Giant Killing 04

Well, I am slowly recovering from ASTL as regular life kicks into effect.  The day immediately after a convention is probably the worst, because you feel so drained from everything over the weekend.  I still managed to find time to watch the latest Giant Killing though.  This episode just goes to show you, even if you can work as a team, your opponent can easily throw a wrench into your plan.

Or a penalty card, as the case may be.

Gino has become the captain, and it falls to Tokyo Victory’s Mikumo to mark him.  The Prince is very skilful at working his mind games.  He spends the entire episode goading at the defensive player.  “Look at me!  I’m important!  Keep up!”  However, he never makes a big play himself, instead passing the ball to Akasaki and Tsubaki to move it up the field.  You can see how Mikumo starts thinking his mark is nothing but talk, especially with the fleet-footed Tsubaki on the field.

When the kid makes his second break at the goal, Mikumo finally commits to a vital mistake.  He’s already seen Akasaki fail at shooting, and he’s never seen Tsubaki shoot, but he runs off to defend them anyway.  Tsubaki feeds the ball to a wide-open Gino, who effortlessly scores.  He pours salt in the wound as well by chiding the defender for leaving him all alone.  It’s a fair mistake to make in the heat of the game, but I imagine he won’t forget it any time soon.

NOOOOOOOooooooo.......

The scene with Tsubaki crying actually occurs as a flashback to training camp in this episode.  Tatsumi comes outside to see him doing some “image practice,” and decides to challenge him to score.  He reads the kid like a book.  Tsubaki fears failure, especially in front of his manager.  However, he also has an indomitable spirit.  Despite all the failures, he has never given up the dream.  Tatsumi homes in on this quality, and I think the scene is truly touching.  Tsubaki may screw up a lot and the people may jeer at him for it, but what of it?  He has talent, and the person who matters most knows he has it.  As long as he keeps at it, he will succeed and it will immediately shut up all the haters.

Guess what happens?  He pulls off two brilliant plays with help from Gino and Akasaki, and the crowd sits in stunned silence when the second play scores.  Then they break out into wild cheers.  He does this despite intimidation and interference from Mochida.  I don’t think he’s out of the woods yet, but this kid will go places.

And the crowd goes wild! YEAH!

When the referee issues Tsubaki a yellow card, Tatsumi reacts with indifference.  He doesn’t question the call, and even says he doesn’t really know if his player actually committed a foul.  This unflappable attitude seems odd, but it’s a bit clearer with an omitted part of the prologue chapter of the manga.  Do you remember the game Tatsumi lost in England?  He lost it on a missed call.  Yet, when Gotou points out the error, he simply waves him off and says, “The actual score is everything.”  The ref and his calls are a factor completely out of the coach’s control.  It doesn’t do much good to get mad and raise cain over it.  Tatsumi does have the team under his control, and they can work around a misjudged call with enough effort.  Thus, when his team lost, it was because they failed to step up and overcome the unexpected problem.

The same occurs here.  They could have worked around the penalty kick by blocking the shot, but the goalie failed to do so.  The failure rests on the team, not the referee.  Now they will have to push themselves past their limits to regain control of the game, but Tatsumi will also have to deal with Mr. ETU.  Next week should bring this exhibition match to its conclusion.

Cry more, mkay?