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The match against FC Machida Zelvia, which was played in consecutive games with the Emperor’s Cup Semifinal Round scheduled for the following weekend. The Red and Blue showed their determination against an opponent they had lost to in all three previous encounters.
From the start, the match saw Machida pressing with long balls and high pressing, forcing Tokyo to endure time in their own half. In the 10th minute of the first half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu stopped a close-range shot to prevent conceding a goal. While the defense fought hard, the attack struggled against the opponent’s man-to-man defense and failed to find rhythm, leading to a goalless halftime.
Even after entering the second half, unable to change the flow as desired, Tokyo found a way out by holding firm defensively and then drawing the opponent in to launch long counterattacks. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Leon NOZAWA, who had come on as a substitute, won the ball high up the pitch and, gauging the goalkeeper’s advanced position, delivered a delicate lob shot. However, it narrowly struck the left post and did not result in the opening goal.
Despite a difficult period, Tokyo continued to fight without losing their composure. In the 37th minute of the second half, while Machida created a decisive chance, Alexander SCHOLZ and Kei KOIZUMI protected the goal with consecutive sliding blocks.
With the entire team maintaining tenacious defense, the match finally shifted in the 42nd minute of the second half. Breaking through the left side on a counterattack from their own half, Takahiro KO quickly distributed the ball forward. Kei SATO, who had broken free, crossed it back, and Soma ANZAI pushed it in for the goal. Tokyo broke the deadlock with a sharp attack targeting behind the back line, which they had been aiming for since the first half.
The match ended 1-0 as it was. Despite being blocked in attack, Tokyo showcased their strength in duels and their fighting spirit to pull in the victory, securing their first league win against Machida.
Match Preview
The awaited Emperor’s Cup Semifinal Round ended in a fierce battle that could not be decided within 90 minutes and went into extra time. However, in the 13th minute of the first half of extra time, FC Machida Zelvia capitalized on a defensive coordination error to score. Then, in the 4th minute of the second half of extra time, they pulled further ahead, sealing the outcome. The team missed advancing to the Final Round for the first time in 14 tournaments.
After the match, there was a gleam in Keito Sato’s eyes as he stood behind the goal.
“My feelings for the Emperor’s Cup were strong. We fought through this season to win the title. We prepared for that match with that goal in mind. Not only the players, but the staff, fans, and supporters all fought together. Losing despite all that was frustrating, and I truly felt our lack of strength.”
He bit his lip. Swallowing his sigh, he shifted his focus to the next goal. One of the objectives he set for himself: the challenge of scoring double-digit goals in the league.
“Personally, I want to aim for double-digit goals. But more importantly, I want to do what I can to win and secure two consecutive victories. I want to leave my mark with both goals and assists. I want to give everything for the team to win.”
And the team to channel their pent-up frustration against is one of the league’s top talent squads. Although Vissel Kobe missed out on a third consecutive league title, they currently sit in third place, boasting a star-studded lineup including Muto, Osako, Miyashiro, Sakai, and Ideguchi, among many others. They were defeated by Machida in the recent Emperor’s Cup Final, but immediately afterward in the AFC Champions League Elite, they defeated Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 to maintain their top position. Their style of play—using a versatile range of passes and applying pressure from the front line to overwhelm opponents—remains strong this season. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI spoke these words ahead of this match.
“We want to actively create space ourselves while skillfully using their pressure. Since they have players with a wide defensive range, we want to turn that wide defensive coverage to our advantage in the flow of the game. I think it will be a tough and difficult match, but (Kobe) recently won the J1 League two years in a row and are currently near the top this season as well. Facing an opponent who is also in a good position in Asia’s top competition, there is no need to reconsider the significance of this match now. I believe it comes down to whether we can swallow up that opponent, make it our own game, win, and head into the next match.”
This season, there are only two J1 League matches left. It is a match to vent the frustration of a trophyless season. Ahead of the match against Kobe, a team with many players who have long fought alongside him in the Japan national team and elsewhere, Masato MORISHIGE quietly ignited his fighting spirit and took the lead.
“There is something that burns inside me. When I see their faces, a fire naturally ignites. I think they feel the same way. I want to make sure we don’t let them play freely. We ourselves have finally started to grasp something. If we can feel that until the very end and close out this season, I believe it will be a good starting point for what lies ahead next season.”
Can we firmly win the next two matches, finish the league with four consecutive victories, and light a beacon of hope for the new season? These two matches hold that kind of significance.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. Please tell us your impression of the opponent, Vissel Kobe.
A. I think they are a club that has led the entire league in recent seasons, and their strong performance is clearly visible as they currently top their group in the East region of the ongoing AFC Champions League Elite. They also advanced to the Final Round of the Emperor’s Cup, and we want to beat that opponent and aim even higher. We are focused solely on demonstrating our strength and securing the three points.
Q. What aspects will be important as the match progresses?
A. They are a team that skillfully uses both short and long passes, leveraging the high individual abilities of their players. We want to effectively utilize the spaces that open up by making good use of the power they put into their attacks. Of course, it would be best if we can proactively create those spaces ourselves. On the other hand, Kobe is also known for their play that exploits space. If we can score the opening goal against their simple attacks, I believe the direction in which the game will proceed will become clearer.
Q, There are only two league matches left.
A, First, we are focusing on this one match. The key point is whether we can turn the significance of facing Kobe at this time into good motivation. They are a team that has recently won consecutive league titles. It is important for us to make it our game and secure the win against an opponent who has competed for many titles. I think it will be a tough game.
[Player Interview]
Q. It will be a match against Vissel Kobe after a short break since the last league game.
A. Recently, we suffered a very frustrating loss in the Emperor’s Cup Semifinal Round against FC Machida Zelvia. Amid that, we have been thoroughly preparing for this upcoming match. We are focusing solely on securing 3 points against Kobe.
Q. After the previous match against Machida, is there anything that was shared within the team as an issue to address?
A. During and after the Machida match, we had various communications. I feel that we fought too much on the opponent’s terms and strengths. On the stage of the Semifinal Round, I think a calmer style of play was required. Kobe’s style has some similarities, so we want to constantly make adjustments on the pitch and control the game. We want to keep communication and voices going without stopping as we proceed.
Q. In the match against Machida, you were seen playing defensively in deeper positions quite often. How do you want to connect that to good attacking play?
A. In the previous match against Machida, a high defensive intensity was required, and it was a game where both teams were competing to see who could score first. Since it was a tournament-style match, the whole team felt somewhat heavy and defensive. If we can raise the team’s overall balance even slightly and win the ball in advanced positions, we can effectively connect to counterattacks. However, if our balance shifts too far forward, there is a risk of falling behind in dealing with the opponent’s long balls and recovering second balls, so we want to proceed with the match while carefully maintaining a good balance.
Q, This will be the match against Kobe following consecutive wins over Fagiano Okayama and Machida.
A, Of course, we want to extend our winning streak, but we also want to avoid getting too caught up in that. First, we want to focus on winning the match in front of us and fighting through it.
Q. I think it will be important to find a way to evade the pressure Vissel Kobe applies from the front line.
A. Watching the Emperor’s Cup Final Round match against FC Machida Zelvia, I felt that every player on their team has the individual ability to break through. By enduring that, I believe we can create our own chances to win. They are a very strong opponent, so we want to fight them properly.
Q. I think that by securing consecutive wins here, we can carry a good momentum into next season.
A. We have been building something up, so it would be a waste to let it go now. There are things we are finally starting to grasp. Since we are steadily progressing step by step, I believe that by continuing to fight until the end of the season, it will become an opportunity to see something good for next season.
Q. Focusing on the results in the second half of the league, we are among the top 5 teams. I believe this is proof that we have become a team that can steadily accumulate points.
A. The players were feeling their way through a lot in the first half of the season, and that showed in the matches as well. Now, we are focused from practice, doing what needs to be done without hesitation, and I feel we are able to train properly. I believe this directly connects to our performance in matches. There are many talented players, so it is important to prepare to demonstrate that ability and see how well we can perform in the games.
Q. Among the opponents, there are players like Muto and Osako, who have fought alongside me in the Japan national team.
A. Seeing their faces ignites a fire in me and fuels my passion. I believe they feel the same, but since we are competing, I want to firmly contain them.
AloJapan.com