The game took place three days after the 2025 J.League YBC Levain Cup elimination. The match held at Japan National Stadium was named ‘New Balance Day,’ and the players took to the pitch wearing a surprise gray Special kit.
From a cautious start, it seemed they conceded the first goal in the 8th minute of the first half, but thanks to VAR support, it was ruled offside and they escaped danger. In the 25th minute of the first half, player Megumi Sato broke away on a counterattack, entered the penalty area, and struck with his right foot, but the perfectly timed shot just missed outside the post.
The first half, in which both teams showed high concentration, ended without any change in the score. However, just four minutes into the second half, they conceded the opening goal from a set-piece, and then at the 14th minute, a defensive line misjudgment led to an additional goal against them.
Chasing a two-goal deficit, the team attempted to turn the situation around with aggressive player substitutions, but an accident occurred when Marcelo RYAN, who had just come on as a substitute, got injured. The game plan was disrupted, and the team had to scramble to mount a counterattack.
In the 41st minute of the second half, they were saved by the opponent missing a penalty kick, but immediately after, in the 43rd minute, they allowed the opponent to penetrate deep into their own half and concede a painful third goal from a cross. They were unable to shake the net during the 6 minutes of added time in the second half, suffering a complete defeat with a score of 0-3. The unbeaten home record at the renovated Japan National Stadium came to an end at 10 matches, resulting in a frustrating third consecutive official match loss.
＜This Week’sPreview＞
The 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will complete Sec. 19 this weekend, marking the halfway point of the first half of the season. Due to the AFC Champions League Elite schedule, Tokyo’s Sec. 15 match against Yokohama F. Marinos has been rescheduled, but since the team will enter the international match week after this weekend’s match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., this weekend can be considered a significant milestone.
In the previous match, the Blue-Red team suffered a frustrating defeat at Japan National Stadium. With the result of three consecutive official match losses and the tough content of the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the players expressed harsh reflections after the game. Following this match, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI stated, “While analyzing the opponent, we have directed our focus toward playing our own style of football, not adapting to the opponent but making them adapt to us. Despite continuing matches where we create chances in front of goal but fail to score, we want to return to basics by being mindful of player relationships and attacking variations, not only targeting the opponent’s weak points but also not missing any momentary lapses.”
How much intensity and fear towards the goal can be regained? That will be the key point in the match against Kyoto. Coach Matsuhashi once again urged the players to be aggressive in scoring, saying, “We just have to keep taking shots. If we don’t miss the moment when we can swing our feet, the chances of scoring will increase.” He also focused on combining the players’ strengths and allowing them to play freely.
In terms of intimidation, how to add depth to the attack is also important. After the last match, the coach hinted at a formation change, so attention is focused on what kind of members and lineup they will bring. It is about how to showcase the origin and foundation of the style that “Rikizo Tokyo” has upheld—targeting open spaces while maintaining ball possession.
Kyoto, the opponent, currently ranks 4th with 9 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses. Under the management of CHO Kwi Jae, they have built a strong attacking lineup based on hard work, placing them among the top teams. However, this match will see the suspension of players Marco Tulio and Hirato. Additionally, their ace Rafael Elias was forced to leave the previous game due to injury after coming on as a substitute, and player Hara is also sidelined with an injury, creating a challenging situation. Nevertheless, there are many players to watch out for, including Okugawa, who has returned from overseas, and Kawasaki, a member of the Paris Olympics squad. They have a lineup that should never be underestimated, and above all, their strength in one-on-one situations is among the best in the league.
For Tokyo, showing harder work and fierce battles for the ball than the opponent is an absolute condition for victory. Captain Kei KOIZUMI also commented on the turning point of the match, saying, “The opponent fights hard within a solid tactical framework. First and foremost, it is most important not to lose in those battles. How much we can put everything into the match in front of us is key.” Building on that, we want to combine each player’s strengths, align our focus, and firmly demonstrate a well-rounded attack calculated from the goal backward.
The last match of the first half of the league. To enter the break period on a positive note, it is essential to demonstrate a strong determination for victory and goals on the pitch, and to firmly convert what has been built up so far into results.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: In the post-match press conference after the previous game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, you mentioned that your mind was focused on “what to do next.” Looking back, what points have you focused on this week?
A, up until now, during the preparation phase, we tried various things and made adjustments, but there were parts where it felt like we were placing too much emphasis on the opponent. That was true in my own mind as well. Once again, by directing our focus inward and expressing what we want to do, we want to create a situation where the opponent has to adapt to us. I conveyed this intention clearly to the players again and focused on what we want to achieve.
Q. Please tell us the part you especially wanted to focus on during this week’s practice.
A. On the offensive side, it’s about creativity and awareness in front of the goal. Despite having clear chances, we continued to fail to convert them into goals. I believe this is an area where we must keep trying. Rather than focusing solely on exploiting the opponent’s weak points, it’s important to maintain awareness of the relationships with teammates and variations in play, never missing even a momentary opportunity, and making the best play choices to create goals. We have no choice but to keep taking shots. To achieve this, quickly recognizing situations both offensively and defensively—“cognition”—is a key point, and that’s what we focused on in this week’s training.
Q, the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in this round will generally be the mid-season game.
A. The early matches were performances equivalent to wins, but there were many games where the results did not follow. However, there is no doubt that there were reasons why victories did not come in those matches, and I also believe there is no such thing as a mysterious loss. Through those matches, we have been addressing each cause one by one, but from here on, we want to focus even more on “ourselves.” We sincerely accept that our current position reflects our present situation, and by aligning everyone’s understanding, we believe we can aim higher from this point. We will fight with a strong sense of urgency.
Q. What is your impression of Kyoto?
A is a team riding a good momentum, and I am the same age as Coach Cho; we have been rivals pushing each other to improve. As a team, they have no weaknesses and possess the determination to see things through. Especially this season, I get the impression that their defensive strength has been enhanced. I believe that the teams capable of steadily accumulating 3 points against such opponents are the ones that can advance to the top ranks. We want to firmly seize the victory.
[Player Interview]
Q, the league matches have reached the halfway point.
A. Always focus on winning the match in front of us. That is what we are committed to. We can’t afford to worry about future matches; what matters is how much we can put everything on the line for the current game. There is a phrase, “fighting desperately,” and we truly have to approach it with that level of determination. Both as individuals and as a team, we have the feeling that we cannot end like this, so we want to give it our all. In tomorrow’s match, above all, we want to focus on winning.
Q: After the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the coach said, “We will focus on ourselves and move forward.”
A, as an individual, I was not able to help the team win, and I have to accept that reality. I believe that winning is the most important thing for both Tokyo and myself. As long as I am on the pitch, I must express what I can do on it, and when it comes to showing results, there is nothing but “victory,” so I want to play with winning as the starting point.
Q. What is your impression of Kyoto Sanga F.C.?
A, I have the impression that everyone plays hard and with determination. Within a solid tactical framework, each player fights earnestly, so the most important thing is not to lose in those battles.
Q. To win against that opponent, I think we have to win the match right in front of us.
A, I believe that how well and how much we can win battles against the opponent determines the outcome, so I want to do it properly.
Q. From Shirai’s perspective, what was the main reason the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima did not go well?
A, I feel it is the quality of connection. Of course, we were conscious of expressing what we have worked on, and there were good scenes, but there were also mistakes. Naturally, there were plays that led to good challenges and successes, but we need to improve the success rate and quality there. Also, the way we conceded goals was broken down in a similar manner. These two points were especially discussed in the locker room after the match.
Q. Regarding the match against Hiroshima, the system was the same as the opponent’s. Was it difficult because it was a mirror game?
A. If the opponent uses the same system, one-on-one situations will increase. In such cases, it is essential to win those individual battles. By skillfully breaking free, since it becomes a mirror game, the opportunities and patterns to break down the defense also expand. I believe the main reason was that we couldn’t create any gaps while often facing the opposing players directly on the pitch.
Q, the mid-season match will be against my former team, Kyoto Sanga F.C..
Since transferring to Tokyo, I had never played a match in Kyoto, so personally, I have a strong desire to step onto the pitch. This club holds a special place in my heart for giving me the opportunity to challenge myself in the full-back position, and I want to perform well and show how much I have grown.
Q. Please tell us the key points to watch out for Kyoto as they enter their 5th season under Coach Cho’s management.
A, I think the team’s strengths are quick attacks, rapid transitions, and strong challenges for the ball. Not only their speed going forward but also their build-up play from the back are strong points, so we want to approach the match with full caution both offensively and defensively.
AloJapan.com