(7.29 J Academy Match U-15 J Selection 1-0 Liverpool U15 Ajifi Nishi)
He showed the crowd, “I'm a striker.” FW Ota Rinsora (Tosu U-15) scored the winning goal for the U-15 J-League selection, thrilling Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka.
Ota usually plays on the front line, but in this game he started as a second-hand player. In the 17th minute of the first half, he pulled out a vertical pass from the final line, flipped and turned forward, and just before the sliding came, he made a pass to first batter forward Abe Keigo (Machida Jr. Youth) to create a chance.
And so, in the 21st minute of the first half, midfielder Hiroyama Taku (Numazu U15) saw midfielder Hiroyama Taku (Numazu U15) snatched the ball deep into the left side and ran into the penalty area. “We've only got to score,” he said, and secured the round with a direct right-foot shot, scoring the opening goal.
After scoring, the celebrity ran to the corner to form a circle of joy, and then stoked cheers with his right hand towards the stands. “It's going to be selfish, but I was a little excited as I was a striker after all.” This was a comeback that showed pride towards the over 3,000 audience members, with many elementary and junior high school students gathering.
The final score shows the pride of a striker
Ota was on Nishigaoka's pitch in the semi-finals of the Takamadonomiya Cup U-15 Championship at the end of last year, showing a performance that scored an equalising goal. However, he lost in a penalty shootout. This time, he brought a 1-0 victory with his own goal, and smiled, “I think I was able to properly defend and win with my own point, and I was able to properly prove my worth.”
The second match against Liverpool U15 will be held on the 31st, and the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-15) tournament is scheduled for next month. As the ace of Sagan Tosu U-15, Ota plans to give his experience in the U-15 J-League selection back to his team.
“The atmosphere and level of the (J selection) team is definitely high, and that's what we need to improve as a (Tosu U-15) team. I'll take that back to Tosu and do it because I'm the leader, and as an individual, I haven't been able to play in the club youth team since last year, so I'd like to score points and win the championship by paying off the debt.”
On top of that, Ota reflected on his play as a subordinate of the striker, saying, “A strong opponent was coming from behind, so it was a challenge to get it right, and how to beat an opponent bigger than me, even before I came here. That's what I got there.” The striker, who aims to become forward Killian Mbappe, whose strength is his diverse scoring patterns, has become more robust and will shine in the national tournament, “I want to imitate him, and with a feeling that exceeds that.”
(Interview and text by Kato Naoki)
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