The matchday 10 of the Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League WEST will be held on Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth (Hiroshima), who picked up a win for the first time after seven games in the previous matchday, will meet Riseisha High School (Osaka) at home. As KATO Ibuki noted: “it’s essential to switch from attack to defence”, Hiroshima need to focus on their defence while keeping possession. We need to keep our eyes on whether they can make the switch in midfield to prevent Riseisha’s attack from both MAKINO Kanta and HAYASHI Daichi.

Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka) will challenge Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Osaka), who are currently leading the League. Although Higashi Fukuoka suffered a crushing defeat by Cerezo Osaka 6-1 in the opening match, they earned many points by winning the following games to stay in the top teams. 

The team would like to get a different result from the first match in their second challenge against Cerezo Osaka. Cerezo Osaka, on the other hand, lost to Gamba Osaka Youth (Osaka) in the previous matchday. As OKUMA Yuji, the coach, commented: “we must learn from this loss”, the key to the coming match will be whether or not they have fixed their tasks in attack and defence.

The match between Nagoya Grampus U18 (Aichi) and Gamba Osaka could be a close one. Although Gamba Osaka won the opening match 4-1, the team have no intention of being complacent as UMEZU Hironari, the coach, noted: “we’d like to prepare ourselves well, as I know Nagoya will do something different.”

Nagoya showed some improvement in their defence, keeping a clean sheet while earning three points in the previous matchday. They aim to find their rhythm in defence to create attacking opportunities.

Oita Trinita U-18 (Oita), who will meet Kyoto Tachibana High School (Kyoto) at home, could not show their usual strong attack against Riseisha in the previous matchday. They only took one shot and ended up scoreless for the first time this season. The team have to show their spirit to keep playing aggressively for 90 minutes in the coming matchday.

[Pick-up Match - WEST Matchday 10]

Vissel Kobe U-18  vs  Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18

Vissel Kobe U-18 (Hyogo), who have only won a few matches in the first half of the season and rank in the middle, will play against Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Kyoto). Both teams aim to recover their losses in the second half of the season. 

Although Kobe have not picked up a victory since the 7th Sec, they took more than 10 shots in the previous two games, showing their attacking skills. As they drew four games, not being able to hold on for victories, they are eager to win a game in this Sec. and get their fourth victory of the season.

Kyoto, on the other hand, struck the openers in nine consecutive games in the first half of the season. However, their result so far is three victories, four losses, and two draws, which could have been better.

After commenting that “they could have won many games so far”, MORIOKA Ryuzo, the coach, pointed out the players’ performances: “there were many good performances in the past nine matches.” He also noted about the coming nine games in the second half of the season: “we’d like to challenge ourselves while focusing on winning.” They will seek both good results and content with enthusiasm.

Date: Sunday 19 July - 15:30
Venue: Ibukino Mori Sports Field
Access: Approximately 10-minute walk from a city bus stop “High-Tech 4”, which run from “Seishin-Minami” Station (Subway)
Direction to venue(Japanese version only)

Premier League WEST - Matchday 10

7/18 (Sat.)
11:00　Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth vs. Riseisha High School (Yoshida Soccer Park)
16:00　Higashi Fukuoka High School vs. Cerezo Osaka U-18 (Higashi Fukuoka High School)
17:00　Nagoya Grampus U18 vs. Gamba Osaka Youth (Toyota Sports Center)
17:00　Oita Trinita U-18 vs. Kyoto Tachibana High School (Oita Sports Park)
7/19 (Sun.)
15:30　issel Kobe U-18 vs. Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-18 (Ibukino Mori Sports Field)

JFA-TV (Japanese Version Only)