Nagoya Grampus — FC Tokyo : Match Preview and Prediction for August 31,2025

Defensive Woes Continue for Nagoya

The Nagoya boys have been playing some truly wild football recently. Just look at their recent results: a thrilling 3-4 defeat against Kawasaki, followed by a 2-4 cup exit at the hands of Hiroshima. In just two matches, the team conceded a staggering eight goals! Their defense has been nothing short of a sieve. This isn’t a fleeting issue; it’s a persistent trend. Even coach Kenta Hasegawa acknowledges that “these kinds of matches have been going on for a long time now.”

Haruya Fujii’s Form and Defensive Lapses

Their defensive frailties are glaringly obvious. Haruya Fujii, the defender who returned from Europe with high expectations, is clearly not yet up to speed. Coach Hasegawa directly points to his errors: “positional misjudgments, slow reactions.” As he struggles to find his form, opponents will undoubtedly capitalize on these vulnerabilities. FC Tokyo, in particular, will be keen to exploit this.

Nagoya’s Resilient Attack

Despite their defensive troubles, Nagoya’s attack remains potent. Even when losing, the team consistently finds the back of the net. In those same high-scoring defeats, they managed to score five times. While star forward Kasper Junker will be absent due to suspension, there are other players capable of stepping up. The 18-year-old defender Soichiro Mori surprisingly impressed with a goal and an assist against Kawasaki. Additionally, the ‘cup fighter’ Yuya Yamagishi always poses a threat to the opposition’s goal. Therefore, it’s highly probable that the hosts will score.

FC Tokyo’s Own Defensive Struggles

If you thought Nagoya’s defense was chaotic, then take a look at FC Tokyo’s. Their recent 0-4 annihilation by Kyoto was an absolute disaster. The team completely crumbled, making elementary mistakes within their own penalty area. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu even conceded a penalty after a botched goal-kick. Coach Matsuhashi spoke post-match about errors in offensive buildup leading directly to goals. This indicates a systemic malfunction, not just an isolated incident.

Attacking Power and Cup Form

However, there’s another side to the coin. Just three days after that humiliating defeat, FC Tokyo faced Urawa in a cup tie and emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. After conceding first, they found the resilience to score twice. Brazilian Marcelo Hian bagged a brace, demonstrating that the capital club’s attack is very much in working order. They might falter defensively, but they consistently manage to create and score goals.

Crucial Absences for FC Tokyo

Furthermore, FC Tokyo faces significant personnel challenges ahead of their clash with Nagoya. Due to an accumulation of yellow cards, three key players will miss the match: midfielders Kento Hashimoto and Kei Koizumi, along with the highly experienced defender Yuto Nagatomo. Losing three players from the central midfield and defensive line is a massive blow to the team’s structure. With such gaps in their squad, keeping a clean sheet against any J.League attack will be incredibly difficult.