8th April 2025
Coach Suganuma explains Kyoto International Academy's strategy.
"Their goalkeeper is Ryohei Matsumoto, he's a good goalie, but Sakamoto should be easily able to score.
Their defence is a four back, the left back is Takeshi Kubo, he is very tall and strong physically, so it's best if you don't challenge him 1 on 1.
The right back is Kaito Endo, A bit shorter, but fast and still strong, he will hunt you down once you enter their half.
The two centre backs are Tatsuya Saito and Olivier Nganga, good centre backs, their main goal is to lure you in and then do a pincer attack, where they block your front and Takeshi Kubo comes in from behind.
This is the strongest midfield in the league...
The main man himself Haruto Fujimura, he's who we need to stop, he's all rounded with almost no weaknesses. He can score from basically any distance, and can make better saves than their own goalie.
He feeds passes to the other two midfielders, Carlos Silva, and Keisuke Shirota. These two are dangerous as a team, and even more dangerous if they form a triangle passing structure with Haruto Fujimura.
Their attack is mediocre...
Yuuto Takanashi is their right winger, he's fast, but sloppy on the ball.
Ahmed Al-Farouq is the Left Winger, he has great control, but can't pass or shoot for the life of him.
But their striker will be dangerous... Yuto Tanaka, he's a fast paced accurate shooter. Fujimura assists and Tanaka is the scorer.
I need you all to, when Fujimura gets the ball, mark both Tanaka and Fujimura.
And none of you will go on solo runs, that's a command, you will be stopped!'
They all take in this information. Ren thinks about how coach is way more serious about this match than the one against Tokyo.
So he asks,
"Why do you care so much about this match, sir? You didn't care this much about the Tokyo match."
"I knew you wouldn't get it... Because they are a team, they all funnel the ball to Fujimura, who can score himself, or pass it to Tanaka to score. Tokyo was just one good player."
Ren's a bit hurt by the insult, "Alright-"
9th April 2025
This day is focused on physical training. They spend the first two hours in the gym, followed by some simple shooting drills.
But then coach decided to put the attackers against the defenders, to enhance both of their skills.
Ren plays Nobu first.
"I'm dead, aren't I?" Nobu jokes.
"Yep." Ren affirms cockily.
They will play first to three goals.
For the first one Ren just dribbles past and slots it in.
1-0
For the next he slide tackles Nobu and slams it in.
2-0
For the final one he flicks it up and bicycle kicks it in.
3-0
"Thanks Nobu... That helped with my shot accuracy.
10th April 2025
The match that coach has put together, the 6v6.
On the blue team, the usually substitute goalie, Junpei Matsuda, is in nets. They have Hayashi and Morita in attack, with Tanigawa, Nobu, and Onishi in the midfield.
On the red team, Nomura is in nets. They have Ren and Itoshi in attack, with Fujisawa, Aizawa, Endo in the midfield.