The players were welcomed with a special arch.
Both players introducing themselves
First, they had a juggling competition with the children. First, a preliminary round was held only for the children, and then Player Takasaki joined the final. Player Shibasaki suggested that the winning child would have the right to take a photo with the players.
Children participating in the preliminary round
Player Takasaki competed against the child who won the preliminary round, but Player Takasaki quickly failed. The two children did not drop the ball easily, so Player Takasaki mischievously made them drop the ball. Player Shibasaki declared the remaining two children as winners.
Juggling competition final
Player Takasaki collapsing after an unexpected mistake
Commemorative photo with the juggling competition winner
Next, Player Takasaki demonstrated a long throw. He declared he would "throw it to the second floor of the gymnasium," and the ball hit the ceiling lights directly. The second time, it hit the railing on the second floor, and the third time, it easily reached the second floor, drawing cheers from the children.
In hand-holding tag, Player Takasaki, who was initially "it," tagged children one after another, increasing his team. Against the children running around the gymnasium, Player Takasaki came up with a strategy where all the "its" held hands and surrounded them. In the end, he caught everyone.
In the Q&A session with the players, there were questions ranging from "what made you start playing soccer" and "a day in the life of a soccer player" to private questions such as "favorite color," "favorite food," and "favorite type of woman." Although the children were initially quiet, Player Shibasaki's comment "I'll answer anything" and his jokes lightened the mood, leading to a flood of questions.
When asked about his "favorite color," Player Shibasaki said, "White, I guess," and the children quickly switched their red and white hats to white. When he said, "Actually, Antlers red," the children put their red hats back on, but Player Shibasaki found it amusing and kept changing the color he liked. Finally, when he said, "Black," the children took off their hats in response.
When asked about his "favorite type of woman," Player Takasaki immediately replied, "My wife." Player Shibasaki mentioned the name of the girl who asked the question, and she looked shy.
Children putting their hats back on
After the exchange, the children thanked the players and formed a flower path to see them off.
