The league has resumed, and the Blue and Red Army has returned to Ajinomoto Stadium. In the 26th round at home, they faced Kawasaki Frontale, a rival team from across the Tama River.
Tokyo made three changes to their starting lineup from the previous match. Nozawa Taishi Brandon was at the back, with the defensive line composed of Shirai Kosuke, Doi Kanta, Oka Teppei, and Tokumoto Yuhei on the right. Taka Yuhiro and Koizumi Kei formed a defensive midfielder duo, while Nakagawa Teruhito acted as an attacking midfielder. Anzai Souma played on the right wing, and Endo Keita took the left wing, with Diego Oliveira as the lone striker.
Currently, they sit in 7th place with 10 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses. In their previous match, they were pushed back by Gamba Osaka but managed to draw, earning a valuable point. They will be hoping for a win in this Tamagawa Clasico to help them climb the standings.
The match began at 7:03 p.m. in a tense atmosphere, with player introductions accompanied by moving lights, the Tama River Clasico theme, and fireworks.
1st HALF—We created chances but lost points due to a brief lapse in play.
Tokyo generated the first clear opportunity. From the onset, they focused their efforts on the right side with Diego’s play off the post as a springboard, demonstrating excellent passing. In the 5th minute, Taka delivered a cross from the right. Endo, positioned on the far side, dove to meet it with a header, but it went just wide of the left post.
The pressure from Tokyo continued. Shortly after, in the 6th minute, Diego reacted to a through ball and trapped it. Endo, skillfully switching and breaking through vertically, sent in a cross, but it went unnoticed. Then, in the 9th minute, Nakagawa jumped near the near post after Koizumi’s right cross, aiming for the far post with Endo’s attempt, but it was blocked by the opponent.
Moreover, in the 12th minute, Diego reacted swiftly to a deflected through ball and found himself one-on-one against Jung Sung-ryong, but the opposing goalkeeper denied the shot.
Despite an array of chances, Tokyo couldn’t find the net. After a spell of intense pressure, Kawasaki struck first with a solitary opportunity. In the 15th minute, Kawasaki’s Marcinho cut back inside the penalty area and crossed to the left. Yamada Arata connected with a header, and Nozawa couldn’t clear the shot with his left hand, leading to the ball hitting the post and entering the goal. Despite their dominance, Kawasaki managed to take the lead by catching Tokyo off guard.
This appeared to disrupt Tokyo’s momentum; in the 20th minute, Yamada headed in a cross from the right near the near post, resulting in a quick two-goal deficit for Tokyo.
Determined not to falter at home, Tokyo rallied. In the 25th minute, Koizumi applied high pressure to steal the ball, leading to Diego’s shot from Nakagawa’s through pass. Then, in the 27th minute, Endo broke through a long throw from Tokumoto and attempted a right-footed shot, increasing the pressure on the opposition’s defense.
Following the 30th minute, the game opened up a bit, but neither team could create clear chances, leaving the score unchanged. After four added minutes, the first half concluded with the score at 0-2.
2nd HALF—Despite making several substitutions, the team faced a disappointing home loss.
Tokyo, eager for a comeback, made tactical changes at halftime, substituting Araki Ryotaro for Yasui at attacking midfielder and moving Nakagawa to the right wing for greater attacking variety.
Early in the second half, Araki maintained possession, while Endo and Shirai delivered crosses from either flank, approaching the Kawasaki goal.
Araki also supported defensive efforts by pressing back to reclaim the ball, strengthening his presence in front of goal with attempts to break through with passes from the center towards the outside.
In the 15th minute of the second half, Tokyo substituted Harakawa Chikara for Koizumi. By the 19th minute, they executed a perfect shot during a left corner kick from the opposing team, but the ball bounced off the crossbar.
Prioritizing their attack, Tokyo replaced Nakagawa and Diego with Kobayashi Tsuyoshi and Tawara Tsumita Kota in the 24th minute, adjusting their formation to place Kobayashi at the top, Araki at attacking midfielder, Endo on the right, and Tawara Tsumita on the left.
However, immediately following this substitution, they conceded a third goal. Takai headed in from a set piece, extending the score to 0-3. Just as they started to push forward, they found themselves in an even tougher predicament.
Despite the setback, Tokyo aimed to score for the fans who continued to cheer from the stands. In the 38th minute, Tawara Tsumita dribbled down the left wing, passing to Kogashiwa, who rushed in to score, but Jung Sung-ryong managed to parry the ball just in time. In the 39th minute, Araki set up Endo for a shot, but once again Jung Sung-ryong intervened and thwarted the attempt.
Desperate to demonstrate their resolve, Tokyo finally found the back of the net in the 42nd minute when Ogashiwa leaped to head in a sharp cross from the right by Endo, but it narrowly missed the goal. They continued to attack, with Shirai sprinting down the right wing and unleashing a fierce mid-range shot that also missed the target.
In the five minutes of added time, they fought valiantly to withstand the opponent’s attacks, but to no avail. Unable to capitalize on the numerous early chances they created, they conceded the opening goal on a single opportunity and subsequently allowed three headers to seal their fate. With a frustrating home loss, both Tamagawa Clasico matches this season concluded with a score of 0-3.
MATCH DETAILS
GK Nozawa Taishi Brandon
DF Kosuke Shirai / Kanta Doi (39th minute of the second half: Masato Morishige) / Teppei Oka / Yuhei Tokumoto
MF Takahiro / Kei Koizumi (15 minutes into the second half: Chikara Harakawa) / Teruhito Nakagawa (24 minutes into the second half: Kota Tawara Tsumita)
FW Diego Oliveira (24th minute of the second half: Tsuyoshi Kobayashi) / Keita Endo / Souma Anzai (0th minute of the second half: Ryotaro Araki)
SUBS
GK Hatano Go
Defender Yuto Nagatomo
GOAL
ー
STARTING Ⅺ
Goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong
DF Van Welmeskerken (28th minute of the second half: Yusuke Segawa) / Kodai Takai / Akira Sasaki / Sota Miura
MF Kento Tachibana / Yoshito Wakisaka / Ryota Oshima (28 minutes into the second half: Itsuki Seko)
FW Akihiro Ienaga (39th minute of the second half: Yu Kobayashi) / Marcinho (12th minute of the second half: Daiya Tono) / Arata Yamada (39th minute of the second half: Hinata Yamauchi)
SUBS
Goalkeeper Yuki Hayasaka
DF Shintaro Kuruma
GOAL 15 minutes of the first half: Arata Yamada / 20 minutes of the first half: Arata Yamada / 27 minutes of the second half: Kodai Takai
[Peter Cramofsky’s Interview]
Q: Please reflect on the match.
A: Today’s score is very disappointing, and it hurts that we didn’t earn the points. In football, there are seasons of trials and challenges, and I think that’s what we faced in this game. We created more chances than our opponents, and I believe there were elements that showed signs of becoming the strong team we aspire to be. However, this experience serves as a harsh lesson. The difference in today’s match was in the penalty area. As a club, we – as a team – must close that gap. I believe we can improve from here.
Q: You mentioned the difference in the penalty area. Did the fact that the center-back duo today was two young players have any impact?
A: That can happen in football. For instance, when a child grows and starts teething, they may cry because of the discomfort. I think that analogy fits here. However, our center backs also displayed great quality. Doi Kanta is 19 years old; this is his ninth game. Oka Teppei is also young, appearing in his ninth match. Nozawa Taishi Brandon, our goalkeeper, is 21. We likely have the youngest team in the league. They need experiences like today to grow. I hope they become better players through this and, as time passes, we will evolve into the team we strive to be.
That said, I don’t attribute the goals we conceded to them alone. It’s not just one person’s fault. The first goal came from a cross to the far post, where we could have applied more pressure. The second goal arose from nothing. The opponent was down 0-2 during that five-minute window, and I’m very disappointed with that. We must avoid such lapses if we want to be the team we aspire to be. The third goal was from a set piece, and we cannot allow our opponents to exploit openings like that.
On a positive note, we played very good football overall. We generated many excellent chances, and it wouldn’t have been surprising if we had scored more than our opponents. Naturally, we are disappointed that we couldn’t convert our chances, but we aim to improve and ultimately achieve our dream as a better club.
Q: You will be playing consecutive home games. What are your thoughts about the next match?
A: It’s important to learn from today’s match and prepare well for the next game. I consider this next match crucial for the club and our fans. My focus is on recovery and preparation to ensure we perform well. I’m determined to deliver results for our supporters. To secure three points, I will enter the match with a strong fighting spirit and a committed mindset. That is essential.
I think it’s critical to demonstrate that “Tokyo is blue and red.” I recognize the significance of this for everyone here. That’s why we must prepare thoroughly and be ready to give our best this weekend. During the match, the stadium becomes a battleground filled with various emotions. We will channel that into our strength and energy. To all the fans and supporters, please come to the stadium to support us. Everyone will give their all to fight for those three points.
[Player Interviews]
Q: Please reflect on the match.
A: Ultimately, we lost 0-3, but to be honest, I don’t believe we should be overly pessimistic. In the previous match against Gamba Osaka, we played poorly and ended with a 0-0 draw. This time, we didn’t perform badly but still lost 0-3. Such instances happen frequently in soccer, but to be honest, I still wanted to win.
Q: It seems you exerted full effort throughout the 90 minutes. How do you feel about your condition?
A: I believe I’ve been in good shape, feeling good physically, which allowed me to perform adequately today.
Q: Although you lost momentum after conceding consecutive goals, do you have confidence in your strong start?
A: My teammates and I created good escape routes and were capable of building plays effectively, leading to numerous opportunities in the opponent’s penalty box. Our start was particularly strong with many scoring chances.
Q: What do you want to maintain or improve upon as a team and individually?
A: Personally, in this football style, buildup is crucial. I believe the side-backs serve as vital escape routes, and we executed that well today. While there have been games where we successfully utilized that strategy, there are still discrepancies I need to address. If we can consistently improve this aspect, the team will grow stronger. As a team, we must score when needed and defend effectively; otherwise, we won’t win games that we could have taken.
Q: The first 15 minutes of the first half looked promising. What were your thoughts?
A: We had emphasized starting intensely, and I think we did that well while creating opportunities. The ability to score early could have significantly influenced the game’s dynamics, highlighting the necessity of remaining focused during that period.
Q: Despite conceding consecutive goals in the first half, how did you perceive the balance between offense and defense?
A: We managed to recover the ball well in certain phases, indicating a solid start. However, the opponent’s chance to score came from a single cross, which illustrates the need for collective focus and stability in defense. It would have been painful to concede so easily, especially on what could be considered Kawasaki’s territory. If we cannot maintain a clean sheet or prolong the time without conceding, it becomes tough.
Q: How do you assess the recovery of second balls?
A: We’ve struggled to capture second balls since the last match, resulting in many instances of the ball rolling over to our opponents. This area requires more determination from both myself and the entire team. Soccer involves multiple mechanisms for attacking and defending, but the most critical factor is proximity to the ball. Thus, we need to strengthen this aspect, starting with our training regimen.
Q: The next match is against Tokyo Verdy, and fans have high expectations.
A: It’s a game that necessitates results; thus, we must fight hard. We can’t win if we keep conceding goals, so we need to approach this match with a resolute intention to overcome our opponents. Proper preparation is essential, and we must secure the win.
Match Review: FC Tokyo vs. Kawasaki Frontale – The Tamagawa Clasico Showdown
Match Recap
The league has resumed, and the Blue and Red Army has returned to Ajinomoto Stadium. In the 26th round at home, they faced off against Kawasaki Frontale, a rival team across the Tama River.
Starting Lineups
| FC Tokyo Starting XI | Kawasaki Frontale Starting XI |
|---|---|
| GK Nozawa Taishi Brandon | GK Jung Sung-ryong |
| DF Kosuke Shirai | DF Van Welmeskerken |
| DF Kanta Doi | DF Kodai Takai |
| DF Teppei Oka | DF Akira Sasaki |
| DF Yuhei Tokumoto | DF Sota Miura |
| MF Takahiro Koizumi | MF Kento Tachibana |
| MF Kei Koizumi | MF Yoshito Wakisaka |
| MF Teruhito Nakagawa | MF Ryota Oshima |
| FW Diego Oliveira | FW Akihiro Ienaga |
| FW Keita Endo | FW Marcinho |
| FW Souma Anzai | FW Arata Yamada |
Match Overview
Tokyo made three changes to their starting lineup from the previous match. They are currently in 7th place with 10 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses. After a previous match where they were pushed back by Gamba Osaka yet managed to draw, they aimed to secure a win in this critical Tamagawa Clasico.
The match kicked off at 7:03 p.m. in a tense atmosphere, marked by player introductions with moving lights, the Tama River Clasico theme music, and fireworks lighting up the night sky.
1st Half Review
Tokyo Creates Chances, But Concedes Goals
Tokyo created the first big chance early on, initiating pressure on the right side with Diego’s post play. In the 5th minute, a well-placed cross from Taka found Endo; however, his header skewed just wide. The onslaught continued with opportunities from Nakagawa and Diego who were relentless in their pursuit of the goal.
- In the 6th minute, Endo sent a promising cross that went unmet.
- In the 12th minute, Diego’s shot, from a deflected pass, was heroically blocked by the Kawasaki goalkeeper, Jung Sung-ryong.
Despite their dominance, a momentary lapse allowed Kawasaki to score. In the 15th minute, Marcinho’s incisive play led to a headed goal by Yamada Arata, sending Tokyo behind. The second goal quickly followed in the 20th minute, adding salt to their wounds.
Tokyo refocused, instigating pressure thereafter but entered halftime trailing 0-2.
2nd Half Review
Efforts Wasted: A Disappointing Loss
In an attempt to change their fortune, Tokyo made tactical substitutions at halftime. However, just after bringing in fresh legs, they conceded a third goal from a set piece, complicating their comeback efforts further.
Key Moments of the Second Half
- In the 15th minute, a near miss from a corner kick provided a glimmer of hope as the ball ricocheted off the crossbar.
- Tawara Tsumita’s drive through the left wing showcased Tokyo’s persistence, but they consistently met sturdy resistance from the opposing defense.
Despite a late surge and creating multiple chances, Tokyo ultimately fell short, stuck on a frustrating 0-3 scoreline. The loss marked a grim conclusion to both Tamagawa Clasico encounters this season.
Post-Match Thoughts
Coach’s Interview: Peter Cramofsky
Key Takeaways:
“The score is very disappointing. We showed signs of becoming the strong team we aim to be, but we need to learn from this loss…”
Player Reflection: Kosuke Shirai
Shirai remarked: “Despite the loss, we played better than our prior match. We need to keep trusting in our abilities and improve where needed to avoid games like this.”
Looking Ahead
FC Tokyo’s upcoming matches promise more opportunities to turn performances around and work towards significant victories. Fans can intensify their support as the team gears up for a critical run ahead.
Player Performances
Notable Players:
- Nozawa Taishi Brandon: Strong performance in goal despite conceding three.
- Diego Oliveira: Created numerous scoring chances but faced a resolute defense.
- Kosuke Shirai: Active and involved in both defensive and offensive plays.
Upcoming Fixtures
As they prepare for their next challenge against rivals Tokyo Verdy, the team must focus on eliminating defensive lapses and maximizing their scoring opportunities. Success in upcoming matches is crucial for maintaining league positioning and fan morale.
