The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST enters its 14th week on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.
Six-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) will meet Toyama Daiichi High School (Toyama). “Our backline has defended very well. Me and offensive end need to make it,” said Hiroshima’s Kato Mutsuki. They aim to break through Toyama Daiichi’s defence, which Toyama Daiichi’s Murakami Hirokazu said of, “their understanding of tactics has improved since this summer.”

The key point at the match between Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto) and Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) would be Kyoto Tachibana’s game management, as head coach Yonezawa Kazunari saying “In summer we tried to play different football depending on each situation.” If they can keep the initiative with their crisp passes and hold off Cerezo Osaka’s solo attacks mostly led by Takada Kazuya, Kyoto Tachibana may be able to grasp their first ever win in the league.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka), who will welcome Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) at home, have only obtained two wins in the eight matches against J.League’s club academies. As Nakajima Kensei said “their overall quality is better than us.” Kyushu’s top high school football team want to overcome the negative feeling toward J.League organisations.

League leaders Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) look to keep the top spot at the contest against Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto), who have been unbeaten in the recent eight matches. As Gamba Osaka’s captain Hayashi Mizuki said “our biggest selling point is the offence,” they have tallied league-leading 37 goals. Hirao So and other three players scored goals in the last match and surely their offensive end has kept in good form. The opposing Kyoto have solid defence, conceding no multiple goals in the recent three matches. Their offensive hub Okugawa Masaya will be back from the Japan U-19 team at the next match. Kyoto appear to be able to take on Gamba Osaka in perfect form.

［Pick-up Match from WEST Week 14］
Higashiyama High School vs Nagoya Grampus U18

Two teams having lost three straight will square off to end the losing streak. Higashiyama High School (Kyoto) have scored goals in the eight straight matches and kept their form, yet they have not won any since the opening match. Head coach Fukushige Ryoichi pointed out their lack of concentration, saying “you won’t win when you make careless mistakes.” In the next march, they target for three points taking advantage of what they learned over the past matches. After finishing the first half of the season at the top spot, Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) messed up their defence. Their defence once was the best in the league, conceding the least goals, but they allowed 15 goals in the recent four matches. Now they settle for fourth place in the table. To get back on top, the defensive reconstruction is urgent. “Our strength is that we all help each other to get the ball at any cost,” said Fuke Noriki. You want to watch closely for their performance if the ex-leaders can halt the losing streak by regaining their original approach.

■Higashiyama High School vs Nagoya Grampus U18
Date: Saturday 20 September, kick-off at 11 am
Venue: Higashiyama High School Ground
Access: 15-minute walk from Subway Tozai Line “Ono Station”