On Sunday, 24 August, the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League East will hold its 10th section.

Consadole Sapporo U-18 (Hokkaido) is playing against Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) at their home ground. Consadole Sapporo is in a good mood with 2 wins and 2 draws in its last 4 matches. Both their tenacious defense and attacking strategy withHirakawa Motoki, who is one of the top-ranking strikers, is in good form scoring goals and working very well. Shimizu S-Pulse, on the other hand, attract attention because it will be the first match under the supervision of the new head coach Hiraoka Hideaki; they are expected to have their aggressive football as usual.
Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) will play against Ryutsukeizaidaigakufuzoku Kashiwa High School (Chiba). Even though Aomori Yamada High School has not won since the 5th Sec., they had a good result in the latest All Inter-High School Championships (“Inter-high”), getting to the semi finals. Ryutsukeizaidaigakufuzoku Kashiwa High School could not qualify for this Inter-high, and the players concentrated on improving their skills and physical strengths; one of the players Mizuno Kota says the team will cover the lack of match experiences by having a lot of practice matches. It is certainly interesting to see which team will win, showing their result of making great efforts over this summer.

Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba), the current top team will play against Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) at their home Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium. Both teams have reliable strikers such as Oshima Koki, Kashiwa Reysol, who scored 5 goals whereas Hirato Taiki of Kashima Antlers has scored 4 goals. While both of the strikers are expected to have consistent defense, it is exciting to see which team will win the match.

Tokyo Verdy Youth, currently in 7th place, will play against Mitsubishi Youwa Youth which is also from Tokyo and is in 9th place. As Nakano Masaomi, a player of Tokyo Verdy Youth, says that their issue is how they start the game, they are expected to play calmly by keeping patience from the beginning of the game and maximising their chances. Mitsubishi Youwa Youth, on the other hand, is expected to have a chance to win if the can lead the game by their defense.

［Interesting match in the 10th Section］
JFA Academy Fukushima vs Ichiritsu Funabashi High School

JFA Academy Fukushima will be back in their original home to play with Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba). JFA Academy Fukushima is currently based in Shizuoka since 2011 due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. JFA Academy Fukushima could not win in the beginning of the League, but they have gradually become better since June. After their first victory in the 6th section, they beat Ryutukeizaidaigakufuzoku Kashiwa High School, one of the strong teams, in the 8th section and they seem to be in a good mood. Ichiritsu Funabashi High School, on the other hand, is now in the 4th place keeping their quality of defense. In the 8th section, they beat Shimizu S-Pulse Youth who was in the 1st place at that time. Shimizu S-Pulse is now in 2nd place. “They are even stronger once they can appreciate the opponent’s strengths”, says Asaoka Ryuzo, head coach of Ichiritsu Funabashi High School. It will be one of the exciting matches to see how these two strong teams will play.

JFA Academy Fukushima vs Ichiritsu Funabashi High School
Date: Sunday, 24 August
Kick-off time: 10:00
Venue: Kagamiishi machi Torimiyama Rikujo Kyogijo, Fukushima
How to access: Nearest train station is “Kagamiishi” of Tohoku Honsen. 6 minutes from Kagamiishi station to the venue.

Original neck strap will be given to the first 300 audiences on the day of the 10th section matches! Please come to the venue!

Kashiwa Reysol U-18 vs Kashima Antlers Youth
Date: Sunday, 24 August
Kick-off time: 16:00
Venue: Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium
How to access: Nearest station is “Kashiwa” of JR Joban line and Tobu Noda Line. If you walk, it will take 20 minutes from the east exit of Kashiwa station. It you take bus, get off at “Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium” or “Midorigaoka” of Tobu Bus, it will take 1 minute to walk from the bus stop. Please take “Nadogaya” bus from the 1st bus platform which is at the east exit of Kashiwa Station.