Pick-up Match
Shimizu S-pulse Youth vs Omiya Ardija Youth

The 8th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST will be held on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July. Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka) will play against Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) at the S-pulse Miho Ground in Shizuoka on Saturday.

Shimizu, who are currently sitting in fourth place with 11 points, won an upset victory against Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) in the previous Sec. and earned three points. They have won three games with the same score 1-0, which shows their tenacious playing style.

The team’s strength is to counter-attack while defending solidly. The coach HIRAOKA Hiroaki commented with satisfaction: ‘the players could fire in shots’, as they took 17 shots in the previous Sec. He also commented: ‘close and exciting games in the Premier League nurture the players. I expect every player will focus on the accuracy of their shots.’

Omiya, who will play an away game, have been performing well with three wins and one draw since the fourth Sec. The coach OTSUKA Shinji pointed out the previous problem: ‘when in defence, the attackers and defenders couldn’t share the same vision.’ The team conceded nine goals in three matches after the curtain-up, which let them learn their tasks. The players and the staff worked on improving their problems.

As the coach Otsuka mentioned: ‘the players gradually became less self-serving, thinking of the team’s victory first’, the team played patiently against Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) in the previous Sec. to win the game 1-0. Although the team once sat in ninth place, they are currently in sixth place, staying more ambitious. 

Coach and Players' Comments

HIRAOKA Hiroaki, Coach (Shimizu S-pulse Youth)
As Omiya have been performing well, it’s essential for us to defend solidly, waiting for our opportunity to attack. The coordination among the players has got much smoother compared to early matches in the league, and we’d like to improve the accuracy in front of goal. We aimed to earn more than 23 points, which we need in order to remain in the league. We are currently on 11. So we are determined to earn three points in each coming game. Since there are upset matches among top and middle teams, we’ll aim to win consecutive games, not losing one, so that we can move up a rank. 

TATSUTA Yugo (Shimizu S-pulse Youth)
Our strength is in the speed of the players up front and hard plays from us all. I believe that set pieces will be essential in the match against Omiya. Our stamina, which lets us run until the final whistle, will also be vital and may decide the game in this kind of heat. Personally, I’d like to contribute to the team with headers and long-distance balls as a defender. As I haven’t scored this year yet, I’ll look for goals. 

OTSUKA Shinji, Coach (Omiya Ardija Youth)
The players have been thinking to themselves about how to play to win in recent several games, rather than just following the staff’s request. That shows their improvements in both attack and defence. All we need in the match against Shimizu is keep our positive momentum. Despite the opponent’s excellent skills and stamina to run until the final whistle, we’d like to stay competitive. We’ll prepare well to eliminate the opponent’s strength, so that we can play our style.

KITANISHI Masayuki (Omiya Ardija Youth)
Our strength is to use counter-attacks effectively and to stay competitive in 1-on-1, which we focused on improving during the break, as well as to keep possession, which we have been practicing. I’d like to play hard as a united team in the game against Shimizu without being satisfied with our current points. Personally, I’d like to stay unbeaten near the ball in the air. I hope I can contribute to the team by keeping a clean sheet just like the previous Sec. I believe we can improve ourselves as an individual and as a team through tough games every week in the Premier League.

Shimizu S-pulse Youth  vs  Omiya Ardija Youth
Date: Sat. 9 July　kick-off 16:00
Venue: Shimizu S-pulse Miho Ground
Access: Three-minute walk from Shizutetsu Justline bus stop ‘S-pulse practice ground entrance/water-bus stop’, which runs from ‘Shimizu Station' (JR) or ‘Shin-Shimizu Station'(Shizuoka Railway).

Premier League EAST Match Day 8

7/9
15:00　Albirex Niigata U-18 vs Aomori Yamada High School (Denka Big Swan Stadium)
15:30　Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Funabashi City Field/Grasspo)

7/10
11:00　Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa vs Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Kashiwanoha Park Stadium)
14:00　Yokohama F・Marinos Youth vs Kashima Antlers Youth (Nissan Field Kozukue)

Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori), which ended up with a draw in the previous Sec., will play an away game against Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata). The team will throw everything into it, as the coach KURODA Go noted: ‘this match will be vital for us, although some of our players have picked up injuries.’

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) are ahead on goal difference against Aomori Yamada, and are currently in the lead. They will meet F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) in third place at home, staying eager to win the coming game. 

The match between Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) and Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) is also a must-see. Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa, who finally earned their first victory of this season in the previous Sec., are looking for more points.

Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) will meet Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki), aiming to win consecutive games for the first time this season.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Match Day 7 Digest

More information