[Reserve]
GK:30 Yuji TAKAHASHI
DF:29 Ryo TAKAHASHI
MF:19 Asahi HAGA, 20 Taichi NAKATANI
FW:

○Match Report
【Challenge to the next stage】
The opponent for the last match of the first half of the 2017 Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Football League Premier League EAST, the 9th round, is our archrival, Aomori Yamada High School, who fought for the championship in the Premier League EAST last year and was defeated in the final round.
This round's match, where both teams are tied with 16 points, will be a direct showdown between the top-ranked Shimizu S-Pulse Youth and the team trailing by just 1 point.
We want to win at all costs.
The match kicked off at 11:00 amidst the rain that continued to fall since morning, occasionally intensifying in its severity.

[First Half]
From the start, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's powerful attacks, mainly through long kicks, and couldn't find our rhythm. As a result, we conceded the first goal.
6 minutes, if a handball is judged near the central penalty area, a direct free kick will be given and it could result in a goal.
The opponent's pressure and the slippery ground due to the rain continued to make it difficult for us to increase our possession time, and the game progressed without us being able to find a way to counterattack.
In the 25th minute, there was a miscommunication in the DF line and they were unable to catch the offside, creating a decisive one-on-one situation with GK Takase, but Takase's bold dive caused the opponent's shot to go wide.
From around 30 minutes, we gradually began to possess the ball, but were unable to score and went into halftime behind.

【Halftime】
Coach Sato
"This is the best situation to test our own strength. Let's enjoy playing against this high-pressure team. We can definitely turn this around."

【Second Half】
As Tokyo gradually increases their possession time, Yoshida and Imamura actively push towards the opponent's goal, with Sugiyama as the starting point.
However, due to the opponent's strong defense, it is difficult to bring the ball to a shot.
Tokyo, who continues to attack, tries to break through multiple times from the right side of Yokoyama and Okanohara and the left side of substitute players Suzuki and Arakawa, but cannot create a decisive chance.
The game continues with a situation where the ball is held but unable to approach the goal.
In the 83rd minute, substitute Imamura for first-year student Kobayashi (Sato) to make his first appearance in the Premier League and aim to further activate the attack.
88 minutes, Fushino breaks through the DF line with a through pass from Sugiyama, and faces the GK one-on-one despite having a difficult angle.
The shot, which was taken with great determination, was deflected by the GK, and Yoshida's quick reaction to the loose ball was blocked by the opposing DF, resulting in no goal.
Despite never giving up until the end, they were unable to score against Aomori Yamada's strong defense, and the game ended 0-1.

It was a disappointing defeat, following last year's.
Towards the 41st Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) starting next week.
It was also a valuable match with a lot to learn as we head towards the second half of the Premier League.
First of all, we want to challenge the upcoming club youth championship with our team united and giving our all.

Thank you very much for your warm support to the players.
We kindly ask for your continued support and warm cheers for FC Tokyo U-18.