- Day 5 -
The day started with the usual morning walk at 8:00 AM. Continuing from yesterday, today we celebrated the birthday of Akito HAYAKAWA with the whole team. We also had a refreshing time at a park we passed during the walk.
Yesterday, we moved from Luntern to Rotterdam again by bus, taking 1 hour and 30 minutes. We conducted a training match against Feyenoord U-14 with 20 minutes each for 4 periods, starting at 15:00.
[1st and 2nd Half]
It became a match where we were on the defensive against an opponent who outperformed us in physicality and technique. We quickly conceded goals, bringing the score to 0-5. In the 17th minute of the second half, Sakutaro KAWADA broke through, and finally, Souma UEDA scored a goal to bring one point back. However, we continued to concede goals, ending the first and second halves with a score of 1-6.
[3rd and 4th]
In the 16th minute of the 3rd match, we conceded a goal due to a lapse behind the defense line. The score is now 1-7. Gradually, we were able to progress the match at our own pace, and in the 20th minute, Souma UEDA's intense pressing won the ball, leading to Sakutaro KAWADA scoring a goal, making it 2-7. Immediately after, Souma UEDA's corner kick was headed in by Taiharu MATSUMURA for another goal. The score is now 3-7, and the 3rd match has concluded.
In the 2nd minute of the 4th quarter, Akito HAYAKAWA scored a precise controlled shot from outside the penalty area, narrowing the score to 4-7. After conceding one goal, in the 17th minute, Kou ITO broke through with a one-two pass with Yuki YONEKAWA and scored a goal.
The early goals conceded had an impact, but we persevered and scored more goals, ending the match with a total score of 5-8.
After the second match, there was a surprise visit from Kiyo Ueda, a player from Feyenoord, who came to the field. Although it was a short time, we were able to have a Q&A session and engage in conversation.
Today, I felt the world standard from the match played by Feyenoord U-14 and the talk of player Kiyo Ueda. I will not forget this experience and will connect it to further growth.
The tournament will finally begin the day after tomorrow. I will also prepare well tomorrow to face the tournament.
