Pick-up Match
Oita Trinita U-18 vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST will see Matchday 12 on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September. The pick-up match for this weekend is a contest between Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima).

The home side Oita are currently sitting bottom of the table but getting in form after the ninth matchday, winning two, losing one and drawing one (including postponed Matchday 3). They became more confident as a team after they snatched a point against powerhouse Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) in Matchday 10.

Coach NAKAMURA Tamotsu notes "winning the ball" and "not giving away the ball easily" as keys for the weekend's match. The former is expected by the coach as a hard task for them, as the opponents are one of league's top teams Hiroshima. "It's going to be important to make correct decisions on when to go aggressively and rob the ball and when to stay back in our end on defence," says Nakamura.

Considering risks (in defence) when attacking are absolutely necessary as well. The Oita coach also regards it as an important factor and states, "you don't want to waste the ball easily soon after winning it. When you make a mistake at the initiating point of offence, then you will have long stretch of time in defence."

With a loss in the last match, the Oita side need to improve their offence and defence before coming through against Hiroshima. "I want my players to stay tenacious and battle it out with a never-give-up attitude. That is a matter of course but the most difficult thing," comments the Oita boss. The match will require both skill and mental strength."

League-leader Hiroshima have been solid as they lost only one match in the Premier League this year. Despite conceding goal(s) in each of the six matches after Matchday 4, they posted clean-sheet wins in the last three matches (including postposed Matchday 3). "We scored a goal while getting out of difficult situations (keeping a clean sheet), even in a match which could have gone either way," says coach SAWADA Kentaro, expressing his confidence on his team's offence and defence.

As they have done so far, the Hiroshima players focus on reducing the number of errors and helping teammates by always looking at each other's moves. "When you make mistakes in a row, you end up giving up a goal no matter whether your team are pro or amateur. But you never play football without mistakes. When a player makes a mistake, it's important to back him up as soon as possible," states Sawada, demanding high concentration from his players.

Although Hiroshima are going into the next match as the league leaders, the players are not overconfident. "We've never had an easy match and the next one is also going to be tough. If we can play well under pressure, we all can grow as an individual and as a team," according to RIKIYASU Shogo. They will be well prepared to compete for the weekend contest. 

Coaches' and Players' Comments

NAKAMURA Tamotsu, Coach (Oita Trinita U-18)
First, we don't want to give away the ball easily. Secondly, we should lessen the number of careless mistakes. Lastly, if we can properly construct our offence, then it will allow to make the transition to defence smoothly.

Furthermore, we need to determine when to rob the ball up front and when to think practically and stay back on defence. I expect my players to battle tenaciously. When you don't get a win, you tend not to believe in yourself and end up giving up. But you need to be strong-minded particularly when you face difficult situations. I want them to overcome such adversity.

NAKAHATA Yuta (Oita Trinita U-18)
Our strength is quick transition from defence to offence and vice versa. The next opponents, Hiroshima, use an unorthodox system, so we need to carefully determine whether to go up and try to win the ball up front or to stay back and build a defensive block. As an individual, I will try to control our defence by calling out to my teammates. I want to lead the team with my coaching ability on the pitch. We are in the bottom of the league that features high-level teams. But not changing our style of football, we will try to keep up with the top flights.

SAWADA Kentaro, Coach (Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth)
We need to focus on what we can do both offensively and defensively. That's the quickest route to victory. As we are now on top of the table, we may be under slight pressure, but what we are supposed to do is always the same. I believe my players know that putting out their best efforts to practice and making the best preparation for the matches are the most important. I want them to play as usual in the Oita match, not hustling too much. Everyone on the team must keep his concentration until the end of the match and back each other up.

RIKIYASU Shogo (Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth)
Our strength is that we all can battle it out tenaciously as a team. In addition to hard-running, the base of Hiroshima's football is winning the battles for the ball. In the meanwhile, we will try to move the ball from the backline and build up our offence. I think Oita, our opponents this weekend, also can battle tenaciously. The key is to win each one of battles for the ball throughout 90 minutes. Talking about myself, my style is playing physically tough in both offence and defence and getting involved while building up attacks. Lastly, I want to contribute to team's win with assists and goals.　

Oita Trinita U-18 vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth
Date：Sun. 11 September kick-off 11:00
Venue：Oita Sports Park
Directions：Take Oita Bus from JR "Oita Station," get off at "Oita Sports Park East," and walk 18 minutes.

Premier League WEST Matchday 12

9/10
18:00　Vissel Kobe U-18 vs Cerezo Osaka U-18（Ibukinomori Stadium）
9/11
10:30　Nagoya Grampus U18  vs Kyoto Sanga F.C U-18（Toyota Sports Center）
16:00　Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School vs Gamba Osaka Youth（Miki Sogo Bosai Park Athletic Field）
17:00　Higashi Fukuoka High School vs Ozu High School（Level5 Stadium）

Fourth-placed Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) and second-placed Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) go head-to-head.

With a win over Kyoto Sanga F.C U-18 (Kyoto), Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) will go level on points with Kyoto.

Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka), who are on a three-match losing streak, look for their first win of the second half of the season in a match against Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Hyogo) on the road.

A high-school showdown between Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) and Ozu High School (Kumamoto) is also a must-see. Ozu look to clinch a home win and avenge their previous defeat (1-2).

JFA-TV (Japanese Version Only)

Highlights from Matchday 11 

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