Just like yesterday, the weather was clear and sunny, and it was a bit hot for the players.
The venue is the Salou artificial turf field, located about 2km from the hotel.
The preliminary group stage consists of 5 teams. Antlers will play against Nido Aguila USA (USA), EFB UD Salou (Spain),
Gimnastic de Manrese CF (Spain), and Botafogo FR (Brazil).
Matches are 7-a-side, 25 minutes per half, and the pitch size is approximately 68m x 40m.
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As it was the first match, the start was a bit stiff, but gradually the tension eased, and we were able to play an intense game. However, we couldn't contain their number 7 and couldn't get into a rhythm. We had an advantage in the match, but mistakes piled up, and we couldn't win the crucial first match.
Kashima Antlers Junior 1-3 Nido Aguila USA
Starting players: Shota Shibagaki, Tsubasa Ito, Keita Nukaga, Hiroto Sekine, Yuta Mukaihara, Akikiyo Takahashi, Ryuhi Ota
Substitute players: Shurai Takatsuka, Taisei Nemoto
Goal scorer: Yuta Mukaihara
Coach Koyano's comments:
"The goal we conceded from a throw-in within the first five minutes was painful. After that, we created many scoring chances but couldn't convert them, which led to the loss. If we concede two more goals from throw-ins in the second half, we can't win the game. We need to correct these mistakes so they don't happen again."
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Since it was a local team, there was a lot of enthusiastic support from parents, making it a tense match.
From the start of the match, we attacked the opponent's goal with intense pressing, but it was difficult to score.
In the 13th minute of the first half, Ota scored from Ito's cross, giving us the long-awaited opening goal. From then on, we scored one goal after another and were able to win.
Kashima Antlers Junior 5-1 EFB UD Salou
Starting players: Shota Shibagaki, Tsubasa Ito, Keita Nukaga, Hiroto Sekine, Yuta Mukaihara, Akikiyo Takahashi, Shurai Takatsuka
Substitute players: Ryuhi Ota, Taisei Nemoto, Keito Oshima, Sora Masago
Goal scorers: Ryuhi Ota, Akikiyo Takahashi, Keita Nukaga, Yuta Mukaihara (2)
Coach Koyano's comments:
"It was a do-or-die match. We were still affected by the first match and couldn't get into a rhythm, but it was good that we started playing aggressively and scored more goals after getting the first one. However, we could have scored more goals, and there were many passing mistakes, so we want to correct those."
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Both teams are strong, but we will fight to advance from the preliminary league.