The 22nd sec. of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2022 EAST took place on Sunday 4 December. At Maebashi Ikuei High School Takasaki Ground, Maebashi Ikuei High School (Gunma) faced JFA Academy Fukushima U-18 (Shizuoka).

Featured Match

Maebashi Ikuei High School 4-2 (3-0, 1-2) JFA Academy Fukushima U-18

AC Fukushima entered this match on 21 points. With the team ranked 11th in the league, a win in this match was essential to remain in the Premiere League.

At the start of the match, AC Fukushima, who was positioned to the windward, took the initiative as MAKITA Hiroki (#10) repeatedly penetrated the left flank to deliver sharp crosses into the centre. In the 17th minute, SUZUKI Riku (#15) fired a shot that hit the crossbar following consecutive attempts by HANASHIRO Rinto (#13).

Despite having a slow start, Maebashi Ikuei picked up the pace to gain more possession of the ball, and in the 24th minute, AOYANAGI Ryujiro (#19), with a left-footed shot, scored the game's first goal. Gaining momentum from the first goal, Maebashi Ikuei led 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Aoyanagi and KOIKE Naoya (#9) in the 30th and 34th minutes, respectively.

In the second half, AC Fukushima made an effort to rally back, but it was once again Maebashi Ikuei who scored the next goal, as Koike converted the cross delivered by INOUE Hayama (#11) in the 71st minute, as Koike later said, "I had been practicing my timing to convert crosses from the side."

AC Fukushima managed to get on the scoreboard when SAITO Haru (#7) converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute, before UEDA Riku (18) grabbed a consolation goal in the fourth minute of additional time, but Maebashi Ikuei comfortably won the match 4-2.

With the win, Maebashi Ikuei finished the season in sixth place with eight wins, five draws, and nine losses. AC Fukushima on the other hand, finished in 11th place with six wins, three draws, and 13 losses, and were demoted to the Prince League for the upcoming season. Team captain NISHI Shinnosuke (#2) commented, “We will make the most of this bitter experience to get stronger as a team.”

Coaches and Players' Comments

YAMADA Kosuke, Coach (Maebashi Ikuei High School)
Although we played well in the first half, the two goals we conceded in the second half were uncalled for. Especially after warning the players that our opponents were in dire need of victory. The fact that we were able to compete in the Premiere League for a year really helped the players and the team to grow, but we have also showed a lot of flaws, so we hope to improve ourselves in the upcoming season.

FW #9 KOIKE Naoya (Maebashi Ikuei High School)
With this being our final official match ahead of the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, we told each other that we wanted to gain momentum by winning this match, so we are glad we were able to do just that. When I scored my first goal, I initially thought that (TAKAASHI) Zen would take the shot himself. However, as I was getting ready just in case, he delivered a quality pass to me, so I just had to keep my cool to slot the ball into the net. The second goal came from a play we had been working on in training, so I am glad I was able to convert it.

FUNAKOSHI Yuzo, Coach (JFA Academy Fukushima U-18)
We were able to enter the game in good shape, but we were unable to take advantage of the early opportunities we created. We went into every match with the goal of winning, but perhaps we got a little carried away. Everything was very inspiring for the players and me because this was our first season in the Premier League. We tried to close the gap through our daily training, but we discovered that in order to compete at this level, we must aim for higher quality.

DF #2 NISHI Shinnosuke (JFA Academy Fukushima U-18)
Although this was a match we had to win, we got carried away and conceded multiple goals in the first half, which turned out to be the difference in this match. We managed to find our rhythm in the second half, but our opponents were simply better than us. We entered the season knowing that we had a tough season ahead of us, but I think it was a great learning experience for us.

Results of other matches

Kiryu Daiichi High School 3-2 (2-0, 1-2) FC Tokyo U-18
Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School 0-0 (0-0, 0-0) Funabashi Municipal High School
Kawasaki Frontale U-18 1-2 (0-1, 1-1) Aomori Yamada High School
Yokohama F.Marinos Youth 1-2 (0-1, 1-1) Kashiwa Reysol U-18
Yokohama FC Youth 1-2 (0-1, 1-1) Omiya Ardija U18

Kiryu Daiichi High School (Gunma) finished their league campaign with a win over FC Tokyo U-18 (Tokyo), thanks to the brace of OKAMURA Aoi (#7). The match between Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) and Funabashi Municipal High School (Chiba) ended in a scoreless draw. Aomori Yamada High School (Aomori) defeated the EAST champions Kawasaki Frontale U-18 (Kanagawa) after scoring a goal in each half. Kashiwa Reysol U-18 (Chiba) picked up their seventh win of the season in their match against Yokohama F.Marinos Youth (Kanagawa), winning by a goal from NAKAMURA Takumu (#8) in the 68th minute. In the match between Yokohama FC Youth (Kanagawa) and Omiya Ardija U18 (Saitama), TANEDA Haruhi (#14) scored the winning goal in the 89th minute to give Omiya three points. As a result, Kashiwa, who moved up to ninth place, will remain in the Premier League. Funabashi Municipal, who finished 10th, will participate in the Premier League play-offs, while AC Fukushima, who finished 11th, and Kiryu Daiichi, who finished 12th, will be relegated to the Prince League.

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Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League 2022

League Duration: Sat. 2 April - Sun. 4 December 2022

League Information