Pick-up Match

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18　0-1 (0-1, 0-0)　Higashi Fukuoka High School

The 6th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST was held on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June. The match between Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) and Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) kicked off under a cool cloudy sky on 26 June.

MORIOKA Ryuzo, the coach of Kyoto, described Higashi Fukuoka as ‘one of the biggest club teams in U-18 generation in Japan.’ Kyoto, who were playing at home, prepared with detailed analysis, aiming to earn a victory. Although Kyoto created a goal-scoring opportunity from a set piece at the beginning of the game, the defenders blocked it.

Higashi Fukuoka, on the other hand, booked a place in the Inter-high school championships during the interval. The team prepared with a strong spirit for this match, as they failed to win four consecutive Kyushu championships. 

As TAKAE Reo later noted; ‘we played hard together, letting the opponent pass the ball around’, Higashi Fukuoka gradually dealt with Kyoto’s possession. After 25 minutes, the team intercepted the ball in the centre and sent the ball right, where SATO Ryoga, who reacted to a pass from the goal, faced the goalkeeper 1-on-1. Takae received a loose ball to slot into the goal, striking the opener. After succeeding in building their lead first after numerous attacks, Higashi Fukuoka continued to display their solid defence in 1-on-1. The score stayed the same until halftime.

It was sunny in the second half, and the players had to struggle with the heat. Although Kyoto, who were playing more in the opponent’s area, created goal-scoring opportunities from the wings, they could not find the back of the net. Higashi Fukuoka also continued to play hard, showing off their strong defence, but found it difficult to add to the scoreline. Towards the end of the game, Higashi Fukuoka did not let Kyoto have any more opportunities, keeping possession to sustain their lead. Higashi Fukuoka won the game 1-0, and earned three points.

Coach and Players' Comments

MORIOKA Ryuzo, Coach (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18)
I wish we had beaten Higashi Fukuoka, who have more players and staff, to bring us more confidence. Having said that, I believe we didn’t let them take a shot in the second half, and I’d like to point out that the players performed well in general. They tried out what we had been practicing and played positively both in attack and defence. What we need is to create more opportunities and improve the accuracy of plays prior to the last shot. Although we are yet to earn our first victory in the Premier League, their performance is getting better for sure.

TANAKA Kosuke (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18)
The opponent is one of the strongest team in Japan, who had won two titles – the ones in the summer and winter. That made us more determined to beat them. They were excellent not only in 1-on-1 without the ball, but also playing tenaciously, which was different from other youth teams from the J.League. We need to become individually more competitive to raise the level of this team. I really want to win against them next time. I do feel responsible as a captain, because we have never gone this long without a victory. I’d like to stay more vocal even after conceding a goal to cheer up the team. 

MORISHIGE Junya, Coach (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
Most of the matches in the Inter-high school championships prefectural qualifiers are 70 minutes long. As the players seem to be tired due to consecutive games and they had to play 90-minute match today, I sent them on to the pitch, saying: ‘don't’ defeat yourselves!’ We finished the first half with a one-goal lead. Ideally we would have scored another in the second half to finish the game, but instead, the players played hard, defending with everything. I’d like to point out that we kept a clean sheet. 

KODAMA Shintaro (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
It was good that we could strike the opener in the first half, finding the momentum for us. So we could start the second half well. I’m also glad we sustained our lead. As the Premier League is higher level than high-school football and I occasionally let the opponent get through me so easily, I really focused on defence. We didn’t have much time after the Kyushu championship before today’s game; all of us were tired due to consecutive games. Having said that, as we failed to win the Kyushu championship, we were motivated and determined to win today to build up positive momentum. 

Other Matches

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth　3-1 (2-0, 1-1)　Gamba Osaka Youth
Vissel Kobe U-18　1-0 (0-0, 1-0)　Oita Trinita U-18
Nagoya Grampus U18　3-4 (2-1, 1-3)　Ozu High School
Cerezo Osaka U-18　4-0 (2-0, 2-0)　Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) scored two goals in the first half, and beat Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka), who were in the lead, 3-1 in the end. G Osaka are now in third place.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) managed to sustain a one-goal lead with a shot from NAGASAWA Ryosuke in the second half, and beat Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita), earning three points.

Ozu High School (Kumamoto), who played against Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi), attacked fiercely in the second half, winning a close match 4-3.

Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) were in second place, but won a sweeping victory against Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Hyogo) 4-0 with NAKAJIMA Motohiko’s two goals, reaching the top.

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