<Review of the Previous Match vs. Fagiano Okayama>
Tokyo took control from the early stages, mixing simple attacks aiming behind the defense while maintaining possession. They advanced the game in the opponent’s half and showed a solid style of play by immediately trying to regain the ball even after losing possession.
At the start of the second half, after advancing the match dominantly despite being blocked by Fagiano Okayama’s solid defense that packed the area in front of the goal with a five-back formation, the blue and red hotline finally opened. Kei Sato, who broke free in sync with Takahiro KO’s perfectly aimed pass, showed a soft trap with the outside of his right foot and quickly slotted the ball in with his right foot to score the opening goal. Wearing number 16, who shook the net with his outstanding scoring sense, dashed straight toward the goal behind and shared the joy with the fans and supporters who were cheering in the rain.
Tokyo continues to add depth and variation to their attack in order to break through the opponent's defensive network. Not only does one of the two forwards drop into midfield to receive the ball, but the defensive midfielder also pushes up near the penalty area, creating a shape resembling one forward with two shadows. They adjust their system flexibly while observing the opponent’s movements, aiming to break down Okayama’s solid defense.
Although Tokyo temporarily conceded a goal from a corner kick and were equalized, the goddess of victory smiled upon Tokyo, who continued their attack without rushing. In the 43rd minute of the second half, Sato once again broke free following a lofted pass from Takao, and after his first touch bypassed the opposing goalkeeper, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA pushed the ball in to take the lead. Then, in the 45th minute, Sato received a sideways pass from Takao and scored with a grounded mid-range shot, sealing the victory.
Continuously probing for weaknesses in the first half and breaking through Okayama’s solid defense with flexible soccer in the second half, Tokyo secured a comfortable 3-1 victory, confirming their stay in the J1 League. While conceding a goal from a set piece remains an issue, this was a significant win that showcased the team’s overall strength in duels, quick transitions, and competitive spirit.
Match Preview
This is a two-match series that will test the evolution and true value of “Rikizo Tokyo.” The venue is the Japan National Stadium. In the 36th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, held as FC Machida Zelvia’s home game, the blue-red army will invade “Our National.”
Tokyo will face Machida back-to-back, first in this weekend’s league match and then in next weekend’s Emperor's Cup semifinal. Since Machida’s promotion to the J1 League last season, Tokyo has lost all three encounters against them, so everyone surely wants to wipe away that frustration in these two matches. Teruhito NAKAGAWA, reflecting on past battles, expressed his determination: “I want to clear our name here. This will be a match where we must win for Tokyo’s pride. Winning here will give us momentum going into the Emperor's Cup.”
Since the Sec. 28 match against Nagoya Grampus on August 31, Tokyo has faced teams using a five-back formation in 6 out of 8 games, which has gradually built up their tactical targets and ways of playing, clearly enabling them to play more adaptable soccer. Especially in the previous match against Fagiano Okayama, the players carefully assessed the opponents' positioning and scored three goals. Head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI also expressed his expectations for further changes in the attack on the pitch, saying, "During the game, you can see many of their own creative ideas. It would be even better if they have the mindset to not only make the right decisions but also find interesting approaches and try them out."
On the other hand, Machida currently stands 6th with 16 wins, 9 draws, and 10 losses. This season, they have participated in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and so far have recorded 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss in the league stage. This past Tuesday, they faced Melbourne City FC (Australia) at home. They conceded an own goal immediately after kickoff, giving the opponent the opening goal, and allowed the winning goal near the end, losing 1-2. The team has also struggled with scoring, as since September, the only official match in which they scored multiple goals was the ACLE game against Shanghai Port on October 21.
However, they are still creating solid chances, having scored 13 goals from set plays and 12 goals from crosses in the league matches. These two patterns account for more than half of the team's total goals. Their long throws are also a threat, and their approach of placing a target player up front to simply deliver long balls and collect second balls remains unchanged. Given their expected rebound mentality, battles for the ball will likely become even more crucial than before.
The player to be especially wary of is Soma, who has also delivered results as a member of the Japan national team. He is an attacker involved in decisive moments such as vertical breakthroughs, cut-ins followed by shots, and long throws. Coach Matsuhashi also cautions, "He is a key player. His strengths are being fully utilized."
And indeed, the key lies in countermeasures against set pieces, which Machida excels at. This has been an area Tokyo has identified as a challenge and has been addressing through thorough repetition. It is not difficult to anticipate that the opponent will emphasize this aspect in their strategy, but Coach Matsuhashi expresses confidence, saying, "I would actually like them to bring that to the forefront. We have prepared thoroughly, including repeated practice, to overturn that."
The consecutive matches leading up to the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round, along with the three consecutive losses since last season, tend to draw a lot of focus, but the coach and players do not dwell too much on the past or the future and instead concentrate on this week's game. Coach Matsuhashi said, "Past situations and data have no impact. It's about how firmly we hold our mindset and fight," while Kyo SATO, who scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist in the previous match, stated, "Of course, we intend to win both matches, but first, we focus on how to win the game in front of us," showing a determined mindset as they head to the National Stadium with a one-match-at-a-time approach.
The key points against the opponent's style of long balls, set pieces, and high pressing will undoubtedly be strength in duels and one-on-one battles. Captain Kei KOIZUMI points out the crucial factors, saying, "By firmly getting into the game, chances will naturally come to us. It is important not to lose in simple one-on-one plays, and everyone understands the opponent's style of play. We want to avoid being passive and decisively win the battles in each situation."
The soccer we have been building up since the pre-season camp is steadily bearing fruit. To prove this with results and make it a “harvest season,” we want to take all three points from Machida this matchweek and move forward into the following weeks, turning confidence into conviction. The blue and red squad will step onto the National pitch to surpass the opponent with a fierce battle.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. As a review of the match against Fagiano Okayama, please evaluate both offense and defense.
A. It was a match where we gained good results. Not only were we able to express the parts we aimed for, but I think the good point was that everyone was able to play with aligned focus regardless of the situation.
We have been facing teams that use a three-back formation, such as Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Okayama, and even before the match against Yokohama F.Marinos, the opponents employed either a three-back or five-back system. Of course, each team has different strengths and talents. Although there were moments in the matches where we were outmatched by the opponents, overall, I believe we were able to effectively suppress their key strengths in every game.
In terms of offense, considering that we have been able to express the intended patterns, the fact that we have faced opponents using similar systems consecutively has likely helped the players gradually get accustomed, and I believe that this progress was reflected in the results of the Okayama match.
Q. Along with the results of our buildup, I think we can also see growth in the aspect of playing soccer while paying closer attention to the opponent.
A. Each player has truly remarkable abilities, and the “players’ own ingenuity” has become clearer with each match. Moreover, this is not simply because it is the orthodox or correct method, but it also seems to stem from the players’ sense of challenge and their desire to try new things. I feel that the number of players who can do ten things when told one is increasing individually, and I believe this is the result of repeated confirmation and practice in both offense and defense.
Q. This week's league match and the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round on the 16th will both be against FC Machida Zelvia.
A. We are only thinking about winning both matches. Since it will be consecutive games against Machida, the first match is especially important, and winning is crucial to improve our league standing even a little. We want to firmly express what we have built up so far.
As for our impression of Machida, we need to be especially cautious of Soma's play. His dribbling breakthroughs, crosses, and shots are very effective, and the team also has strengths in set pieces. I think they are a wonderful team that is steadily progressing without wavering. That is precisely why we want to prove our strength by surpassing such an opponent.
[Player Interview]
<Player Kei Sato>
Q. It will be a two-match series against FC Machida Zelvia.
A. I intend to win both the league match and the Emperor's Cup game. However, the most important thing is to win the match right in front of us. I don't want to talk too much about the future right now, but first, I plan to finish the league matches and then focus on the Emperor's Cup game that follows. Taking into account the challenges and gains from the league matches, I want to approach each game carefully and fight hard, one match at a time.
Q. What is your impression of Machida?
A. My impression is that they are a team that frequently uses long balls. However, they also have many good players in midfield, and the quality of their passing in the attacking third and middle zone is high. There are many high-quality players on the sides and wing-backs, and there are also players in the attacking midfield who actively take on challenges, making them a very troublesome team both offensively and defensively. I think they are a very solid team.
Q. What do you think will be the key points for victory?
A. On the offensive side, the key to the match will be who uses the opponent’s space. Will the forward players use the open space, will the defensive midfielders invade and use it, or will the fullbacks move inside? There are various patterns, so I think this will be crucial. Defensively, it is important not to lose in one-on-one situations. Machida has highly skilled players like Soma, so preventing them from delivering crosses or responding firmly even if they do is essential. We have been continuously practicing dealing with crosses and set plays, so I believe this will also be a key factor.
Q. In recent matches, there have been many voices saying that Sato's condition is good and his performance is high. What kind of play do you want to contribute to the team with?
A. Like in the previous match against Fagiano Okayama, my role now is to score goals, provide assists, run the most for the team, do gritty defensive work, appear in various places during attacks, and participate in build-up play. When I think about my future growth, I see this as part of the process to become a perfect player. I want to approach it with the mindset of 'I'll do it all.'
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q, I think these will be two matches where we have to show our determination.
A, We will be playing the same opponent consecutively, but the most important thing is the match right in front of us. I want to focus on winning the upcoming match without thinking too much about the next one. Right now, both personally and as a team, we are solely focused on "winning."
Q, Koizumi himself has started in all matches against FC Machida Zelvia in the J1 League so far, but has not been able to secure a victory.
A, Since Machida was promoted to the J1 League, we have never been able to win against them, so we have to show our determination. The home game this season was a frustrating match both for the team and for me personally. Not only personally, but also as a team, we want to firmly show our fighting spirit in the remaining matches.
Q. What do you think is the key to winning against Machida?
A. I think it’s about how we start the match. If we get into the game properly, it won’t be a difficult match, and naturally, chances will come to us. We need to firmly handle the basics, such as not losing in simple one-on-one situations. Ultimately, I believe these are the factors that decide the outcome, so I want to focus on doing them well.
Q, I think second balls are also an important factor that can decide the outcome of the match.
A, Of course, one-on-one situations are important, but if we lose out on the battle for second balls, the rhythm of the game will be taken away from us. If we can firmly outperform Machida in that aspect, I believe the rhythm will shift to Tokyo’s favor. Both as a team and individually, we want to be conscious of this and work hard on it.
