The 16th sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2022 EAST took place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October. At Yokohama FC LEOC Training Centre, Yokohama FC Youth (Kanagawa) played Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori).

Featured Match

Yokohama FC Youth 1-1 (1-1, 0-0) Aomori Yamada High School

Prior to the match, Yokohama FC were in sixth place with 6 wins, 3 draws, and 6 defeats, while Aomori Yamada were in fifth place with 7 wins, 1 draw, and 7 defeats, and when the teams met in the seventh sec., Yokohama FC won with a late goal. This time, the two sides squared off with their eyes set on advancing into the top four of the leader board.

The two teams clashed hard from the outset, with the first yellow card shown in the 14th minute, Yokohama FC took the initiative in the early minutes, but it was Aomori Yamada's KOMINATO Tsuna (#10) who scored the first goal in the 19th minute. Facing his former team where he spent three years during his time in junior high school, Kominato commented, “I came to Yokohama thinking that this could be the most important match of my high school career.” The striker responded to a loose ball following a corner kick, as he later reflected, “I thought the goalkeeper can make a save if I hit a grounder, so I tried to lift the ball into the opposite side.”

Yokohama fought back and scored the equaliser in the 40th minute, when KIYOKAWA Haru (#6) converted a cross delivered from the right side, as the midfielder recalled, “I wasn’t able to make good contact, but it ended up in a good direction.”

In the second half, Aomori Yamada utilised long balls to initiate their attacks, while Yokohama FC collected the ball to MOTODA Arata (#11) and INOUE Hikaru (#7) to seek for their opportunities, but both sides fell short from scoring a goal, as the match ended 1-1.

As a result, the two teams walked away with a point apiece to stay in fifth and sixth place of the East standings.

Coaches and Players' Comments

ONO Shingi, Coach (Yokohama FC Youth)
With both teams showcasing their colour, we saw plenty of chances created by the two teams and it was certainly a tough match. Although we were able to take the initiative by possessing the ball, it was unfortunate that we conceded the opening goal from a set-piece. However, the players managed to keep their composure to initiate the action and score the equaliser. We just need to polish the quality of our plays in the final third.

MF #6 KIYOKAWA Haru (Yokohama FC Youth)
It was unfortunate that we conceded the opening goal in the first half, but we were able to keep our cool and possess the ball afterwards, so we knew that we just had to convert our chances. In that sense, it was great that we were able to equalise within the first half. I have been making conscious efforts to take shots in our recent matches, so when (NAGATA) Kotaro delivered that pass, I had no hesitation to take a shot.

KURODA Go, Coach (Aomori Yamada High School)
When we conceded the goal, we needed to advance our defence line a bit further. Although we managed to create a few more opportunities in the second half while our defence fought hard to keep the opponents from scoring a goal, I think this is a fair result considering how the two teams played today. Now that we have 23 points, I feel like we could avoid relegation if we can extend our tally to 25 points, so we hope to earn as many points as possible in the remaining six matches.

FW #10 KOMINATO Tsuna (Aomori Yamada High School)
I came to Yokohama thinking that this could be the most important match of my high school career. When the ball came to me, I had no angle, so I just focused on hitting the target. I also thought that the goalkeeper can make a save if I hit a grounder, so I tried to lift the ball into the opposite side. It was an exhilarating experience to face my former teammates at the highest stage of high school football, and it felt like time just flew by.

Results of other matches

Yokohama F.Marinos Youth 2-2 (2-1, 0-1) FC Tokyo U-18
Kiryu Daiichi High School 2-1 (0-1, 2-0) JFA Academy Fukushima U-18
Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School 0-2 (0-2, 0-0) Omiya Ardija U18
Kashiwa Reysol U-18 1-0 (0-0, 1-0) Funabashi Municipal High School
Kawasaki Frontale U-18 1-0 (1-0, 0-0) Maebashi Ikuei High School

In the match between second placed Yokohama F.Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) and third placed FC Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo), Yokohama FM took the lead with the brace of UCHINO Kotaro (#9) but FC Tokyo scored back a goal in the first half before TAWARATSUMIDA Kota (#11) scored the equaliser in the 90th minute to end the match 2-2. Despite conceding the lead to JFA Academy Fukushima U-18 (Shizuoka), Kiryu Daiichi High School (Gunma) managed to score goals in the 71st and 77th minute to earn a win at home. After scoring two goals in the first half, Omiya Ardija U18 (Saitama) managed to keep a clean sheet against Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) to earn their eighth win of the season that saw them move up to third place. The match between two Chiba sides came down to the wire scoreless, but the deadlock was broken by YAMAMOTO Ota (#9) in the 82nd minute to give Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) the win over Funabashi Municipal High School (Chiba). League leaders Kawasaki Frontale U-18 (Kanagawa) managed to edge Maebashi Ikuei High School (Gunma) 1-0, thanks to the 33rd minute goal scored by OGAWA Jo (#17).

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Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2022

League Duration: Sat. 2 April - Sun. 4 December 2022

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