Fukuda suggests that Ashito and other new Esperion Youth players play an intrasquad game. Anyone who proves their worth in the game will be promoted to the A team. All new players are excited at the prospect of joining the A team. Ashito, playing his favorite forward position, starts the game out well. However…

While still feeling unconvinced, Ashito makes up his mind that he must try and learn to be a full-back. He goes to practice, wanting to figure out Fukuda's intention. However, being unfamiliar to the position and disliking defending, Ashito doesn't quite get the meaning of "shuffle" and feels out of place.

Ashito and others have an unexpected reunion with Nakano and Kaneda, who played alongside him at the tryouts. After failing the tryouts for Esperion, Nakano and Kaneda joined the current top team in the league, Tokyo Musashino Soccer Club Youth, where Tachibana used to play. While Nakano is happy to see Ashito and others, Kaneda blames Ashito for his failing the tryouts.

The match between Esperion and Musashino will determine who will dominate the Tokyo Metropolis League. Musashino's ace, Kaneda, takes advantage of the weak coordination between Togashi and Takeshima, giving Musashino a go-ahead score. Right before the end of first half, Kuroda injures himself due to his desperate defense play. During the halftime, Asari blames the center-backs, but Date disagrees with him. Togashi has resented Takeshima for a long time, but now…