Pick-up Match

Kashima Antlers Youth   2-3 (0-1, 2-2)   Kashiwa Reysol U-18

The second round of the Prince Takamado Trophy Premier League EAST was held on 16th to 17th of April, and Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) hosted Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) at Kashima Soccer Stadium. 

The weather was harsh. The ball was blown back in to their own halves by the strong wind. In this severe weather, Kashiwa made the opener. In the 16th minute, OCHIAI Riku got the ball in the centre and passed it to SAKAMOTO Ryoto who was on the right wing. The ball was kicked back to NAKAMURA Shunta and he calmly smashed the ball into Kashima’s net. Kashiwa got the momentum and continued to move the ball well until the end of the 1st half. 

Rain started from the 2nd half, but the match became heated-up. In the 55th minute, Kashiwa attacked with opportune timing when Kashima was desperate to equalise and moved forward; the ball was passed deeply from the final line and Nakamura received it, he then made a loop shot which went over the head of Kashima’s goalkeeper. 6 minutes after, Kashiwa’s OTANI Kyohei added another goal after receiving the ball from Nakamura, and Kashiwa pushed Kashima away 3-0.

Kashima’s players were not silent. In the 69th minute, some players such as WATANABE Renato and NISHIMOTO Takanobu got corner kicks by giving pressure from the front line. ONUMA Tatsuki’s shot was fumbled by Kashiwa’s goalkeeper, and then ISHIZU Hayato smashed it to the net. Kashima strengthened its attack, in the 70th minute, NAKAMURA Yuta headed a corner kick but it was blocked by the Kashiwa’s goalkeeper SARUTA Haruki. 

In the 89th minute, SHIRAI Ryo broke down the right wing and crossed the ball to IMURA Ryosuke who successfully scored the team’s second goal. Kashima needed 1 more goal to equalise but it was very difficult for them to catch up with Kashiwa’s 3 goals. The score did not change any more, the intensive match in the rain ended with Kashiwa’s victory 3-2. It was their first win of this season. 

Coach and Players' Comments

KUMAGAI Koji, Coach (Kashima Antlers Youth)
It is valid that we lost the match. We knew that Kashiwa is the team who can break through by keeping the ball well. Since it was our opening match at home, the players had a strong mentality from the beginning. However, it is too late for them to turn on their offensive switch only after they went behind. I think it was even good for us to know the issue in the earlier stage of the season. They have to learn lessons from each match, and if they can’t do it, they will never grow up. We have to face well with this defeat to change for the better. 

NISHIMOTO Takanobu  (Kashima Antlers Youth)
The current players are not better than how the previous players were at the same time of last year, so we had to play more aggressively to take control from the earlier stage of the match. I also felt that we had to know more about “when to play intensively”. After the opening goal by Kashiwa, we were not sure if we had to start attacking or to keep the match as it was, and in that atmosphere Kashiwa scored the second goal. Then finally we got to know what we should do, but it was too late. We believe that we are the 10th, the weakest team of all the teams which play in the Premier League EAST. To move up from the lowest, I want to keep a sense of responsibility in all matches. 

NAGAI Shunta, Coach (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
Since Kashima is good at making attacks from long passes and set pieces, we paid attention to avoid these types of offence. I appreciate the players for doing their best and that made them win the match after all. I assumed that we had to spare more energy for defense, and the substitute players worked very well. We are happy that we can play at this level every week, and this winning experience against Kashima will make us more confident. 

NAKAMURA Shunta (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
Since Kashima is tough in intensive competition, we have prepared to respond to their long pass. Even though we spent one week to get ready, they found the chance to make the long pass and the situation became dangerous for us. At that time, I just couldn’t stop feeling “they are good.” At the same time, I appreciate that we could respond fairly well to their attacks, and we didn’t conceded a 3rd goal. Personally, since I wasn’t selected for the first match, this match against Kashima was the opening match for me. As long as I am a forward player, I really wanted to contribute to the team by scoring. 

Other Matches

Yokohama F・Marinos Youth   1-2 (0-0, 1-2)   Ichiritsu Funabashi High School
Aomori Yamada High School   2-1 (0-1, 2-0)   Omiya Ardija Youth
Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa   1-2 (1-1, 0-1)   F.C. Tokyo U-18
Shimizu S-pulse Youth   1-1 (1-1, 0-0)   Albirex Niigata U-18

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) beat Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) by NISHIHA Taku’s 2 goals. They have 2 consecutive wins. 

Another high school team Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) conceded the opening goal at home, but turned the game around through KOYAMA Arata and MIKUNI Suteibia Ebusu’s goals. They beat Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama). They also have 2 consecutive wins. 

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) lost at home against F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo). They have not got any wins yet. 

Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka) drew against Albirex Niigata U-18 after a difficult match. 

More information