There are only three matchdays remaining in the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST as the Matchday 16 will be held for three days starting from Saturday 21 November.

League leaders Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) at home. As Gamba’s coach UMEZU Hironari says “regardless of what our opponents do, we just have to play well. We have figured that out along the way,” they have grown confident now heading into the third term. With their explosive attacking side tallying the 35 total goals, tied for league best, they look to defeat Hiroshima whom they ended up drawing with in their last match-up.

Fourth-placed Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) will play against their Kyushu rival and currently second-placed Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka). Oita have not given up their hope for winning the championship despite the ongoing losing streak. YOSHIHIRA Tsubasa says “Now that we have come this far, we are aiming for the championship." The key for the next match is how to defend against Fukuoka who have won the last three straight matches by scoring 12 goals during that stretch.

In the second half of the season, Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) have been struggling with their record being two wins and four losses. Trusted defender SHOJI Honoya has returned from his injury and is expected to lead Cerezo’s defence in this matchday to turn the tide around. But it is no easy task for them to hold the opponents Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) and their trademark of possession football. 

So-called Kyoto Derby will be played between two Kyoto clubs, ninth-placed Kyoto Tachibana High School and Kyoto Sanga FC. U-18. Struggling Kyoto Tachibana are desperate for another win. In order to recreate the last season’s dramatic ending in which they finished the first half winless and came back up to escape the relegation, it is necessary to record the first win against Kyoto Sanga in this season. 

[Pick-up Match - WEST Matchday 16]
Riseisha High School vs Nagoya Grampus U18

Another battle that will impact the relegation survival is the match-up between eighth-placed Riseisha High School (Osaka) and Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) sitting at the bottom of the standings. Riseisha had a difficult time early in the season with multiple injuries, but after key players came back, they have marked four wins and two losses so far in the second half of the season. Coach HIRANO Naoki says of his confidence “we can play evenly against J.League club teams, too.”

There is also a point to note about Riseisha. During the midseason break of the league, they failed to clinch the spot in the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament which the high school side had made two straight appearances until last year. It is yet uncertain whether they have positively overcome that heartbreak. 

Meanwhile Nagoya have had an undesirable season so far including the league-worst 45 total goals against. At the J Youth Cup held during the interval, they won the second place, which obviously they want to take advantage of for the resurgence in the league season. In order for Nagoya to surpass Reseisha, who have earned five more points and are currently staying out of the relegation range, Nagoya can never afford to miss this opportunity to beat Riseisha for adding three points. This battle to stay in the league for next season will be as much a must-see as the contests in the upper half of the league. 

Date: Sunday 22 November, Kick-off at 11:00
Venue: Riseisha Ibaraki Ground
Access: Near the Hankyu bus stop “Higashi-fukui 3 chome”, which runs from “Ibaraki” Station (JR Line) or “Ibaraki-shi” Station (Hankyu) . Approximately two kilometres to the north from “Ibaraki” IC of Meishin Expressway

Direction to venue (Japanese version only)

Premier League WEST Matchday 16

11/21 (Sat.)
15:00   Gamba Osaka Youth vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C. Youth (Gamba Osaka Training Field)
11/22 (Sun.)
11:00   Riseisha High School vs Nagoya Grampus U18 (Riseisha Ibaraki ground)
13:00   Oita Trinita U-18 vs Higashi Fukuoka High School (Oita Sports Park)
15:00   Cerezo Osaka U-18 vs Vissel Kobe U-18 (Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground)
11/23 (Mon.)
11:00   Kyoto Tachibana High School vs Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kameoka Sports Ground)

Share your humorous poem about football! (Japanese version only)