It has been raining since morning, and the temperature is low. Today, during the tournament period, we have two matches scheduled: against Granada (Spain) at 10:00 AM and against Imran Sports Academy (Indonesia) at 4:30 PM.
Here are the results from yesterday.
Group C Preliminary League Matchday 1 Results
Kashima Antlers 1-0 China Jiangyin Middle School (China)
Granada (Spain) 3-0 Imran Sports Academy (Indonesia)
We held a meeting at 8:30 AM after breakfast, in preparation for the 10:00 AM match.
After confirming our team concept of working hard on both offense and defense, we discussed the opponent's characteristics and system, including how to position ourselves and where to create breakthroughs in attack to threaten the opponent's goal.
【Tournament Day 2 Preliminary League Group C Matchday 2 vs. Granada (Spain)
Kick-off at 10:00 AM】
First Half 0-0
Second Half 0-1
Total 0-1
Starting Lineup
GK: Shibagaki
FP: Oyama, Kawano, Gorai, Shinbo, Ogura, Otsuka, Shiraishi, Hayashi, Yasuzuka, Ito
Substitutes
Kinoshita, Suehara, Nagayama
As both teams had won their previous matches, this game was crucial for accumulating points to advance to the knockout stage.
Although the opponent took the initiative from the start, we firmly organized our defense and responded to their system.
We tried to launch attacks after winning the ball, but we struggled to turn forward after receiving the ball, making it difficult to commit enough players to attack.
The period of enduring pressure continued, and the first half ended 0-0.
During halftime, detailed instructions were given for the second half.
In the second half, we were still under defensive pressure, but all players, including the substitutes, worked hard to thwart the opponent's attacks.
As instructed at halftime, we increasingly played facing forward, but we couldn't create decisive chances.
It seemed we might secure one point with a draw, but in the 28th minute of the second half, a loose ball from a high cross from the left wing was picked up by an opponent player, who then scored with a mid-range shot from outside the penalty area, central.
We tried to counterattack, but with time running out, we unfortunately lost the match.
Group C Preliminary League Matchday 2 Results
Kashima Antlers 0-1 Granada (Spain)
Imran Sports Academy (Indonesia) 4-0 China Jiangyin Middle School (China)
Standings after 2 matches
1st Granada Points 6
2nd Imran Sports Academy Points 3 Goal Difference +1
3rd Kashima Antlers Points 3 Goal Difference 0
4th China Jiangyin Middle School (China) Points 0
After lunch at 1:00 PM, we held a meeting at 3:15 PM in preparation for the third preliminary match.
We absolutely had to win this game to advance to the knockout stage.
Coach Iitaka reviewed set plays with the team, and then we headed to the venue.
【Tournament Day 2 Preliminary League Group C Matchday 2 vs. Imran Sports Academy (Indonesia)
Kick-off at 4:30 PM】
First Half 2-0
Second Half 0-0
Total 2-0
Scorers: Ogura, Kinoshita
Starting Lineup
GK: Shibagaki
FP: Kohari, Kawano, Gorai, Shinbo, Ogura, Nagayama, Sato, Suehara, Kinoshita, Ito
Substitutes
Yasuzuka, Otsuka, Hayashi, Oyama, Shiraishi
Since we couldn't advance to the knockout stage without winning this match, we relentlessly won the ball and created numerous attacks from the start of the game.
We created 2-on-1 situations on the flanks and pressed forward towards the goal.
In the 15th minute of the first half, Kinoshita, who received the ball in the center outside the penalty area from the left wing, was fouled, earning a free kick. Ogura, who took the free kick, scored the opening goal into the left corner of the net.
In the 25th minute of the first half, left-back Shinbo carried the ball from his own half with a dribble and made a through pass between the opponent's defenders. Kinoshita, who broke through, went past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation and calmly scored the second goal.
The first half ended with a 2-0 lead.
During halftime, we were told to approach the second half as if the score were 0-0.
In the second half, we largely controlled the game and aimed for more goals, but couldn't convert our chances.
The opponent team had a chance to advance even with a draw, so there were moments when they penetrated close to our goal, but our center-backs and defense held firm.
Although our attack seemed to stagnate in the second half, we won 2-0 and advanced to the knockout stage as the second-place team in the group.
Group C Preliminary League Matchday 3 Results
Kashima Antlers 2-0 Imran Sports Academy (Indonesia)
Granada (Spain) 3-0 China Jiangyin Middle School (China)
Final Standings Group C
1st Granada Points 6
2nd Kashima Antlers Points 6
3rd Imran Sports Academy Points 3
4th China Jiangyin Middle School (China) Points 0
Despite having two matches, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, everyone played hard, accumulated points even with accumulated fatigue, and advanced to the next stage.
Our opponent for the knockout stage quarter-finals will be the first-place team from Group A, the China national team.
The match is scheduled for April 24th (Wednesday) at 2:30 PM (local time).
Tomorrow is a rest day, with no matches. We plan to participate in an exchange program for all teams.