Pick-up Match
Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth vs Vissel Kobe U-18

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST has its matchday 5 on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May as Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) welcome Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) on 8th to stretch their winning streak to three.

After grabbing a win at the season opener over Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto), their second and third fixtures against Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) and Ozu High School (Kumamoto) respectively were postponed due to the Kumamoto Earthquake. The Hiroshima side have been away from playing official matches for about two weeks. During the period, the team attempted to maintain match sharpness by holding practice matches against local high school teams in the same prefecture. But coach SAWADA Kentaro looks back, "my players weren't able to keep the tension just like they do when playing the Premier League."

Even so, "you don't waste the opportunity to play against strong teams. You've got to get focused," Sawada said to the players before the first match against Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) after resuming their regular season campaign. His players got back the tension and were successful in adding points. They actually proved their hard-working attitude for every single match.

Meanwhile, Kobe began the season with consecutive losses and marked their first victory over Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School in their third match. Then in the following Kyoto match, Kobe added one more point with NODA Tatsuki's last-ditch equaliser. "The team haven't been fit yet. But with the points we finally got, the players' motivation should be boosted," says Kobe coach NODA Satoru.

Noda adds "We don't change our style of football and seek to keep the ball and dominate the opponents", while some opponents are wary of possession football and play on long balls. The contest is a big match for Kobe, who try to halt Hiroshima's straight wins as well as look to get back even with a record of two wins, two losses and one draw.

Coach and Players' Comments

SAWADA Kentaro, Coach (Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth)
We are very happy to give it a shot against national powerhouses in the Premier League. I always tell my players that it's important to play hard at every single match and devote all their energy to daily training to go all out for the match at hand. The key in the Kobe match is to win the ball against the opponents who've got great ball possession ability. After the first player goes to rob the ball, the second and third players need good speed to follow him. That's something that decides the flow of the match. If you can’t get the ball at a high position, your defence needs to get back and defend as a group. You need to be sharp in their judgement as well.

NODA Satoru, Coach (Vissel Kobe U-18)
We are a "slow starter" every year. And I'm trying to be steadfast and lead the players to the right place even when the results don't follow. Talking about the Hiroshima match, it's important to think about how we can attack the opponents. The ideal is to keep the ball all the time. By doing that, the opponents end up in holding back and need to cover a long distance when going forward on a counterattack. We have given up goals through counterattacks most cases. The requirement for a win is not to create such a moment and not to give up the ball at a low position.

YASUI Takuya (Vissel Kobe U-18)
Kobe's strength is to quickly move the ball in attacking and have a great teamwork. The shortcut to a victory is not to lose on the ball and set-pieces. As an individual, I will try to touch the ball and show something that directly leads to a goal. I'm really happy to play against high-level opponents in the Premier League every week. On top of a good preparation for every match, we will seek a victory.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth vs Vissel Kobe U-18
Date: Sun. 8 May　kick-off 11:00
Venue: Yoshida Soccer Park
Access: Get off at JR Geibi Line "Mukaihara Station" and about 20 minutes by taxi
About 10 minutes by car from Chugoku Expressway "Takada" IC
About 60 minutes by car from Hiroshima City

Premier League WEST Match Day 5

5/7
11:00　Higashi Fukuoka High School vs Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
11:00　Oita Trinita U-18 vs Nagoya Grampus U18 (Oita Bank Dome)
5/8
17:00　Gamba Osaka Youth vs Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium)
*The games listed below have been postponed due to the earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Ozu High School vs Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Ozu Sports Park Stadium)

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) with two wins and one draw after three matches take on Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) at home for a head-to-head contest. Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita), being winless since the season started, face Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi). After clinching a dramatic comeback win over Cerezo, Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) look for another win in the next match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18. It is a must-see if Gamba can cap the first period on top.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Match Day 4 Digest

More information