TOKYOism

A V-shaped recovery from the relegation zone. In the second half of the season, Sei MUROYA, who returned from Germany, played in 20 official matches with a record of 10 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses. It is a shared understanding among the Aoaka family that the team's atmosphere and fighting spirit clearly changed, and that this directly led to the results. What exactly was he thinking, and what kind of efforts did he make? And what does he believe is necessary for Tokyo to truly become stronger――.

To become a winning team

──It was announced in late May that he would return to Tokyo, and from the Sec. 20 match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Cerezo Osaka on June 14, he once again took the pitch wearing the blue and red.
When I returned, the team was in a position fighting to avoid relegation, so my strong feeling was that we had to keep this team in the J1 League first and foremost. I saw that as a major mission for myself and wanted to firmly push the team upward. After the transfer was decided, there was a long period before player registration was completed, allowing ample practice time, which helped me get my condition right. What I felt then was, "With so many high-quality players, why is this team struggling to avoid relegation?" There are many technically skilled players, but few show emotions during matches, give instructions, or aggressively press the ball. I consciously tried to bring intensity to the forefront, deliberately making big gestures to change the atmosphere. I thought it was necessary to involve not only the team but also the fans and supporters around us, so especially at the beginning, I focused on that.

── At the press conference for joining, you mentioned wanting to "lead by example." With player Muroya joining, it clearly feels like the team's atmosphere and fighting spirit have changed. Do you also feel a different sense of confidence yourself?
I can't compare because I don't know what it was like before I joined, but personally, I think it wasn't just me who changed things—it was really the team that was able to change successfully. Including the players who joined in the summer, everyone was able to take on important roles, and I feel like everyone accepted that well and the team was able to build up effectively. I feel that we became a team that can fight, and I think that was conveyed to the people watching, as well as the fans and supporters, through the matches. Of course, it wasn't just my effort alone, but I'm really glad that I was able to contribute to the comeback in the second half of the season.

──In terms of comparison, do you feel any differences or changes compared to your previous self?
That has changed quite a bit. Of course, I have always been the type to show my desire to win on the pitch, but before, I didn’t really pay much attention to the team’s atmosphere or momentum. To be honest, I played at my own pace and felt it was enough as long as my own performance was good. But now that I’m 31, I think I’ve started to see a bit more clearly what I can do to help the team win. I’ve also started to encourage players who aren’t playing in matches. Also, living in Germany changed my values. I really felt through the matches and life there what the fans and supporters expect from the sport of football, and why they come to the stadium. They come to watch the team they support fight, and that’s something I strongly sensed. So, when I returned to Tokyo, I wanted to express that aspect as well.

──It seems like the second half was when the team regained what was important.
I only know about the second half of the season, but I think those who know both the first half, when results didn’t go as expected, and the second half, when the team started to function well, understand best what the difference is. I believe it’s really about the attitude of fighting to win, but first, we have to face the matches based on the way we fought in the second half, focusing on those fundamental aspects. And of course, as a group that can win, we must continuously demonstrate the attitude and commitment to winning throughout the match.

── How do you feel when you look back on your decision to return to Tokyo at this timing? As mentioned earlier, I believe the meaning and value of being able to bring back the experience gained in Germany is very high.
I am simply happy that various circumstances and timing aligned for me to return to Tokyo, and I am always able to play with the joy of being able to fight for Tokyo again. I have always wanted to come back while my body is still able to move. Personally, there are still many things I need to work on, but I believe I have somewhat demonstrated my fighting spirit towards the team and how I approach daily practice and matches.

──Adopting a four-back formation from the second half of the season became a major turning point for the team. Looking back at the play on the pitch, it seems that assigning player Muroya to left side back also brought a significant boost to defensive stability.
I want to become a player who loses the ball less often on my side. As a left side back, I focus more on defense and want to keep Yuto NAGATOMO on the right side as high up the field as possible, so we rotate the back line with three players slightly, and I often find myself in that position. Also, I want to prevent Alexander SCHOLZ and Masato MORISHIGE from facing one-on-one situations with the opponent in wide spaces as much as possible. I always think about positioning to prevent that beforehand and about being the first defender to break up counterattacks. As long as the team can win, I’m fine with playing a role that doesn’t stand out, and right now, I’m really enjoying playing as a left side back. I want to play soccer for as long as possible, and in that sense, having the option to play on the left side as well is a plus for the rest of my career.

──In the second half of the season, the defense clearly stabilized, reducing the number of goals conceded, and we were able to achieve results based on a solid defense.
Over the past six months, I have really felt that we have become able to take a flexible stance against our opponents and fight in a flexible way. As a defender, I was glad that we had many clean sheet (no goals conceded) matches in defense, and we have developed the ability to win one-goal games, giving us the feeling and confidence that we can win if we have one goal. The team has also developed the mentality to fight without getting impatient even if we don't score. Ideally, I would like to improve the quality of our attack more, but I believe that the whole team, including the forwards, really supported the team by working hard defensively. However, regarding the attacking aspect, it is something the team must improve as we head into the 2026 season.

──While we succeeded in making a comeback, the Emperor's Cup ended in a disappointing result with a loss to FC Machida Zelvia in the Semifinal Round.
Of course, winning the title is not easy, and we were conscious of our approach, play, and behavior to win. However, Machida, who we faced in the Semifinal Round, really fought desperately and aimed for the goal with the determination to score at least one point, even if it meant playing rough. And they seized that opportunity. Tokyo also needs to have that kind of foundation, and on top of that foundation, the coach's style is added. Of course, I think we had a good match, and I believe it wouldn't have been strange if Tokyo had won. But still, we must be the kind of team that capitalizes on matches like that and wins before we even realize it.

──Finally, what is necessary to truly gain strength?
It was a half-season where I felt I wanted to take more responsibility in order to make Tokyo a club that can always compete for titles. I believe I am always expressing myself on the pitch, and I consciously push myself to play with my emotions fully on display, but I want to involve the team more and more effectively. After the final matchday, when Rikizo MATSUHASHI (Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI) gave his greeting, there was booing, but originally, we players should be the ones most criticized. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI took that on our behalf. I sincerely accepted those voices and felt that we need to direct the arrows more towards ourselves. Of course, everyone is fighting. However, in the truest sense, we need to demand more from each other and reexamine what we can do to win. This applies not only to the players but also to the staff, the organization, and the company. Of course, I believe everyone is making efforts, but to truly become a winning team, including myself, we all need to think more deeply and act accordingly.

Text by Tomoo Aoyama (Freelance Writer)