Pick-up Match

Nagoya Grampus U18　3-3 (2-1, 1-2)　Vissel Kobe U-18

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 July saw the 7th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST, and Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) played against Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo).

Although Nagoya aimed to earn their first victory in the league at home, Kobe initiated an attack from the wing at the beginning of the game, and scored the opener. After 13 minutes, Kobe earned a corner kick. As the coach NODA Satoru noted: ‘we’ve been practicing this play’, NODA Tatsuki in the centre tricked the opponent and fired in a shot with his right leg. Nagoya, however, soon attacked back. TANAKA Shoma later commented: ‘we were determined to deliver a victory to our supporters today.’ In the 23rd minute, SUGIURA Fumiya initiated an attack near the penalty area and scored a goal, levelling the match. Then after 35 minutes, KAJIYAMA Kanta, who reacted to a loose ball from NARUSE Shumpei’s shot, slotted it into the goal. Nagoya succeeded to turn the game around to 2-1 before halftime.

In the second half, both teams attacked even more fiercely, which created more free space. Then Kobe struck first, while both of the teams changed swiftly between attack and defence. In the 62nd minute, NAGASAWA Ryosuke was forced to fall just left side of the penalty area, and earned a free kick, from which Noda scored the equaliser.

Nagoya and Kobe continued to take shots. After 63 minutes, Tanaka fired a volley, letting Nagoya once again build a one-goal lead at home. In the 64th minute, however, IZUMI Toya and MASUOKA Eiki, both of whom came off the bench in the second half, played together to find the back of the net to level the game. Both of the teams continued to create goal-scoring opportunities towards the end of the match, and the score stayed at 3-3 until the final whistle. YAMAZAKI Makoto, the coach of Nagoya, later commented: ‘it was a frustrating match, but a positive one.’

Coach and Players' Comments

YAMAZAKI Makoto, Coach (Nagoya Grampus U18)
Although it may have been a thrilling game, the players’ performance was unstable, which was not how we intended to play. The players did well in terms of pushing forward to the goal, but we found many problems in defending our goal. During the halftime, we tried to improve our defence, which had led us to concede the most goals in the WEST, and I believe the players are more aware of it now. Having said that, we haven’t been able to show our improvement yet. I’d like to pursue good results in the remaining two games before the next interval, while improving our problems for sure.

SUGAWARA Yukinari (Nagoya Grampus U18)
We were so determined to win this game, since we hadn’t won a home game yet. In the second half, we conceded consecutive goals, failing to sustain our lead from the first half. Although the result was frustrating, I believe we could display our aggressive attitude towards the goal until the final whistle. I’d like to point out that we could also show off our style – to initiate attacks from the wings, while keeping possession. Despite the draw, I think the match was positive for the future.

NODA Satoru, Coach (Vissel Kobe U-18)
Although our centre line was drawn towards the back, which let the opponent attack in the first half, we fixed the problem well in the second half. Both of the teams had goal-scoring opportunities, but Kobe had more. We scored three goals. However, we could have scored more, thinking of the number of opportunities. I believe we found the areas where we need to improve. The players gave it their all despite the heat and humidity. Having said that, I feel strongly that we failed to earn three points, rather than levelling the game just in time.

MUKAI Akito (Vissel Kobe U-18)
We were intending to win all the remaining matches in the first part of the League, since we had build up positive momentum. However, we couldn’t get a good result, which was a shame. Personally, although I aimed to run towards the space behind the defenders, the distance from the passer was too far, and I couldn’t perform as I wanted. I haven’t struck a goal at all recently and I was determined to score today. I couldn’t find the back of the net with my opportunity in the second half, though. I’m gutted, as I think I should have scored then.

Other Matches

Ozu High School　0-3 (0-1, 0-2)　Cerezo Osaka U-18
Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School　2-2 (0-1, 2-1)　Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18
Higashi Fukuoka High School　1-2 (1-0, 0-2)　Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth
Oita Trinita U-18　1-2 (0-1, 1-1)　Gamba Osaka Youth

Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka), which is in the lead, brought their positive momentum to away game against Ozu High School (Kumamoto). The team scored three goals, including MATSUOKA Daichi’s opener, winning three consecutive matches.

Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto), who aimed to earn their first victory this season, met Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School (Hyogo). Although the team scored one goal in the first half, and the other in the second half, building a two-goal lead, they conceded two in the last 10 minutes due to confusion in their defence. The match ended with a draw 2-2.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka), who played a home game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima), also could not sustain their lead with a goal scored at the beginning of the game, and snatched a loss at the end. The game between Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita) and Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) stayed at 1-1 towards the final whistle, but HAYASHI Minori struck a deciding goal to earn three points for G Osaka.

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