Pick-up Match

Kashiwa Reysol U-18　0-1 (0-1, 0-0)　Shimizu S-Pulse Youth

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST had matchday 11 on 23 August, and Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) faced Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) at home. 

While both teams are in the middle of the competition and trying to squeeze into the top group, Kashiwa got the control of the match by having more ball possession in the 1st half. In the 8th minute, Kashiwa’s OTANI Kyohei made a beautiful trap to fend off Shimizu’s defenders and smashed a half volley shot with his right foot, but it only hit the post.

As the team’s coach SHIMOTAIRA Takahiro reviewed afterwards “we changed our side attacks to move forward,” Kashiwa pressured Shimizu with various attacks such as side-changes and moving the ball behind the defense.

However, Shimizu didn’t panic and responded calmly. The team coach HIRAOKA Hiroaki said, “We know each other well since this is the third time we have played them including the experience in Japan Club Youth (U-18) Football Championship”.

Shimizu’s 2 centre-back players MURAMATSU Kota and TAKEDA Natsuki, who joined in the team instead of TATSUTA Yugo who is currently joining in U-17 Japan National Team squad camp in Czech Republic, defended against Kashiwa’s attack with their high level of concentration.

Additionally, two top players FUKUI Yuhi and ONO Ryoma aggressively moved to steal possession and that successfully limited Kashiwa’s passing activities. Shimizu gradually got a rhythm in both offense and defense.

In the 28th minute, Shimizu scored; NUMANO Masaya made a sharp pass to the front of the goal and SUZUKI Kaito jumped onto the ball and smashed a shot which became the opener of the match.

In the 2nd half, Kashiwa’s attack kept being stopped by Shimizu’s defense which had improved their level of concentration. The Coach Hiraoka appreciated it by saying “Muramatsu and other defenders played with good confidence”.

Shimizu kept its stable and consistent defense and kept a clean sheet 1-0. The Shimizu’s players got a pep talk by the coach saying, “let us face this match just like we are playing in a tournament match.”

They responded to the coach’s expectation by keeping clean sheet in the first match after the break. On the other hand, Kashiwa’s coach Shimotaira said, “It was an unacceptable defeat.” For Kashiwa it was a bitter defeat by not being able to break Shimizu’s consistent defense.

Coach and Players' Comments

SHIMOTAIRA Takahiro, Coach (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
It was a miserable match for us. Even though we could begin the match in a good form, we allowed Shimizu to maximise their chance to score.

When Shimizu’s forward player cut on the cross, I just wanted the players who noticed that to tell the other players to defend it. In the 1st half they could play well changing side attacks, so we should have kept that approach. I want the players to be more confident.

HIRAOKA Hiroaki, Coach (SHIMIZU S-Pulse Youth)
What was important especially for the front players was to chase the opponent players even twice or three times, since we knew that they are good at keeping the ball. Takeda did very well to cover Tatsuta’s absence. Before the match I said, “To win this competition, we have to win all of the remaining matches.”

The players understood this and did well. I appreciate Muramatsu and Takeda’s strengths, and the forward players’ efforts especially when the opponents had the ball. They contributed well to this victory today.

SUZUKI Kaito (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth)
I could imagine how I’d play in higher position before and that helped me to score in the match. To get the ball as near to the goal as possible, I was always thinking about running to the space behind defenders once our teammates got the ball. When Numano got the ball, I trusted him that he’d pass to me.

My strength is running, so I just want to run well for the team. As a younger player, I’m happy to be a part of the team, but I have to be responsible for the result. I will play with strong sense of responsibility to bring victories to my team.

Other Matches

Consadole Sapporo U-18　1-1 (1-0, 0-1)　Kashima Antlers Youth
Ichiritsu Funabashi High School　0-1 (0-1, 0-0)　Omiya Ardija Youth
JFA Academy Fukushima　0-1 (0-0, 0-1)　Aomori Yamada High School
F.C. Tokyo U-18　0-1 (0-0, 0-1)　Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School

Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki), who had been the top until the previous match day, drew their match against Consadole Sapporo (Hokkaido) and that dropped them down to the 3rd place.

Instead, Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) moved to the top by keeping a clean sheet in their away match against Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba).

Aomori Yamada High School beat JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka) by one goal which was made by TAKAHASHI Issei in the 53rd minute. Aomori Yamada High School overtook Kashima in 2nd place.

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) beat F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) 1-0 and got its third win of this season. Their ranking has not been changed, but they extended points deference: 3 points against JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka) and 2 points against Consadole Sapporo (Hokkaido).