ETU’s chugging along, placed sixth in the standings—but Chiba manager Mirkovic’s strategy hits them like a brick wall in the first half of their showdown. Even worse, there’s signs of unrest among the supporters behind the goal. But in flies Tatsumi with some key positional changes after the half—and diehard fan Goro Tanuma’s fateful decision gives ETU a new public face to show!
After a pitched battle against JEM United Chiba, ETU moves on to the next stage! In the midst of this, the lineup for Japan’s U-22 national team is announced...and features some shocking names! Later, in the midst of the long, hot summer stretch, a mysterious visitor appears at ETU’s clubhouse door...
Tsubaki and Akasaki have been picked for Japan’s national U-22 men’s team. Between the cryptic message Tatsumi left them with and a whole litany of new teammates at training camp, Tsubaki begins to feel the pressure of representing everything Japan can do on the pitch...but a chance encounter with a former rival in the league helps him see things in a different light. And just in time, too, because the qualifying matches looming ahead will decide whether Team Japan will play in the Olympic Games!
Something wasn’t right—a small, but fatal seam. The time has come to gauge what needs to be changed… Freed from the intense responsibility of playing for Team Japan in the U-22 Olympic qualifiers, Tsubaki and Akasaki are finally back with ETU! But the team lost both of their Japan Cup matches, and they’re still dragging that behind them. Everyone’s off their game, and even worse, Tatsumi isn’t taking any measures to address it… But even with the sketchy atmosphere in the locker room, it’s time for them to hit the road and play against Urawa!
ETU is on a worryingly unprecedented three-game losing streak. Tatsumi silently watches on, not making any major moves...but the next day, he assembles the team for a blockbuster announcement. The soccer genius whose ETU success lasted all too short a time is making a shocking attempt at a comeback! Can his legs conjure up miracles again, and if so, how will the team react?
Change needs to happen at ETU...and that change is now personified by Sugie, the new team captain. Their next match is a rainy fixture at Nagoya Granpalace, a team coached by ex-ETU manager Fuwa. He lost to them the last time around, but with their solid defense, he’s not looking to repeat history. In fact, he may just change it!
ETU ends the first half down, completely unable to shut down the opponent’s red-hot striker Pepe. Every player in the locker room struggles to fend off their depression...but as they huddle up for the second half, it’s clear they’re not broken yet! Now all they have to do is trust in Tatsumi’s plan...and keep going!
Just when things look bleakest for ETU, Natsuki’s super goal brings them to within one. The team’s regaining its momentum, and now Tatsumi’s ready to reach into his bench. It’s 3-2 in the second half, but there’s no telling how it’ll turn out yet! The thrilling match against Nagoya Granpalace reaches its finale!
After a hard-fought victory against Nagoya, ETU’s got a brand-new goal on its mind—winning the championship title! Now that Tatsumi’s said it out loud for the first time, the whole team is revved up…but their next opponent is Osaka Gunners, a team that’s already evolved themselves to the point that they’re the league’s solid frontrunners. ETU’s next mission: get psyched, score another win, and knock Osaka off of the top spot!
ETU goes into halftime with a 1-0 lead over the first-place Osaka Gunners. Everyone’s reeling with excitement, but a few choice words from Tatsumi makes the team change their expression fast... The only way to conquer experience is by changing, and growing, fast. It’s time for ETU to win and blaze a future for themselves, as the dramatic second half begins!
Fifteen minutes to go against Osaka, and ETU’s finally taken the lead! Tsubaki’s focusing all his attention on Kubota, making sure the Gunners can’t seize the momentum back—but the team’s young ace is about to launch a ferocious attack. And after the match is over, the league’s going on a quick break...as a new slate of Team Japan international friendlies kicks off!
The members of Japan’s national team playing over in Europe are finally back in their homeland—and now Tsubaki knows all too well how much he’s outclassed! He goes into their international friendly with his confidence completely shot, even though his family and ETU teammates are hoping he’ll make his playing debut for the all-ages Team Japan. It’s time for a passionate battle for pride against Scotland—even as Tatsumi grumbles that “not playing would be better for him”!
One of South America’s strongest national sides is visiting Japan! Led by team director Peña, who’s got it more than a little in for Japan boss Blanc, the starting eleven is packed with powerhouses ready to break everything out against their “inferior” opponents! Who ever heard of an international friendly like this? And will Tsubaki get his first chance to play for his country? Uruguay vs. Japan is ready to kick off!
After being overwhelmed early on by South American powerhouse Uruguay, Japan’s “A” national team is behind by a goal as they kick off the second half. Coach Blanc, trying to turn the tide, subs in two new players—Kubota from Osaka, and Tsubaki, making his Team Japan debut. His first experience with international soccer might fill him with anxiety and excitement—but no matter how it turns out, his career will never be the same!
Eight matches remain in the league season, and ETU’s still within arm’s reach of the title—and if that isn’t enough good news, Team Japan’s just come knocking on their players’ doors again! But somehow, their manager seems less than thrilled about this. When a team’s hot, after all, that’s exactly when they need to watch out for pitfalls! It’s an important lesson to remember as they face off against Kofu—and against Tatsumi’s former teammate Ishihama!
With ETU’s game against Vanguard Kofu (home of former teammate Ishihama) settled, League Japan takes a break so the national team can play! With Tsubaki joining the U-22 squad as they fly to Vietnam for a match, Natsuki—who’s made Team Japan for the first time in his career—is joining the main side as they play Honduras at home. How will each of their battles go?
The famed Kaminarimon gate in eastern Tokyo is mobbed—not with tourists, but with an unexpectedly huge throng of ETU fans! With excitement running high and Tatsumi himself making an appearance, the team’s fan rally (part of the leadup to the Tokyo Derby match with their crosstown rivals) is a major success. ETU’s hosting Tokyo Victory at home, and expectations are running sky-high. Can they win the Derby for the first time in ten years? They better, because if they want a shot at the title, this is one match they can’t afford to lose!
The third Tokyo Derby of the season is underway—and this time, ETU’s playing at home! Both teams effectively stop each other for the first twenty minutes, with no shots on goal from either side…until a key set piece from Tokyo Victory star Mochida quickly upsets the balance! But Mochida’s looking to achieve a lot more than just a win for his team this match. Can ETU avoid getting overwhelmed by his menacing presence?
The Tokyo Derby heats up—and with Mochida proving to be a monster on the pitch, the first half ends with Tokyo Victory two goals ahead! But Tatsumi fights back by subbing in Ishigami, a veteran and tough defender. It’s up to him—and the entire ETU team—to put Tokyo V off their game and seize the initiative once more!
The final stages of the red-hot Tokyo Derby match are here! After falling two goals down, ETU’s come roaring back to tie up the score—but Tokyo Victory, the champions of this rivalry, are putting their pride and faith on the line for this much-needed win. But after an intense back-and-forth, it’s Mochida—hungry for a spot on Japan’s national team—that gets the game moving anew!
The entire nation of Japan is waiting with bated breath for Blanc to announce the lineup for Team Japan at the upcoming Asian Cup…but meanwhile, there are five more league matches to go! ETU, in fourth place, is facing Shimizu next, a tough team they have yet to beat this year. The whistle’s about to blow for a tumultuous part of the season, one where thoughts about the national team share space in players’ minds with an insatiable thirst for the league title!
ETU has defeated second-place holders Shimizu! Tsubaki, the only ETU player in Team Japan’s “A” squad, is off to the UAE to play in the Asian Cup! Between international pride and local ambition, Japan’s players are bringing a ton of heat to the pitch every day! It’s time to see who’s really the best on the Asian continent!
In their first Asian Cup match against Kuwait, Team Japan deploys a side mostly consisting of players from their domestic league. This means national-team stalwarts like Alec, Kiryu, and even #10 Hanamori will start the tournament on the bench! What could Blanc be thinking? And will younger League Japan players like Kubota be able to make the most of this killer chance? Blanc’s Team Japan is aiming for the stars as it fights against its opponents…but the fight within the team is proving just as hot!
Team Japan’s kicked off the Asian Cup tournament in the best way possible against Kuwait—and Hanamori, their ace striker, is on the starting eleven against Jordan, their next opponent. Even better…he’ll be joined by Tsubaki and Kubota!
Team Japan has defeated China and earned its ticket to the Asian Cup knockout stages. Their first opponent: the United Arab Emirates, one of the powerhouses of the Middle East. And they’re not the only threats, either. The best young players in Asia, along with their coaches, are all ready to take on Japan with their world-class teamwork in pursuit of the championship!