Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 31

──September 7, 2028 (Thursday)

World Cup Asian Final Qualifiers Round 1: Japan vs Kyrgyzstan (@Saitama Stadium 2002)

The national anthem rings out in the stadium before the match.

The excitement of the crowd can be felt on the pitch.

(From here on, it’s already “special” territory.)

Naoe Ren placed his hand on his chest and quietly steadied his breathing.

He has already made his debut for the senior national team.

However, the battlefield known as the “final World Cup qualifying round” was on a different level.

Starting eleven.

Goalkeeper: Suzuki Zaki.

Defenders: Kamisawa, Tomita, Takaguchi, Ii.

MF: Ando, ​​Naoe, Kai.

Forwards: Hisaka, Onizuka, Mihara.

In both name and reality, they are Japan’s best team.

kick off.

And then, Japan began to get serious.

Five minutes into the game, Hisaka made a sharp turn as a center forward,

He then made a through pass to Onizuka.

“I’ll leave it here.”

Onizuka grinned and smashed the ball into the goal with his right foot, making the score 1-0.

Before the crowd had time to roar, Mihara launched an attack from the left side.

Vertical thrust, speed, and cutting in —

He broke through the defense and made the final pass to Ando.

His accurate left foot strikes the ball into the right corner of the goal. 2-0.

It was 4-0 after the first 30 minutes of the first half.

The overwhelming difference in quality was reflected in the scores.

However, there was another mastermind working behind the scenes.

Ren is in the bottom middle position, always keeping a wide field of vision.

Keep passing the ball to your opponent’s weak spots.

It adjusts the rhythm of the attack and allows your teammates to naturally correct their positioning.

(After all… everyone “understands” this.)

It was a different feeling from Augsburg.

Even without exchanging words, the intention is conveyed.

Your teammates will respond to your desired movements.

(It feels so “organized” that it’s almost pleasing.)

Second half.

The long feed that started the sixth goal was fired from Ren’s right foot.

Onizuka dropped the ball and quickly got behind the defense, Mihara stored it and scored, and Onizuka sank it again.

The seventh goal was scored by Hisaka, who scored a direct shot from Ando’s pass.

The score was 7-0. It was a spectacular first match.

After the game ended.

Ren returned to the bench as the audience continued to applaud.

“lotus”

I turned towards the voice that came from behind me.

Captain Tomita was standing there.

“…Even though it was your first time in the final qualifying round, you were pretty calm.”

“No, I would even say you were too calm. You were a big help.”

Ren laughed slightly.

“Thank you. But I’m just going with the flow.”

“The atmosphere is heavy, and many people are overwhelmed.

You are… on the side that can make full use of that atmosphere. It’ll be fine.”

It’s okay.

That one word stayed in my heart, like permission.

(I can become stronger with this team.)

Hotel room at night.

The highlights were being repeated on TV.

Onizuka’s goal. Mihara’s dribble. Kusaka’s pass.

–And your name too.

(Two battlefields. Either way, I’ll stay the same.)

Next → Episode 32 “The Power to Endure”

What was the “soulful battle” that Ren, Kai, and the defense showed in the harsh away environment?

[GK: Suzuki Zaki (26 years old)]

Height and build: 192 cm, 103 kg

In addition to his blessed physique, high physical ability, and shot-stopping ability with sharp reflexes, he also has exceptional distance for kicks and throws.

[RSB: Uesawa (31 years old)]

Height and build: 178 cm, 72 kg

A cheerful and energetic player who creates chances for the team with his high-quality kicks and crosses.

[CB: Tomita (30 years old)]

Height and build: 190 cm, 86 kg

Captain of the Japanese national team and defensive leader. He has coaching ability that makes use of his high soccer IQ, and is a defensive specialist who can play at a high level in any defensive position. He has suffered from injuries.

[CB: Takaguchi (25 years old)]

Height and build: 193 cm, 92 kg

He is also known as the second Tomita. He is known for his strength in aerial battles that makes the most of his height, his stable footwork, and his accurate feeds.

[LSB: Ii (28 years old)]

Height and build: 186 cm, 81 kg

He is strong in aerial and hand-to-hand combat, and is also good at 1-on-1 defense. Like Takaguchi, he is also a player who can kick accurate feeds.

[MF: Kai (27 years old)]

Height and build: 175 cm, 68 kg

He excels at both his outstanding ball-winning ability and his ability to smoothly deploy the ball in an attack once it has been stolen, making him a perfect match for Ren.

[AMF: Kusaka (25 years old)]

Height and build: 173 cm, 67 kg

Although small in stature, he is a player with excellent technical skills and creativity, and is also able to utilize his teammates with his dribbling ability and accurate passing.

[RWG: Ando (32 years old)]

Height and build: 172 cm, 70 kg

Although he is an offensive player, he also has strong defensive skills. He has ball-holding ability, and his left-footed kicks are accurate and destructive.

[CF: Onizuka (22 years old)]

Height and build: 186 cm, 86 kg

A Japanese star who plays for Real Madrid, he has excellent scoring ability and can play in any attacking position.

[LWG: Mihara (31 years old)]

Height and build: 178 cm, 72 kg

He often leaves the opposing defense behind with his dribbling, using speed and speed. He also has a very high defensive awareness.