The second and third stages of the second round of the 38th Japan U-12 Football Championship were held on Wednesday 6 August at Susono ground in Susono city, Shizuoka.

In the last stage of group A, Kashima Antlers Jr. (Ibaraki), who have won all their games so far in this championship, played against the undefeated Yokogawa Musashino Football Club Jr. (Tokyo). Both of the teams struck their first goals early in the match. Although Yokogawa Musashino FC struggled with the defence-attack combinations of Kashima Antlers, Fukuzaki Ryusei scored a dynamic goal and won the game with a two-goal lead. Yokogawa Musashino FC advanced to the quarterfinals.

There were also close games in group H. Both Square Toyama FC U-12 (Toyama) and Esprit Nagaoka FC (Niigata) aimed at getting in the top eight. Toyama, who were sitting in first place on goal difference, struck the opener. Esprit Nagaoka FC attacked more and more towards the end of the game. Although they leveled the match in the last four minutes, they could not turn the game around. Championship debutants Esprit Nagaoka FC did not make to the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, both JFC FUTURO (Kanagawa) and Kashima Antlers Tsukuba Jr. (Ibaraki 2) got through to the quarterfinals in their first competitions. BUDDY・FC (Fukuoka) in group F drew in a close match in the second stage with Kashiwa Reysol U-12 (Chiba), who have not lost a game in this championship. However, after the last stage, Kashiwa Reysol got through the second round.

The four quarterfinals will be held on Thursday 7 August. There will also be semi-finals of the dream tournament. The championship is really heating up now.

Players Comments

MASUYAMA Daichi (Square Toyama FC U-12, Toyama)
We have never beaten Esprit Nagaoka FC before. I know it’s very important how you play, but I just really wanted to win today. I stayed calm when the match turned around, as I knew we could get through to the next stage with a draw. Although we couldn’t win the match, I’m very pleased we advanced to the quarterfinals. I’d like to aim at winning the championship, seeing as we’ve come this far.

KANEKO Taiyo (Kashima Antlers Jr., Ibaraki)
We could have advanced to the next round on goal difference, even if we had drawn the match. We struck the opener, which made us a little defence-focused. After conceding a goal, our team ran up front and the opponents aimed behind our defenders. I felt that was very difficult as a goalkeeper. Yokogawa Musashino FC had a strong mind and they were very good at purposely delaying the timing of shots.

YUTANI Azuri (Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Jr., Hiroshima)
We were really struggling against YF NARATESORO (Nara), as we couldn’t pass the ball properly. All we could do was either receive a loose ball from the corner kick or run to the behind of the defenders. I’m over the moon we won the game in the end. As we came this far, the quarterfinals, I’d like to aim at winning the championship, just like I said in the interview after the prefectural qualifying round. All we need is determination.

NAGAHAMA Shotaro (BUDDY・FC, Fukuoka)
As Kashiwa Reysol U-12 came towards the ball very swiftly, we couldn’t play our style - passing the ball. There are top teams from all over the country in the national tournament. So I know we can’t win easily. I did enjoy myself a lot, playing against various teams, some of which were good at dribbling and others at passing.

JFA-TV

The 38th Japan U-12 Football Championship

Duration: Mon. 4 August to Sat. 9 August 2014
Venue:
<1st round ～ Final Tournament (Quarter-finals)>
Gotemba Tokinosumika Susono Ground (Susono, Shizuoka)
<Final Tournament (Semi-finals / Final)>
Shizuoka Ashitaka Park Multi-purpose Field (Numazu, Shizuoka)