Pick-up Match

Kashima Antlers Youth   1-0 (1-0, 0-0)   Aomori Yamada High School

The 17th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST on Sunday 29 November saw the match between leaders Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) and second place Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki). Kashima won the game 1-0, taking the top spot to get closer to the title.

The first ten minutes were pivotal in this match. Kashima started well, counter-attacking from the opponent’s corner kick in the seventh minute. The midfielder NISHIMOTO Takanobu, who received the ball up front, dribbled through the defenders. He later commented: "Although I received the ball to earn some time for my teammates to move forward, I initiated an attack as there were only two defenders in front of me." Nishimoto got through the left wing and went into the space in front of the goal, where he was fouled, earning a penalty. The midfielder HIRATO Taiki scored the opener from a solid penalty.

Aomori Yamada, who were one victory away from winning the championship, stayed ambitious for goals, including with a long-distance shot from HARAYAMA Kairi at right back. However, after conceding a goal, the team struggled against Kashima with their focused defence and numerous counter-attacks. The tall forward KAKITA Yuki of Kashima displayed his talent, drawing in two centre backs to take a shot.

Aomori Yamada, who were encouraged strongly by coach KURODA Go during halftime, attacked back fiercely in the second half. The players used the wide space, switching sides, while KAMIYA Yuta initiated attacks from the centre. They created many goal-scoring opportunities especially with crosses from the sides, only for them to be saved by Kashima’s defenders, including a tall centre back MACHIDA Koki. CHIBA Kenta, the captain of Kashima showed his strong spirit by diving head first to receive the ball in the centre. Kashima won the match 1-0.

Although Kakita will be suspended for the final Sec. because of a yellow card he received just before the final whistle, Kashima have succeeded in taking the lead.

If Kashima beat Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) in the final Sec., they will claim the title. However, if Aomori Yamada, now in second place, earn more points than Kashima in their game against F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo), there is still a possibility for them to win the championship. We cannot wait to see who will become champions for the first time.

Coach and Players' Comments

KUMAGAI Koji, Coach (Kashima Antlers Youth)
I’d like to point out all the players performed superbly and hope we will continue play so. Although Sakata will be suspended in the final Sec., we’ll prepare ourselves to play as hard as possible to manage a victory – it’s our usual style. I expect a tough match, as our opponent Ichiritsu Funabashi High School is a strong team. Winning the championship is not easy. We’d like to prepare well, so that we can play without any regret in the final Sec.

CHIBA Kenta (Kashima Antlers Youth)
We had great support and cheering from the crowd in the final game at home. I believe that encouraged each one of us to play well. In the second half, we had to let the opponent use their strength – long throws, and played under pressure. However, we continued to concentrate well until the final whistle, as Aomori Yamada tend to score at the end of the match. Ichiritsu Funabashi, whom we’ll meet in the final Sec., run well and play solidly near the ball just like us. I hope to win the match by playing better than them.

KURODA Go, Coach (Aomori Yamada High School)
I think the reason we conceded a goal was a lack of responsibility among our defenders. We let the opponent get through easily even though there were only one or two players in attack. We also let them move towards the goal when we were competing. We should have kept a clean sheet through the difficult periods in the first half to attack in the second half. We were too optimistic.

Although we attacked back in the second half, Kashima defended solidly. It was difficult to get through them with just simple crosses. As we still have our hope to claim the title, we’ll win the game in the final Sec., and wait for the results from the other matches. 

KAMIYA Yuta (Aomori Yamada High School)
We didn’t start the match well due to either nerves or heavy legs, and we conceded a goal unnecessarily. In the second half, we could take only long-distance shots against the opponent’s strong defence, which is now a problem we need to fix. Personally, I should have scored, as I had an opportunity to take a shot freely from a set piece. I’d like to fix any problems during the match, so that I don’t have to say later: "we could have done better." The only way we can still have a hope of claiming the title is to win the coming match. So I’d like to prepare well.

Other Matches

Kashiwa Reysol U-18   0-0 (0-0, 0-0)   Ichiritsu Funabashi High School
Shimizu S-Pulse Youth   2-0 (1-0, 1-0)   F.C. Tokyo U-18
Omiya Ardija Youth   0-3 (0-1, 0-2)   Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School
JFA Academy Fukushima   1-1(0-0, 1-1)   Consadole Sapporo U-18

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba), who was in third place, played out a scoreless draw with Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba), losing any possibility of claiming the title. 

Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) beat F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) 2-0.

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) won a sweeping victory over Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama), earning a place in next year’s league. 

JFA Academy Fukushima (Shizuoka) tied their game with Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido), who were also threatened with relegation, and failed to stay in the league. Sapporo also could not earn enough points against Kashiwa in eighth place to completely avoid relegation, and remain under the pressure. The final Sec. will decide both who will win the championship and who will leave the league. 

"The 2nd Prince Takamado Trophy Premier League Best Goal Campaign" is now going on! (Japanese version only)

Share your humorous poem about football! (Japanese version only)