Pick-up Match
Kashima Antlers Youth vs Aomori Yamada High School

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 July will see the 7th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST. Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) will play against Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) at the Kashima Soccer Stadium on 3 July.

Kashima, who are currently sitting in fifth place, scored an upset victory 3-2 against Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) in the previous Sec. As the coach KUMAGAI Koji noted: ‘just staying patient doesn’t earn us any points. So we’ve been determined to score with our limited opportunities, while defending solidly’, the team displayed what they had been practicing during the interval. The coach also commented: ‘despite a positive result in the previous Sec., I think this team is yet to become stronger.’ The team will face Aomori Yamada with their down-to-earth style.

The Kashima Soccer Stadium is a ‘bete noire’ ground for Aomori Yamada - they have never won there in the league. (The team drew twice and lost twice since the Premier League started.) The coach KURODA Go said: ‘I feel slightly nervous about the stadium. It’s vital to prepare the players mentally, thinking about every possible scenario.’

The coach expect the team will show off counter attacks and set pieces, while taking care of the details, against Kashima’s solid defence. He also mentioned: ‘with a slight delay in getting back to our space, we’ll concede a goal in the Premier League. It is essential to keep playing hard.’ The game between Kashima and Aomori Yamada will kick-off at 11:00. 

Coach and Players' Comments

KUMAGAI Koji, Coach (Kashima Antlers Youth)
Aomori Yamada High School is a strong team, and they’ve been playing well. We’ll find our way by scoring a goal with our one opportunity after staying patient. I expect we will need to defend most of the time. We managed to earn three points in the previous Sec. Although I can see we’ve improved since this spring, every other team has too. So I’d like to stick to our down-to-earth style, playing as challengers. 

MATSUURA Koyo (Kashima Antlers Youth)
I believe our unity, running strength, and competitive approach make us invincible. I think it’s always vital in any game to perform set pieces, play strong near the ball, and stay competitive. Personally, I’d like to play aggressively in the air. As I haven’t contributed to a goal yet, I’ll play bearing that in mind. I enjoy myself thoroughly playing in the best league of the high-school generation. I learn a huge amount from home and away games throughout the year. 

KURODA Go, Coach (Aomori Yamada High School)
Our aim stays the same – displaying our strengths, while eliminating the opponent’s. Kashima play tenaciously with good running strength. So we must exceed them. Although we are currently in the lead, the difference is not that much. If other teams start to win games, we’ll soon lose our lead on points. We’ll stay ambitious and look for a victory in every match. As we must win not only a home game, but also an away game, this year we’d like to focus on earning points away, which is not our strength at the moment.

SUMINAGA Kakeru (Aomori Yamada High School)
Our advantages are strength near the ball, stamina, a competitive mindset, and the ability to change swiftly between attack and defence. As I expect a fast game against Kashima, I’d like to react to the loose ball quickly, which will be a vital aspect of the game. Personally, I’d like to keep a clean sheet, so that I can contribute to the team’s victory. I also want to send passes, which assist goals. I hope I can show off my strengths by controlling the game through passes. We were one step behind in the championship last year. We’ll aim as a united team to become the best in Japan. 

Kashima Antlers Youth vs Aomori Yamada High School
Date: Sun. 3 July　kick-off 11:00
Venue: Kashima Soccer Stadium
Access: JR Kashima line “Kashima Jingu Station”, and take taxi for 10 minutes

Premier League EAST Match Day 7

7/2
15:00   Yokohama F・Marinos Youth vs F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Hodogaya Park Soccer Field)

7/3
11:00   Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Omiya Ardija Youth (Funabashi City Field/Grasspo)
11:00   Albirex Niigata U-18 vs Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Niigata Athletics stadium)
16:00   Kashiwa Reysol U-18 vs Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Hitachi Kashiwa Sogo Ground)

Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) will meet F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo). As both teams lost in the previous Sec., they are determined to win this time.

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba), who are one point behind Aomori Yamada in the lead, will play a home game against Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama). It is expected to be an exciting match, since both teams are unbeaten in three games.

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) are yet to win, and will play an away game against Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata) to earn their first victory in the league.

Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba), who beat Niigata in the previous Sec., will meet Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka), aiming to win consecutive games for the second time this season.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Match Day 6 Digest

More information