First Match, High Confidence
"Yes, head coach!"
After seeing that everyone's emotions had calmed down a bit, Mitsuya continued:
"Because this World Cup tournament uses a single-elimination format, where players are ranked from lowest to highest."
"Therefore Croatia, we must be more careful when arranging our lineup. Against weaker teams like India and India, we must not reveal too much of our strength."
"In other words, we need to focus our strongest resources on dealing with the France national team. The head coach will announce the specific personnel arrangements shortly!"
Mitsuya glanced at the expressionless Mifune Nyudo and slowly spoke.
Afterwards, Mitsuya showed everyone some match videos of players from the Croatia and France Team who had played in the previous tournament.
However, this information is very scarce, and there is even less information available for players who joined the team this year.
This is quite normal; this is a player who can be considered a trump card or an ace in the deck.
Regardless of the country, they would regard it as a secret weapon for defeating the enemy, and the protection of its data or information would certainly be extremely strict.
As for information about India India team?
We've already defeated Oni Jūjirō in the previous expedition.
They posed no threat to the Japan Team at all.
"This is Duke Watanabe, the new key player France Team replaced before the match!"
As Mitsuya continued his introduction, a kind-looking, chubby man appeared on the projection screen.
Upon first seeing the fat man, Muneyoshi glanced thoughtfully at Byōdōin, who was engrossed in studying not far away.
He remembered the original plot: Byōdōin lost to Duke because he was seriously injured while saving Duke's sister.
However, with Muneyoshi around now, he will definitely try to avoid such a thing.
"Duke Watanabe! He's also a newly emerged freshman, and he's of France and Japan descent."
"He's a pure power-type fighter, and the strongest on the France Team, known as the France's King of Destruction!"
"Of course, besides strength, the opponent's speed, skill, stamina, and even mental strength are also outstanding, making him an all-around captain."
As for his ultimate move, it is currently unknown!
Upon hearing this introduction, a glint appeared in Oni Jūjirō's eyes.
Power type?!
"I wonder if this guy named Duke Watanabe is stronger than me?!"
"Finally, this is the captain of the France Team, and also the originally designated key player, Ronard Teuton!"
"His skill was already proven in the previous tournament; he's a true professional player."
"As for doubles, there's very little information available. All we know is that France has a world-renowned, world-class doubles pair."
Muneyoshi silently studied the information presented by Mitsuya. The people who flashed by in turn were all key players for the France Team two years later.
For example, Tristan Barthes!
This also includes Edgar Delacroix, who later became known as an "art master".
They are only in their first year of high school now, so they may not be as threatening as they are two years later, but Muneyoshi still dares not underestimate them.
Half an hour later, after Mitsuya finished his introduction, the members of the Japan Team finally had a clear understanding of the strength of the France Team.
Aside from the professional player who, for some unknown reason, no longer served as the team's captain, they felt that the France Team wasn't as unbeatable as they had imagined.
At the very least, based on their displayed strength on paper, the Japan Team has players in every position who can rival the France Team.
Based on this, are the two teams evenly matched?
"Do you feel that compared to the BIG top four, you're not as bad as you thought?"
Seeing the silence of the crowd, Mifune noticed this subtle change in their attitudes, and for the first time, he smiled in front of everyone.
He then spoke with a solemn expression.
"I've said it before, you are the strongest generation in Japan in the last decade or so."
"I believe you can take the Japan Team to heights they've never reached before!"
Mifune Nyudo, who never encouraged anyone, uttered such words for the first time, instantly stirring the passion within everyone present.
"Whoosh~~"
Encouraged, Muneyoshi stood up abruptly. Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, he took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
"Seniors, it's time to show the world our strength!"
"Excellent! The mountain of the BIG4 should be knocked down by our Japan Team. Only in this way can we make a name for ourselves in the world."
Byōdōin also stood up at this moment. His tone was extremely domineering, yet it gave people a strong sense of confidence.
"Overthrow France!"
"Take down the BIG4!"
Seeing that everyone's emotions were completely stirred up, Kurobe and the others were also very excited.
"Remember, maintain this mindset. Next, we'll announce the match schedule."
"First round match against the India team: Doubles 2, Itō Chiki and Yoshioka Kunihide Ito; Doubles 1 Kimijima Ikuto Tōno Atsukyō."
"Singles: Natsume Ryūichi), Kirigaya (2nd Kiriya), Singles 1 Dōmoto Shingo)."
"General, Dōmoto Shingo."
"The second round match is against Croatia. Doubles pair 2 Ochi Gekko and Mitsuya Akito, while doubles pair 1 consists of Kazuka Futo and Ōmagari Ryūji Kaji Fūta."
"Single match: three against Saeki Muneyoshi, two against Irie Kanata, Singles 1 Oni Jūjirō."
"General, Oni Jūjirō."
"Did you all hear that clearly?" Mifune Nyudo asked loudly after announcing the match schedule for the two rounds.
"Listen carefully!"
"Very well, all of you get to get ready!"
Time passed amidst the fluctuating emotions of the group, and two days later...
The France U-17 World Cup has officially begun!
Early in the morning, urged by Mifune Nyudo, everyone took a bus to the venue.
"We've arrived at the World Cup venue!"
The Japan Team members disembarked from the bus in an orderly fashion. In the athletes' entrance area, buses carrying athletes from various countries continued to arrive one after another.
The England Team was dressed in white uniforms with red cross stripes and the England flag embroidered on their chests.
There were also teams from America with their shoulders covered in stars, red stripes, and the America flag embroidered on their shirts.
There was also the Spain Team, dressed in incredibly luxurious equestrian attire.
At the very front was a man in a black jacket, with an eagle emblem embroidered on his left shoulder, Germany the German king.
Various uniforms appeared on the scene and walked in an orderly manner towards the venue.
Byōdōin stood at the very front of the Japan Team, watching the endless stream of people, and felt a surge of pride.
"Gentlemen, let's conquer the world together!"
At the opening ceremony, the World Cup officially kicked off with a series of impassioned speeches from officials of the World Tennis Association and the French Tennis Association.
"Today is the first day of the U-17 World Cup. I've already announced the starting lineup for the India against India. I have no other requests except for one suggestion."
Mifune glanced at the emotionally charged team members and shouted, "Go and experience the world!"
"Yes!!"
"Also, Muneyoshi will be a substitute for today. Everyone, go and get ready!"
Apart from the substitutes, everyone already knew who would be playing and was eager to participate, their faces beaming with excitement.
The only one who was surprised was Muneyoshi. He hadn't expected that on his first day at the World Tournament, he would also be a substitute who had no chance of playing...
After everything was arranged, everyone followed Mifune to their lounge.
The contestants, guided by staff, arrived at the passageway leading to the competition venue.
After a series of procedures, the competition finally began.
There's no need to go into too much detail about this match. Although most of the players were third-year students, their strength was actually quite good.
Facing a relatively weak India, except for the doubles match where they lost a game due to falling into the opponent's trap, the rest of the matches were mostly quick victories.
Bang!
"Game! Japan scores, score 6-3."
"First game 6-4, second game 6-3, singles second match won by Japan's Kiriya."
"On the first day of the group stage knockout rounds, Japan Team defeated India, Japan Team the overall score to 3-1."
Kiriya ultimately won the second singles match.
Dōmoto Shingo, the team's Singles 1 player, and Saeki Muneyoshi, the substitute, had no chance to play.
The Japan Team won the first day of the competition.
This victory has boosted the confidence of everyone on the Japan Team.
P. S.: Requesting monthly votes.