Aichi Gakuin University's high school soccer team celebrated a historic victory on December 29, 2024, during the first round of the 103rd National High School Soccer Championship held at the Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium. The team, known as 愛工大名電, secured their first win at the championship by defeating Meisei High School from Shimane prefecture with an impressive score of 6-3.
This win marks the Aichi Gakuin team's first tournament victory after five years since their last appearance, where they faced early elimination. The players came determined to change their fate this time around. Captain Yota Kamachi expressed their excitement, sharing, "We are thrilled to finally achieve our first championship win after years of effort," as reported by Gekisaka.
The match unfolded dramatically, with Aichi Gakuin's high-pressure tactics putting pressure on Meisei from the start. Ironically, it was Meisei who drew first blood. The scoring opened at the 27-minute mark when forward Seiwa Takahashi maneuvered his way past the defense, forcing Aichi Gakuin’s goalkeeper, Junosuke Mizutani, to make a save. Unfortunately, the rebound led to an own goal as the defense struggled to clear, putting Aichi Gakuin down by one.
Despite the shaky start, just two minutes later, midfielder Sota Kamachi equalized. After receiving a precise cross from forward Yugo Sugimoto, Kamachi made no mistake, drilling the ball back to the net. His immediate response was pivotal: "This match marks our redemption from the last tournament where we lost early," said Kamachi, reported by Soccer King.
Following the equalizer, the momentum shifted firmly toward Aichi Gakuin. They continued to capitalize on Meisei’s defensive lapses. By the end of the first half, they had secured two more goals, one by forward Sakura Mizuno and another from substitute Joichiro Iwakuma just before halftime, making the score 3-1.
When the second half commenced, Aichi Gakuin wasted no time extending their lead. Defender Eita Yamazaki bagged the fourth goal shortly after the break, and midfielder Atsuya Egawa added the fifth at the 52-minute mark, propelling Aichi Gakuin to 5-1.
Even with the significant lead, Aichi Gakuin did not relent. Towards the end of the match, Mizuno found the net once again, bringing the score to 6-1, showcasing the team's offensive prowess which had already netted 15 goals across five matches leading up to the tournament.
Meisei, though initially down by five, managed to respond with two goals of their own, ensuring they left their mark on their first-ever national championship appearance. The goals from Ryushin Ikeda and Ryota Fujii provided the team with something to be proud of, even if the score remained 6-3 at the final whistle. Aichi Gakuin's attacking style and aggressive play under head coach Norihisa Miyakawa proved effective, with the captain defending their tactics as pivotal to their success this tournament.
The Aichi Gakuin team's victory not only serves as the first step toward potential glory but also emphasizes their commitment to learning from past experiences. With plans to face Maebashi Ikuei, another formidable opponent, on December 31, the players are eager to build on their newfound success. This tournament victory has undoubtedly set the tone for what they hope will be more to come.
With this win, Aichi Gakuin's players embody resilience and the spirit of competition, marking their place on the national soccer stage.