April 6th, Wednesday, 2022
Todoroki Athletics Stadium
White fluffy clouds were drifting across the clear blue sky and the sun was dazzling with bright radiance. With no traces of any dark clouds hovering in the blue sky above, that day was particularly sunny.
One of the three main venue of Kawasaki Frontale’s youth team, which was about 20 minutes walk away from JR/Tokyu Musashikosugi Station was bustling with the presence of 100-200 spectators in the stand.
Most of the seats were being occupied by the local shop vendors and local fans of Kawasaki. While some section of the stands were being occupied by the away fans.
“I’m feeling pretty good about this match.” An elderly fan of Kawasaki Frontale, dressed in floral shirt commented in a cheerful manner.
Another old man sitting right beside the old guy dressed in floral shirt, replied while holding the scarf with the badge of Kawasaki Frontale, “Yeah I couldn’t make it to the first game. But I read from the paper that we’ve got a pretty solid team this year. And not to mention that thirteen year old wonderkid who scored 4 goals in the previous match.”
Just like the two of them many local fans present in the stadium were holding either the club scarf or club flag or banner to show their support to the team.
And even in that scorching midday heat, people were still making their way towards the stand.
While still more people were making their way towards the stands, walking out of aisle, Hiro and his teammates made their appearance in the pitch dressed in black and blue jersey.
And just as they made their appearance in the pitch, thundering sound of cheers and claps of fans reverberated all over the stadium.
Clap!! Clap!! Clap!!
“‘Woah!!!!”‘
“Let’s show those guys from other side of Tamagawa rivers what Kawasaki can do.” Shouted few of the elderly fans.
However even in that noisy atmosphere, few section of the stands remained relatively silent. Those sections belonged to the fans of FC Tokyo. They all were waiting for their teams arrival.
Walking out of the aisle, Hiro tried to look above. However, the scorching sun made him to squint his eyes.
Shading his eyes from the bright rays of the sun, Hiro slowly opened his eyes to look at the stand.
Looking at the stands infront of him, Hiro was mesmerized by the energetic crowd of people who had showed up in the venue to support them, even in that scorching heat.
“Feels amazing right?” Tatsuki who was making his way out of the aisle mumbled while stopping beside him.
Slightly lifting the corner of his lips, Hiro nodded his head. In doing so, once again the bright light of the sun fell on his eyes, creeping it’s way from the gaps of his fingers. 𝙡𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒂𝓭.𝙘𝓸𝓶
Irritated by the bright light, Hiro immediately closed his eyes and ducked his head.
After that, Hiro continued to make his way towards the pitch.
“That number 10 kid must be that aforementioned thirteen year old kid, right?” A man probably in his thirties asked his compatriot sitting beside him while pointing his finger at Hiro.
“Yeah that must be him.” Answered his compatriot while nodding his head. “Look Tatsuki and he seems rather close, don’t they?”
Since Tatsuki had already made his debut for the senior team, he was one of the most famous player in U-18 team.
Stretching their whole body, players of Kawasaki started their warm-ups.
After about 10 minutes, players of FC Tokyo U-18 showed up in the pitch as well dressed in bright red and blue jersey.
While walking out of the aisle, the once silent fans of FC Tokyo broke their silence and began to cheer at the top of their lungs.
Clap!! Clap!! Clap!!
“Let’s show them our power boy’s.” Shouted few of the fans of FC Tokyo.
After that player’s of FC Tokyo U-18 too started their warmups.
**** ****
Finally as both the team finished their warm-ups, both of the team exited the pitch and began to make their way towards the locker room.
And after about 5 minutes of rest, players of both the team began to prepare themselves to make their appearance in the pitch.
Standing side by side in a queue inside the tunnel, players of both side were awaiting the announcement of the commentator.
“So you’re that wonderkid that everybody’s talking about? However the only thing that I see wonderful in you is your face. Just how can you be thirteen with that face? Did you forge your birth certificate?” One of the player of FC Tokyo U-18 with jersey number 3, standing beside Hiro, asked in somewhat mocking tone.
Hiro however pretended as if he didn’t hear him and ignored his questions.
‘If I’m not wrong, he’s probably Shuto Nagano. Likes to play mind games by trash talking. He’s probably that infamous trash talker from FC Tokyo U-18 whom manager Makoto mentioned about in yesterday’s meeting.’ Thought Hiro while trying to recall about Shuto’s characteristics from yesterday’s meeting.
“Why aren’t you replying? Did your coach tell you to not talk with strangers since you’re still a kid?” Saying such, that player with jersey number 3 tried to provoke Hiro and tried to get on Hiro’s head.
And just as Shuto made such comments, his teammates standing close to him burst out into laughter.
“Yeah. Are you lost kid?” Another player standing infront of Shuto questioned while laughing.
Hiro however still continued to feign ignorance. Acting as if he was deaf and mute, Hiro pretended like he didn’t hear a single thing. With no changes in his facial expression, Hiro continued to maintain a poker face.
Seeing Hiro’s unresponsiveness, Shuto started to get irritated. And thus, feeling irritated, Shuto clicked his tongue in annoyance, “Tch- you’re no fun.”
Just then the players at the front of the queue started to move.
[Let’s welcome player’s of Kawasaki Frontale U-18 and player’s of FC Tokyo U-18 with a big round of applause]
Making their way out of the tunnel, players of both the team began to walk towards the center of the pitch.
While the players of both the team were making their way towards the center of the pitch, fans of both the teams continued to cheer in loud voice.
Standing in a straight line, players of both the team stood straight to sing the national anthem.
[Now I’d like to request everybody present in the stand to stand up to sing the national anthem.]
And just as the national anthem started to play, everybody present in the stand stood up to show their respect to the anthem.
Clap!! Clap!! Clap!!
And finally as the national anthem finished, everybody present in the stadium started to clap their hands.
After that the referee responsible for refereeing that day’s match called out the captain of both the team to perform coin toss.
From Hiro’s team as usal Tomoyasu stepped infront for the coin toss. And from FC Tokyo U-18’s side, Junpei Isido stepped infront for the coin toss.
Junpei Isido was the player with number 4 on his back. Curly black hair, monolid brown pupils, he had a well built robust body.
‘So he’s Junpei Isido. Agile, excellent physicality, passing expert and also good in defence, he’s your typical modern fullback.’ Thought Hiro while staring at Junpei Isido who was making his way towards the referee. ‘And since he’s also the captain of the team, I believe that his leadership qualities are also good.’
“Heads or tails?” Asked the referee while placing the coin atop his thumb.
“Heads” replied Tomoyasu.
“Then I’ll go tails.” Junpei Isido responded as well.
And as the two of them made their choice, the referee flicked the coin.
“Tails.” The referee announced after looking at the outcome of the coin toss.
“So which side will you choose?” The referee asked Junpei Isido.
“That side” Pointing at his right, Junpei Isido made his decision.
After that players of both the teams exchanged handshakes and began to make their way towards their respective side of pitch.
[FC Tokyo U-18 has won the coin toss. And their captain has decided to select the right goal-post. Which means Kawasaki Frontale U-18 will be tasked with kickoff.]
[Since both the team’s playstyle is quite similar to each other, it’ll be fun to see which team comes out on the top.] Commented the commentator while the players of both the team were positioning themselves in their respective positions.
[For this match today Kawasaki Frontale U-18 has decided to make slight changes in their formation. And instead of playing in their usual formation which happens to be 4-3-3, today they’re playing in 4-4-2 formation.]
[However FC Tokyo U-18 has decided to stick with it’s traditional formation. In today’s match too they’ll be playing in 4-1-2-3 formation.]
And just as the commentator finished making his comment, the referee took a peak at his watch and put the whistle in his mouth.
He then started the timer and blew the whistle to signal the beginning of the Tamagawa clasico.
Beeeeeeeep!!