The 13th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST will be held on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September.

Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto), who are challenging Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) for the lead, will not have forward IWASAKI Yuto, the team’s top goal scorer, due to the U-18 Japan National Team’s tour of China PR. As the forward TSUTSUMIHARA Tsubasa commented: “I’d like to lead the team to victory”, the attackers are staying ambitious for goals, while they focus on keeping a clean sheet.

As for Cerezo Osaka, the forward MATSUOKA Daichi, who came off the bench in the previous Sec. match against Riseisha High School (Osaka), was highly acclaimed by the coach OKUMA Yuji. He may be the key player to halt their losing streak.

The game between Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) and Riseisha High School, two teams from Osaka, also demands close attention. Gamba Osaka lost two consecutive matches with a weakened defence, conceding 7 goals, while Riseisha won a close game against Cerezo Osaka in the previous Sec., winning three matches in a row. The coach HIRANO Naoki noted, showing his confidence in the players' improvement: “the team will not be beaten easily.”

In the 4th Sec., Gamba Osaka beat them 5-3, but no one can guess what will happen this time.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) will meet Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) at home. As the midfielder NAKAMURA Kento commented: “our defence against passes to space behind the defensive line has got better”, defence is one of the vital points for them. 

Although Higashi Fukuoka once built a three-goal lead in the previous Sec., they conceded successive goals in the last 10 minutes, and lost the game in the end. If they can defend Kyoto’s counter-attacks, which led the team to eight goals in two matches, there will be a good opportunity to win and get three points.

Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita), who are currently in second place, will play against Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo). In the 4th Sec., in which they played Kobe away, after striking the opener, Oita conceded two goals and lost the game. Oita will not have two forwards, YOSHIHIRA Tsubasa and IWATA Tomoki, due to the U-18 Japan National Team’s tour.

However, the team will aim to beat the opponent, showing their strength, just like the midfielder MIYACHI Yujiro noted: “we can support each other.”

[Pick-up Match - WEST Matchday 13]
Nagoya Grampus U18  vs  Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth

Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) in ninth place will play against Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) in eighth place. Although Nagoya is now threatened with relegation, their condition both in attack and defence has improved compared to early on in the season, when they could not win at all.

In line with what TAKADA Tetsuya, the coach, had said: “the team is getting better. It’s up to how to play in the last 30 minutes”, the team struck consecutive goals toward the end of the match against Higashi Fukuoka to turn the game around in the previous Sec.

Hiroshima, on the other hand, have not scored any in the last three games. If they lose again, they will be threatened with relegation. They are eager to get three points. You cannot take your eyes off this coming match, which may decide which team remains in the league.

Date: Sunday 6 September Kick-off at 11:00
Venue: Nagoya City Minato Soccer Stadium
Access: Approximately 5-minute walk from “Noseki” Station (Nagoya Seaside Rapid Railway Aonami Line).

Direction to venue (Japanese version only)

Premier League WEST Matchday 13

9/5 (Sat.)
11:00   Kyoto Tachibana High School   vs   Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Nishikyogoku Sogo Sports Park Athletics stadium)
17:00   Gamba Osaka Youth   vs   Riseisha High School (Gamba Osaka Training ground)
9/6 (Sun.)
11:00   Higashi Fukuoka High School   vs   Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Fukuoka Football Centre)
11:00   Nagoya Grampus U18   vs   Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Nagoya City Minato Soccer Stadium)
13:00   Oita Trinita U-18   vs   Vissel Kobe U-18 (Beppu Jissouji Soccer Stadium)

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)