The inter-high match against Shonan for the Kanagawa Top 8 had begun.
Against the iron defense, Four Rows,
Enoshima pushes ahead.
Kakeru, still clinging to his guilt toward
his childhood friend, Hibino-kun,
is unable to fight with everything he's got.
The first half continues with a tie,
neither team having scored.
Then Kakeru takes Hibino's Cannon Free Kick to the head.
Kakeru!
And the ball is...
up!
Ri will easily get this ball.
Appearance of the Phi Trick
Kakeru!
Are you all right?
Kakeru.
Kakeru?
Yes,
I'm fine.
Aizawa took Koichi Hibino of Shonan's Cannon Free Kick to the head,
but it looks as though he's all right.
All right, let's change it up.
Let's go, let's go!
What are you doing, Aizawa?
The forward shouldn't be...
Ri-san,
pass me the ball.
He seems different somehow.
Ri passes the ball to Aizawa.
You don't often see
a forward get the ball in front of
his own goal and start dribbling.
Your brother lives inside you.
He kicks the ball with you,
and runs with you on the field.
Kakeru-kun...
What is this feeling?
Look up, Kakeru!
Brother!
Don't look at the ball. Feel it.
Look up.
Like this, brother?
Aizawa is picking up speed.
So it's started again?
But this seems different than last time.
Kakeru?
That guy...
He's coming.
I can tell by his eyes.
He slips past! What an agile feint.
This is different from before.
I remember... this feeling.
That's it.
That's it, Kakeru. You're doing great.
It's like that time...
As if my brother is nearby giving me advice,
it's that kind of feeling.
Look up!
Crush him.
Feel the ball at your feet.
If you don't feel secure without looking,
you're not confident.
Don't look. Feel it.
Yes!
Aizawa completes a beautiful pass to Oda!
This isn't the usual Aizawa.
This is like when he showed us that god-like play
in the Tsujido match.
Expectation is in the air.
What should I do?
Should I trust this expectation?
Whatever. If I'm not sure, I might as well trust it.
The ball goes back to Aizawa.
He's past.
Go! Go!
Kakeru!
He's past another.
Aizawa is calm! He's into the vital area.
But here comes Hibino.
I already told you, I'm not letting you play.
Hibino.
When did he get past his weakness in dribbling?
Now!
I won't let you!
With only moments left in the first half,
can Aizawa get past him and to the goal?
What's wrong, Kakeru?
You can't think about how much time is left.
You have to decide it with one play!
Could it be because...
I met that Hibino guy once before.
We heard there was an amazing guy from the Netherlands,
so I went with Coach Kumagai to meet him.
Sorry, I've already decided on a different high school.
There's someone at Kama I want to play against.
Oh? Who's that?
Aizawa Kakeru.
We were on the same team as kids.
I want to match up with him in high school soccer.
So to be on the same team...
No, apparently he's going to a different high school.
What? Why?
He has his own problems as well.
He was traumatized by once breaking
the leg of one of his childhood teammates
and he was depressed about it for a while.
Breaking the leg of...
Are you talking about me?
What?
He still thinks about that?
That's why he...
No matter what the reason,
the guy who can't make use of a chance like that
can't be a real striker.
Like the knight that Suguru was waiting for.
Kakeru!
If you try to protect my knee again,
I'm never going to forgive you!
That was from before we were friends.
I have no intention of doing that,
but I can't help remembering.
I don't know what I can do...
Clear your mind and think only about
getting the ball at your feet into the goal.
Don't think. Move by instinct.
He's shooting?
I won't let you!
Clear my mind...
There it goes! Aizawa's middle shot.
Will this shot take the lead or...
It hits the cross bar!
Not a lead taking goal.
End of the first half!
And there's the whistle.
The first half ends with neither team having scored a point.
Hibino!
A-Are you all right?
This is how it should be.
Come at me with full strength in the second half as well, Kakeru.
I won't let you score a single goal.
I'll score. I'm a striker.
Tsukumo.
We're going in head first in the second half.
In order to push Enoshima, we're going to need your strength.
Yes.
Kakeru.
Thank you.
What happened?
You suddenly fixed your dribbling habit.
My brother.
What?
My brother taught me.
I'm not alone now. My brother is right here.
Don't you think that's amazing?
Kakeru...
I'm fine.
Suguru-san...
Is it all right to believe this?
Everyone, listen.
There's something I'd like to try in the second half.
Something I noticed in the first half,
one of the fundamentals of defense in soccer...
Both teams are heading out onto the field.
Shonan has changed one player.
Number 7, midfield, Jun Takuma is out for
the second year, number 13,
Yutaka Tsukumo.
Just 35 minutes left. Whether you laugh or cry,
it's time for the second half kickoff!
What's this?
Takase and Matoba's positions have switched.
It sure seems that way.
Is this a new plan by Coach Iwaki?
It's the kickoff for the second half.
What's this? What could be going on?
Shonan has switched their defenders around, as well!
Well, it's clear now what the meaning
of the Four Rows is.
What?
In other words, Four Rows
is a defender and attacker match up,
a thoroughly fixed system.
Instead of where to defend, each position
is determined by who to stop.
Correct.
That's why when the tall Takase goes left,
the tall Hiruma goes with him.
The technical and fast Matoba is matched
with a similar type: Nishio.
The defense has nothing to do with right or left.
It's based entirely on who they're matched against in the line up.
He saw that and, to test it,
he switched his left and right forwards.
That Enoshima coach is quite the strategist, isn't he?
If each defender trains specifically
to stop a certain type of attacker,
it's no wonder they're strong.
What really interests me, though,
is the fifth arrow they've brought into the second half.
Is number 13 also marking Araki?
Is that why they put him in?
We're not just a one man team of Araki.
Okay.
Huh?
Kaoru!
What's with this guy?
Shoot!
That number 13...
It's like there are multiple copies of him.
Fujimura's long feed!
Here it comes!
The ball goes to the forward, Yamamoto.
Kaiouji goes after it.
If he gets past, there's no one else.
You...
They've called a foul against Kaiouji,
which means...
Will we see another Cannon Free Kick?
I won't let you score.
There it goes.
Horikawa takes it and the ball...
This is dangerous!
Goal!
Shonan scores the first goal!
The tie is finally broken.
They harden their defense with Four Rows
and score points with free kicks.
It's simple, but it's strong.
It's not even interesting.
Araki-san...
We can't stand to lose against soccer like this.
Right, Kakeru?
Yes!
Kakeru...
I want to show everyone a play
that will remind them why soccer is fun.
Araki, your soccer is fun.
Why didn't I play for SC?
Because it's more fun over here.
If we lose like this,
everything we've done until now will be for nothing.
We have to win.
With our fun and fantastic soccer,
we will win!
I'll definitely score the next one.
I don't get it, Yusuke.
Yes.
Since Enoshima lost that point, they've been playing better.
Enoshima is getting fired up.
Crap! That number 13 again.
I've found it, Coach Iwaki.
I see. I knew that had to be that case.
Kota-kun, go in for Yakumo-kun at the next ball out.
Okay!
I'd like you to pass on a message, as well.
Enoshima brings in for the right defensive midfielder,
the overlapping demon, Kota Nakatsuka!
Also, Sawamura moves back from the left side to the right,
and the forwards, Takase and Matoba, also go back to their positions.
There's 10 minutes left on the clock.
Kota!
All right. Let's try out Coach's idea.
Oda-san!
Okay, now!
Aizawa's gotten away from his defender and goes back.
Oda passes.
I won't let you go.
It's through!
What?
Aizawa heads back towards the Shonan goal!
Kakeru!
Right here, Tsukumo.
Honda-kun is making the calls.
He reads who the central player for the next play will be
and gives Tsukumo instruction.
With unbelievable speed, Tsukumo acts as a second defender.
But the truth is, Tsukumo is only evening the number of players.
He has no experience as an actual defender.
Aizawa miskicks!
He's passed it to Tsukumo.
After all,
he's not a soccer player, but a sprinter.
Place Time Name First 8:25.03 minutes Tsukumo Yutaka
Damn it!
Too slow!
All right!
Goal!
It was over in an instant!
The ball that Tsukumo dropped
was picked up by Ryuichi Araki and the goal scored
with an exciting middle shot!
It's 1-1, tie game.
With eight minutes left in the second half,
Enoshima's brought the game back to a stand off!
I'm sorry. Because I'm not very good...
Don't worry about it.
Honda-san...
Chin up, Tsukumo.
We'll cover your tracks.
Okay!
First half Second half Total
Enoshima
Shonan
The games resumes with Shonan's kickoff.
Taira!
Damn damn damn damn damn!
How many times do you think I'll fall for that?!
Oda-kun!
Oda passes to the overlapped Nakatsuka.
Get out of my way!
All right!
Takase heads to the middle.
Tsukumo!
Yes!
Takase's got a second mark.
Who cares?
Regardless, Nakatsuka sends it hard.
The pass is off!
I'm used to Kota's arbitrary crosses!
The other strategy against Tsukumo-kun's dashing speed
that I've come up with is...
One touch plays.
Tsukumo!
Yes!
Too slow.
No matter how fast the defender,
he can't keep up with fast one touch passwork.
By moving around the ball,
the attackers can create space
and finally, the striker with a good intuition
jumps into that space and attacks the goal.
I'll crush you!
Hibino!
A striker never wavers.
Let your instincts guide you.
And don't forget, Kakeru,
You're mine!
instinct is the result of endless practice!
The ball disappeared?
Goal!
It's good! With four minutes left,
Kakeru Aizawa slams a goal.
Kakeru!
It's 2-1, a comeback goal!
But what was really impressive was that unique feint!
With the defender in the middle,
the player and the ball separate
and then rejoin. A tricky move, like a Greek Phi,
so I'd like to call it the "Phi Trick"!
Hibino!
With loss time included, there's five minutes left.
Let's attack!
Yes!
You're an amazing guy.
I've always known that you were my rival.
Hibino!
Shonan's Four Rows is on the attack!
Hibino!
I won't let it end like this!
I won't let you through!
Damn it!
I'll get you!
He stopped it! What a play!
Now 35 minutes have elapsed,
leaving one minute of loss time.
Will Enoshima make it through?
This is bad!
Shit!
It's a foul!
Sorry.
Now, Hibino is up again.
This may be Shonan's last chance in this match.
Will we see the Cannon Free Kick?
I'll score.
Everyone make a wall.
If we can stop this, we win the match!
Damn...
...you!
Shit.
The ball is low!
It's under the wall!
It's a tie!
He stopped it! He stopped it!
We did it!
That's the game!
It's 2-1, a comeback win.
Enoshima goes on to the Top 8!
Asuka-san, we're playing Enoshima next.
We're in the semifinals.
As long as something unexpected doesn't happen.
Thank you very much for today.
You have a good team at Enoshima.
Your players were amazing as well.
It wouldn't have been strange if either team had won.
Yes, they tried their best.
Thank you very much.
You got me.
Hibino.
You're amazing after all.
Do you remember what I said at the park before?
Huh?
You were mad that I said I understood how you felt.
After your all out play today, something like that...
I didn't say that because I thought lightly of your endurance.
Huh?
I want to tell you properly.
Can you come to the park tonight?
I suppose.
Later.
The Phi Trick, huh? That's not bad.
Yeah. It's like a secret move.
Hey, Kakeru.
Oh, he's here!
Hibino-kun! It's good to see you.
So, what did you want to talk about?
Yeah.
It's about my brother.
Wai— Kakeru...
It's fine, Seven.
Spit it out. You're just building it up.
What about Suguru?
He's in here.
Huh?
My brother, Suguru Aizawa, is still alive.
Inside my body.
That scar... it couldn't be...
Yeah.
We were in an accident that left my brother brain dead,
and I was almost killed by a metal pole through my heart.
I'm living right now because of my brother's heart.
So that's how it was.
Hibino...
You're a lot stronger now.
Well, I suppose living with that, you'd have to be.
I might've been crushed by it.
Kakeru's done his best.
Mishima, you've been out here practicing at night
together this whole time?
Are you two going out?
Of course not!
That's right, Hibino-kun.
Let's have a little break.
Sorry. I'll go buy some.
It's fine. I'll go myself.
Three goals in three halves.
Today is my day!
Hello!
You're from the Enoshima soccer club, right?
Yes.
So you guys practice here.
Ah, yes.
All you've said is "yes, yes"...
Ah, yes!
What's your name?
I'm Kakeru Aizawa.
Who is this girl?
Does the Little Witch practice, too?
Huh?
She's not just the manager, is she?
Yes, but she only started playing in practices
since she joined Nadeshiko Japan.
What? So she was playing by herself up until then?
Not by herself, but independent practices with me...
Independent? What kind?
At the neighborhood park, the two of us
pick a practice menu and work on
passing or shooting or one-on-one, pretty much every day.
Wh-What?
Are you her boyfriend?
It's not like that! We're just childhood friends.
Is that right?
That's too bad. You're cute.
Never mind!
What was that?
Ah! They're all out of sports drinks.
Oh well. I guess soda...
Hey, I'll give you this.
I drank a little.
It's fine...
Here. Take it.
Thank you.
Yep!
Actually, I don't think...
She's gone?
Kakeru!
I'll be playing in the practice match, too.
Is that right?
Is something wrong?
No, nothing at all.
Kakeru-kun...
Next Episode: Festival Music Is The Melody Of Love?!
Amidst the relentless battles everyday,
a moment of relaxation.
At a chance festival,
the soccer club is forced to participate.
From girls in cute outfits to delicious food
and those mythical shoes at the target shooting booth,
will Enoshima's iron teamwork
succeed off the field?
The fireworks of youth erupt in the sky.
Next time on Knight in the Area,
episode 21: "Festival Music Is The Melody Of Love?!"
It's beautiful, Seven.