We will deliver a report on the 6th day of the Spain and Portugal expedition scheduled from Apr 3 (Mon) to Apr 12 (Wed).
On the 8th (Saturday), the 6th day of the expedition, we started with a walk and stretching.
We will have breakfast and prepare for the '37th Real Sociedad U-17 International Tournament' starting today.
The venue for the tournament starting today is the Zubieta training facility of Real Sociedad's top team, located about 10 minutes by bus from the accommodation in the suburbs of San Sebastian. Zubieta, situated on the mountainside, has six pitches (with plans to add two more in the future), as well as a café and viewing stands. The same facility is also hosting the U-13 tournament, creating a festive atmosphere with music and an MC on site.
FC Tokyo U-18 will conduct part of their warm-up at the dormitory and will start warming up on the pitch immediately after arriving at the venue.
The tournament regulations divide 6 teams into 2 groups. On the first day of the tournament, teams compete for points in a single 40-minute match and in a penalty shootout, and rankings are determined. On the second day, teams with the same ranking from different groups will play a 40-minute half match to determine their rankings within each group. Finally, on the last day, the Final Round will take place. FC Tokyo U-18's group includes Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad. FC Tokyo U-18 has a younger average age compared to the other participating teams.
The first match against Celta de Vigo will kick off at 10:00. Right from the start, we struggled with high-intensity pressing and sophisticated ball movement, leading to a prolonged period of being pushed back and having less possession of the ball.
In this match, U-15 Musashi's GK Keita NIIBORI made some saves, helping to fend off danger, but a loose ball was capitalized on, resulting in a goal conceded, making it 0-1. After that, the team gradually gained momentum, and substitute Kaito EGUCHI skillfully broke free and scored the equalizer with a left-footed shot into the side net, making it 1-1. The match ended without any additional goals, resulting in a draw and earning a point in this 40-minute match. However, in the subsequent penalty shootout, the team lost 3-4.
The losing team will face Real Sociedad next, so FC Tokyo U-18 will quickly shift their focus to the next match.
The match, which kicked off at 11:00, saw several changes in the lineup from the match against Celta. Just like in the first match, we lost the pace from the start and conceded a goal after being broken down on the sides, but Shun KOGA scored the equalizer with a right-footed shot after a dribble breakthrough. We continued to push for a comeback, but conceded another goal from a cross from the side. Amidst the lively atmosphere at the home ground of Real Sociedad, FC Tokyo U-18 did not give up until the end, and Divine OTANI, who came on as a substitute, scored a goal just before the end of the match to equalize. The match ended in a draw. In the subsequent penalty shootout, GK Rento KITAGAWA made two saves, giving us a chance to win, but we couldn't finish it off in the second round, leading to a tie at the 11th penalty. In the end, the opposing team's 11th kicker, who was also a GK, missed, and FC Tokyo U-18's 11th GK Rento KITAGAWA scored, securing the victory.
We will face the Muhammad VI Football Academy of Morocco on the second day of the tournament in second place.
In the evening, I was invited to watch the La Liga Sec. 28 match between Real Sociedad and Getafe at Reale Arena, the home ground of Real Sociedad. Around the stadium located in the city, people of all ages, from small children to the elderly, were walking around wearing various Real Sociedad merchandise, creating a warm, clean atmosphere filled with overwhelming energy.
The players purchased souvenirs at the official merchandise shop located on-site, while being continuously called out with "TAKE! TAKE!" as they entered the stadium.
The match ended with Real Sociedad winning 2-0, and Takefusa KUBO, who is also a senior to the players and started in this match, scored a goal that set the record for the most goals by a Japanese player in La Liga, providing great motivation to the players.
After watching the match, we returned to the accommodation, finished dinner, prepared for the second day of the tournament, went to bed, and completed the sixth day of the expedition.
We ask for your continued warm support for FC Tokyo U-18 as they fight in a foreign land.
Please check here for the latest information about the tournament and match broadcasts.
https://twitter.com/RealSociedad_JP
