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[Saturday, 26/10/2019, 20:15, Zdzisław-Krzyszkowiak-Stadion, Poland]
Masanaga Kageyama the head coach of the Japan U-20 National Football Team walked into the changing room with a serious gaze. If he was being honest, he wasn't expecting this team to lose to even a powerhouse like Germany that's how much trust, he had in this golden generation. All the players were some of the most talented to come out of their country and were appearing simultaneously.
Yes, they've had some great players, with the likes of Kazuyoshi Miura, Hidetoshi Nakata, and Shinji Okazaki who represented their country. While the 3 of them might be standout talents they didn't have the support staff to shine truly. So having a player like Kubo in his team was something he was grateful for, especially with the brimming talent his teammates have displayed in domestic and foreign leagues.
However, at this very moment, he found himself at a crossroads as their future talisman was struggling to beat his first real challenge. Rakim Rex was a name anyone in the footballing world has heard at one point or the other as his talent shown from a young age. He seemingly only got better with each year that passed and despite facing his share of drama he faced in his young career.
The problem lay with the fact that his presence was so overwhelming that Kubo was struggling to play to his full potential. Clenching his right fist, he decided to kick his team into another gear and make them realise what this tournament represented. "Okay, guys," he said after the players had settled down and hydrated themselves.
"Did you have fun out there?" He asked them as he let his gaze travel across every one of them. "I for one didn't enjoy that game. You were not beaten by Germany, you were beaten by one man, No one boy."
His voice caused the players to hang their heads in disappointment as none of them dared to meet his piercing gaze. "(為せば成る) If you do, you will succeed! this is something we have been saying all throughout the training camp but I've yet to see any of you play to your full potential." Masanaga Kageyama paused, allowing his words to settle in the heavy atmosphere of the locker room. His sharp eyes scanned the group, lingering on each player for a moment as if willing them to rise to the challenge he was about to lay before them.
"Germany didn't outplay us as a team. They relied on the brilliance of one player to control the game," Kageyama continued his voice firm but not unkind. "Rakim Rex is exceptional, yes. But he is not invincible. You made him look untouchable because you allowed yourselves to be intimidated."
The players shifted uncomfortably in their seats, the weight of the coach's words pressing on their shoulders. Takefusa Kubo, seated in the middle, clenched his fists, his head still bowed. Kageyama's gaze fell on him, softening for just a moment.
"Kubo," he said, his tone gentler now. "You have been given the privilege of wearing our beautiful nation's number 10, this makes you our heartbeat given the position you play. When you hesitate, everyone hesitates. I need to see better from you, this tournament is not like any other youth tournament you have played in."
"Practically every nation has managed to get their brightest talents to sign up for the tournament. What this means for you is this is your golden ticket to join a team in one of the big five leagues because they are all watching. So, keep this in mind and show them your worth as players by displaying a football worthy of our proud nation." Listening to his words the player's gazes became more solemn as they started to realise how important this tournament could be for them personally.
Seeing how seriously his players were taking his words Masanaga moved on to practical stuff as he started laying out how he wanted them to play in the second half. He wanted them to focus on playing their counter-attacking game by drawing their opponents into their own half. When the opportunity presented itself, they were to use their pace and quick transition to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Masanaga Kageyama walked to the tactics board at the centre of the locker room, the sound of his marker squeaking against the white surface cutting through the tense silence. His movements were rapid almost resembling a mad painter whom the onlookers wouldn't know what he was painting until he was done. He drew two formations, highlighting the weaknesses he had observed in Germany's setup during the first half.
"Look here," he said, pointing to the space between Germany's midfield and defensive lines. "This is where we will hurt them. They are leaving gaps when they push forward, especially on the flanks. Due to their love of possession play they remain fluid and start to struggle once they can't find a quick opportunity." He stopped and turned to the rest of the team checking to see if they were paying attention to his words. Seeing their unflinching gazes as they waited for him to continue, he subtly nodded to himself before continuing.
"Usually, we could wait for their attack to fizzle out, but with a player like Rakim and his creativity with the ball odds are he might decide to go on one of his solo runs. So, we will exploit those spaces after forcing them to stagnate and use quick one-touch passing and off-the-ball movement, catching them out of position."
He turned to Ritsu a talent in his own right and the team's agile right winger. "Doan, I need you to hug the touchline. Drag their fullback out wide, and when the moment's right, cut inside to overload the midfield. You're quick enough to pull this off, and you've got the technique to deliver when it counts." Doan nodded, his jaw tightening as determination flared in his eyes.
"Kubo," Masanaga said, turning his attention back to the young playmaker. "I need you to own that space in the middle. Stop second-guessing yourself. Trust your instincts and play with freedom. You have the vision to dictate this game. You see things others don't—use that to your advantage. Rakim is not a natural central midfielder, and you should feel offended for letting him step into your domain, teach him what it means to be a number 10."
Kubo finally lifted his head, his eyes meeting Masanaga's. There was a flicker of fire in his gaze now with such intensity that even Masanaga felt slightly pressured. However, the glimmer of belief that rekindled quickly washed over him as he could see a way forward for his team.
"Takuya and Ao" Masanaga continued, addressing the team's central midfielder. "I want you two to be the engine. Press them relentlessly. Win the ball back and feed Kubo or the wingers as quickly as possible. If you tire them out, those gaps will widen, and we'll punish them."
As he spoke, Masanaga made deliberate eye contact with each player, ensuring they understood their role in this new plan. The air in the locker room shifted, the players sitting taller as a sense of purpose took root.
"Now," he said, stepping back from the board and folding his arms, "about Rakim Rex. I know how dangerous he is—he's already shown that. But he's still just one player. Don't focus on him. Focus on our plan. If we execute it right, he won't get the space to do what he did in the first half."
He motioned to the defenders, giving them a stern look. "Yuki and Takuya you are both marking Rex when he drops into midfield Takuya will mark him but if he stays up, He will be Yuki's assignment. Stay tight, but don't be reckless. If he pulls you out of position, communicate immediately. If we isolate him, we take away their main threat."
The room was quiet, but it wasn't the heavy silence of earlier. It was the kind of stillness that comes before a storm, the calm before an explosion of energy and Victory.
"Remember why you're here," Masanaga said, his voice lowering, almost reverent. "You are representing Japan, but you're also playing for your dreams. This is your stage to show the world what you're capable of. So, when you step out there for the second half, leave everything on that pitch. No regrets." As he finished, a staff member came knocking on the door signalling the end of the halftime period. Masanaga stepped aside, watching as his players stood, their expressions now more resolved with a hunger for victory.