Dream Training : The Champions

As the spearhead of each team attack, the striker was expected to catch every opportunity. To achieve this, the striker must have a qualified shooting ability. In a match, the average chance to shoot directly into the opponent's goalpost could be counted by fingers. Because of this, every striker must be able to take advantage of every opportunity effectively.

To be a good striker, three basic things must be fulfilled. The ability to receive the ball, the ability to hold the ball, and the ability to shoot the ball.

Not every pass that given by teammates will be very comfortable and good. There was a possibility that the pass given by the midfielder was very bad, so the striker must be able to receive the ball properly. In a tight space in the penalty box, if a striker failed to receive the ball very well, there was a possibility that the ball will be snatched by the opponent, which will eventually lead to a counterattack.

Controll the ball in penalty box required a striker to be able to hold the ball as long as posibble, whether with the physica or skill method.

Shot the ball, it sounds very simple, but when facing a fierce defense, a striker must be able to shoot under any circumstances. Because of it, striker who had a balanced leg will have great advantage over others striker who hadn't. When a striker had balance lag, he could kick the ball immediately without adjusted his position.

To train those three aspects. Kazuki was setting the condition where he faced a fierce defense of the opposing team. The defense difficulties were adjusted to the major league standards in Europe.

'Very difficult.' Kazuki felt how difficult it, when he was guarded by two players. With this level of difficulty, Kazuki failed frequently. Fortunately, this situation could be repeated many times in [Dream Training]. Kazuki then began to practice in the situation repeatedly.

[Dream training] may not made the physical suddenly jump, only because Kazuki often trained there, but [Dream Training] could hone Kazuki's muscle memory, so Kazuki could feel his body begin to adapting on shooting in difficult circumstances.

Not only in [Dream Training], Kazuki also continued the discipline of practicing in the real world, regardless of the team training that was carried out every day, Kazuki added the training portion, especially to shoot the ball and receive the ball. He asked Bennet to help him, at the first, Bennet was reluctant but Bennet finally help Kazuki after Kazuki promised to take care of his meal.

Traves was witnessing Kazuki's development in three days. Maybe it was just a small change but it could make Traves believe that this child will be able to survive in the major league in Europe. Even so, the progress of Kazuki did not make him optimistic that Kazuki's chance entered Manchester United's first team. As good as anyone in the junior stage, on a giant team like Manchester United, they could only be a substitute.

Finally the Premier Academy League began again. On a sunny saturday, Manchester United U-18 will welcome Leicester U-18. In the starting lineup announced by Traves, Kazuki failed to enter it, he could only be a replacement. But at least this was a progress. A few months back, Kazuki failed many times to enter the big list of the match.

The situation of Manchester United U-18 could be said not too bad, but also not too good. This squad's rank was third in the South Premier Academy League table. It was pretty good but as an academy that had produced many quality players, rank third was embarrassing for Manchester United.

The distance between young players could be see clearly than the distance between the ordinary players and the star players. That's because talented players could show their talent entirely without worrying about complicated tactics.

Because basically, the league in the junior stage like this was a show event for every teenager. It' was more about showing talents and quality rather than forming a tactic pattern. This was more obvious in the UK than in other European countries.

Even though the match Leicester U-18 against Manchester United U-18 served a surprise, especially for Traves. He saw that Leicester played neatly and tactically. With a 4-4-2 formation, there were two layers of defenses plus two strikers who was trying to steal the ball from the Manchester United's feet. For young players, this tactical level was executed Incredibly.

Under the tight defense provided by the Fox, Manchester United could only play safely. Until the 10th minute, when Bennet was able to break through the opponent's defense line.

Manchester United who played with a 4-2-3-1 formation immediately shot towards the Leicester penalty box. Bennet gave a pass to the side which was welcomed by Ethan.

Ethan passed Leicester City's left fullback and cut into the penalty box, he then gave a crossing ball to the middle of the penalty box. Unfortunately, Perreira, who was superior to playing ball on his foot, felt awkward he was given a floating ball. Then he received the ball with his chest and gave a strong volley towards the goalkeeper. But the ball hit the post and bounced to the front.

Finallt, the ball fell on Leicester players feet, the counter-attack began quickly. Both of Leicester City strikers had a good speed. With one-two pass, they managed to penetrate the last lines of Manchester United u-18, Manchester United goalkeeper u-18 was running to the ball. But he failed, the ball hit the net hard.

Conceding was make Manchester United u-18 surprised but they quickly adjusted. Coach Traves Lennon lifted up his hand while shouting trying to encourage his players. Manchester United u-18 returned to the ball, they continued to try to dismantle the Leicester City u-18 defense but despite the opportunity they got, Manchester United could not change the score until the end of the first half.

The problem was Perreira, after he failed to score a goal at the beginning, Perreira always forced himself to break through the Leicester City defense line alone, which make the Manchester United's attack always encountered a dead end. Selfish desired to score a goal like that, was normal in young teams like this, but Traves was angry, according to him, Perreira must realize if he could not break through the opponent's defense alone, then, he must work with his friends.

Therefore, Traves wanted to give a lesson to Perreira. He decided to replace Perreira with Kazuki who had recently performed well in training match.. Traves did not put a lot of hope for Kazuki but he thought Kazuki would be more proactive in working with his teammate rather than Perreira.