Pick-up Match

Albirex Niigata U-18　2-1 (1-0, 1-1)   Yokohama F・Marinos Youth

The 3rd round of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April saw a match between Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata) and Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) at the Sports Centre Albillage in Kitakanbara-gun Seiro-machi, Niigata.

Both teams have been promoted to the Premier League this season, and are looking for their debut victory. Niigata, playing at home, struck the opener at the beginning of the game. In the second minute, MARUYAMA Sota reacted to a pass from HONMA Shion, who had intercepted in the centre and dribbled up, and firmly fired in a shot. However, HORI Koki later noted: ‘we became passive after our first goal’, Yokohama started to attack strongly to dominate Niigata’s area, and kept possession. After 18 minutes, although KAWARADA Yu from Yokohama FM took a promising-looking shot, Niigata solidly defended it. Yokohama earned three consecutive corner kicks in the 28th minute, but Niigata’s defenders blocked them. Niigata stayed strong and patient against fierce attacks from the opponent to sustain their one-goal lead before halftime.

At the beginning of the second half, Niigata scored again. In the 47th minute, NAKANO Yuya stole the ball in the centre and passed it to Hori, who got through the opponent calmly to score, building a two-goal lead. Yokohama, however, did not give up and were eager to look for goals. YOSHIO Kaina and HORI Kenta, both of whom came off the bench, consecutively fired in shots. After five minute of injury time, although TSUNEMOTO Keigo of Yokohama, received the ball from a throw-in and struck a superb long-distance shot from the penalty area, the time was up just after the goal and Yokohama could not close the gap.

Niigata quickly intercepted the ball to counter-attack, striking goals through a few opportunities, while Yokohama could not score enough even though they took the initiative, and sustained possession. Niigata, who played patiently, won a Premier League game for the first time.

Coach and Players' Comments

IRIE Toru, Coach (Albirex Niigata U-18)
Despite our victory, I have to point out that the opponent performed better. The players must have learned that they needed to improve more. Yokohama kept possession way longer than we did. Although it’s our playing style to stay patient, waiting for an opportunity, we tend to concede a goal in the end just like we did. We need to take the initiative a little bit more to move the ball around, and get through the opponent.

MARUYAMA Sota (Albirex Niigata U-18)
It was good to strike a goal at the beginning, but we were under pressure throughout the match, which was tough. When we struck the opener, Honma Shion was dribbling forward and there was a lot of space on the right. So I ran into that space, trusting that he’d pass the ball to me. I was determined to score a goal. I was glad I did it. As it was a home game and many supporters were there, I was pleased that we won the game.

HORI Koki (Albirex Niigata U-18)
Although I’m pleased that we won the game, we shouldn’t have conceded a goal at the end. It’s vital to stay vocal and concentrate until the final whistle. When Nakano Yuya gave an excellent pass to me, I thought I’d take a shot directly. However, as the opponent drew nearer, I had to get through to strike a goal. As I missed a goal in the first half, I was determined to score in the second half. I think the ‘stealing-the-ball-to-counter-attack’ strategy worked well against Marinos. 

MATSUHASHI Rikizo, Coach (Yokohama F・Marinos Youth)
The result showed our level. Despite the fact we kept possession most of the time, we did not stop the ball properly before kicking, which was a basic skills. The players moved the ball around, almost creating goal-scoring opportunities, but none of them could finish with a shot or send an excellent pass. We need to work on this. There is still some room to improve. So I’d like to fix them through the League, raising the level of the team.

Other Matches

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School   0-0 (0-0, 0-0)   Kashima Antlers Youth
F.C. Tokyo U-18   5-2 (1-0, 4-2)   Omiya Ardija Youth
Kashiwa Reysol U-18   3-0 (1-0, 2-0)   Aomori Yamada High School
Shimizu S-pulse Youth   1-0 (0-0, 1-0)   Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba), who had won consecutive games, drew with Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki).

F.C. Tokyo U-18 won a sweeping victory against Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) with five goals, including KUBO Takefusa’s shot.

There was a match between two unbeaten teams, Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) and Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori). Kashiwa won the game with two goals, including a goal from NAKAMURA Shunta.

Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka) beat Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba), and remain unbeaten.

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