[For 1st and 2nd Grade Elementary Students] School Exchange Match (vs JEF United Ichihara Chiba)
On May 6th (Wednesday, holiday), the same day as the J1 Century Vision League home game "FC Tokyo vs JEF United Ichihara Chiba," an exchange match was held at AGF Field adjacent to Ajinomoto Stadium for 1st and 2nd grade elementary school students, involving school students from JEF United Ichihara Chiba.
After completing the registration, we waited in the spectator seats until the opening ceremony. The children looked a bit nervous as they gazed at the pitch where the match was about to take place, but once they stepped onto the pitch, they were filled with excitement that the game was finally about to begin.
The match started, and at first, it seemed they were overwhelmed by the power of JEF United Chiba, but gradually their tension eased, and they were seen actively chasing the ball.
In an energetic atmosphere typical of 1st and 2nd graders, they worked hard in the match while cooperating with their teammates.
From there, a goal was also scored, and the sight of the entire team celebrating together was very impressive. Additionally, the team resting during the break cheered on the team playing the match by singing FC Tokyo chants, and the entire venue united in great excitement.
Through the interleague matches, I believe we were able to learn the importance of cooperating with teammates and challenging ourselves without giving up until the end.
Also, before the match, the coach talked about the importance of having feelings of consideration for teammates and gratitude towards those around us.
The children who finished the match, though showing signs of fatigue, were still excited and enthusiastically responded "That was fun!" during the closing ceremony.
There were many scenes where players actively tried to demonstrate the results of their daily practice, such as dribbling and shooting, making it an exchange match that also boosted the children's confidence.
Children heading to cheer for the top team. While humming the FC Tokyo chant they sang during the interleague match, they headed to Ajinomoto Stadium with high hopes.