As usual, we had a meeting after dinner, then headed to the match venue.
Since the match started at 9:40 AM, we were concerned about the strong sunlight, but it was cloudy with only occasional glimpses of sun.
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(First Half 0-2 Second Half 1-0) Total 1-2
Starting Lineup
GK: Kurosawa DF: Goto, Kato, Okawa, Masuda MF: Taira, Inaba, Ando, Tange FW: Takagi, Miura
From the start of the match, the opponent actively pressured us, but Antlers managed to evade them with passes.
As the opponent's intense pressure led to more turnovers, we conceded goals consecutively in the 9th and 10th minutes of the first half. After that, it was a back-and-forth battle, but we couldn't score and the first half ended.
To shift the momentum at the start of the second half, Miyamoto and Morioka were brought in.
We spent more time pressing the opponent and created more chances to score, but the opponent brought in a tall player for defense, defending with a five-man backline, which made it difficult for us to break through.
However, just before the end, Miura scored a goal with a superb volley shot into the far side from a cross by Miyamoto, who dribbled up the left flank. Unfortunately, we couldn't get another goal and the match ended.
Given our dominance in the match, the consecutive goals conceded at the start of the first half were truly regrettable.
After the match, an opposing team supporter was moved by Miura's play and asked to take a commemorative photo with him.
[Player Comment: Hikaru Tange]
Although I was nervous, I was able to make calm and quick decisions. I played with confidence, so I could see my surroundings, position my first touch, and dribble while maintaining possession, allowing me to pass to my teammates' feet. Although we lost the match and it's frustrating, I want to continue what I did well today and challenge myself with what I couldn't do in tomorrow's game.
[Player Comment: Ozora Masuda]
In the first half, I was thinking after receiving the ball in the build-up, which sometimes led to losing possession. From the second half, I was able to make quicker decisions and move the ball well. However, minor technical mistakes are still noticeable, so I want to improve on them in future training.
After the morning match, we returned to the dormitory for lunch, rested a bit, then headed to the venue for the afternoon match.
In the afternoon, the sun was strong, and considering the players' fatigue, we went to the venue a little later than planned.
[Day 7 of Tournament, League Match 8 (Afternoon) VS Tianjin Tianhai FC (China)]
First Half 0-0
Second Half 0-1
Total 0-1
Starting Lineup
GK: Kurosawa
DF: Goto, Kato, Okawa, Ando
MF: Miyamoto, Matsumoto, Morioka, Kaihara
FW: Tange, Urushibara
In this match, too, the opponent started with high pressure, but Kashima skillfully evaded their press and repeatedly threatened the opponent's goal. However, when pushed back, the opponent's entire team retreated to defend, and we couldn't score, ending the first half.
We wanted to continue dominating in the second half, but in the 6th minute, we lost the ball in the defensive line and conceded a goal. After that, we brought in Takagi and Miura, who have been in good form in this tournament, and bravely attacked the opponent's goal, but we struggled against the opponent's intense play and couldn't score.
Nevertheless, in the last play of the second half, we earned a free kick, and everyone except the goalkeeper joined the attack towards the goal, but the ball went wide and out of bounds, ending the match.
Both matches were very regrettable in terms of content, but even within them, we showed good plays in various moments.
After 8 matches, we finished the 5th day with 4 wins, 4 losses (1 PK loss), and 13 points, placing 4th.
Tomorrow, we will play against Wuhan Shangwen FC (China), currently in 8th place, from 9:40 AM.
[Player Comment: Reo Morioka]
The first half was an even battle of attack and defense. During that time, as the game captain, I struggled to speak up. However, little by little, I got used to the flow of the game and was able to speak up during line-ups and such. As a team, we were gradually able to connect passes and move towards the goal, and also started taking more shots. The opponent's defensive line was a bit high, so we could also kick long balls behind them, but we couldn't score by just a little. In defense, we managed to prevent the opponent from advancing and prevent them from getting the ball to their forwards. In the second half, the opponent took control from the start, and we couldn't get the ball to our forwards effectively. After that, we gradually improved our build-up, but we conceded a goal due to a mistake and lost. In the future, I want to maintain the first half's pace throughout the entire match and, during bad spells, say positive things to each other instead of complaining.
[Player Comment: Rio Miyamoto]
I thought the first half was an even fight. In the second half, our passing accuracy was poor, which led to a counter-attack and we conceded a goal. Although we lost 0-1, it's frustrating because we had a chance to win if we had been more decisive in "finishing." Tomorrow's match is the last one, so I want to do my best.
Since this is the last match of the tournament, I want to conclude it with a satisfying result and performance.