Today, we'll provide the preview for Week 1 of the East league, which is set to kick off on 6 April (Sun).

As Kashiwa Reysol U-18 and Funabashi Municipal High School have been promoted to the league this year to join in the East, in which last year's champions Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School competes, there will be three teams from Chiba Prefecture.

Ryutsukeizai University Kashiwa will face a Tohoku powerhouse Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori). ''Hopefully, we make some noise and repeat our title,'' Ryutsukeizai Kashiwa coach Honda Yuichiro says. Aomori Yamada have been prepared well as they played in the 2014 Sanix Cup International Youth Tournament in March. It will be interesting to see what kind of performance these two high school teams will put up.

Kashiwa U-18 will look for their first victory against Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) at their home Kashima Stadium. Kashiwa have made a lot of roster changes, but still look to achieve a big feat in their first season after the promotion. ''Our way of play will not change drastically. We'll play for our first championship,'' Kashiwa coach Shimotaira Takahiro says. Funabashi Municipal, also a newcomer in the league, will square off against JFA Academy Fukushima (Fukushima), the third-place finisher in last year. ''In order to finish high up in the standings in the end, we'll develop our players,'' Funabashi coach Asaoka Ryuzo comments.

Elsewhere, a match between Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) and Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido), both of who have constantly been the league's top competitors in recent years, is another must-watch battle, along with other intriguing games.

Game to watch in Week 1 in the East
Mitsubishi Yowa Soccer Club Youth vs. Tokyo Verdy Youth

Mitsubishi Yowa Soccer Club Youth, who have a long, colorful history to have produced numerous J. League players, will take on Tokyo Verdy Youth, the champions of 2012, as an all-Tokyo matchup. Mitsubishi Yowa Youth was nearly demoted in the last two seasons, finished seventh in 2013 and eighth in 2012. The team insists that their main focus is to develop their defense. ''Our first goal is to stay in the league. We want to reduce the number of goals given up,'' Mitsubishi Yowa coach Yamamoto Nobuo says. Meanwhile, Verdy Youth, who have constantly produced high-quality youngsters such as a U-21 national team player Nakajima Shoya (currently plays for Kataller Toyama) every year, have generational national team talents like Misao Kento and Nakano Masaomi. ''We are going to be prepared for every game and hopefully we want to show what we will develop throughout the season in December's championship game,'' coach Togashi Koichi, whose Very look to earn their first East championship in two years.

For your information, the first 300 fans who get to the stadium for this game will be presented original neck straps.

Mitsubishi Yowa Soccer Club Youth vs. Tokyo Verdy Youth
Date: Sun, 6 April
Kickoff: 2 p.m.
Venue: Mitsubishi Yowa Foundation Sugamo Sports Center Ground
Access: 2-minute walk from Sugamo Station of JR Yamanote Line
Notes: No musical instruments are allowed to use; No parking spaces