The Prince Takamado Trophy JFA 32nd U-15 Japan Football Championship semi-finals took place at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka on Saturday 26 December.

Pick-up Match1

FC Tama Junior Youth 3-3 (2-1, 1-2, PK: 2-4) Sagan Tosu U-15

FC Tama Junior Youth (Kanto6/Tokyo), who reached the semi-finals in their first tournament appearance, started the match by showing great pass-works to threaten the goal of Sagan Tosu U-15 (Kyushu2/Saga). Their striker KIDA Ryoga scored the opening goal in the 26th minute, when he converted the FK delivered by SUGAI Tomoki with a header. Despite conceding the equaliser from a PK in the 32nd minute, FC Tama quickly regained their lead in the 33rd minute, when Sugai capitalised on a loose ball created by the shot taken by Kida.

Trailing by a goal, Tosu made their adjustments during halftime, as they changed their formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, adding layers to their midfield. Just as coach MORI Keisuke intended, the Tosu eleven responded by showing great counterattacks in the second half, which led to the goal scored by SAKITA Ryusei in the 53rd minute. Three minutes later, MASAZAKI Kosei assisted the goal of YAMASAKI Haruki to give Tosu their first lead of the match.

After conceding back to back goals, FC Tama rallied back in the 64th minute, when Kida struck a header off a CK delivered by Sugai, as the two combined for the third time to bring the two sides back on equal terms. The score remained tied after 80 minutes of play, sending the match into PKs. For Tosu, this was their second PK in two matches, which gave an edge to their GK KOIKE Asahi, who saved two shots to send Sagan Tosu U-15 to their second straight final at the U-15 Japan Football Championship.

Pick-up Match2

Urawa Red Diamonds Junior Youth 2-2 (0-1, 2-1, PK2-4) Kashima Antlers Tsukuba Junior Youth

Urawa Red Diamonds Junior Youth (Kanto2/Saitama) entered the semi-finals searching for their second final appearance in three years, but without their captain SEKIYA Hikaru and GK EBASHI Yuto. The two players were left out of the squad for precautionary measures, after one of their dorm mates had a fever (PCR test came out negative). In efforts to give the two players the chance to play at the final, the Urawa elven showcased great aggression from the early minutes. However, it was Kashima Antlers Tsukuba Junior Youth (Kanto3/Ibaraki) who scored the opening goal, as NOTOYA Aoi showcased a great individual effort to carry the ball upfront and assist the goal of TOKUDA Homare in the 32nd minute.

Although the team was held to just three shots in the first half, Urawa rallied in the second half. With the team creating more opportunities to threaten the Kashima goal, the equaliser came in the 59th minute, when MATSUBARA Shiki redirected a FK to level the match.

Despite conceding the equaliser, Kashima kept their composure and continued to seek for their opportunity to score goals. In the 63rd minute, OGURA Kosei carried the ball upfront and struck a shot from distance. The shot was blocked by the Urawa GK, but SHINBO Rui was there to convert the loose ball, giving Kashima the lead once again.

In efforts to level the match, Urawa introduced TAKAHASHI Kohei in the closing minutes, who created many chances through his long throw-ins, which induced an own goal moments before the final whistle to send the match into PKs, but it was Kashima Antlers Tsukuba who came up top after the shootouts.

Coaches and Players' Comments

KOIKE Asahi (Sagan Tosu U-15)
I had stopped a PK at the quarterfinals, so I was pretty confident about entering PKs today. I used to be bad at PKs, but I had been training with my GK coach to work on my PKs over the past couple weeks. The fact that I was able to stop two more today gives me more confidence moving forward. Last year, I watched our senior players finish in second place. They have told us to win next year, so I will give my best efforts to keep a clean sheet at the final.

HIRABAYASHI Kiyoshi, Coach (FC Tama Junior Youth)
We made it hard on ourselves because we couldn’t score the third goal. When we had the one goal lead, we started to play defensively, and our opponent took advantage of that situation. This year, we utilised many players throughout the regular season. We have come from behind to win many matches and our players showed great improvements over the year, so I told my players to showcase their usual performance at the national stage. I am very proud of how we scored today’s goals. We proved that even a local football club like us can make a deep run like this, so we will continue to work hard to become a better team.

TAKAHASHI Kohei (Urawa Red Diamonds Junior Youth)
I knew that the starting players were going to leave nothing behind, and that I would have my opportunity when they run out of gas. I always believed that I could contribute to the team with my left foot and long throw-ins, so I have spent a lot of time working on them. It almost brought me to tears when I heard about the two players not being able to play today, because they have worked so hard and contributed for the team leading to this point. That is why we gave them a call and told them that we were going to win this match for them. We gave everything we’ve got to reach this far, so we will move on to our next stage with our heads held high.

NEMOTO Yuichi, Coach (Kashima Antlers Tsukuba Junior Youth)
We knew this was going to be a very close match, so we prepare ourselves in the best way possible including the PKs. Although this is our first appearance at this tournament as Antlers Tsukuba, we are pursuing both improvement and victory. Our team is getting stronger as we play more matches at this tournament. It will be great if we can conclude our run with the tournament title. We will give our best efforts at the final, so that we can showcase a spectacular match.

Prince Takamado Trophy JFA 32nd U-15 Japan Football Championship

Tournament duration: Sat. 12 - Mon. 28 December 2020

Tournament Information