The 19th sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2022 WEST took place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October. At Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground, Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) faced Ozu High School (Kumamoto).

Featured Match

Cerezo Osaka U-18 0-1 (0-1, 0-0) Ozu High School

While Cerezo Osaka have gone winless since August, with one draw and five defeats, Ozu have maintained their hot form, winning three in a row since the 16th sec. As TABARU Rui (#10) reflected, “Today was an important match before the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament qualifiers, so the whole team was on the same page,” it was Ozu who took the initiative from the early minutes.

Ozu restricted Cerezo Osaka's build-up by applying pressure from a high position in order to limit the vertical passes that had caused them issues in their previous encounter. Once winning the ball in the midfield, they collected the ball to Tabaru and KAYAMA Taira (#17), who delivered crosses into the centre. In the second minute, Tabaru made an attempt from a direct free kick at the edge of the box, but his shot was saved by the Cerezo goalkeeper HARUNA Ryusei (#21), who later commented, “The team cannot lose as long as I don’t concede a goal, so I was fully focused on keeping a clean sheet.” Ozu created another chance in the 32nd minute, when YAMASHITA Motonari (#11) connected with the cross of SAKAMOTO Tsubasa (#3), but Haruna was there once again to make the save.

Despite firing 11 shots in the first half, Ozu struggled to find ways to score a goal, but the deadlock was broken in the 40th minute, when Tabaru broke down the right flank. With KOBAYASHI Shunei (#9) responding to the cross at the near side, the striker flicked the ball to the far side to setup the goal of Kayama, a play in which Tabaru later reflected, “We have been practicing that play, so I am glad we were able to execute it in this match. With our tenacity, I though we could win as long as we can score a goal.”

The second half saw Cerezo Osaka rally back using their short passes, as SARARA Ritsuki (#12) mentioned, “I can create space by carrying the ball. I can also make things easier for my teammates if I can get past one opponent, so I was focused on carrying the ball myself to create chances.” In the 64th minute, the ball was connected through SHIRAHAMA Sojiro (#39), NAKAYAMA Toshito (#14), and SUETANI Seigo (#19), but the final shot was blocked by an opposing defender. Cerezo also had a chance from a free kick in the 75th minute but couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity.

Ozu showed great concentration to keep the clean sheet, as they extended their winning streak to four matches.

Coaches and Players' Comments

SHIMAOKA Kenta, Coach (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
Mistakes have been made as we are demanding a higher standard from our players since winning the Japan Club Youth Football Championship (in August). Losing possession of the ball means that we are handing over opportunities to our opponents. All of the chances created by our opponents came from our own mistakes. It wasn't about the opposition, but from the first half, we weren't using our skills to score goals. In today's match, only (Haruna) Ryusei played professionally. Everyone has to become a real professional.

GK #1 HARUNA Ryusei (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
As the season approaches the end, teams are analysing our strategy more and more, creating situations where they lay blocks in the centre. In order to win matches, we need to be able to break through these blocks to create chances in the attacking third. More mistakes will be made as we try to possess the ball longer. It is important to improve our techniques, but we also need to do more to manage the risks at the back. For the sake of next year's players, the seniors must step up and take responsibility to keep the team in the premier league.

HIRAOKA Kazunori, Coach (Ozu High School)
With this being an away match, we were just hoping to walk away with a point, so we are happy with this result. This match really showed how much we have grown over the season. We were able to create a positive rhythm by attacking the flanks, which was something we had been working on in the second half of the season. The two centre-backs did a great job to contain the opponent’s #11. Ahead of the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament qualifiers, we need to be able to capitalise on our opportunities in the attacking third.

MF #6 ASANO Rikia (Ozu High School)
We have improved our offence in the second half of the season. The team meetings we held during the first half of the season, when we were struggling to win matches, have led to this winning streak and we want to continue with this trend. We do not want to rest on our laurels, so we will continue to work hard to improve ourselves. We are left with a few more matches in the Premier League, so I want to cherish each and every game and do my best to make the most of this precious experience.

Results of other matches

Gamba Osaka Youth 4-3 (0-1, 4-2) Sagan Tosu U-18
Nagoya Grampus U-18 1-1 (0-0, 1-1) Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth
Jubilo Iwata U-18 1-4 (0-1, 1-3) Riseisha High School
Higashi Fukuoka High School 1-1 (1-0, 0-1) Shizuoka Gakuen High School
Shimizu S-Pulse Youth 1-3 (1-0, 0-3) Vissel Kobe U-18

Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) welcomed Sagan Tosu U-18 (Saga) to their home, where they managed to overturn a three-goal deficit with 10 minutes remaining to mark their fourth win of the season. The match between Nagoya Grampus U-18 (Aichi) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) ended with both sides sharing a point. Led by the opener of OTA Mutsuki (#13), Riseisha High School (Osaka) scored four goals to grab an away victory over Jubilo Iwata U-18 (Shizuoka). The high school duel between Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) and Shizuoka Gakuen High School (Shizuoka) ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite taking an early lead, Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) conceded three goals in the second half to lose against Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) at home.

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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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