Pick-up Matches

Ozu High School 3-0 (2-0, 1-0) Oita Trinita U-18

The Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST held its matchday 13 over three days from Saturday 17 to Monday 19 September. At Ozu Sports Park Stadium in Kumamoto, two clubs who are struggling but desperate to avoid relegation, Ozu High School (Kumamoto) and Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita), went head to head. 

Ozu took the pace of the match early, creating scoring opportunities. In the 6th minute, SUGIYAMA Naohiro broke through the middle of the pitch off a fast break and got close to goal. As he was illegally taken down just outside of the box, his teammate TANAKA Takumi attempted a well-controlled free kick, only to see Oita’s goalkeeper TANII Yuya show a superb reaction to reject it. With Ozu retaining the momentum and seeking repeatedly for an opener, Sugiyama with his mid-range strike scored the much-awaited goal in the 17th minute.

Ozu High School’s offence was centred on Sugiyama on the right and NODA Kazumasa on the left, both actively moving up and down. After receiving feeds, they sent in several cross balls to forward FUJIYAMA Yuiku. In the 44th minute, Fujiyama’s aggressive mentality towards scoring goal finally materialised in a form of a penalty kick. He calmly outsmarted the goalkeeper to widen the lead to two with the successful spot kick.

On the other hand, Oita with two goals down had SAKAI Masaki passionately talk to his teammates during half time to get their spirits up. With regrouped mindset, they determined to correct their weak approach on the ball. Sakai’s effort certainly reactivated the team’s offensive end. The transition between offence and defence became more effective and the ball possession also improved greatly from the first half. Even though it did not end with a goal, TODAKA Kota in the 54th minute fed a cross ball to NOGAMI Takuya, who fired a shot. 

With the time passing by, however, Ozu gradually regained the initiative. In the 66th minute, Sugimoto shifted the ball from one side to another and towards SETO Daiki, who provided a cross ball from deep on the right flank. Once deflected by a defender in front of the goal, Tanaka picked it up and fired a fierce right-footed shot, which went into Oita’s goal for the match-sealing third goal. Ozu still kept attacking with substitute TOGUCHI Mitsuhiko’s hustle on the side. Their defence also remained organised, understanding where to rob the ball on the pitch, and prevented Oita from moving up. 

In the 90th minute, Oita gained a corner kick and MURAI Yoshiki fed it into the middle, but the attempt did not finish with a shot. The scoreline remained 3-0 until the last whistle. Ozu earned very important three points to stay in the league, while Oita are now required to rebuild their game plan quickly. 

Coaches' and Players' Comments

KOGA Kenshi, Coach (Ozu High School)
The positive takeaways out of this match were scoring the opening goal at a good timing and holding them scoreless with the solid defence that we had been working on. My players are getting more and more confident in their defence by playing matches one after another including practice games. Our plan today was to make sure to check the opponents’ two strikers. It’s big that we got three points today. What’s also important is to take this momentum to the next match. What we have to do now is to improve our finishes. There were some uneasy moments in defence, so that’s something we need to correct as well. 

SUGIYAMA Naohiro (Ozu High School)
Before the match we were told to keep shooting aggressively. So speaking of the one (to bring the goal to the team), I shot it aggressively. This match today was a must-win for us because we had been losing in a row. So it’s good that we didn’t miss this one. We allowed many goals in recent matches, so the fact that we held them scoreless is also a plus. To stay in this league, this three points means a lot. With this momentum, we want to win again next.

NAKAMURA Tamotsu, Coach (Oita Trinita U-18)
They were better than us in everything. In the first half, most of the balls reached the opponents’ two strikers. We didn’t control our risk. Also, we showed mental weakness of becoming too hesitant. In the second half, Ozu slowed the pace down. Even though we kept possession, it didn’t mean that we were controlling the match. It was Ozu who played patiently at the crucial moments, and it was us who failed to be as patient and allowed the third goal. I think we couldn't control the match well, and our attitude towards the match, skills and tactics were inferior. 

SAKAI Masaki (Oita Trinita U-18)
In the first half, we couldn’t execute what our coach told us, including good transitions between offence and defence, intensity for competing the ball, and risk management. So I spoke out (during the half time) to motivate my teammates. But that wasn’t enough to change the tide in the second half. Particularly speaking, the disappointing part was that we failed to defend and rob the opponents’ ball. Needless to say of our ineffective ball pressure and slow reaction to second balls, we didn’t attempt enough to stop their shots. We must win all the remaining matches from now on. Otherwise we can’t stay in the Premier League. So our goal now is winning every match after this.

Other Matches

Higashi Fukuoka High School 1-1（0-1, 1-0）Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School
Vissel Kobe U-18　1-0（0-0, 1-0）Kyoto Sanga F.C U-18
Gamba Osaka Youth　3-2（1-0, 2-2）Cerezo Osaka U-18
Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth　3-2（2-1, 1-1）Nagoya Grampus U18

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka), looking to get closer to the leaders in the league, took on Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Hyogo) at home. Although they gave away the opening goal early, SATO Ryoga helped his team to equalise the match with his goal and eventually to squeeze out a single point with a draw.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) defeated Kyoto Sanga F.C U-18 (Kyoto) after UEDA Hayato tallied the go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute. 

After a scoring spree, the battle between two Osaka clubs, Gamba Osaka Youth and Cerezo Osaka U-18, ended up with Gamba’s dramatic win with MATSUMOTO Ayumu’s late match winner. 

Although they allowed two total goals, Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima) edged Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) 3-2 with their offence including AKEHI Tomohiro’s opening goal.

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