We will deliver a report on the 6th day of the Spain-Portugal expedition, which is being conducted from Apr 3 (Mon) to Apr 12 (Wed).
On the 6th day of the expedition, starting from Aug 8 (Sat), we began with a walk and stretching.
We will have breakfast and prepare for the "37th Real Sociedad U-17 International Tournament" starting today.
The venue for the tournament starting today is "Zubieta," the training facility of the academy of Real Sociedad, located about 10 minutes by bus from the accommodation in the suburbs of San Sebastian. Zubieta, located on the mountainside, has 6 pitches (with plans to expand by 2 more in the future) and also features a cafe and spectator stands. The U-13 tournament is also held at the same facility, creating a festive atmosphere with music and an MC inside the venue.
FC Tokyo U-18 will perform part of the warm-up at the dormitory and start warming up on the pitch immediately upon arrival at the venue.
The tournament regulations divide 6 teams into 2 groups. On the first day of the tournament, the ranking is determined by combining the points earned from a 40-minute match and the points earned from a penalty shootout. On the second day, teams with the same ranking from different groups will play a 40-minute half match to determine their ranking within their respective groups. Finally, on the last day, the ranking deciding matches will be held. FC Tokyo U-18's group includes Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad. FC Tokyo U-18 has participated with a younger average age compared to the other participating teams.
The first match against Celta Vigo will kick off at 10:00. From the beginning, we will be troubled by intense pressing and sophisticated ball movement, and we will continue to be pushed back and have little possession of the ball.
In the match, U-15 Musashi's GK Keita NIIBORI made a save, but conceded a goal from a loose ball and the score became 0-1. After that, the team gradually gained momentum and Kaito EGUCHI, who came on as a substitute, scored an equalizing goal with his left foot, making it 1-1. The game ended without any additional goals, and we earned a draw with 1 point in the 40-minute match. In the subsequent penalty shootout, we lost 3-4.
The defeated team will next play against Real Sociedad, so FC Tokyo U-18 will quickly switch their focus to the next match and prepare for it.
The match, which started at 11:00 kickoff, will be played with several members replaced from the Celta game. Similar to the first match, we conceded a goal after losing control of the pace and being broken on the side, but Shun KOGA scored an equalizer with his right foot after a dribble breakthrough. We continued to have momentum and aimed for a comeback, but conceded a goal from a cross ball from the side. The atmosphere at the venue, which is the home of Real Sociedad, also heated up, but FC Tokyo U-18 never gave up and Divine OTANI, who came on as a substitute, scored a goal just before the end of the game to equalize. The game ended in a draw. In the subsequent penalty shootout, goalkeeper Raito OIKAWA made two saves, giving us a chance to win, but we couldn't convert our chances in the second round and it went on until the 11th player. In the end, the opponent's 11th kicker missed, and FC Tokyo U-18's 11th goalkeeper, Raito OIKAWA, scored, securing the victory.
We will face the Muhammad VI Football Academy of Morocco on the second day of the tournament in second place.
In the evening, I was invited to watch the match between Real Sociedad and Getafe in the 28th round of La Liga at the Reale Arena, the home stadium of Real Sociedad. Around the stadium in the city, there were children wearing various Real Sociedad merchandise and elderly people coming and going, creating a friendly and clean atmosphere filled with overwhelming passion.
The players purchase souvenirs at the attached official merchandise shop and enter the stadium while being constantly cheered on with "TAKE! TAKE!"
The match ended with a 2-0 victory for Real Sociedad. Takefusa KUBO, who is both a senior player and started in the match, scored a goal that became the record for the most goals by a Japanese player in La Liga. The players were greatly inspired.
After watching the match, return to the accommodation, finish dinner, go to bed to prepare for the second day of the tournament, and end the 6th day of the expedition.
Continued support and encouragement are requested for FC Tokyo U-18, who continue to fight on foreign soil.
Please check here for the latest tournament information and game broadcasts.
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