NEWS News

F.C TOKYO U-18 made a road trip to Germany from March 23 to March 30.
This road trip will not only be a preparation for the upcoming “Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Soccer League 2018 Premier League EAST” starting from April 8 but also enhance each individual’s skills by experiencing world top-level football.

Arrived at Düsseldorf Airport after a flight of about 12 hours. Training was conducted the day after arrival. F.C TOKYO players gradually adjusted their condition and played an 8 vs 8 game on the half court at the end of the training.

After, they moved on the bus to watch Bundesliga DIV 3 SC Prussia v Unterhaching starting at 14 o’clock. The stadium was crowded with 6,000 fans, although it was a DIV 3 match. We could feel the root of football. Intensity, hard work, cheers for fine play, boos, and catcalls when missing the opportunity.

Day 3 of Germany road trip, we had training matches with Hannover 96, Paderborn, Bochum U-19 which belongs to the Bundesliga U-19. Although winning two games perfectly, in the game against Bochum U-19, F.C. TOKYO U-18 conceded the first goal. However, F.C. TOKYO came from behind twice and played for the victory.

In the match against Schalke 04 U-19, the game was played on poor pitch conditions unlike those in Japan. Even in such circumstances, the Schalke 04 players demonstrated fast-paced play with excellent technique. Their systematic GK-oriented ball possession and outstanding physical strength put F.C. TOKYO players in a tough situation. F.C. TOKYO continued to work hard, and the DF players applied strong pressure on ball possession, creating many chances. However, Schalke’s scoring ability was superior, and the match ended 1-3.

The German road trip final match was against SV Werder Bremen U-17.
Although we lost the match by 4-5, F.C. TOKYO players could feel how sophisticated the German football is and the necessity to step up further both as a team and as individuals. In addition, through this road trip, we were able to experience top German youth generation football and witness cutting-edge techniques.

We would like to challenge with humility and confidence for the Premier League, which will soon begin.

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone involved in carrying out this road trip to Germany.