The Kashima Antlers Junior team's trip to Korea entered its second day. The players gathered energetically in the morning for a walk and calisthenics. Some players overslept, perhaps due to yesterday's fatigue, but coach Okawa's stern words pulled them back into line.
After breakfast, they took a bus to the match venue. They arrived at the venue after about a 20-minute ride on Jeonbuk Hyundai's bus.
The match venue was Wansancheiron Park in Jeonju City, a municipal facility with three artificial turf fields and tennis courts, making it a well-equipped facility.
The opponent for the first match of the second day of the Korean tour was the Jeonbuk Hyundai junior team U-11. It was an 8-a-side match with two 20-minute halves.
The starting lineup was GK Kurihara, DF Oshima, Jinno, Sekine, MF Oe, Yoshida, FW Takahashi (replaced by Mukaihara), and Ouchi.
In this match, the team as a whole showed a strong intention to connect passes, and created chances through side changes, but lacked finishing power, with Ouchi being the only scorer.
As it was their first match, they struggled against an opponent with better finishing ability and larger physiques, but they surpassed them in terms of offensive development. Although they lost, it was a good performance that they can build on.
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The second half lineup was GK Shibagaki, DF Yamada, Nukaga, Shinbo, MF Ogura, Ota, Ito, and FW Masago (replaced by Mukaihara).
In the second half, they continued to connect passes reliably and create chances. However, they were unable to score and could not overturn the two goals conceded in the first half, ultimately losing 1-2.
The MVP of this match, as even the opposing coach mentioned, was the opposing goalkeeper. He made crucial saves against Antlers' decisive shots.
The next opponent was the club team of Choi Kang-hee, who is the manager of Jeonbuk Hyundai's top team. Their home base is in Seoul, and they traveled to Jeonju City for this match. They had also won yesterday's K League match and came to support this friendly match.
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The starting lineup was the same as in the first match. They started the game similarly, building attacks by connecting passes at their own rhythm. Although they conceded the first goal, they then aimed behind the opponent's high defensive line, and Ouchi scored 4 goals from through passes, ending the first half with a 4-1 lead.
The second half lineup was also the same as in the first match, and their style of play remained unchanged, dominating possession for long periods. However, due to the overall height advantage of the opponents, they were at a disadvantage in contact play. Nevertheless, they played with good judgment and were able to overwhelm their opponents. In the second half, Masago pushed in a loose ball for an additional goal, securing a 5-1 victory.
After the morning matches, the players interacted with the Jeonbuk Hyundai junior players and enjoyed a Korean hot pot meal at a nearby restaurant. The players mixed together and used gestures and English to communicate with each other. It didn't take long for them to become friends. They continued to talk to each other on the field afterward.
The afternoon matches were also against Jeonbuk Hyundai and Choi Kang-hee FC, but as they were U-12, several visibly larger players were added. Also, Jeonbuk Hyundai changed their system and prepared countermeasures, but the team calmly responded. Both the starting lineup and the second-half lineup were the same.
They were able to consciously move the ball with good judgment, which was their aim.
Today's match results: 3 wins, 1 loss
vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Junior U-11 1-2 Goal scorer: Ouchi
vs Choi Kang-hee FC U-11 5-1 Goal scorers: Ouchi (4), Masago
vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Junior U-12 4-0 Goal scorers: Ouchi (2), Masago, Ogura
vs Choi Kang-hee FC U-12 2-1 Goal scorers: Ouchi, Masago
After the matches, they showered at the ground and then took a bus to the dinner venue.
Before dinner, they explored Jeonju Hanok Village. The old-fashioned Korean scenery and modern scenery beautifully blended, creating a charming atmosphere.
At the dinner venue, a modern building within Hanok Village, they were invited by Mr. Jang and Ms. Chae from the Jeollabuk-do Culture, Education, and Tourism Bureau, and treated to bibimbap and other dishes.
The staff enjoyed the meal, but some children struggled with it as always.
