Pick-up Match
Kashiwa Reysol U-18 vs Kashima Antlers Youth

Sunday 4 September will see the Matchday 11 of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST as Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) will play against Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki).

In the previous week, Kashiwa, who are currently sitting in seventh place, were defeated by Yokohama F・Marinos Youth 1-5. The team were unable to play to their key strength, ‘flowing passes.’ The players later noted: “we made many careless mistakes. We were also badly intercepted.” Coach NAGAI Shunta, however, commented with encouragement: “the players don’t seem to be too down. Even though we cannot realise our aims immediately, we’ll get a positive result if we continue without giving up.”

The main point for the coming game against Kashima will be attack. Coach Nagai pointed out the importance of carefully playing when they are with the ball. The team are also getting ready to defend against Kashima’s set pieces and pressure in front of the goal. Despite the fact that they previously beat Kashima 3-2, the players are not overconfident; the team are preparing for a close match.

Kashiwa, on the other hand, lost four consecutive matches, and they are sitting in eighth place. They have come so close to earning more points with drawing four and losing three matches by only one goal in the past ten games. Coach KUMAGAI Koji explained the team’s problem: “we tend to concede a goal first by giving away a small opportunity to the opponents. We may have caused it, but we’d like to play by focusing on the details.” He pointed out the importance of not letting the opponents score the opener. 

Kashiwa aim to keep possession to take the intiative of the match, while Kashima defend solidly, waiting for a few goal-scoring opportunities. Striking the opener will be key to deciding the game between two contrasting teams.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

NAGAI Shunta, Coach (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
Unfortunately, though we were defeated by Yokohama F・Marinos Youth 1-5, our playing style and ultimate goals haven’t changed. Our aim this weekend is to keep possession as usual to take the initiative in the game. I expect that there’ll be some difficult times for us, since our game has been analysed by the opponents. As long as we can achieve something that we couldn’t on the previous matchday, we should be fine. I certainly believe it’s vital to improve our team one step at a time in order to get through the tough league matches. 

NAKAGAWA So (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
Our strengths are having good organisational skills, coordination between attack and defence, rhythmical passing, and good techniques. As a defender, I’d like to encourage the team from the backline by staying vocal. I hope to lead the team, finding our rhythm through defence and showcasing power in the air. I’ll play thinking of the distance among the teammates in defence, capitalising certainly on our scoring opportunities, and sustaining possession as long as possible, so that we can win the game this weekend.

KUMAGAI Koji, Coach (Kashima Antlers Youth)
Although there is no easy game in the Premier League and we always experience difficult times, we’d like to manage to earn points. As we expect the opponents will sustain possession this weekend, we’ll defend solidly, waiting for our opportunities. We previously lost to them 2-3, but it wasn’t a ‘close match’ – we conceded three goals first. We’ll avoid conceding a deciding goal early on in the game and keep the match scoreless to attack at the right time.

MATSUURA Koyo (Kashima Antlers Youth)
I aspire to be better than any opponent in staying vocal, being competitive, running, and switching swiftly between attack and defence. I’d like to compete in the air and win battles for the ball in the game against Kashiwa, while contributing to goals directly through set pieces. The key to victory is to dominate the game on the wings and win scrambles in set pieces. I’d like to steal three points by getting those fifty-fifty balls. 

Kashiwa Reysol U-18 vs Kashima Antlers Youth
Date: Sunday 4 September (kick-off 16:00)
Venue: Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Ground
Directions: Approx. 20-minute walk from the east exit of ‘Kashiwa Station’ (JR Joban Line and Tobu                     Noda Line) 
　　　　　　Approx. one-minute walk from the bus stop “Midorigaoka” or “Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer                         Stadium”, which leaves from bay 1 of the east exit of Kashiwa Station

Premier League EAST Match Day 11

9/4
11:00   Omiya Ardija Youth vs Aomori Yamada High School (NTT East Japan Shiki Sogo Ground)
11:00   Albirex Niigata U-18 vs Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Niigata Seiro Sports Center Albillage)
15:00   Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Funabashi City Field/Grasspo)
15:30   F.C. Tokyo U-18 vs Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Tokyo Gas Musashinoen Tamokuteki Ground/Artificial Turf)

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) in the lead will play a home game against Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa). Both teams will play to win three consecutive matches.

Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama), who succeeded in scoring two goals out of three attempts, will meet Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori). The attackers of Aomori Yamada, including TAKAHASHI Issei, have been performing excellently, and the team will look for a win this weekend with their solid defence and counter-attacks.  

Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata) have failed to perform well, losing three games in a row, and they are currently sitting in ninth place. The team are eager to beat Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka) at home to earn three points. 

F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) will play against Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba), aiming to keep a clean sheet and win three consecutive matches.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Match Day 10 Digest

More information