As everyone gets into position for the free kick, Takahashi approaches the number 3.
"Okamoto!"
Okamoto turns to Takahashi, who signals him to come closer with his hand.
"Watch out for number 24... he's fast, but above all, watch out for his physical strength. Don't go one-on-one with him, keep your distance and try to anticipate him."
"Understood."
Kobayashi is ready to take the free kick and signals everyone to push forward with their hands.
He throws a long ball towards their number 9, who manages to head it despite the pressure of Aoki, who had pushed almost to the center of the field.
The ball lands at Ito's feet, who controls it.
Nishimura watches it carefully.
—
Everyone is gathered around Coach Ishii on the Shūdan-teki training field.
"Guys, just a moment. We're going to talk about the different strategies that Maebashi Ikuei could use. I'd like to start by saying that their main strength is possession." Coach Ishii picks up a magnetic board with colored magnets to demonstrate his point. "Their possession game is designed to create space, especially on the wings, and build dangerous plays... But we can also let them do that. I would even say that we could be faster than them. That said, they're not stupid; they'll already have a plan for these types of situations..."
Coach Ishii slides two yellow magnets representing Maebashi Ikuei's wingers toward the center of the pitch.
"If I had to guess, they'd use their ball skills even more, moving the play to the center with their wingers cutting into the final third of the pitch along with their number 10."
—
Ito looks up and immediately sees the number 7 arriving at the edge of the final third of the pitch.
—
"How do we stop them then?" Tamura asks.
Coach Ishii holds a red magnet up to a yellow one.
"The key is to stop the beating heart of the team, which is Souta Ito, without neglecting the others... So," Coach Ishii points to Nishimura, "Nishimura will have to sacrifice himself and stop him by any means necessary!"
—
Nishimura approaches Ito, trying to intercept the pass.
But Ito has already seen him, and in an instant, he shields the ball, using his right sole to return it to his half of the field and effortlessly bypassing Nishimura's pressure before calmly passing it to his number 5.
Nishimura looks frustrated at being beaten so easily.
I can sacrifice myself, but I'm not good enough to anticipate him!
Ito gestures to number 5 to slow down.
He sees the signal and passes the ball sideways to number 6.
Riccardo moves in to apply pressure.
But number 6 passes the ball to Takahashi, who has practically pushed himself behind Riccardo.
Riccardo quickly closes down the new ball carrier, trying to speed up their game.
Takahashi passes to someone just behind Riccardo, to his right.
The ball comes back to Ito, who has come back to help Takahashi, still chased by Nishimura who tries to contain him.
As soon as Takahashi makes the pass, he sprints forward.
Ito spots him and immediately sends a through ball to him as he runs, executing a one-two that cuts off both Riccardo and Nishimura.
Takahashi pushes into the opponent's half.
Ono approaches him, but Takahashi makes another forward pass, this time to number 7, who moves inside again, closely followed by Shimizu.
Takahashi continues to run, overtaking Ono.
The number 7 returns the ball to him on the run, just like he did with Ito.
Takahashi is about to take the ball back.
Almost there!
Takahashi runs free as a faint smile forms on his face.
But he doesn't expect the sudden arrival of Aoki who has read the action, freed himself from the Shūdan-teki defensive line and goes into a sliding tackle on the ball.
The ball bounces away.
From the bench, coach Suzuki jumps up in excitement after the tackle.
"Good call, Aoki!"
But then he is taken by surprise when the ball lands at the feet of Ito, who arrives just before Nishimura.
He's always one step ahead of me!
Ito immediately passes the ball to their number 9, who uses the space left by Aoki to quickly move into the box.
Noguchi tries to block his run without committing a foul.
But the number 9, with the instep of his left foot, shoots first-time towards the goal with the instep of his left foot, aiming to send the ball low to the far post corner.
The ball moves quickly and is clearly headed towards the goal.
Andou, with an explosive leap, stretches just enough to barely touch it and send it wide.
The assistant referee whistles a corner kick for Maebashi Ikuei.
Noguchi runs to Andou to give him a high five.
"Nice save!"
"Good job, too, for forcing him to shoot early."
Mister Ishii watches Maebashi Ikuei's number 9 take up position in the box for the corner.
—
Mister Ishii is talking to the team again on the training field after a practice session.
"Another big threat is definitely Haruki Ishikawa, a third-year player. Last year, when Maebashi Ikuei won the national tournament, he scored 26 goals between the prefectural qualifiers and the national tournament. He's got a great physical presence, he's reasonably fast, but most of all he has an incredible eye for goal. He can finish off any opportunity that comes his way."
—
Ishikawa is about 1.82 meters tall, has short white hair, and gray eyes.
The players are lined up in the Shūdan-teki penalty area, ready for the corner kick that Ito will take from the right.
In the area, the first pairs have already formed, engaging in a physical fight to gain the best position for the jump.
The referee blows the whistle and Ito immediately crosses with his right foot, giving the ball a trajectory to return.
Okamoto and Aoki jump, but they fail to touch the ball: the ball barely grazes their heads.
The ball is directed a little further back, where Takahashi arrives before Noguchi, who heads it hard towards the goal.
The shot is central but from close range and the ball goes fast.
Andou reacts instantly, touching the ball with the palm of his right hand. Before anyone else can take advantage of the rebound, he dives and blocks it.
Takahashi looks frustrated at the missed opportunity, but slowly begins to retreat to his half.
Noguchi watches him retreat.
—
"If there's one weakness in Maebashi Ikuei," Coach Ishii had said, "it's definitely their shaky defense... But that problem is largely solved by a single player, who also happens to be their current captain. Yuki Takahashi, the backbone of the team. Without him, they probably wouldn't have won the nationals."
—
Noguchi's expression contorts in frustration.
Damn! What have I done these past three years... I want to be the backbone of this team too!