The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST enters its 14th week on Saturday 20 September.

There are plenty of intriguing matches coming up this weekend. After winning three matches in a row to climb up to the third place, Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) visit second-placed Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka) for a head-to-head contest. Kashima have added up points with their solid defence conceding only one goal in the recent three matches. If they win the next match, they will see Shimizu’s lead cut to two points. The opposition Shimizu want to avoid losing two straight matches to secure the position in the title race. Scoring first and taking their own pace will be the quick route to victory.

Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori), facing Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido), have been in form as they are in the midst of a four-match winning streak. Their strong offence is basically outstanding, and after working on set-plays in practice during the season break, they have scored goals efficiently. Sapporo, who currently have their points levelled with Aomori, their tenacious defence has stood out, keeping two clean sheets in the recent three matches. With holding their opponents scoreless again, they want to settle into their winning pattern to let Hirakawa Genki finish up their attack.

After Mitsubishi Yowa SC Youth (Tokyo) and Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) ended their losing skid last week, they face each other in the upcoming match. Both teams want to keep their momentum following up the win in a four-goal rout. Leaders Kashiwa want to stay in the championship race, while Mitsubishi Yowa is striving to remain in the Premier League. Both eye for the three points.

Tenth-placed Tokyo Verdy Youth (Tokyo) meet nine-placed JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka) at home. Tokyo Verdy organisation promoted two coaches from their youth team to their top team, Togashi Koichi as the head coach and Doi Yoichi as the goalkeeper coach. Whether players can keep themselves under control would be the key for the contest. The opposing Academy Fukushima have faced top contenders such as Shimizu and Kashiwa in the recent few matches. After their struggles in tough matches, they try hard to grab a win in the upcoming match. We will see which team can clutch three points to survive in the league.

［Pick-up Match from EAST Week 14］
Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School

Chiba’s top two prestigious high schools, leading the nation’s high school football, square off this weekend. Ichiritsu Funabashi High School won the first two matches of the second half, but have struggled to add up points as they lost to Aomori Yamada and Kashima in the recent two matches. Learning lessons from the last match where they only took three shots, they want to put more focus on their offence. Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School turned in two wins and three losses in the recent five matches. Their season has had a lot of ups and downs. When they cruised for victory, they allowed the opponents to cruise in the following match. As they lost to the rival 0-2 in the last match-up of these two teams, Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa are keen to get well-prepared for revenge.

■Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School
Date: Saturday 20 September, kick-off at 11 am
Venue: Funabashi Houden Park (Graspo)
Access: Take Keisei Bus from JR Nishi Funabashi Station or Musashino Line, Funabashi Houden Station to “Otsuka Glass”, and walk for one minute.
Take Community “Flower” Bus from Tobu Noda Line, Magomesawa Station to “Este City” and walk for three minutes.