Academy Report

It's the 5th day of our Brazil tour. On the 3rd day of the qualifying league, as usual, each team woke up, took a walk, had breakfast and lunch according to their match schedules, and prepared for their games. [Match Report]
9:00 AM Kick-off
Kashima 1-1 Botafogo
First Half 1-0, Second Half 0-1
Scorer: 28th minute, Rintaro Umetsu
[Members]
GK: Daisuke Makata
FP: Shotaro Taniguchi, Soshi Kofuta, Sora Okita, Yu Funahashi, Hikaru Shimano (Akira Maeda), Tatsuya Kiuchi (Ryoma Minowa), Kaiyo Yanagimachi, Kai Ishizu, Hikaru Iizuka (Kiryu Miyauchi), Rintaro Umetsu (Riku Sakurayama)

The final match of the qualifying league was against the strong team Botafogo. Although there were some dangerous moments at the start, the team had a good balance of offense and defense in the first half, dominating the game with aggressive play for the ball and high work rate. In the 13th minute, a penalty kick was awarded due to a handball by the opponent in the penalty area, but the goalkeeper saved it, preventing a goal. Without losing rhythm, the attacking players actively created chances towards the opponent's goal with dribbles and pass exchanges. In the 28th minute, Iizuka's cross from a dribble on the right side was volleyed in by Umetsu, scoring the opening goal.
In the second half, the team was somewhat on the defensive but responded with solid defensive organization. However, in the 65th minute, a lapse in marking in midfield led to a long-range shot from about 30m, which was scored, equalizing the game.
As a result, with 2 draws and 1 loss, the team was eliminated from the qualifying league.During the match, Coach Nakamura and Zico exchanged a handshake. Player Umetsu, who scored the opening goal, was interviewed by a TV station at halftime.2:15 PM Kick-off
Norte 0-1 Cruzeiro
First Half 0-0, Second Half 0-1

[Members]
GK: Aoi Terakado
FP: Kohsei Fujita (Hayato Hashimoto), Heiji Otsu, Hayato Iida, Hiro Taga, Taku Saito, Gakuon Nemoto, Reo Ouchi, Reiji Takano (Daiji Sato) (Hiroshiro Toku'an), Sho Shibata, Hidekatsu Sugiura (Koji Umehara)

This was a crucial match, as a win would secure advancement to the final tournament. A style of play was established, focusing on counter-attacks from stable defense. In this match, the team was pressed by the opponent for an extended period. They firmly defended their goal area and tried to launch counter-attacks by aggressively winning the ball with multiple players in midfield. However, it was a test of patience, as opportunities were hard to create. With victory being an absolute necessity, the system was changed to an offensive formation with 10 minutes left in the second half to score, but instead, a crucial goal was conceded in additional time. After that, they aimed for a goal with an all-out attack from a free-kick, but the match ended as it was.
As a result, with 1 win and 2 losses, the team was eliminated from the qualifying league.4:00 PM Kick-off
Tsukuba 2-2 CFZ União
First Half 1-1, Second Half 1-1
Scorers: 22nd minute, Katsutoshi Urano; 69th minute, Junya Shinomiya

[Members]
GK: Taiyo Suzuki
FP: Yuta Kikuchi (Hayato Yanagibashi), Yuto Niitsuma, Katsutoshi Urano, Haruki Sugaya (Yuki Sekiguchi), Shota Shimizu (Yotaro Yamaguchi), Junya Shinomiya, Ayumu Funasaki, Kaito Horie, Yushin Sato (Kazuma Yagi), Yua Kozutsumi (Shosei Takagi)

Even though elimination from the qualifying league was confirmed, everyone went into the match with renewed determination to secure a win. There was increased active involvement in both offense and defense, creating many chances. Defensively, they effectively cleared long balls and picked up second balls, playing rhythmic football. Although a misplaced pass while trying to connect from the goalkeeper led to a goal conceded, in the 22nd minute, Urano desperately pushed in a loose ball from a corner kick amidst a scramble in front of the goal, equalizing the score.
In the second half, the game went back and forth until the 69th minute when Shinomiya received a pass from Takagi's dribble and scored, giving them a 2-1 lead. Just when it seemed the match would end this way, an equalizing goal was conceded in the 70th minute, resulting in a draw. This outcome left them with 1 draw and 2 losses.As a result, all three teams were eliminated from the qualifying league, but each team was able to play football that utilized their unique characteristics.

After each team's match, Zico presented a Japan-Brazil Friendship Cup commemorative plate and gave passionate messages to each team about their challenges and for further growth. He also took the annual handshake and commemorative two-shot photos with all the players.

Tomorrow's schedule
Kashima Team: Sightseeing, etc.
Norte Team, Tsukuba Team: Futsal, sightseeing, etc.

Zico Official Site
http://app.m-cocolog.jp/t/typecast/212260/182673

Tournament Match Video Site
https://www.facebook.com/ZicoOficial/