Étoile Sportive VS Kashiwa Reysol Post Match Press Conference

Following the conclusion of their tournament campaigns, both coaches
reflected on their teams’ performances and the value of competing at a high
international level. Étoile Sportive assistant coach Bin Aziza Saddam expressed gratitude for the experience, stating that his players gained significant exposure despite the challenges. He acknowledged
that Étoile usually performs at a higher level, but injuries to key players
made it difficult to compete as desired. Saddam praised the tournament’s
organization and emphasized the importance of facing some of the world’s best
young talents, noting the clear gap between clubs. He highlighted that
finishing sixth was a respectable outcome, even though the team aimed for more.

On the other side, Kashiwa Reysol head coach Ibuki Toda
said he was generally satisfied with his team’s fifth-place finish,
describing their participation as positive despite higher expectations. He
explained that the tournament was crucial for assessing player development,
particularly as his squad continues to grow physically and mentally. Toda
acknowledged the difficulty of competing against elite academies like PSG and
Barcelona, but stressed that the experience itself is invaluable. A former
participant in the tournament as a player, Toda reaffirmed his commitment to
developing both his players and his own coaching career.