Many of the players were meeting for the first time, so we started with training focused on "communicating about oneself," "getting to know teammates," and "understanding what the coach wants to convey."
The tournament began on the afternoon of the first day. Initially, coordination in both offense and defense was not going well, but as they gained experience in the matches, it improved significantly, and many excellent plays emerged in both attack and defense.
On the evening of the second day, we watched the J1 2nd Stage Matchday 8 game between Kashima and Yamagata. The players enthusiastically cheered, waving their hats with one hand and shouting loudly.
The final day consisted of a series of close matches, but from the players' performance, I felt that they were beginning to understand the importance of "giving their all" and "creating great strength by cooperating with teammates."
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☆ To all parents:
We sincerely hope that the players will use this experience to grow big and strong. Thank you very much.
Antlers Vitória
【Coach Hashino's comment】
The teamwork was surprisingly good for a team formed for the first time. I believe they experienced the joy of soccer through the three days of activities. Please continue to pursue the fun of soccer even after returning to your respective schools.
Antlers Espírito
【Coach Sasame】
Since players from different regions gathered for this tournament, we set a goal to unite as a team and fight together to win. In terms of daily life, I emphasized the importance of meals and sleep, and making good preparations for the next day. I believe the players gradually grasped these points over the three days. I also hope they will apply what they learned from the Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Cup when they return to their respective schools.
Antlers Amizade
【Coach Kawamata】
We spent three days with the team goal of "thinking and acting on our own." Many of the teammates were meeting for the first time, and initially, they were nervous and communication was difficult. However, during the first day's training, the 4th graders took the initiative to communicate, and gradually, they opened up to each other. As the players played matches and lived together, they expressed "their own strengths," and their awareness of "One for All, All for One" grew stronger day by day, further enhancing their sense of unity. The players' words, "I still want to play soccer with everyone," left a strong impression on me, and it truly warmed my heart. I hope that these children will continue to learn and grow through soccer. To the players and their parents, thank you very much.
Antlers Amigos
【Coach Kosone】
Although we finished last in the preliminary league, we won the final match and moved up to 5th place. I saw the players' tenacity in that final match, and it felt like a significant victory. I hope this victory will be the first step towards "doing more." I want the players to re-examine their challenges and apply what they learned next time, so they can once again experience the great joy of winning. I look forward to the players' future growth.
Antlers Alegria
【Coach Kitamura】
Before training on the first day, the atmosphere was quiet, with no one speaking even when asked to "confirm their names!" Despite starting in such an atmosphere, I felt the team becoming more cohesive as time went on. I continuously told the players that the theme for the matches was "It's okay to make mistakes, just give your all." From the second day, I felt that the tension had eased, there were more smiles, and they gained momentum, leading to four consecutive wins and eventually the championship. I believe they grew a lot in terms of both soccer and personal life during these three days. I hope they will utilize what they gained this time in their future soccer lives.
Antlers Boa Sorte
【Coach Tarui】
From the first day of practice, our team challenged the tournament as one, with the themes of "let's all speak up and get excited together" and "aim for victory, but also challenge ourselves to grow for the future." It was a wonderful team where everyone could gently correct things that weren't good, including in their daily lives. Although it was disappointing that we couldn't win, I believe everyone received a lot of stimulation from their teammates and opposing players in a tournament filled with wonderful players, so I look forward to everyone's future growth.