The 14th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019 EAST took place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, where Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) welcomed Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) at their home field.

Pick-up Match

Kashiwa Reysol U-18 2-2 (0-1, 2-1) Aomori Yamada High School

The highly anticipated fixture between the league leaders Aomori Yamada and second place Kashiwa attracted many spectators, as the match was destined to be a pivotal match for the title race.

The opening goal was scored by the visiting side, when TAKEDA Hidetoshi (#10) executed a perfectly delivered corner kick in the 12th minute, which allowed FUJIWARA Yudai (#5) to smash a powerful header to give Aomori Yamada an early lead. The league leaders continued to take control of the match, as Takeda took the lead in offence, while Fujiwara led the defence to keep the Kashiwa side from creating chances, as the match entered halftime 1-0.

With Kashiwa desperately needing three points to close down the four-point gap between Aomori Yamada, the home side turned up their intensity in the second half. The equaliser came in the 49th minute, when NAKAJIMA Shun (#27) broke through the right flank before sending a cross towards the middle. It was OKUDA Hiryu (#9) who made a perfect run to connect with the delivery and sent the ball into the net to level the match.

The goal scored by the team captain gave momentum to the home side, as the crowd cheered on to give them extra energy to press forward. However, Kashiwa was caught off guard in the 60th minute, when Aomori Yamada’s ace, Takeda dribbled in from the right side before firing a left footed shot to retake the lead. With their backs against the wall, the Kashiwa elven showcased an enormous rally in the remaining minutes. After HOSOYA Mao (#11) and TAMURA Soki (#14) came close to scoring the equaliser in the 80th and 85th minute respectively, the golden moment came in the fourth minute of additional time. With no time left on the clock, Kashiwa earned a corner kick in the right side, and sent everybody in the box, including their own goalkeeper SASAKI Masato (#16). The ball delivered by UNOKI Fumiya (#10) was headed back by Hosoya at the far side before finding MAIE Hidetaka (#39) at the centre, who struck a header that captured the goal and gave Kashiwa the equaliser. With the match ending in a 2-2, second place Kashiwa earned a crucial point off the league leaders to remain in contention for the title race.

Coaches and Players' Comments

YAMANAKA Shin, Coach (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
We are grateful to the players of Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School for showing their support for us at this match. The match was also televised, and all of these factors helped to create a unique atmosphere, which might have affected our players to be a bit nervous. However, the players managed to find their rhythm in the second half and showcased great courage to fight for the ball and create great ball movements to score those goals. Thinking that we could’ve trailed seven points behind the leaders after this match, it makes this draw that much significant. Our chances might be slim, but we will continue to believe in ourselves and strive to win the title.

FW #10 UNOKI Fumiya (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
(Reflecting on the second goal) I had a feeling that the goalkeeper was going to come out, so I sent a fast driven cross towards the far side, and the goal came just as I visualised. It would’ve been better if we had won the match, but we will take this draw positively. Although I will be playing with the top team next year, I wasn’t able to create the difference in this match and couldn’t help the team win, so I must work harder to become a better player.

MASAKI Masanori, Coach (Aomori Yamada High School)
We expected our opponent to take control of the ball possession, and we tried keeping their #9 and #11 from getting involved in offence, but our defensive response was too slow when our opponent utilised the flanks to initiate their attacks. But overall, our players fought hard and managed to earn a point in an away match against a strong Reysol side, so I am satisfied with this result.

MF #10 TAKEDA Hidetoshi (Aomori Yamada High School)
We were able to execute our game plan in the first half, as we kept our patience and earned the opening goal from a set-piece. However, we have been conceding goals in the second half recently, and we gave up goals in this match as well. Despite retaking the lead, we once again gave up a goal during additional time, just like we did last week. It just shows that we have to be more focused to close out matches like this. When I scored the second goal, I had the option to send a cross, but I decided to take my chance, so I am glad it went in.

Results of other matches

Funabashi Municipal High School 3-0 (0-0, 3-0) Shoshi High School
Jubilo Iwata U-18 1-1 (0-0, 1-1) Urawa Red Diamonds Youth
Omiya Ardija U18 2-3 (0-2, 2-1) Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School
Kashima Antlers Youth 1-2 (0-2, 1-0) Shimizu S-Pulse Youth

Funabashi Municipal High School (Chiba) scored three goals in the second half to win against Shoshi High School (Fukushima). Jubilo Iwata U-18 (Shizuoka) and Urawa Red Diamonds Youth (Saitama) drew 1-1 after scoring a goal apiece in the second half. Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) scored the game winner in additional time to win over Omiya Ardija U18 (Saitama) in dramatic fashion. Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) scored two goals in the first half to take down the match against Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki).

EAST Sec. 14 Highlights

Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019

League Duration: Sat. 6 April - Sun. 8 December 2019

League Information