In the second round of this year's Nippon Tenkaichi University, FC Machida Tamba University and the top of the J1 League. Zelvia fought to a 1:1 draw, then drew in PKs with 4. : Won 2 games and managed to advance to the third round. It's not the first time that a college team beat a pro team in the Mikado, but it's the first time in the history of the Mikado that they beat the first Townfield of the J1 league in the University of Tsukuba.
The best of the best.
FC Machida scored a point with Chikubo to tie the game.
At the start of the match, Zhentian started the match with a 4-4-2 formation, starting with key players including GK I Yamaguchi and striker Daigo Takahashi. Tsukuba University also went with a 4-4-2 formation, led by GK Hoshi Sato and striker Kotaro Uchino.
Townfield scored first when MF Takuya Yasui took advantage of a corner kick in the 22nd minute of the first half. However, Yasui immediately withdrew due to injury, which had a big impact on Townfield.
In the second half, Zhentian made several adjustments and substitutions in an attempt to strengthen the offense. However, Tsukuba University was not discouraged and continued to apply pressure. As the game entered injury time, Kotaro Uchino scored the equalizer with blood to send the game into a delayed match.
In the extended game, Machida had a chance for a twelve-yard field goal, but it was successfully punched out by Tsukuba University goalkeeper Hoshi Sato, bringing the game to a twelve-yard field goal battle.
Revenge of the Rukishin
Tsukuba University's goalkeeper, Hoshi Sato Himawari, was undoubtedly the hero of the game. He pounced on a key twelve-yarder in the extended game and played well again in the twelve-yard battle, blocking two field goals and being a key player in leading his team to victory.
There is a special story behind Sato's performance. Three years ago, Otsu University, which he attended, went 0 for 0 in the national high school soccer players' rights final. : 4 defeated by Aomori Yamada University. At the time, the head coach of Aomori Yamada was Tsuyoshi Kuroda, the current head coach of FC Machida. For Sato, the match was not only for his team's victory, but also a battle for revenge.
Recall the unforgettable failure. At that time he was so overwhelmed that he could not even shed tears. This shame became his motivation to move forward. Under the guidance of the University of Tsukuba, he continued to improve his technical and mental qualities, and former Japan representative GK Kawaguchi lives.
Sato made great strides against FC Machida. After the game he said, "This is the first time I have ever made a 12-yard punt in a game, and I will always remember this moment. This win is not only a recognition of the team, but also the greatest reward for my personal efforts."
After the game, Sato didn't forget to thank his teammates for their support and trust, especially teammate Toshiei Kobayashi. Although Kobayashi made a mistake in the 12-yard field goal battle, Sato fully supported and encouraged him.
Building College Football Strength
In the past, college teams have created many strange things, such as Meiji University beating Yamagata in 2009 and Fukuoka University beating Miyagi in 2011. However, no team has ever beaten the first place team in the J1 league before.
It's worth noting that Tsukuba University has long had a precedent of beating J-League teams. in 2017, the Mikado beat Sendai for the second time. At the time, key players on the team were playing for Brighton in the English Premier League. The students' performance out of the blue demonstrated the importance of the University of Tsukuba's soccer team in Japanese soccer. Tsukuba University will face J1 Kashiwa Reysol in the third round, so let's expect the soul of Tsukuba to continue creating strange things.
A list of J1 team's win records over Japan's Mikado University teams:
Meiji University 2009 3rd round 3:0 Yamagata
Fukuoka University 2011 2nd round 1:1(5PK 3) Omiya
2014 Second Round Kansai University 2:1 Kobe
University of Tsukuba 3:2 Sendai, Second Round 2017
2018 Second Round Kansai University 2:1 G Osaka
Kagoya Sports University 2019 Second Round 3:0 Nagoya
2019 Third Round Hosei University 2:0 G Osaka
Juntendo University 2021 Second Round 2:1 Tokyo
2024 Second Round University of Tsukuba 1:1 (4PK 2) Machida
