Pick-up Match

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School　2-1 (0-0, 2-1)　Consadole Sapporo U-18

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League, which had had a short break during the regional qualifiers for the 94th national high school football championship and J. Youth Cup, resumed as the 16th leg of the Premier League East on 22 November. A ninth-place Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School (Chiba), took on Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido), who were in the eighth place.

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa is below Sapporo by one point in the standings and would get out of the demotion group with the win. It was an important game for Sapporo as well as they could go all the way down to the bottom of the standings depending on what would happen to JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka). After all, both teams played all out, showcasing their determinations for the win.

It was Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa that seized the pace early in the first half. They created their offence around HONDA Kenya and TOGASHI Kazuki, both of who played at the back of the midfield. On 16th minute, KANETA Atomu dropped a cross from the right and SUGAWARA Shunpei took a shot. But it was saved by Sapporo goalkeeper SAKURABA Riki. Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa's Togashi created another critical scoring opportunity, but Sakuraba again saves the goal behind him on 32nd.

Into the second half with a 0-0 score, Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa coach HONDA Yuichiro made some personnel moves. He switched the two guys up front Sugawara and Kaneta with MATSUMOTO Masaya and a first-year student KONDO Jun to give some change offensively. Then, the switches paid off quickly. Matsumoto headed a corner kick from the left into the goal to take a lead on 50th minute.

It gave Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa some momentum and they began their assault. Sapporo changed their system from the second half, trying to possess the ball at higher spots, but they were forced back by Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa. Yet they still managed to survive Ryutsukeizai's attacks around goalkeeper Sakuraba. On 81st, SUGA Daiki, who reacted to ANDA Rai's through pass, netted an equalizer.

But as coach Honda said that it would be an end for his team and they were desperate to win it, Ryutsukeizai sent a tall player HAMANO Shungo and increased their attacking strength further. On 89th minute, Hamano won a battle in the air in front of the Sapporo goal, and Kondo fired a blazing shot in to the goal to give Ryutsukeizai a game-winning score.

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa, who posted a 2-1 win over Consadole, accumulated three points and succeeded to get out of the demotion range. Sapporo, meanwhile, dropped into the demotion range. Yet the point gaps between the two clubs are just two. Tough battles are expected moving forward.

Coach and Players' Comments

HONDA Yuichiro, Coach (Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School)
We've had many games that we ended up losing in the last few seconds left, but it's been a while that we were actually the winning side. It was a must-win game for us today, and it's big that we were able to take it. If we had lost, we probably couldn't have had a chance to remain in the division.

Since we lost in the Chiba qualifying for the national championship, I believe that our players switched their minds, but we are still not in a situation that we have a breathing room, so we would certainly like to play our game in the remaining two games and stay in the top division.

KONDO Jun (Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School)
Once I'd get in the field, I thought I should score. I was put in the bench all of a sudden this morning and was sent onto the pitch in the second pitch, so it was a series of surprise for me, but I was able to set my mindset. Because the tall Hamano came on as a substitute, I was able to focus on picking up the second balls that he'd drop, and it was easier for me to play. On the game-winning goal, it was just the ball came to a right spot and I just had to kick it as hard as possible.

KAWAGUCHI Takuya, Coach (Consadole Sapporo U-18)
Our opponents had a driving force, so we tried to scoop loose balls in the mid field and have out attacks. But we ended up allowing goals on long balls and corner kicks. We tied with nine minutes left and had some momentum going, but weren't able to add another. For us, as a team that emphasizes on possessions, Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa was a difficult opponent to play. We would like to play in the way we've played all year in the remaining two games.

Other Matches

Aomori Yamada High School　3-0 (2-0, 1-0)　Shimizu S-Pulse Youth
Ichiritsu Funabashi High School　2-1 (0-1, 2-0)　JFA Academy Fukushima
F.C. Tokyo U-18　0-0 (0-0, 0-0)　Omiya Ardija Youth
Kashima Antlers Youth　2-1 (0-0, 2-1)　Kashiwa Reysol U-18

Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) took advantage of a pair of goals from NARUMI Akito and defeated Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka), staying on top of the standings.

A second-place Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) edged Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) at home also, gaining a momentum toward their next game against Aomori Yamada for the top spot next leg.

NAGATO Ayumu scored a game-winning goal to help Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) past JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka).

Ichiritsu Funabashi (Chiba) have now move up to the third place past Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama). Omiya drew with F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) and it's put them in a severer situation as their point gap with the league-leading Aomori Yamada became six.

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