Kashiwa Reysol delivered a strong performance as they defeated Urawa Reds 2-0 at Saitama Stadium on March 4, 2025, during the J1 League Round 4. The victory marked Kashiwa's second consecutive win with goals scored by Koya Koizumi and Yugo Kuwata.
The match began with Kashiwa taking control early on, showcasing their tactical intelligence and fitness levels. Koya Koizumi, contributing significantly to the team’s offensive strategy, managed to score the first goal of the match at the 14-minute mark. His goal was preceded by smart play where he received the ball from Harakawa Riki and flicked it forward to teammates Kuwata Yugo and Kinoshita Kosuke, who were strategically positioned for maximum effect.
Going back to Koizumi’s effort, once he worked the ball well within the defensive line, he seamlessly found Ozawa Kazuki, who was free on the opposite flank, leading to the opening goal. This type of play not only demonstrates Kashiwa’s focus on creating scoring opportunities but also highlights their commitment to teamwork, with players maintaining awareness of each other’s positions.
Following closely, Kuwata doubled Kashiwa’s lead with another goal at the 31-minute mark, utilizing the same combination of tactical movement and teamwork. This was yet another execution of their practiced strategies, as they previously scored similar goals during their match against Cerezo Osaka earlier this season, indicating their ability to replicate effective plays. Kashiwa has shown remarkable consistency and planning with their scoring tactics, as they have successfully scored with intent and reproducibility over two matches.
While Kashiwa was celebrating their success, Urawa Reds faced challenges throughout the match. Although they played at home, they struggled to impose their style against Kashiwa. Matsumoto Taishi, who was substituted before halftime, covered remarkable ground, running 7.112km within just 45 minutes of play. This distance, coupled with Anzai Kai's 90-minute exertion of 12.3km, highlighted their endurance but also reflected the pressure Kashiwa placed on Urawa’s players during the game.
Despite the impressive distances covered by Urawa players, their efforts were undermined by the clever positioning and movement of Kashiwa. Urawa’s Anzai felt the strain, sitting down on the pitch with ten minutes left, indicative of how much ground they were forced to cover due to Kashiwa’s high-pressing and well-structured style of play.
Kashiwa’s approach was not just about scoring; it was also about how they manipulated their opponents. Their offensive strategy involved creating space by drawing defenders away from central areas. This was evident with Koizumi's intelligent movement pulling defenders, allowing teammates to exploit openings effectively. The Kashiwa players were functionally aligned, executing each play with exact intent, and they successfully kept Urawa on the backfoot.
Urawa Reds had their moments, particularly during the first-half stoppage time when they had their biggest threat. A well-constructed play between Matheus Savio and Haraguchi Genki almost broke through Kashiwa’s defensive line. Goalkeeper Kojima Haruki, marking his presence effectively, faced a one-on-one with Urawa's Naoki Maeda. Exercising patience, Kojima managed to hold his ground, denying what could have been Urawa's lifeline back to the game.
With Kashiwa maintaining solid leads through smart play and organized defense, the second half beckoned strategy adjustments on both sides. Urawa coach was prompted to make tactical changes to regain control, reflecting their inability to combat Kashiwa’s precision and speed. Meanwhile, Kashiwa continued to utilize their strengths, remaining composed under pressure and holding their lead firmly.
The victory not only added three points to Kashiwa's season tally but also showcased their ability to perform effectively away from home, leaving them bolstered as they head for more fixtures this season. With their recent performances, they appear poised to make significant strides within the league, building on this momentum.
Fans and analysts alike are now keeping close tabs on Kashiwa Reysol’s development as the season progresses. With their strong showing against Urawa, highlighting their offensive prowess, fatigue management, and smart tactical play, Kashiwa has clearly emerged as contenders this term.