The semi-finals of the 28th Prince Takamado Trophy Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Tournament were held on Monday 26 December at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka in Tokyo.

Pick-up Match 1

Shimizu S- Pulse Junior Youth　3-3 (PSO 5-4) (1-1, 2-2, ext. 0-0, 0-0)　Yokohama F. Marinos Junior Youth Oppama

Yokohama F. Marinos Junior Youth Oppama (Kanto 4) went aggressively early on against Shimizu S- Pulse Junior Youth (Tokai 1), who were seeking their third title of the season. But their efforts did not reach a cross ball or shot. Conversely, Shimizu picked up the momentum. In the 22nd minute, AOSHIMA Kenta sneaked into the box and headed home SUZUKI Mizuki's early cross. Refreshing their mind immediately, F. Marinos Oppama created a chance after four minutes through a throw-in on the right flank. IDE Shintaro put home a cross to help his team finish the first half at 1-1.

The second half also saw Marinos' never-give-up spirit yield positive results. Despite giving up two goals four minutes into the second half including Aoshima's second goal of the match, Marinos rallied back immediately. The Yokohama side intensified defensive challenges on the ball and individual attacking efforts. In the 47th minute, Ide closed a gap to one when he fired a blast into the opposite side of the net after dribbling from the left side. Ide broke through the left flank again three minute later, setting up BROWNE Noah Kenshin's goal with an accurate pass to help his team get back on level terms at 3-3. Shimizu gradually enhanced attacking pressure, but the score remained the same before the match entered extra time.

Four minutes into extra time, substitute NUNOKATA Tomu's shot hit off the cross bar, which was actually the last shot taken by the Oppama side. Then, Shimizu picked up the momentum and kept attacking to score a goal. But Shimizu's shot attempts in the extra time was also counted only one. And their battle against Marinos and their tenacious defence was left to a penalty shootout. After each team missed one, Shimizu's goalkeeper ISHII Hyuma parried Marinos' sixth attempt away, leading his team to win a close, heated match. Shimizu reached their first final since 2000 when they won the title.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Match 2

Shonan Bellmare U-15 Hiratsuka　0-6 (0-2, 0-4)　Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-15

In this match, Shonan Bellmare U-15 Hiratsuka (Kanto 7) and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-15 (Hokkaido 1) squired off each other for the final spot, which was for the first time for the former and for the first time after seven years for the latter. Shonan showed their momentum early on. The ball and players went forward with aggressive shooting attempts. Sapporo held on for most of the time, and their endurance finally paid off in the 38th minute. Sapporo intercepted a ball and moved it left to right. With that effort, Consadole sent Shonan the wrong way, and right full-back TOKUNO Souki passed the ball to the centre. OYAMADA Ryo received it and threaded a through ball to his partner YAMATO Ren, who rounded the goalkeeper to net the opening goal. Sapporo extended their lead to two within the first half when SUZUKI Yuma kicked an added-time corner into the net with his right foot at the end.

In the 42nd minute just after halftime, Shonan's MAKITA Rikuto fired a shot that went inches over the bar. Then Sapporo went further ahead one minute later. Yamato tapped in a deflection of SAKASHITA Keigo's shot off the post to make it 3-0. Shonan tried to rally back and erase the big deficit, but Sapporo's two strikers continued their outstanding performance. After Yamato completed a hat-trick in the 51st minute and Oyamada tallied brace, both got off the pitch. All Sapporo players including substitutes kept putting pressure on a ball holder and running for offence and defence. Holding out against Shonan's late attacks, Sapporo secured a final berth with a 6-0 rout.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

The final will kick off at 13:00 on Wednesday 28 at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

TSUTSUI Noriaki, Coach (Yokohama F. Marinos Oppama)
We wanted to move the ball a bit more but were able to show such plays at least at key moments. Thinking about the flow of the game, we could have been in a tougher situation when we gave up goals early in the second half, but we came back with two goals. We were able to show this year's strengths of our team which is our upfront players leading the team. Getting used to a match at stages is also what we got better at in his tournament. Just like the late phase of the league, my players were confident today when stepping on the pitch.

AOSHIMA Kenta (Shimizu S-Pulse Junior Youth)
When I scored the opening goal, (Suzuki) Mizuki gave me a cross just like we were talking about during training. Talking about the second goal, (KAWAMOTO) Riyo worked well to gather the opposing players on a side and sent the ball to the opposite side. I just tapped it in. Third graders are all skilled, and I'm trying to keep up with them as a second grader. Running for the third graders, I hope to get involved in a goal even though it is not my goal. I want to win the final at any cost, and hopefully I can score and help the third graders. My strength is stamina, so I will keep running for the team.

UKISHIMA Bin, Coach (Shonan Bellmare U-15 Hiratsuka)
Maybe our winning attitude for the semi-final was too strong, and we lost a balance and ended up conceding goals. We started off well. And the first goal we gave up was similar to the ones we had, and it was not a problem. But after the opponents scored from a corner at the end of the first half, we started pushing ourselves for attacking. And when our defence got sloppy, they found a gap to attack. My players must have learned a lot of things from the loss. In this developmental phase, they learn something out of not only a win but a loss. I would like to appreciate tournament officials for giving us this great opportunity to play.

YAMATO Ren (Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-15)
Both teams were as good as each other, and this win was up for grabs. So we wanted to score first. Even while we allowed them to attack in the first half, we kept a picture in our mind to create a chance by robbing the ball in defence and sending it forward. It's my first hat-trick. I scored this many goals, and it's my all-time best game. I think my team have grown as well. The final will be a close game, so we will play all out, and hopefully I can help my team win. It will be the last match to play with third grade teammates, so I want to win in the final.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Quarter-final highlights

Shimizu S- Pulse Junior Youth (Tokai 1/Shizuoka) vs Yokohama F. Marinos Junior Youth Oppama (Kanto 4/Kanagawa)

Shonan Bellmare U-15 Hiratsuka (Kanto 7/Kanagawa) vs Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-15 (Hokkaido 1)

28th Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Tournament

2016-12-17(Sat.)～2016-12-28(Wed.)
First Round～Quarter-finals：Various Stadiums in Ibaraki Prefecture
Semi-finals～FinalAjinomoto Field Nishigaoka(Tokyo)
Tournament Information
Fixtures and Results (Japanese version only)