The two semi-final fixtures of the 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament took place at Japan National Stadium on Saturday 7 January.

Semi-Finals 1

Kamimura Gakuen High School 3-3 (1-1, 2-2, PK1-4) Okayama Gakugeikan High School

The battle for the first slot in the final between Kamimura Gakuen High School (Kagoshima) and Okayama Gakugeikan High School (Okayama) was fiercely contested. The opening goal came in the sixth minute when TAGUCHI Yuma converted the cross of OKAMOTO Haruto to put Okayama Gakugeikan in the lead. Kamimura Gakuen responded in the 38th minute, when FUKUDA Shio responded to a pass of OSAKO Rui before laying off a pass to setup the shot of KINJO Reo. Although this shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, Fukuda was there to capitalise on the deflection to tie the score before halftime.

With momentum on their side, Kamimura Gakuen took the lead with a free kick scored by Osako in the 59th minute, but Okayama Gakugeikan came right back with a goal scored by IMAI Takuto in the 62nd minute, as Kamimura Gakuen’s coach ARIMURA Keichiro later reflected, “Although we were able to follow the same pattern as in our previous matches, where we had come from behind to win all three, Gakugeikan was very tenacious, and we were unable to hold them off.” Kamimura Gakuen regained the lead in the 69th minute with a header by Kojiro Nakae, but Okayama Gakugeikan equalised in the 73rd minute when Imai assisted Okamoto's goal to send the match went to a penalty shoot-out.

In the shoot-out, “I thought I could help the team with a save, so I was determined to concentrate and stop each shot,” said HIRATSUKA Jin, goalkeeper of Okayama Gakugeikan. With their goalkeeper saving the third penalty kick attempt from Kamimura Gakuen and after all four of their kickers made their attempts, Okayama Gakugeikan advanced to the final for the first time.

Semi-Finals 2

Higashiyama High School 1-1 (0-1, 1-0, PK4-2) Ozu High School

“With this being our first match played at Japan National Stadium, I was worried that the players might be nervous or overwhelmed, but they were very calm from the start,” said Higashiyama High School (Kyoto) coach FUKUSHIGE Ryoichi, as the Kyoto side took the initiative from the outset. In the 12th minute KITAMURA Keijiro struck a shot off of a throw-in, followed by an attempt made by TOYOSHIMA Reo to convert a cross of SAKATA Reiya in the 34th minute. However, despite the close opportunities created by Higashiyama, it was Ozu High School (Kumamoto) who scored the opening goal in the 39th minute, when KAYAMA Taira played a pass-and-go with KOBAYASHI Shuei to break down the left side before sending a sharp cross that was converted by Ii Kotaro.

Ozu came close to doubling their lead in the 56th minute, when YAMASHITA Motonari struck a header off of a cross sent by Ii but fell short from finding the back of the net. Despite trailing by a goal, Higashiyama gradually picked up their pace in the second half, as SHINTANI Rikuto later reflected, “We are currently playing with a lot of confidence. We knew the goals would come, so we focused on playing our usual game.” The golden moment arrived for Higashiyama in the 63rd minute, when MATSUHASHI Keita capitalised on a deflection following a corner kick to level the match. With the score remaining tied after regulation time, the match entered a penalty shoot-out, where Higashiyama’s goalkeeper SATO Mizuki rose to the occasion to make two saves that saw his side advance to the final.

Coach and Players' Comments

ARIMURA Keichiro, Coach (Kamimura Gakuen High School)
We were pleasantly surprised by the level of work put forth by the third-year players. We can only thank them for promoting us to the Premier League and bringing us to the Japan National Stadium. After the match, I told the players that they will not always be rewarded for their efforts. Which is true in both life and football. The bronze medals they received today will turn into silver and gold if they continue to work hard. Although we finished with the bronze medal today, we are looking forward for greater success in the feature.

IMAI Takuto (Okayama Gakugeikan High School)
I think our team is getting the best support in the country. When I talked with the third year students at the hotel, their voices were so hoarse that I was almost moved to tears. This is such a great team and I want to repay them by winning the national title. The Gakugeikan tradition of humanity is still alive and well, but we have to make ourselves even better and move on. I hope we can all fight with grit in the final.

SHINTANI Rikuto (Higashiyama High School)
Although we were able to enter the match in good shape, we conceded the opener to Ozu, who displayed great speed in their offence. Despite conceding the lead, we managed to keep our composure to score the equaliser. We had been working on our spot kicks, so I am glad our practice paid off. Our school has never won the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, so we are thrilled to be in position to make history for our school. We want to thank all the people who has paved the way for us as we enter the final.

KOBAYASHI Shuei (Ozu High School)
Despite taking the lead in the first half, we were unable to play our football in the second half. We struggled against the pace of our opponents and couldn’t possess the ball, just like how we played in the first round. I really wanted to bring our juniors to a higher stage, and I feel responsible that we couldn’t reach the final. The second year players have seen what this team has accomplished over the last two years, so I hope they can make the most of the experience to win the title next year.

The 101st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament

Tournament Dates: Wed. 28 December 2022 - Mon. 9 January 2023

Tournament Information