The week 8 of Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League on Sun. 13 July.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima), taking third place of the league, will face Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka). Hiroshima's attackers have been on roll scoring four goals in previous week with Kato Mutsuki who is co-runner up of scorer ranking demonstrating his strength. Higashi Fukuoka's attackers are very strong featuring talented players, scoring total of 16 goals in the league which is second place. This game is expected to be attackers' battle.

The first win will be at stake for the game between Toyama Daiichi High School (Toyama) and Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto).  Both teams are on the bottom of table, they have a tight defense until the middle of the game but their defense collapses once they concede the goal. It will be tested if they can play decisively in front of the goal and can cope with opponents when they are in defensive.

Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) will face the league leader Nagoya Grampus U18 (Nagoya) at their home stadium. Gamba Osaka completed a landslide victory over Kyoto Tachibana 6-1 previous week, a hat trick by Takagi Akito which was second time in the season. They canceled out the loss in week 5. But this week's opponent, Nagoya is a persevering team as Ohashi Ryutaro, Nagoya said ” we don't have tall players but we play well-structured defense”. Gamba Osaka likes to enhance their confidence they restored in previous week.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo), losing three consecutive games after week 5, will play against Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) winning three consecutive games. Kobe is struggling as Higashi Junya grumbled “not very good combination among players and our defense is not functioning”. But Vissel is showing a sign of recovery as U-19 Japan National Team Preliminary member Yamaguchi Shinji who's been sidelined for injury came back to the pitch in previous week and Fujimoto Yugo completed a hat trick in that game.
On the other hand, Cerezo Osaka is in the second place for playing an aggressive football even though some problems pointed out by Saito Kazuki as saying “The team can't start the game in a good way and we can't play well until our head coach gives us some advice”. The game is expected to be a good game demonstrating strong points of each side.

[Pick-up Match of Week 8]
Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 vs Higashiyama High School

“Kyoto Derby” between 7th place Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 and 8th place Higashiyama High School is crucial game for both sides for getting back their momentum. Kyoto has been struggling in opening of the season, losing three games in a row. Captain Onishi Yuki reviewed as saying “The team didn't get together and the players didn't have anything to urge”. But they beat Kobe 4-3 after recovering their condition during the break period. On the other hand, Higashiyama haven't win the game since the opening match but as Fukushige Eiki said they are getting used to the league “gradually getting to know the typical style of offence in Premiere League – defense in block and attack by counter attack.” They changed their defense formation and made it three back systems for restoring strength. They have been playing persistently. See which team wins the Kyoto Derby and make it turning point of coming back.

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 vs Higashiyama High School.
Date: Sun. 13 July  Kickoff at 16:00
Venue: Higashiomi City Nunobiki Park Track Field (Nunobiki Green Stadium)
Access: 15 minute walk from “Daigakumae” station of Omi Tetsudo Honsen. 20 minutes by taxi from “Omi Hachiman” station of JR Tokaido Honsen or Oumitesudo Youkaichisen. 10 minutes by car from “Youkaichi IC” of Meishin Kousoku Doro.