The long divided Enoshima Soccer Club was at last united.
However, this soccer club is wavering.
Unsatisfied with Coach Iwaki's management,
Sawamura-san walks out and, following in his footsteps,
Oda-san, Kaiouji-san and others walk out as well...
With the inter-high competition just around
the corner, at this critical time,
the Enoshima Soccer Club threatens to divide again.
Enoshima Soccer Club Reborn
What? Why do I have to?
Who else is going to?
Now that Sawamura-san has left,
you're the only one who can be captain.
We can't practice without someone to lead.
But if you can't do it no matter what, I could...
I think Mako would be fine.
No objections!
Wait, but...
By the way, where's Kakeru?
Said he had some business to attend to,
so he'd be late.
Business?
All right, next!
Sawamura-san!
It's you again?
I told you, I'm not coming back no matter how many times you ask.
Oh, no. Of course, I do want you to return,
but I came today for a different reason.
Are you here about the night practices?
Yes! That's right.
Starting today, once a week,
we've borrowed a private stadium to practice in.
But, how did you know?
I heard from Hyodo.
Then I can get right to it.
It's not every day that we get a chance
to practice in a stadium.
We're meeting at 6pm,
so make sure you're there.
What? Hey, wait!
Don't miss it! We'll all be waiting!
What's with that guy? Who says I'm going?
Hey, Kakeru!
I'm coming now!
Sawamura-san?
Wh-What are you guys doing here?
Right back at you, Sawamura-san.
Well, I was just...
I was wondering who that might be...
So it was you guys.
Coach Kondo!
Will you just go back already?
No matter how long you continue your foolish stand,
nothing will change.
Of course, I don't think things are fine as they are, but...
The problem is Coach Iwaki?
About that, there's something I'd like to show you.
Could you go out with me in a while?
Kamakura Station
A town to see... Old city of the Samurai Kamakura
Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go.
Um, to where, Coach Kondo?
Safety First
Wh-What is Coach Iwaki doing here?
What in the world is going on?
I asked him the same thing.
I ran into him not long ago...
Man, it looks like you've caught me.
The truth is, I was trying to rent the city stadium.
I see...
I wanted to give them the experience of playing on the grass,
but my salary alone wouldn't cut it.
So, that's why you're here?
You could say that...
Oh, and to everyone else...
S-Sure.
I'd feel bad if they felt responsible and offered to help.
I've never seen a coach go so far for his club.
Honestly, it isn't something that I could do.
It's no surprise that, coming from how I ran things, you'd be dissatisfied.
However, it's true that, right now,
that team is undergoing harsher training than the SC did
and their technique is more polished than before.
And what has made that possible,
by never ceasing his pursuit of greater heights,
is Coach Iwaki's passion
and his desire to have fun playing soccer.
That may be true.
However, that doesn't excuse being soft on Araki...
being soft on the team!
That's right!
We can't stand Coach Iwaki's coaching.
Then see for yourself.
What?
See whether the man named Teppei Iwaki
really is just a soft coach.
Decide with your own eyes.
The next day, we headed over to the
Enoshima Railway Imuragasaki Station
Exit
Entrance
Kamakura city grounds for a practice match.
What?
Today's opponent is an acquaintance of Coach Iwaki’s?
What, you didn't know?
Iwaki-chan explained it yesterday.
I was in the bathroom.
But all we know is that they know our coach.
We have no idea what kind of opponent they will be.
I'm a little nervous.
It'll be fine.
There's no way that, at a time like this,
high level players would play a practice match against us.
It won't be a difficult opponent.
That's true.
Hey, doesn't something seem weird?
Huh?
I wonder why Coach Iwaki
suddenly decided to put together a practice match.
Well, wouldn't it be because the inter-high competition is close
and he wants us to practice in a real match setting?
But, the situation with Sawamura-san and the others
is still unresolved...
Something isn't right.
Hey!
I've been waiting for you all!
So, who's our opponent?
They will be your opponents today.
Th-They seem a little stronger than I thought.
Y-Yeah.
Where have I seen that guy before?
It doesn't matter who our opponent is.
We'll just take them all out.
Araki-san!
That's the spirit, Araki-kun.
Everyone, have confidence in yourselves and fight!
Yeah!
Fore-check!
Okay!
Sending two out already?
Mako-san!
All right.
When did he...
But!
Araki-san!
Nice, Kaoru-chan.
Too slow!
We did it!
Yeah! Nice, Araki!
All right!
Did you see that?
Come at me from wherever you want!
Captain!
All yours!
What?
Kota!
Go!
It's number 10!
Too slow!
Yeah!
Amazing! That was amazing, Araki-san!
That's the Enoshima High "Seal-kun" for you.
Don't make me do that.
They're better than I thought.
If it keeps up like this, it might be close.
We're about to get started, Iwaki-senpai.
Let's get serious.
Yeah!
What?
He's fast!
They're not moving like they did before!
Mark number 9!
Okay!
Why you...!
No way, no way!
What?
A back pass?
Oh, no!
Yes!
They got us!
I remember him!
That number 10 was last year's
top scorer at the intercollegiate competition,
Makoto Hasegawa!
What?!
Then these guys are...
Yes, last year's intercollegiate runner-ups,
the Kamakura College eleven.
What!
Let's go. The real game starts now.
Just what I want.
This is our day off,
so why do we have to go watch their match?
What choice do we have?
Coach Kondo ordered us to...
I know! Shut up.
Hey, look!
Team First Half Second Half
Enoshima
Kamakura
Whoa! What's going on here?
Though they're playing against Kama College,
this point difference is expected.
Kama College? As in...
Why are we playing against an opponent like...
What in the world is going on, Coach Kondo?
Idiot! Don't charge him!
Shoot!
What did I say?
Our weakest point is most likely
defensive connections like that.
They're not that weak when it comes to defense.
However, without players to act as leaders,
they can't function properly.
Without players like you,
who act as organizers to move the other players around.
This will be tough...
With Araki-kun marked so tightly,
there's just nothing we can do.
Their greatest strength
is fast pass turnover and individual skill.
When that avenue is blocked,
their performance immediately falls.
Mako-kun has noticed the same thing,
so he's using long feeds heavily
and pushing for counter plays.
But Kama College isn't so soft a team
that a blitzkrieg strategy will work.
If I could substitute in players who could
use the whole field and organize us,
the outcome would change significantly, but...
How embarrassing!
This is what I was talking about.
There's no way he can play with a body like that.
If things keep going he'll be exhausted.
They have to hurry and take Araki...
I don't think they'll sub him out.
Huh?
Iwaki-kun plans on letting him fight until the end.
Even if Araki can't move anymore.
Why? Why go so far?
So that he can realize his counter point.
Counter point?
Yes, his "cardiovascular weakness" is a tremendous counter point.
The lack of serious training
during his middle school years is partially to blame,
but primarily, his heart and lungs can't keep up
with the demands of his body or his developed muscle.
So then, is Coach Iwaki letting him play fat
so that he can overcome that?
That's right.
If I tell him he has to lose weight no matter what,
he probably will.
However, it'll be just like the match against SC before.
Even if he's physically fit,
if he's out of breath immediately, there's no point.
So that's why...
You thought of a way to overcome his cardiovascular weakness.
Yes. After consulting sport medicine,
and dietary sciences and even some advice from specialists,
this is the strategy I arrived at.
To be fat means that there's greater stress on the lungs
and heart to pump that volume of blood to the entire body.
Another way to say it is,
going through harsh training and matches in that body
will strengthen the cardiovascular system.
In order to overcome his counter point,
this was the only way.
It won't be easy for Araki-kun, though...
Do you still think of Iwaki-kun as a soft man?
He appears kind, but can be extremely strict.
That's the sort of man Teppei Iwaki is.
That's...
Why are they...
You all came!
We're not going to let you keep walking all over us!
You won't see us embarrass ourselves again!
Hey, Mako!
Right. If we can't get a good play,
how are we supposed to show off?
Go!
Kakeru!
Right!
As if I'd let you!
Not yet!
What?
All right!
Kakeru!
Yeah!
We did it! We did it!
We did it, Kakeru!
Not yet.
One more goal. We've gotta catch up.
Team First Half Second Half
Enoshima
Kamakura
Araki-san!
Are you all right?
Komachi Road
H-Hey! What's wrong?
We played evenly against Kama College.
Be proud.
It wasn't even!
They were obviously holding back in the beginning.
It's the same as if we'd lost.
But we might be able to win next time.
What?
Well, if Sawamura-san and the others play for us, then next time,
we might be able to win...
That might be true, but...
I don't think they're coming back.
Sawamura-san and the rest...
If they had any intention to,
they would've played with us today.
Who needs their help?
What?
If I was in my best shape,
they wouldn't have stood a chance.
We don't need their help!
Araki-san...
Araki-san said that,
but, even so, I still feel...
Huh?
Th-This is...
Welcome back, Kakeru.
Seven, is this...
Water... water...
I'm dying...
No, you mustn't, Araki-san!
What are you doing?
It's too early for a break.
Get back to practice!
Hey, wait! Hey!
You're our ace.
I don't want to see you like that ever again, Araki.
Oda...
I don't need to hear that from you!
The Oda whale blows!
Why you!
Stop, you fool!
Oda-san...
What are you spacing out for, Aizawa?
Sawamura-san.
Hurry up and change. Everyone's waiting.
Okay!
They're finally united.
Yes.
So this was the reason why you went to the trouble
of putting together a practice match.
All I did was set up the situation.
What pulled them together was
the feelings born in them themselves.
By acknowledging each other's strengths
and learning to compensate for their weaknesses,
they've opened the door to endless strategies
and their soccer has moved to a higher level.
With yesterday's match,
now that they know its importance,
their feelings have unified the team.
Right.
Audiovisual Room
Well, with the inter-high competitions starting next week,
the strategy from here on out will be a little...
We thought of the most effective system for you all.
And...
This is it!
What? Seriously?
I've never seen anything like this...
You've really come up with something here.
Are you serious, Coach Iwaki?
Yes.
Then, to go along with this system,
I will announce the new bench members.
First, Goalie: third year Akitoshi Ri-kun.
Yes.
Second year, Reo Kurebayashi-kun.
Okay.
Shintaro Todo-kun.
Here.
All right, number one!
I'll take it right back.
Next, defenders: Kenji Fudo-kun,
Yukizo Hama-kun.
Here!
Yes.
Go Kaiouji-kun.
All right!
Akito Horikawa-kun.
Of course.
I lost to someone like him?
No way...
The future champion of Enoshima High, me,
didn't even make the bench?
Kota...
Next, midfielders: Yuji Sawamura-kun.
Yes!
Ryoma Oda-kun.
Yes.
Shuji Sakamoto-kun.
Manabu Sakurai-kun.
Yes.
Yeah!
Ryuichi Araki-kun,
Makoto Hyodo-kun.
Yeah!
Koji Yakumo-kun.
Y-Yes!
Well, Oda-chan?
How does it look?
If you don't lose weight you'll rip your jersey.
Leave me be!
Nice, right?
Shut up, Yakumo!
And, Kota Nakatsuka-kun.
Yes, what is it?
You're a midfielder on the bench.
Come get your uniform.
Huh?
All right! I did it, Nana-chan!
Kota's... a midfielder?
Finally, the forwards.
Junpei Hino-kun.
Here.
Kenya Kudo-kun.
Yes.
Kaoru Matoba-kun.
Huh?
Yes!
Two more...
Michiro Takase-kun.
Yes!
J-Just one more,
Brother...
And finally,
Kakeru Aizawa-kun.
Yes!
Yeah! We made it, Kakeru.
We're both on the bench!
Yeah, yeah.
That's great, Kakeru.
Yeah.
But, if you don't do your best,
you might not get to play in the game.
I know. But right now...
receiving this jersey...
The last time was elementary school.
So just this alone is...
So? Does it suit me?
Yes. It does, it does.
So this is why they say "clothes make the man."
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing...
Well, maybe I'll pick up some sushi to celebrate.
No, that's fine.
It's not like I'm a regular yet.
I'm home.
Here, Mito, I brought you a gift.
Yay! It's sushi, it's sushi!
There's lots, so try not to flounder in it.
I have homework.
H-Hold on a second, Mito-chan.
Just kidding, just kidding.
Nice one, boss!
I see! So that's what it was.
And Suguru?
Huh?
Go show him.
What do you think, Brother?
Watch me, Brother.
I'm going to do my best.
And finally, the curtain rises
on the inter-high qualifier against Kanagawa...
It's so hot!
Our fight begins at last!
Next Episode: Raising the Curtain! Inter-High Qualifiers
The Enoshima Soccer Club has finally united.
Kakeru moves forward with his jersey number.
Yusuke and the others from Kanagawa
watch over the Enoshima High eleven
as they demonstrate unprecedented strength.
Finally, the moment arrives
when Kakeru takes the field.
Inter-high qualifier against Kanagawa:
Enoshima High's opening attack begins.
Next time on Knight in the Area,
episode 13:
"Raising the Curtain! Inter-high Qualifiers."
It's the kick-off. Go, Kakeru!