The FC Tokyo Courier
Market17 Aug 2026
FC Tokyo turn down Kawasaki Frontale for Kota Tawaratsumida
The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
Nobody could get near Kota Tawaratsumida
Successful dribbles: 25. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
Market17 Aug 2026
Leon Nozawa’s move to Avispa Fukuoka falls through
The deal that would have taken Leon Nozawa to Avispa Fukuoka has collapsed at the last stage, and he reports back to FC Tokyo with a summer to forget and a season still to play. Nobody is saying which side walked away.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Kota Tawaratsumida in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at FC Tokyo this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Market17 Aug 2026
Masataka Kobayashi moves on
Sagan Tosu pay $450.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Soma Anzai falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Squad17 Aug 2026
No hiding place for Soma Anzai
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Soma Anzai, and the manager let it.
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
Sei Muroya stands above it all
Some games turn on a moment; this one turned on a man. 7.55 on the card, and the FC Tokyo support went home talking about one name.
Market17 Aug 2026
Cristian Varela brings the grey hairs FC Tokyo lacked
At 36, he has seen every situation this season can produce, twice. The legs will be managed; the head is the purchase.
In brief
- Match No goals between FC Tokyo and Gamba Osaka
- Squad The plan did not have a place for Wilfredo Olivera