The 12th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST will be held on Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka), who are currently in fourth place, will play against Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi). Higashi Fukuoka have just become back-to-back champions in the Interscholastic Athletic Meet (Inter-high school championships) this summer. As the coach MORISHIGE Junya notes: “the players have an inner strength and can play solidly”, the team are never complacent.

They are looking for more victories, after the one over Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) in the previous Sec. On the other hand, Nagoya’s condition is not bad at all despite the fact they are currently at the bottom. If they pull off a victory in this match, they will earn three points.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima), who aim to win the game for the first time in the latter term, will meet Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) in third place. The key will be the attackers, who have not been able to score in the previous two games. KATO Mutsuki is leading the scoring competition, and will be expected to strike goals. Oita, on the other hand, are doing well with only seven points before they achieve their aim of the season: “27 points”. Will the players show aggressive play in this Sec. again to earn more points.

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) will meet Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto), against whom they lost in the first term. IWASAKI Yuto, the forward of Kyoto Tachibana, who had struck two goals in the previous match, scored another two in the game against Hiroshima, showing his ability again in the third round. Kobe need to defend against Iwasaki, not to mention “taking the initiative by passing the ball around, and staying calm, playing our style” as HIGASHI Junya told, expressing his eagerness to beat the opponent.

Gamba Osaka, who will play against Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto), who repeated careless mistakes and “gave goals away to the opponent” as the coach UMEZU Hironari described in the previous game against Higashi Fukuoka. The condition of the defenders will be vital for the coming match. Will they defend against the attackers of Kyoto, who got four goals in the previous Sec. against Cerezo Osaka who are in the lead.

[Pick-up Match - WEST Matchday 12]
Cerezo Osaka U-18  vs  Riseisha High School

Cerezo Osaka and Riseisha High School (Osaka), both of whom are based in Osaka, will meet. Cerezo Osaka, who have held the top spot since the opening game, were beaten by Kyoto U-18 in the previous Sec. 4-0 due to the absence of the key defenders, MORISHITA Reiya and SHOJI Honoya. But the condition of the defenders, including whether these two can come back or not, will affect the game.

Riseisha have kept a clean sheet in three consecutive matches with their improved defence, staying unbeaten since the game against Oita in the 8th Sec. In terms of attack, they scored 10 goals in the previous four games, and showed good balance between attack and defence. Although C Osaka won the first match against Riseisha 3-1 in the 3rd Sec., both of the teams have changed a lot. We cannot predict which team will win until the final whistle.

Date: Sunday 30 August Kick-off at 18:00 p.m.
Venue: Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground
Access: Near from city bus stop “Maishima Chuo”, which runs from “Nishikujo” Station (Osaka Loop Line)

Direction to venue (Japanese version only)

Premier League WEST Matchday 12

8/29 (Sat.)
16:00   Higashi Fukuoka High School  vs  Nagoya Grampus U18 (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
8/30 (Sun.)
11:00   Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth  vs  Oita Trinita U-18 (Yoshida Soccer Park)
16:00   Vissel Kobe U-18  vs  Kyoto Tachibana High School (Ibukino Mori Sports Field)
17:00   Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18  vs  Gamba Osaka Youth (Kyoto Sanga F.C. Higashi Joyo Ground)
18:00   Cerezo Osaka U-18  vs  Riseisha High School (Cerezo Osaka Maishima Ground)

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)