in strong, layered attacks.
In the 33rd minute of the first half, after quickly switching between offense and defense to regain the ball in an advanced position, Takashi was fouled while trying to break forward with a sprint from the back following Sato's pass, but this was just outside the penalty area. Although they earned a direct free kick opportunity in a good position, they could not create a clear chance and failed to shake the goal net here as well.
In the 44th minute of the first half, Scholtze, who had joined the attack, delivered a cross ball. Lucas RIAN at the far side headed it back, and Robert aimed for the goal, but the close-range shot went over the bar.
In the 3 minutes of first-half additional time displayed, with the ball pushed into the opponent's territory, Koizumi in the center played a vertical pass. Endo, who received this pass, skillfully changed his posture, faced forward, and took a left-footed shot. The shot hit a blocking defender, changed course, went over the goalkeeper's head, and was absorbed into the goal, equalizing the score. Tokyo brought the match back to even in a good moment just before the end of the first half, and the halftime was reached with a 1-1 tie score.
2nd HALF—Continuing to Attack, but Victory Eluded Us
Determined to end the season with a win, Tokyo aggressively pressed toward the goal from the very start of the second half. Just 20 seconds into the half, Lucas RIAN played a vertical pass to Sato, who broke free and drove powerfully toward the goal with a left-footed shot. Although the shot missed the target, number 16, who had been leading the team with passionate play, received enthusiastic cheers from the Aoaka family before the start, at halftime, and after goals, and his fighting spirit to respond to those calls was evident in this breakthrough.
In the following 5 minutes of the second half, after clearing Niigata's corner kick in their own half, they launched a rapid counterattack. When Endo made a sharp advance and delivered a through pass forward, RIAN, running alongside, took a precise one-touch shot with his right foot. It was a scene that seemed to have perfectly broken down the defense, but the shot narrowly missed to the right of the goal, and the scoring opportunity was not converted.
As the back-and-forth battle continued, the first to make a move was the blue and red team. Replacing Rian and Anzai, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was brought in at the front line, and Leon NOZAWA was deployed as the right attacker. They chose an offensive strategy aimed at enhancing teamwork and organization to target the goal.
The inclusion of Nakagawa, who can act as the team's lubricant, increases the fluidity of the attack. At the 30th minute of the second half, Koizumi's vertical pass became a switch, and Sato broke through to shoot on a ball connected from Nakagawa. Although he couldn't make contact and the opposing goalkeeper caught it, it was an attack that showed a high offensive awareness.
At the 36th minute of the second half, when a counterattack seemed imminent due to a loss in midfield, player Scholz demonstrated outstanding crisis awareness and made a sharp interception. From here, the ball was passed through players Nakagawa and Nozawa, aiming for a shot inside the penalty area, but this good opportunity was also thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's excellent save.
In the late stages of the match, at the 44th minute of the second half, the final substitutions of the season brought three players onto the pitch at once. Marcos Guilherme, Kosuke SHIRAI, and Nagakura, returning after about two months, were sent out in place of Sato, Yasushi ENDO, and Nagatomo.
The additional time in the second half was displayed as 3 minutes. Towards the victory in the final match of the season, chants with even greater volume echoed from behind the goal, and in response, the players showed aggressive vertical passes and fierce battles for the ball. However, those hopes were not realized, and the final whistle blew with the score still at 1-1. The 2025 season of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League finished undefeated in the last 6 matches, ending in 11th place with 13 wins, 11 draws, and 14 losses.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Naruki MUROYA/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO (44th minute 2nd half: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Alexander Scholz
MF Soma ANZAI (27th minute 2nd half: Leon NOZAWA)/Yu TAKAO/Keita ENDO (44th minute 2nd half: Marcos GUILHERME)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Megumu SATO (44th minute 2nd half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Marcelo HIAN (27th minute 2nd half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
DF Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI
MF Kyota Tokiwa
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
45+2 min of 1st half: Keita ENDO
<Albirex Niigata>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kazuki FUJITA
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Michael James FITZGERALD (40th minute second half: Kazuhiko CHIBA)/Fumiya HAYAKAWA/Yuto HORIGOME
MF Eiji SHIRAI/Motoki HASEGAWA/Keisuke KASAI (27th minute second half: Taiki ARAI)/Motoki OHARA
FW Mateus MORAES (27th minute second half: Jin OKUMURA)/Buda
SUBS
GK Ryuga TASHIRO
DF Shosei OKAMOTO/Kento HASHIMOTO
MF Yoshiaki TAKAGI/Yuushin OHTAKE
MF Hiroto UEMURA
MANAGER
Toru IRIE
GOAL
9th minute of the first half: Mateus MORAES
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please summarize today's match.
A, since it was the final match, many people truly came to Ajinomoto Stadium, but we are deeply sorry that we could not deliver a victory. Regarding the game, in the early part of the first half, we allowed the opponent to take control of the pace and conceded the opening goal. I think it was good that we were able to make adjustments within the first half, and catching up there also gave us momentum for the second half. In the second half, we couldn't control the pace at the start, and although we applied pressure towards the end, we couldn't break through the goal until the very end. The quality of each play, as well as our plans and rehearsed formations, were well recognized, but we still need to raise the quality further. I think that was the nature of the game.
Q. What were the factors that prevented you from finishing decisively?
A, the attack after regaining the ball was something we were very conscious of, but we sped up a bit too much there, which led to technical mistakes and errors in judgment. Also, in the second half, when trying to unsettle the opponent, we tended to focus only on the central relationships rather than deeper positions of the opponent. There were crosses from the sides as well, but they rarely reached the goal. However, we were able to apply pressure right at the crucial moment, so I think it now comes down to the quality aspect.
Q, please tell us the intention behind today's player substitution.
A, it is true that there was some hesitation, and even looking back on the final substitution decision, I still think it was too late. The timing of the substitution was discussed with the coaching staff, but I believe the time to increase the pace or bring in fresh players to apply new pressure ended up being too short. I realize that I need to firmly develop the ability to make decisive decisions at the right timing.
Q. How close do you feel the football you envisioned before taking on the role of manager has come to reality by the end of the season?
A, it is difficult to express in numbers, but we still have a long way to go. There were times when we were able to express it, but when asked if we could maintain that throughout the year, I still think we have a long way to go. In the early part of the second half of the season, there were parts where we were very conscious and able to do it, but in terms of flexibility and methods in how the opponent responds to that, while going through many adjustments, there is some sense of progress, but overall, it still feels like we have a long way to go. We need to establish a better baseline and further refine how to attack with flexibility and fluidity.
Q, Please say a few words to the fans and supporters who have supported us throughout this season's final match.
A, I am truly sorry that we could not bring a winning result in the final home game. I fully acknowledge the passionate boos and cheers at the end today, and I believe that is only natural. I want to use this as energy for myself moving forward, and I hope everyone will continue to direct this passionate feeling towards Tokyo.
[Player Interview]
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q. It was the final match of the 2025 season. How do you look back on the game?
A, in the end, of course, we wanted to finish by winning at home, but I simply think this result shows our lack of strength, and that's why we ended up in this position. We couldn't win any cup titles, and if I were to point out the shortcomings in detail, there are many. Every player who fights wearing the Tokyo emblem must once again firmly hold the awareness and responsibility of wearing the Tokyo emblem. I believe it was a frustrating season for everyone, so I want to use that as motivation to connect to next season.
Q. At the start, we seemed to be somewhat overwhelmed by the opponent's pressure, but gradually we pushed back, and in the second half, I think there was time when we could control the tempo in Tokyo's favor.
A, The start of the match was not good, but if we stayed calm, we felt we could score, and Keita ENDO scored at the end of the first half. In the second half, there were chances, but it wasn't about any individual player; as a team, we couldn't score additional goals or secure the win, which I think reflects this season. We needed to do more to frustrate the opponents. Personally, I also felt I need to play in a way that bothers the opponents even more.
Q, in the match, Koizumi's own good condition was visible. Didn't you feel confident about your performance?
There were some mistakes, but we played with the awareness of pushing forward rather than just passing sideways. Perhaps because we focused too much on that, there were moments when we could have shifted the opponent sideways a bit more. I think the reason the team couldn't win was because there were individual shortcomings as well. However, I don't think it was just me; since it was the last game of the season, I played with the intention of giving my all without holding back, so I have no regrets about that.
I believe that results are everything in this world, so of course there are more regrets, but this season, both as a captain and as an individual player, I feel that I was lacking in ability. I think I need to seriously reflect during the off-season in preparation for the 2026 season.
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q. In the final match of the season, the beginning was a difficult period. The opponent had already been relegated and had nothing to lose, so wasn't it a challenging situation?
A, the start of the match was quite poor. This is not about tactics or technique, but about motivation and enthusiasm. There may have been difficult circumstances, but that was lacking. As professionals fighting with the Tokyo emblem on our chest, excuses about the situation are not acceptable. Including myself, we must face this seriously. It's not that the opponent surpassed us in enthusiasm or motivation; it is simply our own problem.
Q. In the second half, the team made a comeback. What was the reason for that?
A, we were able to firmly demonstrate the parts that the team had prepared. We prepared well for scenarios such as what system the opponent would use, what to do if it didn’t work, how the defensive midfielders would drop back and how the opponent would respond. I believe this reflects the team's collective progress. Although the opponent initially had the upper hand, when that advantage disappeared, it caused confusion for them. Being able to adjust and create such a situation is something I feel very positive about.
Q, that corrective ability is the result of accumulated achievements.
A, this is also a part where we felt the team's growth. At the beginning of the season, I think we would have just continued to struggle without making changes. But we have come to be able to make those changes. I believe we were able to demonstrate that, including the number of variations.
Q. From the end of the first half to the second half, in the phase where the momentum changed, there were more scenes of Yuto NAGATOMO breaking into space on the right side.
There was a tendency in the team to continue passing only at the feet or to fail to target the parts that the opponents fear the most. Using space makes passes to the feet effective, and more space opens up as a result. I have those characteristics and played with the awareness of taking the initiative to bring a good flow to the team.
Q. If the mental aspect is established from the start, does that mean you feel the team will improve more in tactics and skills next season?
A, As a team, we have been building up steadily, so next season, if we can build up one more level and move in the same direction while firmly sharing the team's direction, I believe we can achieve even better results.
<Keita ENDO>
Q. How do you feel when you look back on your goal scene?
A, I just received the ball in the center, turned, and swung my foot. I was confident that swinging my foot would lead to a goal, so I really only focused on swinging my foot. Even when I received the ball in a favorable position on the side, I felt like I wasn't creating many chances, but I was confident in my shot, so I cut inside, broke through, and when I swung my foot, it went in.
Q. There were also scenes where good teamwork among multiple players broke through, but how did you feel about the coordination between the players?
A, Sei MUROYA also seemed to struggle on the side, and I myself played on the left side for the first time in a while, and there were many moments when I couldn't connect well with the forward players or find passing lanes. I believe that the team shaping up or the attacking patterns forming towards the end of the season, or the organization coming together, should not be something that happens gradually during the season; rather, it should be completed during the camp. So, to prevent that from happening next season, I want to create a strong organization for both defense and attack starting from the camp.
Q. What do you think needs to be worked on for the next season?
I think Tokyo's strength lies in immediately moving forward after taking the ball, so I believe we can change our mindset there. After losing points, we changed our approach to dealing with crosses and reduced the number of goals conceded, but I think that was too late. If each player approaches the game with a high level of awareness, I believe we can aim higher. Since joining Tokyo, in the past two seasons, we haven't achieved any titles or results, so I feel my own lack of ability. For the 2026 season, I want to put everything on the line to win a title.
