We had breakfast from 8:00.
All the players are energetic, with no one feeling unwell.
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We did self-introductions in pairs, where each player introduced their teammate to the group.
We also analyzed some games and exchanged various opinions.
I believe we reconfirmed the importance of communicating with each other and getting to know our teammates in order to unite the team towards a common goal.
After lunch, we traveled by bus from 13:30 and had a training match. The weather had cleared up to a sunny sky.
Our opponents were FC Schalke 04 (Germany), Norsk Football Academy (Norway), and Juventus FC (Italy).
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We played against FC Schalke 04, the team of former Antlers player Uchida.
We conceded an early goal from a broken left flank, but then managed to reorganize and settle the game.
As the results of the morning meeting gradually appeared, Mukaihara scored a goal from a central breakthrough one minute into the second half, initiating our counterattack.
Four minutes later in the second half, Ota capitalized on an opponent goalkeeper's mistake and scored. Schalke also effectively used the flanks to attack.
Many of their players were physically large, and we often lost 1-on-1 battles on the flanks, leading to another goal conceded from a broken flank, similar to the first goal.
They continued to attack without letting up, exploiting Kashima Junior's mistakes and scoring more goals.
The result was a 2-3 loss, but it was a meaningful match with valuable lessons.
Starting players: Shota Shibagaki, Sorato Masago, Hiroto Sekine, Tsubasa Ito, Taisei Nemoto, Akikiyo Takahashi, Keito Oshima
Substitute players: Keita Nuga, Yuta Mukaihara, Ruhi Ota, Shurai Takatsuka
Goal scorers: Yuta Mukaihara, Ruhi Ota
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The second match was against Norsk Football Academy (Norway).
The opposing team was good at connecting passes, and they had a few fast players, but Kashima Junior worked hard even with back-to-back games. We transitioned from good defense to offense and maintained a good rhythm throughout the match.
Then, Takatsuka on the right flank passed to Masago, who calmly scored the opening goal.
In the second half, the game continued at Kashima's pace, similar to the first half. However, in the 10th minute of the second half, when fatigue began to show, the opponent broke through the center with a dribble and scored from a loose ball.
After that, neither team scored again, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Starting players: Shota Shibagaki, Shurai Takatsuka, Keito Oshima, Yuta Mukaihara, Taisei Nemoto, Ruhi Ota, Sorato Masago
Substitute players: Keita Nuga, Hiroto Sekine, Akikiyo Takahashi
Goal scorer: Sorato Masago
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The third match was against Juventus FC (Italy).
Due to the consecutive matches, we took a short rest and had some refreshments in the locker room before the game.
The match proceeded at Juventus's pace, with Kashima largely on the defensive.
Juventus skillfully evaded Kashima's press and challenged us in 1-on-1 situations.
They were a team adept at using the entire field and exploiting space. Although there wasn't a significant difference in physique, we felt a difference in speed and coordination.
Kashima Junior fought hard, but we struggled to win the ball back.
We saw many mispasses due to the pressure from the opponent's speed.
The result was a heavy 0-6 defeat. The players looked exhausted, as it was their third consecutive match.
Starting players: Shota Shibagaki, Keita Nuga, Keito Oshima, Hiroto Sekine, Tsubasa Ito, Yuta Mukaihara, Ruhi Ota
Substitute players: Akikiyo Takahashi, Shurai Takatsuka, Taisei Nemoto, Sorato Masago
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"Although the tournament has ended, we had the opportunity to play training matches against excellent teams. We continued to concede goals from our own mistakes, which has been happening since the tournament. I strongly felt today that we truly need to change, including understanding what each individual should not do, having the power to break through in 1-on-1 situations, winning the ball, and possessing the skill not to lose it, otherwise this significant gap will not close."