Pick-up Match

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth　1-2（1st 1-1, 2nd 0-1）　Vissel Kobe U-18

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) met Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) on Wednesday 6 May in the 5th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST.

Kobe created the first goal-scoring opportunity at the beginning. As Noda Satoru, the head coach, pointed out: ‘the combination of Noda Tatsuki and Kaneda Takumi balanced our team well’, these two players initiated the attack and passed the ball around rhythmically, taking the initiative. After 14 minutes, Fujitani So, who reacted to a through ball from the centre, crossed the ball in front of the goal. Then Nohara Kenta took a shot with a loose ball from Hiroshima’s goalkeeper. Although once it was saved by the defender, Nohara picked it up again, striking the opener. In the 30th minute, Nohara faced the goalkeeper one-on-one and struck at goal again, but pushed it wide of the posts. Despite the fact Hirashima had been pressed most of the time, they never wasted their one goal-scoring opportunity. After 37 minutes, Naganuma Yoichi scored from a penalty kick, levelling the game.

The game, which went into the second half at 1-1, continued in the same vein. Kobe kept pressing Hiroshima. After 56 minutes, Kaneda, who received the ball in the centre from the left side, passed a through ball towards the space on the right. Fujitani ran towards it and struck a long-distance shot with his left foot. As Fujitani later noted: ‘as soon as I saw the shot, I knew I had done it’. It found the net, stretching Kobe’s lead again. Hiroshima had to do something. Kawamoto Keita, who came off the bench, initiated the attack. In the 84th minute, Kawamoto got through the centre, passing the ball to the left penalty area. Kato Mutsuki, who reacted to it, aimed at the goal, only for it to hit the goalposts. The loose ball was taken by Kobe’s defenders and Hiroshima couldn’t take a shot. Although Hiroshima stayed hungry for goals, the score stayed as it was. Kobe won the match 2-1. Fujitani from Kobe commented: ‘today’s victory is essential.’

Head Coaches' Comments

SAWADA Kentaro, Head Coach（Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth）
In the way we conceded goals, one could see our current situation. Despite the numerical advantage in front of the goal, we couldn’t keep them out of the goal enough. We survived until now thanks to some nice saves from the goalkeeper, but when we play against a high-quality team, we just can’t avoid conceding goals any more. We’ve been practicing to defend with one more step or one more effort. However, we couldn’t show what we learned on the big stage. In terms of the attack, we tended to rely on long-distance balls. It’s not too bad, but we need more context-sensitive attacking tactics.

NODA Satoru, Head Coach（Vissel Kobe U-18）
Although we passed the ball around very well, occasionally we couldn’t play systematically enough against the opponent’s game and couldn’t keep out the pressure now and then. As a result, we were pressed at the end of the first half. As we kept our eyes on Kato Mutsuki, who’s very good at getting through, our two centre backs could defend him well in time. Another victory after the last Sec. gave the players more confidence. Now we can see our attacking style, and I can say our quality has improved.

Other results

Higashi Fukuoka High School　2-0（1st 2-0, 2nd 0-0）　Riseisha High School
Oita Trinita U-18　1-0（1st 1-0, 2nd 0-0）　Cerezo Osaka U-18
Nagoya Grampus U18　1-3（1st 1-2, 2nd 0-1）　Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18
Gamba Osaka Youth　3-2（1st 2-1, 2nd 1-1）　Kyoto Tachibana High School

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) met Riseisha High School (Osaka), both of whom are members of the all Japan High School Athletic Federation. Higashi Fukuoka won the match, keeping a two-goal lead from the first half. Higashi Fukuoka has not lost a game since the 2nd Sec. In the match between Oita Trinita Youth U-18 (Oita) and Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka), after four minutes, Asahara Naoya struck a deciding goal to lead Oita to a victory. The winning streak of Cerezo Osaka, witch has lasted since the opening match, was interrupted after four matches. Both Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) and Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) played for their first victory. Kyoto scored three goals, starting with Takaichi Jota’s shot, and won the match. Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto) levelled the game after Gamba Osaka Youth’s (Osaka) two-goal lead. However, Takeda Taichi from Gamba Osaka struck another goal in the 69th minute, and won the match 3-2.