The semi-finals of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-15, the 27th All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Tournament, took place on Saturday 26 December as teams advancing to the final were determined.

Pick-up Match 1

JFA Academy Fukushima U15　0-1 (0-0, 0-0, extra 1st 0-0, extra 2nd 0-1)　Cerezo Osaka U-15 (Kansai 2)

The match between JFA Academy Fukushima U15 (Tokai 3) and Cerezo Osaka U-15 (Kansai 2), the first match of the semi-finals at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka, turned out to be a fierce extra-time contest. Cerezo Osaka took the initiative early on. The Osaka side did not give away the pace to JFA Academy by composedly building up their attacks and by shifting swiftly between offence and defence to win the ball back right after losing it.

Although Cerezo Osaka continued to control the match in the second half, JFA Academy also committed themselves in defence not to give up a goal. And in offence, Academy created chances they had only a few in the first half as defender NOZUE Satoru sneaked into the box and fired a shot.

Going into extra-time scoreless, the players started to look tired. And the team who continued to attack until the end were Cerezo. "We've practised to keep quality even when getting tired," said coach OHATA Kai. In the 99th minute, Cerezo players got into the opposing box and KOMATSU Kaiki responded to a deflection of a shot. His right-footed blast went into the right side of the net. After taking a total of 19 shots, Cerezo Osaka finally broke the deadlock in the closing minutes and claimed a spot of the final.

Match details (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Match 2

Kashima Antlers Junior Youth　0-0 (0-0, 0-0, extra 1st 0-0, extra 2nd 0-0, PSO 4-5)　Gamba Osaka Junior Youth

The semi-final's second match got into the penalty shootout as Kashima Antlers Junior Youth (Kanto 6) and Gamba Osaka Junior Youth (Kansai 3) played a thrilling contest. Gamba Osaka dominated the match from the start. Gamba played widely on the pitch and got into the opposing end by creating initiating points of attacking on sides. Kashima gradually created the rhythm as well and showed continuous attacks led by ONUMA Tatsuki to make the match even.

As the match kept being scoreless, Gamba subbed in forward OTANI Yuto in the 66th minute. Then, the Osaka side began to create goal-scoring opportunities with crisp attacks. Kashima, however, held on to their solid defence shown throughout the tournament and kept a clean sheet. Neither team got behind, and the match got into extra-time. Gamba Osaka created a chance first. Substitute left attacker KUBO Yudai fired a shot, but it went inches wide.

Kashima came close to Gamba’s goal with long balls, but their efforts did not pay off as a goal. Getting into the second half of the extra-time, Gamba Osaka enhanced their offensive momentum. In the 92nd minute, Otani faced a 1-on-1 situation against the goalkeeper, who eventually made a save. As both teams attempted the same number of shots, 14, the close contest was not settled by the end of the extra-time.

In the penalty shootout, while Kashima, shooting first, failed at the fourth, all the five takers of Osaka sent it home. Gamba Osaka claimed the first final spot in three years.

Match details (Japanese version only)

Coach and Players' Comments

OHATA Kai, Coach (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
We created chances but didn't come through. We've got to be aware of the priority, where is open while watching out the opponents. But my players' hunger for goals was so strong that our attacks turned out to be from the middle only. We as a team will focus on improving quality within a highly intense match both physically and mentally. In the final, whether we can play just as we've worked is the key.

KOMATSU Kaiki (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I was like "I will decide the outcome of the match at the end," so I'm happy to score. The course of the shot was just like I imagined. The factor why I've stayed in form throughout the tournament is my fighting spirit. My teammates and fans who weren't able to come here support us, so I feel, "we've got to make it." (Speaking of the final,) we haven't lost to Gamba Osaka this season and got a good record. We will win the "Osaka Derby" for the trophy.

KAMOGAWA Koji, Coach (Gamba Osaka Junior Youth)
We created chances, but the opponents were also good. It's big we didn't concede a goal. The opponents' defence was solid. And you often can't make it to score under the tense mood. This is why we wanted to create as many chances as possible. We haven't defeated Cerezo in this season, and the final will be difficult. But we will show our strength attacking football and come out head-to-head.

TANI Kosei (Gamba Osaka Junior Youth)
I expected it would be a battle of patience. It was good we didn't lose concentration until the end. We talk with each other like "we show what we've piled up during three years and finish without regret." I was really disappointed when we lost in the semi-finals at this summer's Club Youth Football tournament. To get back at them, we will win the tournament at any cost. With such mindset, we came to call to each other loudly and increase intensity. The opening goal will be the key, so we will play not to concede it.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

JFA Academy Fukushima U15  vs  Cerezo Osaka U-15

Kashima Antlers Junior Youth  vs  Gamba Osaka Junior Youth

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

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