The final of the 27th Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Tournament was held on Monday 28 December at the Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka, and Cerezo Osaka U-15 (Kansai 2), who beat Gamba Osaka Junior Youth (Kansai 3) in an exciting extra time, won the tournament for the first time.

Final

Cerezo Osaka U-15   3-2 (2-0, 0-2, extra 1st 0-0, extra 2nd 1-0)   Gamba Osaka Junior Youth

The final was between two teams from Gamba Osaka – Cerezo Osaka, finalists for the first time, and Gamba Osaka, who aim to become champions for the first time after three years. Cerezo Osaka have scored 13 goals and conceded one goal in four games, while Gamba Osaka struck 17 goals and conceded one. As both of the teams displayed their strength in attack as well as in defence, the match received significant attention. 

Cerezo Osaka took the initiative in the first half, pressing the opponent with their swift defence. After 18 minutes, TANIMOTO Shunsuke stole the ball to play a short counter-attack and passed it to SUZUKI Toichi, who got through a defender to fire a shot with his left foot. The shot found the right-hand corner of the net. Cerezo Osaka were energized by their opening goal, and continued to attack against Gamba Osaka. In the 39th minute, just before the first half ended, NISHIO Ryuya took a shot directly off a clear delivery from a corner kick to add more insurance.

Although Gamba Osaka continued to trail, the team created more opportunities after the coach KAMOGAWA Koji encouraged the players during halftime, “let’s play our style to win the championship, showing what we’ve been practicing for three years.” In the 44th minute, OKAJI Hideaki on the right wing sent a floating pass to ADACHI Tsubasa in the center, who directly chipped a lob over the goalkeeper’s head. After recovering their strength with an early goal in the second half, Gamba Osaka kept possession in midfield, taking the initiative in the game. Although the team struggled to score against Cerezo Osaka’s tenacious defence, they finally found the back of the net during additional time. Gamba Osaka made consecutive attempts in front of the goal, and MESHINO Soma succeeded in scoring the equaliser in the end with his right foot from the center. After 80 minutes, the match went back to square one and was to be decided during overtime.

During overtime, although both teams showed their fatigue, none of the players stopped running, or staying ambitious for goals. In the 92nd minute, Cerezo Osaka created a big goal-scoring opportunity. The team intercepted at midfield, and sent the ball to OKUMURA Jin on the right side via Suzuki in the center. Okumura turned swiftly to fire a strong shot with his left foot, which found the back of the net. Although Gamba Osaka never gave up until the final whistle, they were always just one step away from scoring. Cerezo Osaka won the exciting game 3-2 and claimed the title for the first time.

Match details (Japanese version only)

Coach and Players' Comments

OHATA Kai, Coach (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
The team has many players, who have both skills and understand tactics well. I’ve always told them the importance of how to play in this kind of tough match, and they showed properly what they could do. After a frustrating defeat in the Japan Club Youth Football Championship this summer, the team learned the vital thing – “be determined to win”. I saw the improvement through this championship in their all-systems-go attitude. I can see much potential in them and hope they will keep improving in the future.

SUZUKI Toichi (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
As I swore to score in the final, I’m pleased that I struck the opener. I appreciate the support my parents have give me all the time. My elder sister came to every match from the beginning on her own, which gave me a lot of strength. We brought the football kits of our teammates, who couldn’t be here because of operative treatment and injury. We all played together, and their support encouraged us. I’m glad we gained a good result.

OKUMURA Jin (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I don’t remember much about the moment when I scored the deciding goal to claim the title, as I was so over the moon. As we were determined to win the championship, I’m really pleased we achieved our aim. There was a lot of pressure for me participating in the championship as a second grader, to be honest. However, the coach encouraged me, “show off your game as much as possible.” So I could score a goal at the end. It was the last match I will play with the third graders. They tend to poke fun at me affectionately, but all of them were very kind. 

TANI Kosei (Gamba Osaka Junior Youth)
We learned “the importance of one goal” through the championship. Although we have won matches, conceding only a few goals, in the final we couldn’t pick up our pace after conceding. In the second half, we got used to the atmosphere and played more rhythmically after scoring a goal. Having said that, we should have done so in the first half, which is one of our problems to be improved. I felt really frustrated to see Cerezo Osaka with the trophy. We will remember this moment and practice harder to avenge twice as much in the Youth.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Final   Cerezo Osaka U-15 vs Gamba Osaka Junior Youth

Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Tournament

2015-12-19 (Sat.) - 12-28 (Mon.)
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