Pick-up Match
Nagoya Grampus U18 vs Higashi Fukuoka High School

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST's matchday 9 is scheduled to take place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July as Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) and Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) square off on Sunday.

Nagoya are currently sitting in sixth place, separated from league leaders Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) by 13 points. Nagoya have been struggling to win consecutive matches and therefore add points. But there is a pleasant subject as well. Their defence has shown a sign of improvement with a clean sheet against Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) in the last match.

Coach YAMAZAKI Makoto commented on the next Higashi Fukuoka match, "we all will try to defend and attack together. We want to defend tenaciously while getting the enough number of players on offence.” The attacking force has scored three or more goals in three out of the past eight matches. The Nagoya side look to start their attack from solid defence.

The opponents Higashi Fukuoka are in fourth in the standings with eight points clear of Nagoya. But they never feel conceited. Coach MORISHIGE Junya says, "(Nagoya are) great on offence and defence. They should not be in sixth place." His team attempt to go for the match without their guard down.

The other element Morishige emphasises is the attitude "not to lose to ourselves rather than opponents." The Nagoya match kicking off at 11:00 is also a battle against the heat. "Not letting the opponents run unmarked in our side of the box, keeping accuracy of play in the opponents' side of the box. That requires extremely strong mentality as the basis," says Fukuoka boss.

You must see which team win the last match of the first half of the season.

Coach and Players' Comments

YAMAZAKI Makoto, Coach (Nagoya Grampus U18)
Higashi Fukuoka are one of the top high school teams and especially good at attacking. What we need to do is solidly defend against their attacking. If we try to play with our strength of attacking while trying to keep a clean sheet, we must have a better chance to win. In the last match against Gamba Osaka, we kept a clean sheet on the road, and it seems the result gave my players confidence. We will try to keep positive findings we got and go forward to get goals in the upcoming match. We Nagoya are capable of attacking really well, so I hope we can score goals and get points.

TANAKA Shoma (Nagoya Grampus U18)
Our strength is quick counterattacks after winning the ball. We will try to take control of the match by winning one-on-one battles on flanks and then create chances. My strength is getting the ball on sides, dribbling forward to send a cross, and cutting into the centre to take a shot. In the Higashi Fukuoka match, I want to play simply in the midfield and beat the opponents on sides and in front of goal with dribbling so as to get involved in my team's goal. I'm looking forward to playing against nation's top-level defenders.

MORISHIGE Junya, Coach (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
It looks we are far away from the top teams on points, but we want to keep up with them with a win in the next match. It will be our last match of the first half of the season. If we can finish in style, we can get momentum for the Inter-high tournament. In that sense, the upcoming match is important. In the middle of last week, the heavy rain caused our school to call off classes and club activities, but I want my players to think positively like we've got time to refresh instead. With injured players spending time for recovery, I want to go for the upcoming battles in better form.

KODAMA Shintaro (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
The whole team have got a "competitive spirit" to get a starting spot and an "ambitious spirit" to win the Premier League. Those are the strength of this year's team. The next match is the end of one chapter, so I want to boost up my team. My strength is to control the defensive line and play with composure, so I want to commit myself by keeping the opponents from scoring to help my team win. I'm looking forward to finding out how well I can play and how much I've grown when playing in a top-level match of our age group.

Nagoya Grampus U18 vs Higashi Fukuoka High School
Date: Sun. 17 July　kick-off 11:00
Venue: Nagoya City Minato Soccer Stadium
Access: Five-minute walk from Nozeki Station of Nagoya Rinkai Kosoku Tetsudo Aonami Line

Premier League WEST Matchday 9

7/16
10:30　Ozu High School vs Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Ozu Sports Park Stadium)
15:00　Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School vs Oita Trinita U-18 (Ibukinomori Stadium)

7/17
16:00　Cerezo Osaka U-18 vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground)
18:00　Vissel Kobe U-18 vs Gamba Osaka Youth (Ibukinomori Stadium)

Ozu High School (Kumamoto) look to snap out of a losing streak in a clash against Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto).

With a winless run in the second stage, Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Hyogo) face Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita). Oita are seeking to grab their first point of the season.

Contests between league's top teams take place on Sunday 17. A matchup between Leaders Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) and second-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) is a must-see.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo), who are in form with three wins and two draws in the last five matches, meet third-placed Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) at home.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Matchday 8 Digest

More information