May 31 (Sat) – Jun 1 (Sun)

We held an away Kyoto match support tour for FC Tokyo Soccer and Futsal School students!

There were reunions with children who had joined the away support tour we held previously, as well as many children meeting for the first time. When we gathered at Tokyo Station, everyone was a bit nervous, but during the Shinkansen ride, they talked with the children sitting next to them, gradually easing their nerves and showing many smiles.

Arriving at Kyoto Station, transferring trains, and heading to Kameoka Station. Enjoying the scenery of Kyoto from the train, and the moment the stadium came into view, I was thrilled, saying "Amazing!!!"

And the interleague match venue is none other than! 'Kamokita Sports Park' right next to SANGA Stadium by KYOCERA!

I believe we were able to hold the interleague match in a very good atmosphere with the stadium in view.

The exchange matches were held with separate teams for 3rd and 4th graders, and a combined team for 5th and 6th graders. When forming teams with members who joined on the day, communication started with confirming names and so on.

The theme of this away support tour is "Independence." The children discussed among themselves how to fight as a team and made decisions together.

As we played through eight interleague matches, the children actively started communicating with each other, discussing how to score goals and how to defend them, which increased their conversations and fostered a sense of unity.

Coach Ike (in charge of 3rd and 4th graders) and Coach Saku (in charge of 5th and 6th graders), who were responsible for the exchange matches, also witnessed the children's growth firsthand.

Students from Kyoto Sanga F.C.'s school said with smiles, 'The FC Tokyo kids are really strong!' The exchange match was very exciting, and it was a great time with many new soccer friends made.

After the interleague matches, move inside SANGA Stadium by KYOCERA for the much-anticipated top team match viewing! Thanks to the consideration of Kyoto Sanga F.C., seats from the 3rd to the 6th row have been prepared for us.

The children were amazed by the greatness of the soccer-only stadium and how close they were to the pitch! And now, the players' warm-up finally begins!

The pitch was very close to the children's seats, so the children were desperately calling out the players' names! Their voices reached Go HATANO and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who waved back, making the children very happy!

During shooting practice, they watched the shots with a serious gaze. Every time an FC Tokyo player took a shot, they enjoyed shouting, "Player 〇〇―――!!"

By watching the top team's shooting practice up close, I believe you were able to truly feel the players' greatness.

During the match, we passionately cheered for the players while singing FC Tokyo chants together with the supporters. Although the goal was disallowed due to an offside call, the moment FC Tokyo shook the net was unforgettable, with everyone jumping up in joy.

After the match, transfer to the hotel by bus.

Leaving SANGA Stadium by KYOCERA, we waved to the supporters of FC Tokyo and Kyoto Sanga F.C., who saw us off. (The children even created their own original chant, and the bus was lively with excitement, haha.) The children happily waved back as well.

I think I was able to experience the feeling of being a player, even if just a little!