Fukuda having the A and B teams playing an 11 vs. 21 scrimmage is an interesting idea. On one idea, you think, well, the one with the bigger numbers is bound to have the clear advantage. Though it is when the A is back down to 11 is when things become clear. Their defense was fundamentally sound, and with efficient passes, they can make it past the B team’s 21-team lineup.
What really becomes focused on is Ashito issues with communicating with Asari and Kuroda. That is the real thing that blew up in his face. As Coach Nozomi offers Ashito the assignment to understand why they were mad at him. The fact that Ashito could not realize what their issue is shows how Ashito lacks the fundamentals that the A team desires. Still, you do have to respect his desire to keep pushing forward and not giving up.
It doesn’t get better when school starts, as Ashito has difficulties communicating because of his position. For Ashito a forward should always be looking to score. In fact, we see plenty of times that Togashi should be getting back because he shouldn’t be concerned with scoring. According to Asari it seems that Ashito only cares about scoring. Which then sets even more fire because for Ashito it should be fundamental for a forward always looking to score. More likely the issue comes from him only looking at it according to his position, then Asari.
Granted, Asari does go out of line mentioning how his former teammates should have gotten a shot over Ashito. No surprise that pisses Ootomo off because in his eyes he earned it. It’s not just a disrespect on Ashito, but everyone else who made the cut. The fact that Kuroda tells him that he went too far is a showcase of that. Perhaps holding that his issues with Ashito come from a more objective point of view.
No surprise this tension is making things terrible for their upcoming match. It’s a reminder: if you aren’t on good terms with your teammates, it doesn’t matter how good you are. Soccer is a team game at the end of the day.
Even with the rough 2nd half, Coach Nozomi sticks with them. Good thing Ashito finally figures it out because he wasn’t looking at his teammates. He was looking straight ahead. The answer Nozomi wanted was that a line was formed between the 3 of them. Fundamentally, Ashito needed to think about what his teammates would do in this case, Asari and Kuroda. This is part of the individual tactics that Nozomi said Ashito lacks. It is good to see him picking up and them scoring a goal.
