Pick-up Match
Aomori Yamada High School vs Ichiritsu Funabashi High School

The fourth matchday of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST are held on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, where Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) welcome Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) at home on Sunday.

After winning the first two matches of this young season, Aomori Yamada lost the last match to Kashiwa Reysol U-18 3-0. They now sit at fifth place in the league. As coach KURODA Go says, the team’s ideal style of football is “solid defence and fast attack”. Based on the core players, goalkeeper HIROSUE Riku, TAKAHASHI Issei and NARUMI Akito, all returning from the last year’s squad, first graders such as VASQUES BYRON are adding more variety to the team’s tactics.

Humble coach Kuroda says “Two wins out of the first three matches is more than what we are really capable of. Ichiritsu Funabashi are better than us overall,” but in the past two years, Aomori Yamada actually have a better head-to-head matchup record against Ichiritsu Funabashi, two wins, one loss and one draw. Also the fact that they are playing the upcoming match at home should work in their favour. Aomori Yamada last year won all of their nine home matches. It is interesting to see whether they can erase the bitterness from the last loss to Kashiwa by defeating their high-school rival Ichiritsu Funabashi.

On the other hand, Ichiritsu Funabashi are now in good form, enjoying the top of the standings with two wins and one draw. Coach ASAOKA Ryuzo hesitates to mention a bold target of this season, saying “Remaining in the league is the minimum we must achieve. After first five matchdays, we will set more detailed goals.” His implied confidence, however, showed when he added “Our defence has been stable again this year.”

In the first three matches, Ichiritsu Funabashi defence allowed only one goal in total. The trio of SUGIOKA Daiki, who also led their defence last year, HARA Teruki, and KOU Takahiro manning the anchor position is “so hard to break through” according to Asaoka. They are well capable of both taking your ball away and denying cross balls.

The battle between two high school powerhouses is certainly worth watching.

Coach and Players' Comments

KURODA Go, Coach (Aomori Yamada High School)
It’s not how we break down the opponents’ solid defence. It’s how we avoid us breaking down. Ichiritsu Funabashi are very good at attacking opponents off guard. So what we need to do is stay focused. We want to keep going without allowing any goal and we try to find counter-attack chances to get the win. For the rest of the season, I want my players to be mentally tough not to go down so easily and also to be resilient to come back and attack after getting attacked. It may take time, but I expect them to improve in all of mental, physical and technical aspects.

SUMINAGA Kakeru (Aomori Yamada High School)
Not to mention the transition between offence and defence, our best weapon is our strong will to win. It’s a battle between two high school teams, so I expect the match will be up-tempo one. But at the same time, I think set-pieces will also be important. My playing characteristics are I keep coaching other players all the time on defence and get the ball. On offence, it’s building and initiating attacks by feeding balls using my both feet. I am looking forward to seeing how we can match up against better opponents and get points.

Last year we ended up with the second place in the EAST, falling short for the championship. This year we go all out match in and match out, expecting to win the championship and celebrate with our coach Kuroda.

ASAOKA Ryuzo, Coach (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
I haven’t watched Aomori Yamada’s videos, so I can’t make any comments. But our key is whether we can break down their defence and score goals or not. There are things we still need to correct, but when I look at three matches into the season so far, I have a good feeling about ourselves like “we are somewhat good.” My players get ready for every match. And then they make sure to fight at any moment. So as long as we keep preparing ourselves, good results will follow and we will be ready to accept whatever results come around. I want my players to stay well prepared.

KOU Takahiro (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
First, against Aomori Yamada we will aim to show our strength of stamina, intensity on the ball and transition between plays. Then we also try to rob the ball as much as we can. After we get the ball, the key in the offence there is how our forwards can call for the ball. Moving without the ball is important. Every week we play against high-level teams and every match requires non-stop concentration. Those are making me realise the importance of getting highly prepared as at team and as a player. I look forward to seeing how much I can improve myself by going through such a year.

Aomori Yamada High School vs Ichiritsu Funabashi High School
Date: Sun. 1 May　kick-off 11:00
Venue: Aomori Yamada High School Ground
Access: Seven-minute walk after getting off city bus at “Sanwado Chuo-ten mae”

Premier League EAST Match Day 4

4/30
11:00　Kashima Antlers Youth vs Albirex Niigata U-18 (Kashima Stadium)

5/1
13:00　Omiya Ardija Youth vs Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School (NTT East Shiki Sogo Ground)
14:00　Yokohama F・Marinos Youth vs Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Nissan Field Kozukue)
15:00　Kashiwa Reysol U-18 vs F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Field)

Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata) who recorded their first-ever victory in the Premier League take on Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) at Kashima’s home for a winning streak.

Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) face Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba). Both teams have been winless in the past three matches and are desperate for the first three points to come back up in the standings.

Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) have conceded the league-best one total goal so far, the same as Ichiritsu Funabashi. They play against Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) on this matchday.

Second-placed Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) look to get third consecutive win by defeating F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo).

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Match Day 3 Digest

More information