Pick-up Match

Nagoya Grampus U18   2-3 (1-2, 1-1)   Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST had its Matchday 13 on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September. The contest between bottom placed Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) and 8th placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) turned out to be exciting throughout the match.

Hiroshima picked up their pace early on with a determination, "This is a big game that decides whether we are going to be relegated or keep a spot in the league. We really need to win the match," according to defender HIGASHINO Kotaro. Hiroshima played on long balls against Nagoya who were struggling with a slippery pitch.

In the 10th minute, Hiroshima opened the scoring when forward KATO Mutsuki committed his body to a left low cross in front of goal. And forward YAMANE Towa tapped a clearance into the net. Yamane said, "I came out to this match with a determination to score a goal." In the 25th minute, he picked up a missed clearance by the opposing defenceman and sent it into the unguarded net to extend his team's lead.

Nagoya coach TAKATA Tetsuya said, "The early two goals hurt us." Nagoya tried to come back with two early substitutions to change the course of the game. In the 42nd minute, Nagoya forward FUKAHORI Shunpei scored a goal before finishing the first half.

The 2nd half also saw a seesaw battle. Both teams had critical counterattack opportunities in the 73rd minute but failed to convert. In the 76th minute, Nagoya midfielder KAJIYAMA Kanta's cross forced the opposition into a handball for a penalty. Forward MORI Shota netted the spot kick to level the score 2-2. Nagoya caught the momentum and played in the opposing end but were not able to score a comeback goal.

Hiroshima went ahead again while the match looked like ending in a draw. After Kawagoe ran up to slot a cross from right flank through midfielder TAKEMOTO Yuhi's pass, substitute midfielder KAWAMOTO Keita headed home to decide the match. Hiroshima edged ahead in a heated contest and grabbed a valuable victory that may determine the relegation battle.

Coach and Players' Comments

TAKATA Tetsuya, Coach (Nagoya Grampus U18)
It was not a good weather, so I was expecting the opponents would send long balls. But our deficiency of match management was apparent when we tried to use short passes and rushed too much at important moments. Even so, thanks to our substitutes, we were able to equalise.

The opponents also seemed to be afraid of the momentum we got. But we can't battle it out until the end. That's what we need to improve. In the end, we fell to Hiroshima who outplayed us mentally and physically.

IKENIWA Ryoya (Nagoya Grampus U18)
It's disappointing we weren't able to win the match in the end. In the first half, we wanted to pass the ball around as usual and attack from sides, but we weren't able to do that. And it's disappointing we ended up conceding a goal through our mistake. Now each one of the players is working hard, but that has not led to the outcome as a team.

Unless we win the rest of five matches, we are going to get in a situation where it is difficult for us to stay in the league. We need to unite as a team more than before. We can't get the team relegated at our generation. We will get together to stay in the Premier League.

SAWADA Kentaro (Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth)
When it comes to this pitch condition, the outcome of win or loss is depending on our performance if we can win physical battles, play composedly and commit ourselves on defence. We conceded a goal in the 1st half. But the players showed their fighting spirit in dangerous situations by throwing their body and gave momentum to the team. Yet other teams also added points, so we can't get relieved only with this win. We will continue to play each one of the remaining matches like today.

YAMANE Towa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth)
We were all able to battle it out. That's why we won today. Because I started this season late due to injury, it was my second time to play on the starting lineup this year. When I started the Kyoto Tachibana match for the first time this year, I was too tensed and did nothing.

But today I was relaxed before the match, visualising a goal. NAGANUMA Yoichi is away for the Japan U-18s, and it was a good opportunity for me to showcase myself. I was trying to get a chance and grab a starting lineup spot. I'm happy to score two goals.

Other Matches

Kyoto Tachibana High School   2-1 (0-1, 2-0)   Cerezo Osaka U-18
Gamba Osaka Youth   2-0 (0-0, 2-0)   Riseisha High School
Higashi Fukuoka High School   5-3 (3-0, 2-3)   Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18
Oita Trinita U-18   2-1 (0-1, 2-0)   Vissel Kobe U-18

Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto) took on league-leading Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka). Although the Kyoto side finished the 1st half one goal down, they scored two goals in the 2nd half for a comeback win.

The clash between Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) and Riseisha High School (Osaka) saw a close contest as the 1st half ended scoreless. After converting two 2nd half penalty into goals, Gamba Osaka clinched a victory for the first time in four matches.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) welcomed Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) at home as Kyoto's high school edged an eight-goal thriller for their seventh win.

Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) allowed Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) to open the scoring early on, but MIYACHI Yujiro and SAGIHARA Takuya helped their team snatch a comeback win. As a result, Oita moved up to the top of the Premier League WEST in place of Cerezo Osaka.