The final of the “20th All Japan Youth (U-15) Women's Championship”, which decides the best U-15 women’s team in Japan, was held on Friday 31 July. Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls (Kaisai2/Osaka) played against JFA Academy Fukushima (Tokai1/Shizuoka) to win the championship for the first time.

Final

JFA Academy Fukushima 0-1 (0-0,  0-1) Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls

In the big game to become the best in Japan, JFA Academy Fukushima took the initiative first. In the third minute, ENDO Jun, who received a pass from TOGAWA Yuki, got through the opponent and into the penalty area.

Although she sent a swift pass towards the area in front of the goal, no one was there to receive it. After 13 minutes, TOMIOKA Chihiro reacted to a pass from the defensive line and ran towards the goal, but Cerezo Osaka’s goalkeeper YAMASHITA Rina defended it.

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls, who were pressed at the beginning of the game, stayed calm. OKAMOTO Miyo, the coach, later commented: “we expected that the opponent would pass the ball around.”

The players defended with patience to keep a clean sheet, just as the coach told them: “be competitive near the ball and never give in when the opponent create their goal-scoring opportunities.” As the time passed, they started to intercept the ball better.

MIYAMOTO Haruka later noted: “we focused on playing in coordination when one player made a move.” Before the first half ended, Cerezo picked up the pace again. YOSHIZUMI Warai, who intercepted the ball up front, sent the last pass to Miyamoto. Then she took a shot, only for it to just miss the goal.

In the second half Cerezo started well, focusing on attack, just like the coach Okamoto had said: “the first five minutes were vital for us.” In the 34th minute, NAKAMURA Moe, who initiated an attack on the right wing, passed the ball to Miyamoto.

Then Miyamoto dribbled through the opponent, and came in front of the goal to find the back of the net with a superb shot. She later noted: “I thought I could score, because I had done it several times with my left foot in the practice session.”

The coach said of Miyamoto, who struck the opener: “she was yet to mature in her game, but improved herself most through this championship.”

However, Cerezo were to have some difficult times after that. Academy, who were eager to level the game, stayed ambitious for goals. They got through in the right wing in the 40th minute, and Togawa took a strong shot, which came off the crossbar.

In the last ten minutes, Academy pressed and continued their attack, while Cerezo defended well with their excellent stamina. Okamoto, the coach, later noted: ”the team had a strong spirit to win that match.

They understood the importance of keeping running until the final whistle.” Cerezo won the game after defending solidly with their bodies throughout the difficult periods, and became the best of the 327 teams from across the country. At the awards ceremony after the final, the “Fair Play Award” was given to JFA Academy Fukushima, who ended in second place.

Match details (Japanese version only)

Coach and Players' Comments

OKAMOTO Miyo, Coach (Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls)
There were originally eight players who went into the third grade this year. However, one left the team, and another picked up a serious injury, leaving the current six third-grade players in our team.

This championship was the last big one for them. I encouraged them before the first match: “let’s play hard enough for the eight original players”, which made the team united. I’m really glad we achieved our goal. As Sakai city has been supporting our team, I’m happy to show them our achievement.

TOSHIMOTO Ayuka (Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls)
I’m over the moon that we played together to achieve our long-awaited aim – winning the national championship. Although the opponent had speed and we were pressed, our goalkeeper (Yamashita) Rina played hard to keep a clean sheet.

I was really glad when we score a goal, but thought strongly that “we must keep our concentration, or we would concede a goal.” Although we played awkwardly at the beginning of the championship due to nerves, we improved our skills through the games, getting mentally stronger as well.

MISHIO Shota, Coach (JFA Academy Fukushima)
I thought the players were not moving well enough during the warm-up, probably due to nerves and pressure. Although we ended in second place, I think they all played very hard. I may have made some basic mistakes in choosing players.

Cerezo were intimidating despite the fact that most of the players were younger, as they continued playing strongly near the ball until the final whistle. We’d like to accept this result and learn from today’s match, so that we can improve ourselves even more.　

ENDO Jun (JFA Academy Fukushima)
Cerezo knew how to work as a team, and had strength when they attack. We did expect something would be different from other teams, as they got through to the final. I’m very frustrated that we couldn’t play our style.

Having said that, I had an excellent experience through the championship, winning each game to the final. Of course, I wanted to win the championship, but I’d like to face our result of second place, and try even harder for the future.

3rd-Place Playoff

Jumonji Junior High School 1-1 （0-1, 1-0, PSO 4-5）Albirex Niigata Ladies U-15 

More information

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)