- Day 9 -
Today is the final day of the tournament!

【Semifinal Round】
vs Toulouse FC

First Half 1-0
[Scorer] Harushiro MATSUSHITA
Second Half 1-1
[Scorer] Harushiro MATSUSHITA

Total 2-1

This team is said to be a favorite to win the tournament, and they are top class in speed, technique, and physicality!
The tournament organizers and the match venue had many enthusiastic supporters, and we faced the match in a completely away environment.

【First Half】
From the beginning, we actively went to take the opponent's ball, aiming to play as much as possible in the opponent's court.
Then, in the 8th minute, Harushiro MATSUSHITA broke through behind the opponent and scored a brilliant looping shot over the opponent's goalkeeper's head! We took the lead during a good flow of the match after the start.
After that, we struggled against the opponent's speed and technique, facing several critical moments, but everyone put their bodies on the line to defend. There were tough times, but we managed to finish the first half as it was.

【Second Half】
The second half continued with a battle for possession in midfield, creating a situation where it was possible for either team to score a goal.
They fought strongly at the ball and managed to play without showing any major gaps, but in the 15th minute, they were caught off guard for a goal. It seemed like it would go to a penalty shootout, but in the 20th minute, in the last play, Harushiro MATSUSHITA took advantage of the opponent's gap, broke through from the midfield, and dribbled straight to the goal!
The match has ended!

Winning 2-1, we advance to the Final Round!

[Final Round]
vs Olympic Marseille
First Half 0-0
Second half 0-0
PK 4-3

We faced a team that drew with us in the qualifying league, and they made us acutely aware of the difference in speed and technique, so the players approached the match with great determination.

[First Half]
Against the opponent connecting from the back, we formed a solid defensive block and were able to firmly take the ball that came to our feet.
However, they often get outplayed with technique and speed, frequently facing crises in front of the goal. However, they managed to defend well as a team during the crisis scenes, ending the first half.

【Second Half】
Both teams are showing signs of fatigue from consecutive matches, and mistakes are gradually increasing. Despite this, they are connecting short passes and advancing towards the opponent's goal to create chances.
They actively took shots whenever there was a chance, but unfortunately missed the target or were thwarted by the opponent's goalkeeper's nice saves, failing to capitalize on the opportunities. The opponent also gathered the ball forward, trying to score, but we maintained our concentration and defended resolutely until the end of the second half.
We are entering the penalty shootout.

[Penalty Shootout]
Having won the penalty shootout the day before, we approached with a positive mindset.
When the first opponent scores, our first player misses. After that, both teams' second players score, and the opponent's third player's shot hits the post and goes wide. This play brings the momentum to us. Tokyo's third player scores solidly, and Marseille's fourth player's shot hits the crossbar and goes wide this time. The consecutive failures boost the Tokyo players' spirits.
The fourth player from Tokyo and the fifth player from Marseille calmly scored. And the fifth kicker who decided the match is Kazuto YAMASHITA, who was entrusted with the fifth kick again following yesterday.
In a situation where the pressure is on to win if you score, we flowed into a wonderful course in the upper left corner and won the penalty shootout!

In the TSF International Tournament, FC Tokyo has achieved its first victory as a Japanese team! This also marks the club's first championship in its 11 years of participation!
This tournament is similar to the French version of the national championship (Club Youth Championship), and in addition to strong teams from France, teams from Europe such as Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool FC, and Juventus FC are also participating.
In such tournaments, we have received words of encouragement from various stakeholders regarding the victory of Japanese teams.
Throughout this tournament, significant growth was observed in each player both on and off the pitch.
They have shown us their growth and ability to fight stronger with each passing day, and as a result, they were able to conclude the tournament in the best possible way with the championship.
After changing clothes and heading to the dinner venue, the staff welcomed us grandly to celebrate our victory.

While other teams returned home the same day as they are within the country or in Europe, they prepared meals just for us, who are returning the next day.
After the meal, express gratitude to the staff who were very helpful during the tournament and say goodbye.
We will leave the dormitory early in the morning and head to the airport in Paris.

I will travel for a full day again and return to Japan on a flight arriving at Narita Airport around 13:00 on Apr 3 (Tue).
I want to return safely, prioritizing safety while being careful to avoid accidents and troubles until the end.
This concludes the current expedition to France.

After returning to the country, we will use this expedition as a resource to compete in the league matches.
Thank you for your continued support!


【TSF International Tournament 2024】
[1st League]
①vs FC Girondins de Bordeaux ⚫️1-2
②vs Olympic Marseille △2-2
3 vs Paris Saint-Germain FC 〇1-0

[2nd League]
①vs Stade Rennais △1-1
②vs trasta 〇2-0

[Quarterfinal Round]
vs FC Girondins de Bordeaux 〇0-0(PK4-2)

[Semifinal Round]
vs Toulouse FC 〇2-1

[Final Round]
vs Olympic Marseille 〇0-0(PK4-3)


[Results]
Champion
Fair Play Award Winner

[Top Scorer]
Harushiro MATSUSHITA 4 goals