Netherlands Arc (2001)

Netherlands Arc redirects here. For the anime film, see Saikyo no Teki! Holanda Youth. For the Captain Tsubasa arc, see World Youth Tokubetsu Hen - Saikyo no Teki! Netherlands Youth.

Netherlands Arc (2001) is an anime-filler arc during the Road to Victory part of Captain Tsubasa (2001 TV series) (episodes 37 to 42).

History[]

Prior to the Friendlies match[]

Four years have passed since the International Jr. Youth tournament (Road to Sky Arc), and the JFA Association is worried to choose a good team of players in order to be prepared for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

In the year prior for the preparations for the World Cup, Japan requests to have a friendly match with Netherlands, who weren't able to classify to said tournament. In the run-up to the friendly match, Barneveld learns that the Japanese representative Katagiri wants to choose as regulars the Golden Age, despite their lack of experience except for three Overseas players (Wakabayashi in Germany, Hyuga in Italy and Tsubasa who was in Brazil and now is playing in Spain), and he decides to nominate said team to be their opponents in the following match.

After Barneveld goes to Japan by hand to get a picture of the Golden Age players. Impressed by the fighting spirit of the Japanese squad, he changes his mind and finally sets up his best team, calling Katagiri to arrange all details.

Friendlies match[]

The French coach Louvois accepts to be Head coach of Japan national team by having only Golden Age members, after a formal request of Munemasa Katagiri to the JFA in order to break the Dutch Wall and aid Japan be a proper World class opponent. When the young Japan national team despite a late backlog proves to have a great morale and the last minute to achieve a 1-1 draw, Barneveld certifies to the JFA his highest respect and prophesies the Japan team's huge potential for the 2002 World Cup.

After the Friendlies match[]

For the purpose of strengthening Japan, all the teammates decide to improve their skills in preparations for the World Cup the following season.

For a couple of weeks, Tsubasa Ozora trains in Hawaii with Team Tsubasa and a medical advisor, professor Taishi Ariga, while having a break from FC Cataluna.

In the same manner, Kojiro Hyuga also asks for permission from Piemonte FC to go to Okinawa and train with his mentor Kozo Kira. There, he manages to improve a new shot after shooting on smaller balls in the seas of Okinawa, which will improve his skills and become a better ace striker.