Pick-up Match
Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Aomori Yamada High School

Matchday 13 of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League EAST will be held from Saturday 17 to Monday 19 September. The showcase match of this weekend is between Ichiritsu Funabashi High School (Chiba) and Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) playing for the top spot.

Ichiritsu Funabashi, who are currently sitting in second place, won two and lost one among three games in the latter stage. Although the team struggled against fierce attacks from Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) on Matchday 11, conceding three goals, they kept a clean sheet to beat Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) in an away game in the following week. Coach ASAOKA Ryuzo describes the resilience of his players as "they came back, got re-energised, and earned three big points".

The team will need to cope against Aomori Yamada’s counter-attacks this weekend. Coach Asaoka comments on the keys of the match as "defending solidly and capitalising on our scoring opportunities". As the team gained depth in the squad after competing the summer championships, the timing of substitutions and performance of the players coming off the bench may have an impact on the match.

Aomori Yamada High School, on the other hand, are in the lead on goal difference. Coach KURODA Go comments, “ideally, we keep a clean sheet and win the game 1-0 or 2-0. Our strategy is likely to be the same as theirs”. As Ichiritsu Funabashi have conceded the fewest goals in the league so far, it is vital for Aomori Yamada to capitalise on their few goal-scoring opportunities. 

Some of Aomori Yamada’s strikers picked up injuries, but it may make other players, who had been on the bench, even more motivated ahead of the game. Coach Kuroda notes: “ in an essential game, it’s not only the 11 players who start the game that will be tested, but also all the players on the bench. Difficulties could be considered as an opportunity to improve our team”. They will face this weekend’s match as a united team.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

ASAOKA Ryuzo, Coach (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
Thinking of the number of remaining games, we’re eager to gain some advantages by beating Aomori Yamada in the coming game. We’ll meet F.C. Tokyo U-18 the following weekend. We’d like to win consecutive games to maintain the good ranking. As I believe these coming two matches will be vital at the end of the league, we hope to earn at least a point or three if possible in each of these matches. The teams in the Premier League are at a high level. So we always play very close games, and we are required to be flexible in the way we think. Even if our performance is not perfect, we need to be tough enough to earn points. 

HARA Teruki (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
In this weekend’s match, I think it’s vital to react well to long-distance balls, pick up loose balls after scrambles, and stay competitive in front of the goal. As our team’s concepts are competitiveness around the ball, quick transition between attack and defence, and high work-rate, we cannot be beaten in these aspects. Personally, I’d like to showcase my strength in the air, while working hard and finding the right timing to attack. I look forward to meeting the top teams in the match this weekend and the one after.

KURODA Go, Coach (Aomori Yamada High School)
In the previous two games, we have struggled, letting the opponents strike first. We somehow snatched points in those matches, but I don't believe a strong team like Ichiritsu Funabashi will fail to capitalise such opportunities.

As one goal means more in the coming games, we’d like to defend solidly. It’s up to how quickly we can initiate attacks, whenever we are in possession of the ball. The Premier League EAST this year is a close contest. We surely need to focus on earning three points in each of the coming games. If we can stay more resilient than other top teams, I believe we will be closer to winning the championship. 

SUMINAGA Kakeru (Aomori Yamada High School)
‘Building pressure’, ‘switching between attack and defence’, and ‘playing hard’ are the traditional styles of Aomori Yamada, which, I’m sure, cannot be easily beaten. I expect we need to throw everything into the game against Ichiritsu Funabashi. I think it’s vital to stay competitive around the ball, pick up second balls, and capitalise on our set pieces, while defending tenaciously against opponents’ set pieces.

Personally, I’d like to display my strength – controlling the game by understanding the flow of the match. We cannot lose a game between the teams of the all Japan High School Athletic Federation. I’ll give all I have and play my best, while fully committing myself to the team’s victory. 

Ichiritsu Funabashi High School vs Aomori Yamada High School
Date：Sunday 18 Septmenber  Kick-off 11:00
Venue：Funabashi City Field/Grasspo
Directions: Approximately one-minute walk from the Keisei Bus stop ‘Otsuka Glass’, which leaves from Nishi-Funabashi Station (JR) or Funabashi-Hōten Station (Musashino Line)
　　　　　   Approximately three-minute walk from the Community Bus 'Flower' stop ‘Esthe City’, which leaves from Magomezawa Station (Tōbu Noda Line)

Premier League EAST Matchday 13

9/17
13:00　Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa vs Omiya Ardija Youth（Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa）
15:30　F.C. Tokyo U-18  vs Kashiwa Reysol U-18（Tokyo Gas Musashinoen Tamokuteki Ground）
9/18
11:00　Albirex Niigata U-18 vs Kashima Antlers Youth（Ijimino Park Soccer Field, Niigata)
9/19
15:00　Shimizu S-pulse Youth vs Yokohama F・Marinos Youth（IAI Stadium Nihondaira）

Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa (Chiba) will play against Omiya Ardija Youth (Saitama) to win their first victory in the latter stage of this season.

While HIRAKAWA Rei and KUBO Takefusa of F.C. Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo) are away to join the U-16 national team, they will meet Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba). The team’s strategy without two key players in attack will draw some attention.

Albirex Niigata U-18 (Niigata), who are currently in ninth place, will play a home game against Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki) in eighth place. If Niigata win this game, they will be level on points with Kashima. It will be a vital match for both to stay in the league.

Yokohama F・Marinos Youth (Kanagawa) won four consecutive games and moved into fourth place. As the coaches in the EAST describes: ‘this team currently have the most powerful momentum’. They are only three points away from the leader, Aomori Yamada, and aim to win the championship. If they stretch their winning streak by beating Shimizu S-pulse Youth (Shizuoka), they can surely put pressure on the leading teams.

JFA-TV (Japanese Version Only)

Highlights from Matchday 12

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