The 8th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST will be held on Saturday 4 July and Sunday 5 July.

Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) will meet Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo). Both teams could not win a match in the previous Sec., when the league restarted, and are looking at a victory in this Sec. HATSUSE Ryo commented about Gamba Osaka: “the team is well balanced in attack and defence.” 

NODA Tatsuki, on the other hand, noted about Kobe: “we keep possession to initiate the attack.” We must keep our eyes on the match between these two teams from Kansai.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka), who are currently sitting in fourth place, will play Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima), who are in seventh. Higashi Fukuoka tend to defend solidly to wait for an opportunity for a counter-attack, whereas Hiroshima “need to improve their defence”, as NAGASAKA Yoshiki pointed out. 

Although the current condition of these teams is different, both focus on defence. The team with fewer mistakes may win the game.

Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) will meet Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto). Oita, who are newcomers in the Premier League, have played very well, winning against Higashi Fukuoka in the previous Sec. They have been keeping their positive momentum after the restart of the league. 

MORIOKA Ryuzo, the head coach of Kyoto, on the other hand, commented on the team, showing his satisfaction: “the back-up players are devoted to practice sessions, building a good atmosphere for the team.” In this Sec. the team will be united again to win consecutive games. 

Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto), who are sitting in eighth, will play against Riseisha High School (Osaka), who are in tenth. Both teams need to have a good content of the game, let alone the result, to spark a comeback in the league. As both have conceded many goals so far, they would like to keep a clean sheet in the game. 

The performance of each team’s captain – OGAWA Reita (Kyoto Tachibana) and YASUDA Hiroto (Riseisha), both of whom are in charge of the defensive lines, can be vital. 

【Pick-up Match of WEST Matchday 8】
Cerezo Osaka U-18 vs. Nagoya Grampus U18

Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka), who won the championship last year and are sitting in first place this season as well, will meet Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi), who finally won a game for the first time in the previous Sec, at home. 

Although C Osaka just made significant changes to the team, their strategy stays the same, just like OKUMA Yuji, the head coach noted: “even if the line-up changes, what needs to be done is the same.” They have scored most and conceded the least in the league with their aggressive style both in attack and defence. They will aim to continue in the same way in this Sec.

KITANO Seiya commented about Nagoya: “we didn’t play well as a team, depending instead on individual performances.” The team didn’t get good results in the beginning, but are gradually improving on their problems through as the matches go on. In terms of attack, as they have scored in every single match so far, the result of the game may be up to the defensive line – whether they can keep a clean sheet or not.

Cerezo Osaka U-18 vs. Nagoya Grampus U18
Date：Sunday 5 July, Kick-off at 5:00 p.m.
Venue：Cerezo OSAKA Maishima Ground
Access：Very close from a city bus stop “Maishima Chuo”, which run from Nishikujō Station (JR Kanjo Line)
Access to the stadium (Japanese version only)

Premier League WEST Matchday 8 Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July

7/4
18:00　Gamba Osaka Youth  vs  Vissel Kobe U-18（Gamba Osaka Practice Fields）
7/5
11:00　Higashi Fukuoka High School  vs  Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth（Higashi Fukuoka High School）
11:00　Oita Trinita U-18  vs  Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18（oita-sportspark）
15:00　Kyoto Tachibana High School  vs  Riseisha High School（Kyoto Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium Sub-ground）
17:00　Cerezo Osaka U-18  vs  Nagoya Grampus U18（Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground）