The Japan high school selection, who are participating in the 53rd International U19 Champions Trophy in Dusseldorf (2-6 April), played their second group stage match against Slavia Praha and their third against Red Bull Salzburg on Saturday 4 April.

2nd match of the group stage

The Japanese high school selection   3-2 (1st 0-1, 2nd 3-1)  Slavia Praha

Score
25'   Goal against (Slavia Praha)
26'   WATANABE Ryoma (Japan High School Selection)
33'   WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Japan High School Selection)
49'   Goal against (Slavia Praha)
50'   MAEKAWA Yuta (Japan High School Selection)

Line-ups

GK
1(C)   SHIMURA Ko(Funabashi High School/3rd year, to join Jubilo Iwata)

DF
3     NODA Yuki (Otsu High School/2nd year)
5     WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Yamanashi Gakuin High School → Chuo Univ.)
2     OGAWA Akira (Riseisha High School/3rd year → Osaka Univ. of Health and Sport)
6     HIRATA Kento (Seiryo High School/3rd year → Osaka Univ. of Health andSport)

MF
8     SUZUKI Tokuma (Maebashi Ikuei High School/3rd year → Tsukuba Univ.)
9     SAWADA Atsuki (RKU Kashiwa High School/3rd year → Dokkyo Univ.)
7     KUBO Kazuki (RKU Kashiwa High School/3rd year → Ryutsu Keizai Univ.)
10   WATANABE Ryoma (Maebashi High School/3rd year → Waseda Univ.)

FW
18   ICHIMI Kazunari (OTSU High School/2nd year)
20   IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Tachibana High School/1st year)

Substitutes
42'   MF10 WATANABE Ryoma → FW19 AOYAGI Ryota(Maebashi Ikuei High School/3rd year → Hosei Univ.)
43'   MF7 KUBO Kazuki → DF6 Ohno Yuya (Yamanashi Gakuin High School/3rd year→ Hannan Univ.)
48'   FW20 IWASAKI Yuto→ MF11 MAEKAWA Yuta/3rd year → Chuo Univ.)

Match Report

The second match was essential for deciding whether the team would get through to the knockout stage. From the beginning, the Japanese high school selection started attacking swiftly and aggressively from the defensive line, taking the initiative. However, as the game was the opponent’s very first one, they played aggressively and quickly with a lot of spirit. Under a tense atmosphere for both teams, Japan conceded a goal from their own mistake just before the last whistle of the first half. In the second half, the Japanese high school selection sped up their pace from the beginning. Then WATANABE Ryoma in the midfield, who received a pass from the midfielder KUBO Kazuki, struck a goal, levelling the match. Japan built up positive momentum for them and in the 33rd minute, the defender WATANABE Tsuyoshi scored from a right corner kick to stretch their lead. Japan continued taking initiative by scoring consecutively. However, just before the last whistle, they conceded another goal unexpectedly from a throw-in. Although everyone expected the score would not change until the end of the game, the midfielder MAEKAWA Yuta, who came off the bench, reacted to a cross from the forward ICHIMI Kazunari in the right side, and slotted home calmly, deciding the match in dramatic fashion. The Japanese high school selection stayed patient and showed their spirit, aiming for a victory throughout the game.

Players' Comments

MAEKAWA Yuta (Seiryo High School/3rd year → Chuo University)
As I was talking with the players on the bench that I’d definitely want to score after the second match, I ran towards them when I actually struck a goal. We still have the strong spirit of Seiryo High School. I’d like to get through the group stage with all my power.

3rd match of the group stage

Japanese High School Selection   0-3 (1st 0-2, 2nd 0-1)  Red Bull Salzburg

Score
10'   Goal against (Red Bull Salzburg)
12'   Goal against(Red Bull Salzburg)
34'   Goal against (Red Bull Salzburg)

Line-ups

GK
1(C)   SHIMURA Ko (Funabashi Municipal High School/3rd year → Jubilo Iwata)

DF
3     NODA Yuki (Otsu High School/2nd year)
5     WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Yamanashi Gakuin High School/3rd year → Chuo Univ.）
4     KIKUCHI Ryuho (Aomori Yamada High School/3rd year → Osaka Univ. of Health and Sport)
13   HIRATA Kento (Seiryo High School/3rd year → Osaka Univ. of Health and Sport)

MF
8     SUZUKI Tokuma (Maebashi Ikuei High School/3rd year → Tsukuba Univ.)
9     SAWADA Atsuki (RKU Kashiwa High School/3rd year → Dokkyo Univ.)
16   SUEYOSHI Rui (Hatsushiba Hashimoto High School/3rd year → Osaka Univ. of Health and Sport)
7     KUBO Kazuki (RKU Kashiwa High School/3rd year → Ryutsu Keizai Univ.)
10   WATANABE Ryoma (Maebashi High School/3rd year → Waseda Univ.)

FW
18   ICHIMI Kazunari (OTSU High School/2nd year)

Substitutes
25'   MF16 SUEYOSHI Rui → FW19 IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Tachibana High School/1st year)
31'   DF13 HIRATA Kento → MF9 SAWADA Atsuki (RKU Kashiwa High School/3rd year → Dokkyo Univ.)
34'   DF4 KIKUCHI Ryuho → DF2 OGAWA Akira (Riseisha High School/3rd year →Osaka Univ. of Health and Sport)
42'   MF7 KUBO Kazuki → FW19 AOYAGI Ryota (Maebashi Ikuei High School/3rd year → Hosei Univ.)

Match Report

Both teams aimed to get through the group stage. From the beginning of the game, both attacked and defended aggressively. After 10 minutes, the Japanese high school selection conceded a goal from a corner kick. Then two minutes later, the opponent swiftly got through the defenders on the right side and struck a goal, reacting to a cross in the centre. The game went into half time. Although Japan tried to adjust themselves during the half time, they struggled against the opponent’s fierce attack. In the 34th minute, again the opponent got through the defenders and scored another goal. The score stayed at 3-0 until the final whistle. The Japanese high school selection could not show their strength - mobile power - and struggled against the opponent’s swift counter-attacks and physical strength.

Schedule