The 15th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019 will take place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October.

EAST

After enduring three straight winless matches, Funabashi Municipal High School (Chiba) bounced back last sec. with a 3-0 victory over Shoshi High School (Fukushima), and they will now face third place Shimizu S-Pulse Youth (Shizuoka) at home. With their defender TAKAHASHI Travis (#4) scoring in back-to-back matches from a set-piece, their key to success may rely on their set-pieces. League leaders, Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) has shown signs of struggle in the second half of the season, as they have posted a record of two draws and two losses in their recent four matches. They will face another Tohoku side, Shoshi High School this week, a team they have beaten twice in two matches this season. Aomori Yamada will seek to get back on their winning ways when they face their regional rival at home.

In the match between seventh place Jubilo Iwata U-18 (Shizuoka) and second place Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) will feature a battle between two game-makers, as Iwata’s SEITA Naoya (#10) and Kashiwa’s SHIMIZU Yusuke (#6) will clash in the midfields. It will be enticing to watch which side will take the initiative in this intriguing match. Urawa Red Diamonds Youth (Saitama) has been undefeated in the second half of the season, and they will carry their momentum into the Saitama Derby against Omiya Ardija U18 (Saitama). FUKUSHIMA Ryuya (#12) has played a key role in the solid performances showcased by the Urawa defence, who has conceded only two goals in the recent five matches.

The pick-up match in the EAST features a matchup between Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) and Kashima Antlers Youth (Ibaraki). In their recent three matches, Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa has scored multiple goals to mark three consecutive wins, as HAZAKA Go (#40) and MORIYAMA Itto (#11) will seek to extend that streak to four matches. On the other hand, Kashima will try to stop their two game losing skid this week, as their defender KOBARI Kotaro (#3) will play a key role in their defence to keep a clean sheet.

WEST

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) will welcome Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) at home. Despite seeing their defence getting shaken-up in the second half of the season, Kobe managed to keep a clean sheet in their previous match, which was their first clean sheet since sec. eight. Defender HIGASHIDA Masaki (#3) will lead the Kobe defence to continue on this trend against Cerezo. Avispa Fukuoka U-18 (Fukuoka) was another team who struggled in defence lately, but they have also marked their third clean sheet of the season last game week. They will face a huge challenge this week, when they face the league leaders, Nagoya Grampus U-18 (Aichi), who has scored the second most goals this season.

Despite their recent struggles, Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) will welcome back their team captain, ARAKI Ryotaro (#10) to their line-up this week, which will certainly help them pick up their rhythm. The team will welcome third place Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) at home. Araki will play a key role for the home side to keep themselves distance from the relegation zone. With the team being kept winless since winning the first game week, Ehime FC U-18 (Ehime) has their back against the wall, as they will be needing a win this week to keep their hopes alive to stay at the Premier League. Their ace, YANASHITA Masaya (#14) will try to lead the squad to victory when they face fourth place Ozu High School (Kumamoto).

The pick-up match of the WEST features a fixture between Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima). Despite keeping an undefeated record in the second half of the season, Gamba Osaka drew against Kobe in their last sec. to allow Nagoya to take the league lead. This week, they will seek to reclaim the top spot with through their explosive offence led by their ace, OTANI Yuto (#18). Hiroshima has also shown great form as of late, as they will carry a two game winning streak into this match. Their midfielder DOHI Kodai (#7) will lead their offence to seek for their third consecutive victory.
*Updated on 10/10 14:30: the match between Gamba Osaka Youth vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth has been postponed due to the effect of Typhoon No. 19.

Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019

League Duration: Sat. 6 April - Sun. 8 December 2019

League Information