Pickup Match

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 3-4 (1st 2-3, 2nd 1-1) Vissel Kobe U-18

It was a tough match between Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto), who could not lose a single match to win the trophy, and Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo), who had a chance to move into lead if they won the game due to the loss of Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) the day before.

Takuno Kairi, the midfielder from Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18, later noted: ‘we didn't start well at all’. On the other hand, Vissel Kobe U-18 took the initiative from the start and used the whole width of the pitch, passing the ball around to find opportunities. After 35 minutes, Yonezawa Rei, who received the ball at the left side of the penalty area, shot at goal. Although it was saved, Fujimoto Yugo slotted home the rebound off the goalkeeper. Then in the 39th and 41st minute, Najima Akito and Yonezawa scored, building a three-goal lead. Noda Satoru, the head coach, later commented: ‘it all went well, having three successful shots on goal, until we conceded two goals.’ Kobe conceded two goals in a row just after they scored their third goal. After 44 minutes and in the first minute of additional time, Takuno Kairi and Hirayama Yudai from Kyoto scored goals. The game went into the second half with a one-goal difference.

Kyoto, who came back to life with the two goals at the end of the first half, aimed at leveling the game in the second half, using substitutions well. However, while they were struggling to finish their attacks, the defender and the goalkeeper failed in their combination and conceded a goal unexpectedly. It was the 73rd minute, when the defender from Kyoto ran in and headed a long pass from the opponent to the goalkeeper, and the ball went into the goal. Kyoto went two goals down. They never gave up. After 84 minutes, Kyoto passed the ball around in front of the goal and Nagashima Yushi scored a goal, closing the gap to one goal once more. However, Kobe won the game, which had so many scoring attempts, and took the top spot.

Coach and Players’ Comments

KAWAKATSU Hiroyasu, Head Coach (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18)
It was mentally difficult, as we had already lost our chance to win the cup but we had prevented our possible relegation. Although I thought it was vital to sustain our motivation to face the match, the strong momentum from Kobe, who was aiming at an upset victory, overpowered us. I believe the remaining two matches will be difficult as well. Having said that, they’ll be also good opportunities to improve. So I hope the players will try their best.

HIRAYAMA Yudai (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18)
I tried to refresh my mind after the loss in the quarterfinal in the J Youth Cup last week, but I failed to do so. I think it affected the way I started the match today. After we conceded three goals in the first half, I thought we had to do something and we scored two goals, which was good. The thing was, we couldn’t continue our attack in the second half, which I regret a lot.

NODA Satoru, Head Coach (Vissel Kobe U-18)
It was a tough game, conceding three goals. Especially towards the end of the second half, we struggled a bit. This time of the season, the results are very important and I’d like to point out that we’re now in first place thanks to the today’s victory. Having said that, if we lose against Cerezo Osaka in the next section, we lose our lead again. So we’d like to play our best to stay in first place.

NAKAI Eito (Vissel Kobe U-18)
I’m pleased that we won the game today, using our advantage - wing attacks. However, we still couldn’t use all our opportunities, which we’d like to sort out. I’m very pleased that we’re now sitting in first place with today’s victory. I believe we can continue to win games, if we can show what we’ve practiced. I’ll play to win the final two matches.

Other Results

Toyama Daiichi High School   3-4 (1st 1-2, 2nd 2-2)   Cerezo Osaka U-18
Higashi Fukuoka High School   0-3 (1st 0-1, 2nd 0-2)   Nagoya Grampus U18
Gamba Osaka Youth   2-3 (1st 2-1, 2nd 0-2)   Kyoto Tachibana High School
Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth   1-0 (1st 1-0, 2nd 0-0)   Higashiyama High School

Matsuoka Daichi from Cerezo Osaka scored a goal in second-half additional time and Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) won the game against Toyama Daiichi High School (Toyama). Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi), who consecutively had tough matches without any victories in the latter half of the season, beat Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) 3-0. They won with consummate ease for the first time in 10 matches, keeping their hopes for wining the championship alive. Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka), who were sitting in first place, sustained a one-goal lead in the first half, but conceded two painful goals towards the end of the match and lost against Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto), thereby losing the top spot. Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) beat Higashiyama High School (Kyoto) 1-0 and now has the same points as Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18.