Dream Training : The Champions

A few days later, Totti Sport announced the golden boy winner. Kazuki officially won the award. The next day, Totti Sport visited Kazuki who was training at Southampton's training ground. They gave trophies and certificates. After that Kazuki took a photo and the last session was the interview.

1. How did you feel when you found out you won the golden boy?

"It's an honor for me when someone recognizes the hard work I've done. Of course, I'm very happy to win this award. I hope I can fulfill the expectations of football fans and also the golden boy itself regarding my career."

2. As the first Asian player to win the golden boy, how do you feel?

"I feel very proud. I hope this is not the last time an Asian player won this award. After all, football is everyone's sport. I hope this victory will be a good inspiration to my Asian colleagues."

3. Despite not winning any championships to date. The stats you've shown are insane. Southampton is currently second in the premier league. How big do you think Southampton's chances of winning the premier league championship are?

"I have to admit that it was very difficult. One of the reasons why we are doing so well is because the smaller clubs treat us as a small club. If they treat us the way they treat the Big Six, then the difficulty will increase highly.

However, the opportunity certainly still exists. We will continue to fight to do our best. Whatever the result that we will get later."

The next day various sports media announced the news of Kazuki's victory. Especially in Asia. This news was increasing the grow of enthusiasm of Asian football fans. Competition, inspiration, and perhaps envy towards Kazuki would make players from other countries even more excited.

Southampton fans themselves feel proud of the golden boy's victory. This was the first time a Southampton player has won a golden boy. Not only that, other players were also very excited. They wanted to see and hold the cup. Holding the trophy seems to be something that was very rare for Southampton.

In the midst of this enthusiasm. Southampton match against Arsenal was coming. At the pre-match press conference. Arsene Winters admits that he was confident that Arsenal was the only team that had beaten Southampton twice since Kazuki played for Southampton. If there was a club that claimed to be able to beat Southampton, then Arsenal would be the one to raise their hand first.

That's how deep Arsenal's belief was in winning the game against Southampton. Especially when Ryan, one of Southampton's main players, was injured. Of course Arsenal's chance to win the game was getting bigger.

In facing Arsenal itself, Southampton really train seriously. George even did some targeted training. Beating Arsenal and regaining Southampton's honor (at least for George and Kazuki's era) was Southampton's main goal this time around.

Southampton welcome Arsenal on boxing day on the 26th. Only 4 days from the game against Manchester United. You could say Southampton's preparation was too short, but they had to fight the Gunners.

In this match, Kazuki returned to playing as attack midfielder while Osmund filled the striker position. Counter-attack became Southampton's main theme in this match. They chose to give up the ball possesion after learning from previous mistakes.

The day before the game arrived, Southampton held a joint activity. Southampton players wore Santa Claus costumes and handed out gifts to passers-by. Apart from the club, some players also give gifts to fans who was in poor financial condition.

There was no excessive party because the next day the players had to play. But Southampton's activities was enough to show that this club cares about its fans.

The next day on the 26th, Arsenal took their players to Saint Mary's stadium. In this match Arsenal was looking to win. The only Arsenal player who was not present was Gervinho. But there is still Welbeck who can replace him.

"Merry Christmas everyone, may we all feel the blessings on this meaningful day. Back again in the 19th round, the Premier League. In this match Southampton will play against Arsenal. Currently Southampton are in second place in the table while Arsenal are in fifth position.

In this match, both teams are looking to win. For Arsenal, they want to strengthen their dominance over Southampton. Since being strengthened by Kazuki, Southampton have met 3 times with Arsenal. Southampton have lost two in two meetings and have only won Arsenal as an Arsenal bench player who played at that time.

Alright let's see the formation of the two teams. Arsenal fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeeper: Szczecny;

Defenders: Jenkinson, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Kieran Gibbs;

Defensive midfielders: Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain;

Attacking midfielders: Welbeck, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott;

Front: Podolski.

Meanwhile Southampton also fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeepers: Dean Smith;

Defenders: Freddy, Okhalo, Hilton, Ben Carter;

Defensive midfielders: Orlando, Rudolf;

Attacking midfielders: Rustan, Kazuki, Wright-Phillips;

Front: Osmund.

In this match, George preferred to field Kazuki as an attacking midfielder rather than play Bennet. This makes me curious, can Kazuki play his position well like when he played as a striker or not? That will be answered in the first half of this match."

Southampton started the first half kick-off, they stretched the formation and immediately built up the attack. Although both use a 4-2-3-1 formation, the application of the tactics of the two teams was different. Southampton in this match played a counter-attack strategy so that both wings played slightly forward.

On the other hand, the Arsenal winger was not only a traditional winger but also helps the Gunners in controlling the midfield of the match. This could be seen in several other Arsenal matches.

On the other hand, George fielded Wright-Phillips instead of Kounde. In fact, Kounde's speed and sharpness on the wings were clearly stronger than Wright-Phillips. The reason was actually simple, Wright-Phillips will not play as a pure wing. In George's tactics in this match Wright-Phillips, Kazuki, and Osmund can shift positions when needed.

Osmund would play to the left in place of Wright-Phillips as a winger, Kazuki could move forward as a striker, then Wright-Phillips would play in place of Kazuki in midfield. In addition, the presence of Wright-Phillips could also block Arsenal's right-wing sector attack. His existence could break Jenkinson's connection with Welbeck.

In the 5th minute, Arsenal lost the ball due to counter-press. Starting with the pressure that Kazuki gave to Mikel Arteta, Arteta gave Cazorla an inaccurate pass. Finally Rudolf could cut the pass. After that, Rudolf brought the ball forward and gave it to Orlando.

Orlando controlled the ball at his feet, he then held Alex Oxlade-chamberlain's body with his hands and then passed the ball to Freddy. Freddy went forward carrying the ball. He changed his direction slightly to the center then passed the ball to Kazuki. Kazuki surpassed Mikel Arteta then received the ball. Then, he passed Osmund who started running sideways.

Osmund received a pass from Kazuki then took it to the left side of the Arsenal defense. Second later, he gave a pass back. Wright-Phillips got the ball and then sent a long pass into the middle of the penalty box. Kazuki who was already in the penalty box tried to receive the ball but Koscielny kicked the ball out of the field.

In the 11th minute, Arsenal launched the first attack. Szszesny threw the ball to Kieran Gibbs. Kieran pushed the ball aside then changed direction to the right, and past Rustan'. Soon, he gave Alex Oxlade-chamberlain a pass. After that, Alex received the ball and launched a long pass to Santi Cazorla. Santi Cazorla caught the ball with his chest and gave Welbeck a flat pass.

Welbeck got rid from Rudolf and dribbled the ball into the middle. Then he did a powerful shot from outside the penalty box. Dean Smith leaped up and grabbed the ball in the air. The Southampton goalkeeper saved Welbeck's powerful shot.

In the 17th minute, Southampton sent a counter-attack. Okhalo managed to intercept and steal the ball from Podolski's feet. He then brought the ball forward and gave it to Freddy. Freddy gave Orlando a pass, then he ran forward. Orlando touched the ball with one touch, he immediately sent the ball back to Freddy who had passed Theo Walcott.

Freddy relied on his speed to go straight on the right side. Alex Oxlade-chamberlain moved to the right and blocked Freddy's path. Freddy passed the ball to Orlando. Mikel Arteta pushed Orlando with his body, but Orlando held on and gave Kazuki a pass.

Kazuki tricked Vermaelen with his movements. He then dribbled the ball into the penalty box. When Koscielny moved to close Kazuki's space, the Japanese player poked the ball and allowed Osmund to receive Kazuki's pass. Osmund received the ball with his chest then kicked the ball hard.

Arsenal goalkeeper parried a shot from Osmund. Southampton got a corner kick. Kazuki was appointed as the corner kick taker. He kicked the ball gently to Freddy. Freddy returned the ball to him. Kazuki then gave a crossing to the center of the penalty box.

Orlando jumped high, he pressed Alex Oxlade-chamberlain who also jumped. Then he headed the ball firmly into the Arsenal net. The ball missed a few inches to the left of the post.

Entering the 20th minute, Arsenal locked Southampton. The Gunners started to actively control the ball, while Southampton put a low block line to give the number of players an advantage at the back. Southampton's line changed to 5-4-1. Orlando dropped between the centre-backs while the attacking midfielders and Rudolf formed a line. Rustan stayed in front as the spearhead of the counterattack.

In the 23rd minute, Arsenal got a chance. Santi Cazorla sent a beautiful pass into the middle of the penalty box. Orlando got the ball and threw it away. But Orlando's kick was weak, so Theo Walcott was able to grab the ball that Orlando threw away. Walcott sent the ball back into the middle. Cazorla received Walcott's pass then sent a powerful shot.. The ball hits the goal post and bounces off the field.