- Day 3 -
Since there were no matches on this day, training was conducted in the morning at a field near the hotel. In Germany, even the smallest towns have training grounds for local clubs. Everyone trains together in a wonderful environment with a fantastic view.
In the afternoon, I observed the training of the first team of 1. FSV Mainz 05. The players were watching the high-level training intently.
After that, we held discussions with the coach of 1.FSV Mainz 05 U19, our opponent from yesterday.
After that, we took a stadium tour and returned to the hotel, and the day came to an end.
The third day became a day where I gained a lot of experiences different from those obtained from the match, by watching.
- Day 4 -
This day is the match against VfB Stuttgart U19.
Whether it was due to a relaxation after winning against Mainz or the fatigue from consecutive flights and bus travels, the team was unable to perform at their best, resulting in a defeat of 0-2 in the first half and 0-4 in the second half.
Of course, the opponent was strong, but before that, we wasted the match due to the quality of our own preparation. The coach had some harsh words, and the locker room after the match was filled with frustration among the players.
However, there were players who continued to perform at a high level and played with all their might without being defeated by the opponent, and it was reaffirmed that the true faces of the players emerge in tough and difficult environments. During the remaining expedition period, I want to become even stronger and grow through experiences that cannot be gained only in Japan, making it a fruitful expedition.
In the evening, we moved to Frankfurt to watch the Germany national team vs. the Netherlands national team. With talent and quality, both sides delivered a world-class match, and the players were shining with excitement. I am looking forward to seeing how many players from FC Tokyo U-18 will make it to this level of the stage.
The matches will continue from tomorrow as well. I would like to continue making good preparations and approach the matches.
