The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League will entre its 18th week in the West division on 7 December.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima), who are currently in the sixth place, will take on the fourth-placed Nagoya Grampus U-18 (Aichi). Hiroshima weren’t able to finish up in the standings this year, and would like to wrap up their season with a win to come through next year and forth. Nagoya, who remained in the title contention with two consecutive wins, must grab the victory in this game in order to seek the championship. It will be interesting to see which side will prevail in the end in the final week of the season.

Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka), who are in the runner-up position, square off against Higashiyama High School (Kyoto), who look to remain in the league. Cerezo are only one point behind the league-leading Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo). “We are glad to be able to entre the final game as we have a chance to win the championship,’’ Cerezo’s MAEKAWA Taiga. Osaka will channel the pressure into energy and try to earn the three points. Higashiyama won in the previous week to keep them alive, but they will need to take the game in order to avoid a demotion. Let’s see which side will wind up getting the result they want.

Along with Vissel, Cerezo and Nagoya, Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) also have a chance to clinch the title. They will host Toyama Daiichi High School (Toyama). Gamba dropped their spot in the standing with consecutive losses, but retain their might offensive power that has accumulated a league-leading 45 goals. They hope to fix their defence that have allowed a total of six goals in their last two games to put their hands with the championship trophy. For Toyama Daiichi, meanwhile, it will be such an important contest in which they could be demoted if they lose. They will attempt to stay in the eighth place earning points.

Kyoto Sanga U-18 (Kyoto) will play against Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka). Kyoto’s HIRAYAMA Yudai said, “We have few games to play with this team. We would like to finish with smiles in the end.’’ For Sanga, it will be a key how much they can hold Higashi Fukuoka’s offence, which is led by NAKASHIMA Kensei, who is set to join Yokohama F. Marinos.

Standings

[Pickup Match of WEST Week 18]
Vissel Kobe U-18 vs Kyoto Tachibana High School

Kobe, who are looking to repeat the title in the West, will take on Kyoto Tachibana High School. Kyoto Tachibana seeks to avoid a demotion. Both teams will entre the game of the final week with their own motivation. Kobe would have clinched the title had they won in the previous week, but ended in a draw. “We still have a chance to win on our own. We want to take it positively that we didn’t at least lose,’’ YAMAGUCHI Shinji said. Vissel look to keep their composure. No matter how other teams would do at other sites, Vissel will clinch the championship if they win it. It’ll be the focal point to see if the team who has come undefeated in the second half of the season will be able to grab the title by winning the final game. Kyoto Tachibana, meanwhile, struggled to post a win early in the season. “We were down when we finished every game,’’ OGAWA Reita said. But Kyoto Tachibana found a way to get some rhythm as they notched one point in their Week 10 game against Higashiyama, and have not dropped a game in their last three matches. Depending on the results at other venues, they could stay in the league with a draw even, but the team will aim at three points.

■-Vissel Kobe U-18 vs. Kyoto Tachibana High School
Date: Kickoff 13:00, 7 December (Sunday)
Venue: Ibuki no mori sports football field
Access: Take a municipal bus from Seishin Minami Station of Kobe Municipal Subway and get off ”High-tech No. 4’’ stop. 10-minute walk from the stop.

The first best goal award for Prince Takamado Trophy Premier League chosen by fans

Twenty clubs in the league chose their own best goal and the best goal award will be decided by the number of video played. Please access to the candidates of best goal.

Please access to the candidates of best goal