Academy Report

The Antlers' games started today. In the morning, after a walk, we had breakfast and then everyone watched the 9:00 AM game together.Lunch was at 12:00 PM. In the afternoon, we had plenty of rest to prepare for the game and improve our focus. After a light meal at 5:30 PM, we had a meeting at 6:30 PM and then departed for the match venue by double-decker bus.After arriving at the match venue, we warmed up in the gymnasium next to the stadium. We were also able to practice on the pitch before the game.The 7th Coppa Angelo Quarenghi 2016 tournament format divides the 12 participating teams into 4 groups of 3 teams each for a league stage. The match times are irregular, with group matches played consecutively. The tournament is 11-a-side football, with 20-minute halves. Draws are possible, and rankings are determined by points. Player substitutions are unlimited.

First match vs AC Milan
Starting lineup: GK: Sasaki, DF: Matsuda, Kawai, Nagatsuka, Ishimoto, MF: Chiba, Ogura, Sasahara, Sato, Ebihara, FW: Ueda

Against opponents with a significant physical advantage, our defense put up a good fight, but we often lost the ball easily and struggled to develop play. We conceded goals in the 12th and 16th minutes from the left flank. With consecutive goals conceded from set pieces, we went into halftime 0-2 down.
In the second half, the opponent dominated possession, but we defended well, just like in the first half, and prevented any further goals, ending 0-0. We lost the match with a total score of 0-2. Oyama, Ouchi, Takezawa, and Suzuki also came on as substitutes.Because we lost the first match, the second match started approximately 20 minutes later. Our opponent was a local club team called VALLE BREMBANA. Before today's second match, a moment of silence was observed for the victims of the recent earthquake in Italy.

Second match vs VALLE BREMBANA
Starting lineup: GK: Sasaki, DF: Matsuda, Kawai, Nagatsuka, Sasahara, MF: Ogura, Chiba, Ouchi, Sato, Takezawa, FW: Oyama
Since it was the opponent's first match and the Antlers were playing back-to-back, we were initially overwhelmed by their momentum and conceded a goal in the 6th minute. However, we made fewer mistakes than in the first match against AC Milan and were able to move the ball around better. In the 17th minute of the first half, Sato picked up a cleared ball in front of the opponent's goal and scored a brilliant first goal, equalizing the score by halftime.
During halftime, Coach Kimura instructed the team to use the pitch more widely for attacks.
The second half also started well, but fatigue gradually set in, and we were pushed back by the opponent's vertical attacking power, conceding a goal in the 9th minute of the second half. We fought tenaciously until the end, but couldn't equalize and lost 1-2.Match 1: Antlers vs AC Milan 0-2
*The losing team plays consecutive matches.
Match 2: Antlers vs VALLE BREMBANA 1-2
Match 3: AC Milan vs VALLE BREMBANA 2-0

1st place: AC Milan
2nd place: VALLE BREMBANA
3rd place: Antlers

Tomorrow's matches will be played in the same format, dividing the 12 teams into 4 groups of 3 teams based on their rankings. The Antlers finished 3rd and are in the same group as Torino (Italy) and VALLE SERIANA (Italy).
The preliminary round rankings will be determined by the total results of today's two matches and tomorrow's two matches, with classification matches held on the final day.