Pick-up Match

Higashi Fukuoka High School 5-4 (1-1, 4-3) Gamba Osaka Youth

The 12th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League WEST took place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September, where Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) and Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) clashed.

In search for their first victory in three matches, it was Gamba Osaka who took the initiative of the match. Midfielder IWAMOTO Sho (#10) led his side to move the ball around with great pace to apply pressure on Higashi Fukuoka. Their first opportunity came in the 14th minute when ADACHI Tsubasa (#11) delivered a through ball to HARADA Retsushi (#14) who struck a shot, but his attempt was denied by the goal post. Harada and Adachi came close to scoring in the 15th minute as well, but as Iwamoto later reflected, “We could have won today’s match if we have converted our chances,” their efforts fell short from capturing the opening goal. Conversely, the Fukuoka side converted their opportunity in the 32nd minute, when their defender NAKAMURA Takumi (#2) penetrated the right flank before firing a shot. His shot was initially blocked by the Gamba defence, but SAKAI Haruto (#20) was there to capitalise on the loose ball to break the deadlock. Gamba Osaka came right back to level the match in the 38th minute, when OKUNO Kohei (#8) broke through the flank to score the equaliser, sending the match into halftime with a score of 1-1.

Despite allowing the Osaka side to level the match, Higashi Fukuoka came out attacking aggressively from the beginning of the second half. Their attacks overwhelmed the opposing defence, as midfielder NAKAMURA Takuya (#6) delivered a powerful shot from distance to take the lead in the 52nd minute, followed by Sakai’s second goal of the match, which was assisted by IMOTO Kanji (#11) in the 55th minute. Sakai later mentioned, “I haven’t been productive in our recent matches, but our staffs and teammates have encouraged me with positive words, so I really wanted to earn good results today.”

Now down by two goals, Gamba Osaka rallied back in the 68th minute with a goal scored by NIWA Takumi (#7). However, as Iwamoto described, “Once we were within a goal, we were too invested in our offence that we couldn’t take care of the counter attacks,” Higashi Fukuoka took advantage of the situation to initiate a counter attack in the 76th minute, where Sakai penetrated the flank before sending a cross to ARAKI Ryotaro (#18) who converted the opportunity with his header.

With just 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Osaka showcased a tenacious effort to once again equalise the match with two consecutive goals, but Higashi Fukuoka sealed the deal in the 83rd minute, when Nakamura Takumi’s cross found the late substituted forward NAGANO Shoki (#32) at the centre, who captured the fifth goal of the team. The match saw no further action as the final whistle blew to give Higashi Fukuoka the victory.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

MORISHIGE Junya, Coach (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
I have told my players that we must stay patient when facing higher ranked teams. We conceded a goal in the first half and had a stretch where we struggled against the high-quality plays displayed by the Gamba players, but we managed to keep our focus to fight through the entire match. The substituted players did a great job to lessen the burden off our defence line. Despite keeping our main focus on our defence for this week’s match, we conceded many shots and gave up multiple goals, but our players showed great persistency to prevail at the end to take the lead.

GK #14 OIKAWA Naoto (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
Knowing how good Gamba is, we knew this match was going to be a tough one. We kept talking to each other before the match to stay patient and I think we managed to carry out our game plan well. We didn’t communicate well between our offence and defence in the first half, but we were definitely on the same page in the second half. It was also a good thing that we managed to showcase a solid block when defending. I have always studied on our opponents and prepared myself so that I can perform well at any given time, so I am glad that I was given the start today and won the match.

SHIMADA Takahiro, Coach (Gamba Osaka Youth)
This was a match we had to score first. Once we conceded the opening goal, we got too invested in our offence and conceded more goals from counter attacks, so we must be more careful to manage the risks. We must become a team that can fight back and retake the lead. Although there were many aspects we must improve on, we also showed great intentions to win the match today. We will continue to strive to lessen the goals we concede, while heightening the quality in our offence ahead of our next match.

MF #10 IWAMOTO Sho (Gamba Osaka Youth)
Although we conceded the opening goal, we managed to showcase our style of football to level the match, so we were still confident to win the match during halftime. We did okay in the second half, but the third goal we conceded was crucial. After that goal, we allowed our opponents to penetrate the flanks, so we must be able to make the necessary adjustments during the match. The Higashi Fukuoka players displayed solid defence when facing man-to-man, so we must find ways to get by them with quicker ball movements. We will be facing Cerezo Osaka in our next Sec., and despite it being a derby match, we will stay focused on just winning the match.

Results of other matches

Hannan University Senior High School 1-3 (1-2, 0-1) Avispa Fukuoka
Vissel Kobe U-18 Postponed Cerezo Osaka U-18
Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 2-1 (1-1, 1-0) Yonago Kita High School
Nagoya Grampus U-18 1-3 (0-1, 1-2) Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth

The match between the two teams fighting to avoid relegation ended with Avispa Fukuoka U-18 (Fukuoka) gaining the upper hand against Hannan University Senior High School (Osaka). Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) won their home game against Yonago Kita High School (Tottori) to remain in first place. Second place Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) also won their match in a crucial battle against the third place Nagoya Grampus U-18 (Aichi). The match between Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) and Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) was postponed due to heavy rain. Further information including the new match date will be posted on JFA.jp.

Tournament Period：Sat. 7 April 2018 ～ Sun. 9 December 2018

Tournament Information