The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST enters its 15th week on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September.

JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka) welcome Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) at home after beating Tokyo Verdy Youth (Tokyo) in the last match. JFA Academy have settled for ninth place, but they still have a chance to put pressure on teams at the middle positions in the table. Meanwhile Aomori Yamada have kept in form, winning the fifth straight match. Aomori’s high school have a good balance between offence and defence as they scored six goals and conceded only two goals in the recent five matches. “My players have high concentration and are very defensive-minded when attacking,” said head coach Kuroda.

Mitsubishi Yowa SC Youth (Tokyo) in the midst of relegation battle face Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba). Mitsubishi Yowa have struggled to earn points with no straight wins so far in this season, yet their tenacious fighting side is still alive and kicking. They had a close match against leaders Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) last week. It is worth watching how they can play against Ichiritsu Funabashi, who have been away from victory in the recent three matches as well as captain Fujii Taku is currently sidelined because of injury.

Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido) and Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) have been both upward as they lost only one match in the nine matches since the Week 6. Sapporo have outrun opponents and been successful in adding up winning points. Kashima also have kept their momentum wining four matches in a row as they kept second-placed Shimizu S-pulse quiet allowing only one shot for a 3-0 rout. The contest between teams who have flawless offence and defence appears to be a must-watch.

League leading Kashiwa apparently have an advantage in the contest against rock-bottom Tokyo Verdy as Kashiwa beat them 3-1 at the last match-up. Tokyo Verdy, however, cannot lose any more to survive in the Premier League. As they have suffered seven straight losses and conceded multiple goals in all the seven matches, the first thing they need to work on could be to organise their defence to lessen lost goals so that they could clinch the points.

［Pick-up Match of EAST Week 15］
Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School vs Shimizu S-pulse Youth

While Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School (Chiba) hold a school festival “Ryukisai” on the match day, they take on Shimizu on 27 September. The football contest is set to be part of Ryukisai. The school have been prepared early to gather spectators for the match against Shimizu. When Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa’s supporters, originally known as hot, are joined by additional spectators’ cheers, players’ motivation must further increase. The opposing Shimizu try to put down the cheers with their performance. To put pressure on leaders Kashiwa Reysol, Shimizu cannot miss out on any points. Not overwhelming by the atmosphere and keeping their concentration would be the short cut to victory.

■Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School vs Shimizu S-pulse Youth
Date: Saturday 27 September, kick-off at 1 pm
Venue: Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa High School Ground
Access: Walk for 12 minutes from Tobu Bus “Kashiwanoha Park” stop, or take Tobu Bus from Tobu Noda Line “Edogawadai” station’s East Exit to “Ryukeidai-kashiwa Koukou Mae”

First 300 comers will receive a tournament’s original neck strap!
Come and join us!