Ismail’s free kick on goal lets the UAE score first against Japan, defending champions in the Asian Cup! Team Japan never expected to have to play catch-up this early on, and once the second half begins, they finally start to get more aggressive with their moves. The UAE, meanwhile, make full use of their killer home field advantage to dictate the pace of play. It’s a battle between obstinate players, pensive managers, and two team aces willing to put it all on the line. Can Japan find a way out of this crisis?!
In the Asian Cup quarterfinal against the UAE, Japan ties it up with a goal by Hanamori after a nimble passing sequence involving Kubota and Tsubaki. The team keeps pressing, never easing on the attack, but UAE striker Ismail and his team look for a chance fight back, buoyed by the enthusiastic home crowd. Before long, the fatigue begins to catch up with Team Japan. Can they capitalize on a corner kick earned through their erudite teamwork? Who has what it takes to move the momentum and score the next goal?
Japan’s next opponent in their quest for back-to-back Asian Cup titles is Australia! This powerhouse, featuring a litany of players with European experience, wields their formidable physical strength as their greatest weapon. Tsubaki, who scored the winner against the UAE, is in top form for this match, along with fellow Olympic squadmate Kubota and Hanamori, the team’s ace striker. What game plan does Coach Blanc have in mind for this scorching-hot contest? What tactics is he expecting the starting eleven to execute for him? Fan expectations are running high, as both teams stake their pride and determination on the start of this fierce battle!
In the Asian Cup semifinal, Japan takes an early 2-0 lead over Australia thanks to strong performances from the still-hot Olympic duo of Tsubaki and Kubota, along with team ace Hanamori. But after an early tactical change, Australia gradually begins to retake control. Koval, their young ace, creates a huge chance with his golden left foot, leading to a goal—and then the team scores again with one of their trademark aerial plays, tying things up just before halftime. Japan tries to reclaim the lead, but face formidable opposition from striker Sullivan and goalkeeper Baker… Can Japan break through this Asian wall and advance to the final?
Japan takes an early 2-0 lead against Australia in the Asian Cup semifinal, thanks to strong performances from the Olympic heroes Tsubaki and Kubota—to say nothing of Hanamori, their top star. But after an early tactical readjustment, Australia gradually regains control, tying the game just before halftime. Japan tries to swiftly retake the lead, but instead concedes a third goal to Australian striker Thomas Sullivan. Coach Blanc feels obliged to send Yotaro Natsuki, his wild card, into the match…but can Japan figure out a way through this barrier and into the final?
The clash of wills just keeps on going as the Asian Cup semis reach their climax! Tsubaki makes his team proud by scoring the go-ahead goal, but when something beyond unexpected happens to his cherished teammate Kubota, he hardly knows how to react… Meanwhile, over in Japan, ETU’s steadily prepping for the upcoming Tengu Cup! It’s their big chance to reclaim the spotlight in the final stretch of the season, but these warriors in red and black will need to fight like never before for it!
The Asian Cup break is over, and ETU’s reserve squad takes the field for the first match of the Tengu Cup. With four league games to go, Tatsumi’s leaving nothing to chance as he strives to boost team unity and considers the future of his bench players. Tsubaki, meanwhile, was behind the play that knocked Japan out of the Asian Cup semifinal, and he still hasn’t recovered much from the blow. What—or who—will be key in getting his mind back in the game?