10 January, the 21st All Japan Youth (U-15) Futsal Championship had one more match of the first round and a total of 4 teams qualified for the final round. The top teams of the first round groups are: Consadole Sapporo U-15 (Hokkaido 1), Nagaoka JYFC (Hokushinetsu 1/Niigata), ASC Hokkaido U-15 (Hokkaido 2), and Spread Eagle FC Hakodate (Hokkaido 4). 3 of 4 teams that qualified are from Hokkaido. 

Group A had a competition until the end and the 2 matches kicked off at the same time: Matsuyama Jyohoku FC (Shikoku/Ehime) vs Tsu FC W1 (Tokai 2/Mie), and Esprit Nagaoka FC U-15 (Hokushinetsu 3/Niigata) vs. Consadole Sapporo. Even though Consadole Sapporo had won 2 matches at that time, both Tsu and Esprit Nagaoka still had a chance if they would win at the last match, so the both match heated-up for the final round.

In the 1st half of the each match, both Tsu and Esprit Nagaoka took control; Tsu ended the match earlier beating Matsuyama Jyohoku 5-3. On the other hand, Consadole Sapporo gradually got momentum and took control of the match in the 18th minute. In the end, Consadole’s TANAKA Ginpei scored an additional goal to decide the match 5-3. Consadole Sapporo got 3 consecutive wins in the first round. 

Group B was also competitive amongst 3 teams until the end. Especially Chiba SC U-15 (Kanto/Chiba) was aggressive from the beginning since they had the chance to go through to the next round by beating Nagaoka JYFC. However, Nagaoka JYFC, last year’s champion, counter attacked and ended the 1st half 4-0. Chiba SC worked hard to equalise but the match ended 3-6. Nagaoka JYFC qualified for the final round. Tsu Rapid FC (Tokai 1/Mie) kept leading the match against Generale Muroran (Hokkaido 3) until the end but Generale Muroran scored an equaliser just 41 seconds before the end of the match and won a point. 

In the Group C, Athletic Club Hirosaki (Tohoku/Aomori) worked hard against ASC Hokkaido U-15, who had already qualified. They led the 1st half 2-1 with KIMURA Kaito’s 2 goals and kept leading the match 4-2 until the mid 2nd half. In the end, they conceded equalisers. Even though they couldn’t beat ASC Hokkaido, they showed their pride as a qualified team from Tohoku, defending them from 3 consecutive wins in this group. 

In the Group D, Spread Eagle FC Hakodate got 3 consecutive wins by beating Chikugo Sazan FC Sulestrela (Kyushu/Fukuoka) 4-2. On the other hand, another match between Athpegas FC（Shikoku/Nara）and Resupol Hamada (Chugoku/Shimane) was intense. Both teams worked well in offence and defence, and in the 8th minute, Resupol Hamada got 4 goals. Athpegas got 3 goals back until the 15th minute. After substituting all players with full of their energy, in the 17th minute, Resupol Hamada's FUKUDA Ryuga made a decisive shot and the match ended 5-3. 

The semi final and final will be held on the 11 January, to decide the top futsal team of U-15. Will Nagaoka JYFC from Niigata contest the ultimate prize again to get the 4th consecutive title, or will one of 3 teams from Hokkaido block them? Check out the further matches with lots of pride. 

Coach and Players' Comments

NAKAMURA Takuro, Coach (Consadole Sapporo U-15)
While we didn’t have enough time to get ready for this championship, I considered each players’ characteristics and planned formations. Eventually all of the players joined  the pitch and it was good that we could win all 3 matches. The players that joined in this competition are the ones who won’t play for Consadole Sapporo Youth and they have played with high motivation. For these previous 2 years, Consadole Asahikawa was runners up 2 years ago and was in the 3rd place last year. This is our last competition that we can play together as a team, so we really want to get the title being united well. 

KATAGIRI Seiji, Coach (Esprit Nagaoka FC U-15)
We have played futsal to brush up our skills so it would have been good if they could show what they had done, but they couldn’t. I still appreciate them for doing their best to win. I feel grateful them for bringing me to this stage. Most of players will keep playing football in high schools, so I want them to keep playing with confidence. We have had such a wonderful experience this time, so I will do my best to lead the team to this championship again next year.

MATSUMOTO Tsubasa, Coach (Chiba SC U-15)
We faced this match trying to show our sense of pride as a qualified team from Kanto thinking of the players who couldn’t join in the game today or the other teams who couldn’t qualify. Since we were aiming at the title, checking how much we could do in this competition, it is a shame that we couldn’t win today. However, we don’t regret trying since we could enjoy all matches against qualified teams from other areas. I’m sure that the players had a good chance to see their current level, so I just want them to keep working hard to challenge their goals as football players.

ABE Shuji, Coach (Spread Eagle FC Hakodate)
I was expecting the matches including today’s one would be challenging since we don’t have any players with outstanding skill. I still appreciate them to play consistently with patience in both matches against Athpegas FC and Resupol Hamada. Teams from Hokkaido have gone through to the final round and that may be because of a good competitive environment where local teams can improve each other; there are many of high level teams from a local qualifying stage. We have played against ASC Hokkaido U-15 twice in this qualifying period so we should not lose. I know that all teams are strong, but I want the players to show their active play in the match tomorrow. 

All Japan Youth (U-15) Futsal Championship

Final Live distribution
Mon. 11 January - 13:10
Live distribution (Japanese version only)

Sat. 9 January 2016 - Mon. 11 January 2016
Aichi／Sky Hall Toyota
More information