The Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019 Play-Offs took place on Sunday 15 December, where four fixtures were played in Hiroshima to determine the four teams that will be promoted into the Premier League next season.

Pick-up Match 1

Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanto2/Kanagawa) 1-0 (1-0, 0-0) Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido1)

The first fixture taking place at Hiroshima was a matchup between Yokohama F・Marinos Youth and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-18, who both sought for their opportunity to make their return to the Premier League. The match started with Yokohama FM taking the initiative through their aggressive attacks from the flanks, but led by their goalkeeper YAMAMOTO Toi (#1), Consadole Sapporo showed great composure to keep the game scoreless.

However, Yokohama FM continued to apply pressure upfront and created opportunities to threaten the opposing goal, as coach TSUTSUI Noriaki later reflected, “We knew this was going to be tough match, so we focused on playing our usual game.” Their approach was paid off in the 44th minute, when KIMURA Keifu (#12) connected with a corner kick delivered by UEDA Keita (MF #13), to give Yokohama FM the lead. Despite seeing Consadole Sapporo take control over the ball possession in the second half, Yokohama FM showcased persistent efforts in their defence to keep the one goal lead intact, as the Yokohama side managed to make their return to the Premier League since 2017.

Pick-up Match 2

Yokohama FC Youth (Kanto3/Kanagawa) 2-1 (0-0, 1-1, EX: 1-0, 0-0) Toyama Daiichi High School (Hokushinetsu2/Toyama)

The second fixture featured a matchup between Yokohama FC Youth, who were seeking to clinch their first promotion to the Premier League, and Toyama Daiichi High School, who were trying to make their return to the Premier League since 2018. The match started with Toyama Daiichi showing their dominance, as they created numbers of opportunities through their long balls. However, the Toyama side failed to convert their chances in the first half, as the match entered halftime scoreless.

The second half saw Yokohama FC utilise the width of the field effectively, as they gradually picked up their pace in offence. The opening goal came in the 51st minute, when MIYAHARA Hikaru (#10) scored a goal to give the Yokohama side the lead. While Toyama Daiichi’s USUI Shosei (#11) converted a penalty kick in the 89th minute to send the match into overtime, Yokohama FC retook the lead in the 94th minute, when KOBAYASHI Yuki (#6) delivered a pass to allow SASAKI Tsubasa (#9) to score the game winning goal, sending Yokohama FC to their first Premier League.

Coaches and Players' Comments

TSUTSUI Noriaki, Coach (Yokohama F・Marinos Youth)
Our offence was able to function because our defence did a great job to connect the ball. Although we looked unorganised in the early minutes of the game, we managed to settle down as the match progressed. We lost in the second round of the play-offs last year, so we really wanted to achieve a better result this year. I feel like we were able to showcase our character at this play-off. The Premier League is a very tough league, so we hope to improve ourselves to put up good results next season.

MF #8 HOMMA Yohei (Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo U-18)
When we lost to Yokohama F・Marinos in last year’s play-off, we felt that they were a much superior team, but this year we entered the match thinking we have a fair chance of winning the match. However, our opponent was more critical in front of the goal. It is unfortunate that I wasn’t able to play at the Premier League, but I will make the most of this experience to become a better player. I hope the younger players will also feed off of this experience and clinch their spot into the Premier League in the close future.

FW #7 OKUMURA Shuta (Yokohama FC Youth)
Our opponent had a very contrasting football style compared to our passing football, and we expected a tough match facing a team who utilises long balls and set-plays to create opportunities. However, we managed to score the opening goal from a great play. It got me worried when we conceded the equaliser, especially with the goal coming after I missed an opportunity for the team. It felt like our team was united as one and everybody was striving to achieve the same goal.

OTSUKA Ichiro, Coach (Toyama Daiichi High School)
We entered this match without our core members, but we still managed to create some close opportunities. However, we weren’t able to capitalise on our chances and that was the difference of this match. We also gave up the goals too easily, so we must fix those aspects before the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament. Especially in the scene where we conceded the second goal, we were late on our transition from offence to defence. It gave us a lesson that such small detail can cost the entire match.

Results of other matches

FC Tokyo U-18 1-0 (0-0, 1-0) Montedio Yamagata Youth
Sagan Tosu U-18 2-1 (0-0, 1-1, Ex: 1-0, 0-0) Vegalta Sendai Youth

In the match between FC Tokyo U-18 (Kanto1/Tokyo) and Montedio Yamagata Youth (Tohoku1/Yamagata), KOBAYASHI Riku (#10) scored the game winner in the 62nd minute to give FC Tokyo their ticket to the Premier League. Sagan Tosu U-18 (Kyushu1/Saga) scored a late equaliser against Vegalta Sendai Youth (Tohoku2/Miyagi) to send the game into overtime. The Kyushu side captured the game winner in the second half of overtime to get promoted into the Premier League for the first time.

Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019 Play-Off

Play-Off Dates: Fri. 13 & Sun. 15 December 2019

Play-Off Information