Pick-up Match

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18   0-2 (0-0, 0-2)   Cerezo Osaka U-18

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST Matchday 8 was held on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July as Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) played faced Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka).

As HIGA Michiyoshi later noted “we wanted to build momentum by beating the leader Cerezo,” Kyoto, who aimed to win their first victory this season, took the initiative at the beginning of the game. Both SHIMAMURA Takuya and TANAKA Kosuke on the wings initiated attacks and reacted to the opponent’s clear ball up front. In the 18th minute, Shimamura split the opponent’s defense to earn a corner, but ONISHI Koki’s header went over the bar. In the 24th minute, MITAJIRI Kazuya reacted to a long-distance pass from their half and got in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper MITSUFUJI Ryoya but denied by a superb save.

C Osaka had to stay resilient as they could take only one shot in the first half. However, the team gradually found their momentum by controlling the ball right before halftime. In the 49th minute, C Osaka created their first goal-scoring opportunity in the second half. The team stole the ball in their half and exploited the open space in the left side of the field. FUNATSU Naoki, dribbling towards the corner flag, sent a cross into the box toward MATSUOKA Daichi only to be denied by the goalkeeper WAKAHARA Tomoya. After 55 minutes, the team attacked once more from the left. After earning a corner with Funatsu’s shot, FUNAKI Kakeru, who came off the bench, reacted to NAKAJIMA Motohiko’s ball and headed home, striking the opener.

Although Kyoto wanted to get the momentum back, they had to concentrate mainly on defence, just as Shimaura mentioned “after the opener, the opponent completely controlled the game.” In the 62nd minute, Funaki headed home again from a corner to build a two-goal lead. Kyoto continued to play under pressure. In the 69 minute, Arimizu Aki created a goal-scoring opportunity. The score remained unchanged until the final whistle and C Osaka won the game 2-0 stretching their winning streak to four matches and remained in the top of the league.

Coach and Players' Comments

MORIOKA Ryuzo, Coach (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18)
We could have scored the opener in the first half as the players were performing well. C Osaka were tough; they played resiliently throughout the first-half, waiting for their opportunity to score from a set-play in the opening minutes of the second. We haven’t won a single match yet and I think the players are lacking in confidence. I do feel frustrated that I haven’t been able to lead the team to victory. However, the players must feel more frustrated. I’d like to get their confidence back, while playing with perseverance in the remainder of the first half of the season.

HIGA Michiyoshi (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18)
Prior to the game, the coach encouraged us to play with courage and confidence. Although we took the initiative in the first half, we couldn’t find the back of the net. And gradually, we started to make careless mistakes allowing the opponent to build up momentum. In the second half, the opponent controlled the match. We felt helpless.  After allowing the opponent to score first, we have the tendency of conceding the second before we can regroup to strike back. I think we need to play more resiliently.

MURATA Kazuhiro, Coach (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
Although the players up front were chasing down the opponent, the defenders lacked swiftness allowing the opposing team to maintain possession for the most part of the first half. However, the players were able to built up momentum as the match went on, stealing the ball several times. Although it took quite a while for the players to perform well, I could see them fixing their problems during the game. We learned a lot today. I believe we found some issues only because we had a tough match. We’ll fix them and improve even more.

MATSUOKA Daichi (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
We couldn’t hold on to the ball for a long time in the first half and display our strength, offensive and defensive players coordinating to regain possession of the ball. Having said that, we stayed calm and resilient, resulted in scoring two goals in the second half. When we intercepted the ball, I believe we attacked brilliantly. We like to increase the number of times we can counter-attack effectively. Personally, I haven’t scored yet and need to work on it, but I’m glad we won the game as a team.

Other Matches

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

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima), currently in third place, met Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Hyogo). The match was tied 1-1 in the first half, but YAMANE Towa scored two goals in the second half resulted in a victory for Sanfrecce. 

The crash between two Kyushu teams, Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) and Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita), saw three goals from Higashi Fukuoka in the first half alone, starting with SATO Ryoga’s shot in the 11th minute. The team added more insurance in the second half with TAKAE Reo’s goal and won their fifth game.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo), who played at home against Ozu High School (Kumamoto), once equalised in the second half came out on top by scoring a total of three goals. They remain unbeaten since Matchday 3.

The match between Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) and Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) stayed scoreless until the final whistle.

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