Pick-up Match
Shimizu S-pulse Youth vs Kashima Antlers Youth

Matchday 15 of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST will be held on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October. On the latter date, Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka) will face Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) at Shimizu S-pulse Miho Ground in Shizuoka prefecture.

Shimizu was beaten by Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) in the previous match 2-3 after posting three consecutive win before this match. They now have a slim chance to win the title. Since they do not face the risk of relegation either, this match is a “very difficult one for the players to keep a high level of motivation”, according to the team’s coach, HIRAOKA Hiroaki.

However, for senior players this is one of the precious official matches before graduation, and for younger players this is one of the best chances to appeal their play for the future. Given the limited time they have together, we cannot wait to see how they will play this weekend as a team.

On the other hand, eighth-placed Kashima facing relegation is in poor form with 1 win and 4 losses in the recent 5 matches. Coach KUMAGAI Koji says: “compared to the first half of the season, they are making progress, but cannot attain the positive results.” In their previous encounter against Shimizu, they lost 0-1 by conceding a goal from a set piece. The coach further states, “keeping a high level of concentration throughout the match is essential. The team with fewer mistakes will win the contest”.

The match of these two contrasting teams will kick off at 14:00.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

HIRAOKA Hiroaki, Coach (Shimizu S-pulse Youth)
Kashima is famous for their resilience and consistency, so we will have to compete tenaciously and win the battles for the ball. Reviewing the recent matches—Yokohama FM on the 13th and Omiya on the 14th matchday—we allowed the opponents to score within the first 10 minutes. It is crucial for us to enter the match with a high level of concentration. The players have been more confident especially in offence. Now we need to focus on managing the risks, attending to the opponents’ quick counter-attacks. I believe that we have more chances to win if we pay attention to details, including defending against set plays.

MOCHIZUKI Riku (Shimizu S-pulse Youth)
Our strength is attacking from the sides. I believe that we are among the best and we do want to perform better than any team in the league. Kashima are excellent in set plays and battles for the ball. Not allowing the opponents to play to their strength will be the key to winning the match. Personally, I want to play aggressively when facing the defender one-on-one. By bring up the ball to the opponents’ goal, I want to create scoring opportunities and actually score from them.

I’m excited to play in this Premier League because we can grow as a team by competing against the top-level teams every weekend. We can improve with every match, even if we lose. I have been enjoying football.

KUMAGAI Koji, Coach (Kashima Antlers Youth)
Now, we are currently in eighth place, and the difference between the ninth-placed Niigata and us is merely 6 points. We will do everything we can do to avoid the relegation by winning the next match. Staying in the league has been our aim since the beginning of the season. I always tell the players, “let us make the best preparation possible, even if the result does not follow. We must accept the result and move forward”. Despite the current standing, the players are working hard and giving their best efforts. Rather than thinking too much about the recent results, we want to carry on working hard and preparing well.

MATSUURA Koyo (Kashima Antlers Youth)
We work hard in developing the basic. Among those are running, raising our voices, competing (until the end), and making quick transitions between offence and defence. One of our strengths is that we give all we have each day. In the match against Shimizu, I will focus on how to stop the forward players and score from set plays.

Premier League has provided me with the opportunity to experience long-distance travels and spend overnight away from home to compete the weekend matches. I have been enjoying playing home and away games throughout this year.

Shimizu S-pulse Youth vs Kashima Antlers Youth
Date：Sun. October 2 (kick-off 14:00)
Venue：Shimizu S-pulse Miho Ground
Directions：Take the Shizutetsu Just Line Bus from JR Line “Shimizu Station” or Shizuoka Railway “Shin-Shimizu Station” and get off at “S-Pulse Practice Entrance Water Bus Stop”.  Aprrox. 3-minute walk from the bus stop.

Premier League EAST Matchday 15

10/1
11:00　Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa（Funabashi City Field/Grasspo）
11:00　Yokohama F・Marinos Youth vs Aomori Yamada High School（Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium）
13:00　Omiya Ardija Youth vs 柏Kashiwa Reysol U-18（NACK5 Stadium Omiya）

10/2
11:00　Albirex Niigata U-18vs F.C. Tokyo U-18 （Niigata Seiro Sports Center Albillage）

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) is currently 5 points behind the league leader Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori). For the next match, Ichiritsu Funabashi will face Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) at home. They need to beat league-bottom Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa to continue their quest for the league title.

Aomori Yamada will play against Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) on the road. Aomori Yamada was beaten by Yokohama FM in the previous match at home. Check out how the team will perform this time.  

Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) tries to post three consecutive wins by beating Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) in the next match. 

Second-place F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) will play away from home against Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata) on Sunday. F.C. Tokyo has the chance clinching the top spot, if they win the match and Aomori Yamada loses their match on Saturday.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Highlights from Matchday 14

More Information