The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League has WEST’s Week 15 on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September.

Ninth-placed Higashiyama High School (Kyoto) take on Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka), who have not won the last three league matches. Both sides understand their issues as Higashiyama’s Fukushige Eiki says “we tend to collapse once conceding a goal,” and Higashi Fukuoka’s Ogasawara Keisuke says “we play inactively at the beginning of a match.” The team overcoming the issue appears to get close to a victory.

After ending their losing skid last week, Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) face Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto). To survive in the title race, they want another three points. Let’s see if Nagoya can halt attacks of Kyoto Tachibana led by Ono Kenya and Sento Hiroki returning from injury.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) welcome fifth-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) at home. Kobe had troubled with a string of injuries in the early stage of the season, yet they moved up to third place with seven straight wins after Week 8 when core players returned to the squad. “We can be more competitive when players understand the team concept,” says head coach Noda Satoru. As Kobe players say “we try to look at forwards once getting the ball,” with their speedy attacks, Kobe look to take the points from Hiroshima.

While last week Kyoto Sanga F.C U-18 (Kyoto) marked the first loss in the last nine matches, head coach Kawakatsu Hiroyasu says “we play not too bad. We are going to continue this form and improve the quality of play.” Their opposition is Toyama Daiichi High School (Toyama). As Nishimura Takuma says “the football we are aiming at has become clear,” they have built shared understanding within the team. Both teams aim for a victory as sticking to their own belief.

[Pick-up Match of WEST Week 15]
Cerezo Osaka U-18 vs Gamba Osaka Youth

Two Osaka’s teams go head-to-head. As second-placed Cerezo Osaka have took advantage of their own style, “Making transitions between offence and defence as quickly as possible and then attacking from the high position,” saying Takada Kazuya, they have managed to add up points despite being forced to play tough matches. Against the opposition Cerezo defeated in all three Premier League meetings, they try to notch another victory. League-leading Gamba Osaka kept their form, winning four straight matches. With the good balance between offence scoring league-leading 39 goals and defence led by Maetani Takahiro, Gamba do not allow any gap for oppositions to sneak in. With Hayashi Mizuki saying “we all know we can get close to the trophy if we win next,” everyone understands the importance of the upcoming contest. The Osaka derby is likely to be a heated battle where the two teams fight for a slender victory.

Cerezo Osaka U-18 vs Gamba Osaka Youth
Date: Saturday 27 September, kick-off at 5 pm
Venue: Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground
Access: Take City Bus from JR Osaka Loop Line “Nishikujo” Station to “Maishima Chuo” stop