The 26th Prince Takamado Trophy All-Japan Youth Championship, which determines the best Under-15 team in the country, will kick off on 20 December and the 32 participating teams will fight for the 27 December championship game. Before this year’s tournament, we’ll play back the previous edition.

In the first semifinals, Kashiwa and Urawa squared off against each other. Urawa struck first on 8th minute, but Kashiwa tied it with a penalty kick by HIGASHIYAMA Kodai in the stoppage time of the second half. Urawa missed to win it within the regulation, but retook a lead with goals from WATANABE Yo and HAGIWARA Daichi in the extra time to book a spot in the final.

The other semis between Omiya and Mitsubishi Yowa wound be being a heart-popping close battle as well. Amiya struggled against Mitsubishi Yowa’s fierce attacking in the first half, but grabbed the pace taking advantage of their momentum. On 50th minute, OGASHIWA Tsuyoshi, who reacted to a pass from HASEGAWA Motoki, scored and the lone goal ended up bing the winning score for Omiya.

The championship match between the pair of Saitama clubs put up a high-level seesaw contest that was well deserving a title game. While Omiya tried to build up their offence connecting short passes, Urawa countered with pressing at higher spots. Urawa wouldn’t give up freedom for the Omiya offense and connected the balls they robbed for fast counters. Urawa led with a goal from Hagiwara before they entred halftime, and they wouldn’t loose their attacks to try to add another. On 51st, Watanabe, who found a space in the left side, made a shot to widen their lead to two goals.

Amiya, who got their backs against the wall with two goals down, began their rallies. They tried to re-energise the team with substitutions, and it paid off as YAMAMOTO Takeshi scored one back. But they had tough times against the offence of Urawa, who wouldn’t play passively, and Omiya weren’t able to catch up. The game ended as it was as Urawa won 2-1 to claim their first national champions in eight years. ``I hope our players to capitalize on the experience they earned through this tournament in the next stage,’’ Urawa head coach OHASHI Koji said after the tournament.