Japan register for Asia at ‘The Chance’

Japan was on Saturday celebrating the announcement that Ryosuke Kinoshita has been selected as one of 16 winners from Nike ‘The Chance’.

By Marcus Chhan| Sunday 26th August 2012

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The young forward is Asia's only winner in the global talent spotting competition which began earlier in the year in over 50 countries. In total, over 100,000 amateur players aged 16-24 were scouted with only 100 selected for the Global Finals in Barcelona. From there Kinoshita eventually was shortlisted into the top 26 and on Saturday he emerged as one of the players who will now get the opportunity to join the Nike Academy with the ultimate goal of securing a professional contract with a football club.

Watch: Nike Chance selects 16 winners... More Videos

In last year's edition of the contest, there was also one winner from Asia - South Korea. There had been hope that this year's competition would see an individual representing South East Asia make at least the top 26. It almost happened as Singapore's Faris Ramli and Thailand's Napapon Sripratheep both made the grade earlier in the week when the numbers were dwindled down to 52.

However, they both failed to reach the round of 26 leaving the Japanese Kinoshita with the chance to make Asia proud which he did. Kinoshita was actually one of three Asians playing during Saturday morning's final - the last chance to impress 'The Chance' judging panel - with compatriot Yuki Yamanouchi as well as South Korean Young Jae Seo also in action.

The final match played in this season's 'The Chance' saw the top 26 square off against each other at Barcelona's Mini Estadi in a 11v11 side game which was open to the public and refereed by Howard Webb as well as being screened live on Barca TV.

"Today's game at FC Barcelona's Mini Estadi was a befitting setting for our final game but also a test for the players and I was looking at how they would deal with playing under the spotlight, in front of the TV cameras and so many people," Jimmy Gilligan, head coach at the Nike Academy said.

"I was looking at how people handled that, how they worked the ball but also for some character. This has been an intense week, and many won't have been used to the demands we've placed on them but I wanted to see a reaction and once again wasn't disappointed."

Despite the huge prize on stake, it was encouraging to see how the players kept their cool throughout the match.

"I think everybody understood the parameters," Webb said.

"It was about trying to show the skill of these boys in a positive light and they respected that. It wasn't about making crazy tackles or reacting in a crazy way to decisions, it was about playing football.

"We [the officials] had that same intention in mind but also to make sure the players were protected - and they did that which was really pleasing."

It was more a technical game than physical with Kinoshita's red team doing enough to win over the blue team but the forward did struggle at times in the heat. Ultimately, Kinoshita must have done well enough over the course of his week at the Global Finals to convince the judges.

"[Winning] it's beyond words. It's the best experience," he said through the help of a translator.

"To be honest I performed poorly today [Saturday] so I was not expecting my name to be called, so it was a big surprise."

Kinoshita added that he felt "confident" he has what it takes to bring his game to a new level and impress scouts while on tour with the Nike Academy.

"Yes, I am confident [I can reach new heights]. I have been patiently practicing for years so I think I can make it," he said.

Joining Kinoshita at the Nike Academy is American Brian Iloski.

"It's an amazing feeling knowing that I am one of the top 16 players at this event," he said.

"After today's [Saturday] performance, I was really confident. I played really well.

Among the stops on the Nike Academy Tour for the 16 winners of 'The Chance' 2012 includes a U-17 match against Juventus and reserve team match versus Manchester United.

The 16 winners of 'The Chance' 2012
Ryosuke Kinoshita (Japan)
Petar Golubovic (Serbia)
Dario van den Buijs (Belgium)
Dimitris Komnos (Greece)
Jose Figura (UK)
Brian Iloski (USA)
Marco Di Lauro (Italy)
Gonzalo Balbi (Spain)
Kiril Laptev (Russia)
David Fernandes (France)
Teboho Charlie Tsotetsi (South Africa)
Wallace Camilo (Brazil)
Melusi Zulu (South Africa)
Ismail H'Maidat (Belgium)
Saifeddine Alami Bazza (Spain)
Bubakary Sonko (Sweden)