The 16th Sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League WEST took place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November, where the two Osaka sides, Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka) and Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) clashed.

Pick-up Match

Cerezo Osaka U-18 1-1 (0-1, 1-0) Gamba Osaka Youth

With their deep rivalry rooting down from the U-15 category, Gamba’s MESHINO Soma (#10) shared his aspiration ahead of the match, “The Osaka Derby is a match we cannot afford to lose.” The match started with the Gamba side taking the initiative, as Meshino and NAGAO Yuto (#6) controlled the midfield to keep the ball moving. The opening goal came in the 26th minute, when KUBO Yudai (#17) responded to a pass delivered by OTANI Yuto (#18) to give Gamba the lead.

Kubo came close to scoring another goal in the 36th minute, when he forced a turnover deep in the Cerezo territory, but his attempt went off the goal post. Despite creating multiple opportunities to extend their lead, Gamba failed to convert their chances, as coach SHIMADA Takahiro later reflected, “Our inability to extend our lead has become an issue for us.”

The second half saw the Cerezo side taking control of the match, as they applied aggressive pressure from the frontline. With Gamba struggling to make the adjustments to the pressure, Cerezo took control of the ball possession and effectively utilised the width of the field to penetrate the flanks. The equaliser came from a play following a corner kick in the 50th minute, when SHINBO Kairi (#20) converted the deflection created by a shot taken by KUMURA Jin (#10). With momentum on their side, Cerezo continued to attack fiercely in the remaining minutes, but the match ended with a final score of 1-1.

Coaches and Players' Comments

KAIMOTO Keiji, Coach (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
Although I gave out directions on how we wanted to create our advantage in this match, our plays were too passive during the first half. We managed to make the necessary adjustments in the second half and initiate our attacks by utilising the width of the field but fell short from taking the lead. Our inability to convert the chances in front of the goal has been a major issue for us this season. Our battle to avoid relegation will continue, so we must fight through and keep our spot in the Premier League.

MF #8 MATSUMOTO Nagi (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
Gamba has many talented players and they are capable of building their plays from the defence line. We were overwhelmed by our opponent’s momentum and played too passively during the first half. However, we managed to find our rhythm in the second half and took control of the match. Although we were able to score the equaliser from a set-play, we should have scored another goal to take the lead. With our survival at the Premier League at stake, we are in a must win situation. We will give our best efforts to win the remaining matches and strive to make our return to this league next season.

SHIMADA Takahiro, Coach (Gamba Osaka Youth)
I wanted to see more ball possession from our players in the second half, but we relied too much on the long balls. When our opponent is increasing their pressure from the frontline, there should be plenty of space to exploit behind them, so it would have been ideal if we can possess the ball while threatening to penetrate the space behind their defence line. However, we were too dependent on sending the long balls, so I want my players to become more balanced in their play choices. Depending on how Grampus does in the remaining fixtures, we still have a chance to take the title, so we will give our best efforts to win the remaining matches.

MF #10 MESHINO Soma (Gamba Osaka Youth)
In order to keep ourselves in contention for the title race, this was a match we couldn’t afford to drop, but we ended up with a very disappointing draw. With our opponent applying aggressive pressure from their frontline, we wanted to exploit the space behind their defence line. Although we managed to score the opening goal in the first half, we relied too much on the long balls in the second half. As a defensive midfielder, I had to do a better job to keep the ball moving for our team.

Results of other matches

Ehime FC U-18 2-1 (0-0, 2-1) Avispa Fukuoka U-18
Nagoya Grampus U-18 5-2 (2-2, 3-0) Vissel Kobe U-18
Higashi Fukuoka High School 1-2 (1-1, 0-1) Ozu High School
Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 1-3 (1-1, 0-2) Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth

Ehime FC U-18 (Ehime) welcomed Avispa Fukuoka U-18 (Fukuoka) to their home and captured the game winner at the final minutes of the match to earn their first victory since the season opener. League leaders, Nagoya Grampus U-18 (Aichi), fired five goals against Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo) to remain atop of the WEST. After exchanging a goal apiece during the first half, Ozu High School (Kumamoto) scored the game winner in the second half to win over Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka). Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Youth (Hiroshima) scored three goals in their away game against Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto) to secure their eighth win of the season.

Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2019

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

League Information