<Match Review>
The Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18), which can be said to be a symbol of the hot summer. The 47th tournament was held in Gunma Prefecture, and Kawasaki Frontale U-18, who also achieved good results in the 2023 EAST High School JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League, advanced to the semifinals by defeating Yokohama F.Marinos Youth 2-1 and 4-1. They returned to Tokyo.
1st HALF - A tense first half. We give up the first goal.
The match, which started at Tokyo's kickoff, began with a press from the front line on the opponent's ball rotation in the 5th minute of the first half, causing a pass error from the opponent. The ball was taken and sent to the right side, where player Toshiki Kaneko skillfully evaded the opposing player and sent a quick ball to the goal. Watanabe TSUBASA attempted to jump in, but was unable to make a successful connection.
After that, he continued to carry the ball forward, but was unable to bring it to a shot due to the opponent's strong defense. Gradually, Shimizu S-Pulse Youth began to create opportunities to control the ball with wide attacks, and scenes of them carrying the ball to the goal became more noticeable. However, Shuto NAGANO, at the center, put his body on the line and did not give the opponent any freedom.
However, in the 35th minute of the first half, Shizuoka gave a corner kick and Nishihara scored with a header, conceding the first goal. After that, the attack and defense continued to go back and forth, but they were unable to catch up and ended the first half with a score of 0-1.
2ndHALF - With a fierce attack of 4 goals, they advance to the Final Round
In the second half, Tokyo raises the signal fire of counterattack. Just 4 minutes into the second half, Kaede Suzuki quickly takes the ball after a trap mistake and exchanges passes with Taiyo Yamaguchi. He sends the ball to Ryunosuke Sato who competes with the opponent and skillfully shoots with his left foot from a clever deep cutback. The shot is unfortunately blocked by the opponent, but they earn a corner kick from the sequence. Yuta Sugawara competes with the opponent and skillfully heads the ball into the net, successfully bringing the game to an even state in the early stages.
From here, Tokyo's attacking power will increase by one or two gears.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Wataru GOTO's goal kick was dribbled by Ryunosuke SATO, who swung his right foot to break through. Shortly after the equalizer, Taiyo YAMAGUCHI calmly slid in the rebound from the opponent's goalkeeper, and the momentum did not stop there. In the 20th minute of the second half, Yuta SUGAWARA pressed fiercely against the opponent who picked up the ball in a deep position in enemy territory. Without stopping the momentum twice or three times, they limited the opponent's passing routes and put pressure on them while their teammates also coordinated and formed a strong defensive formation. As the opponent's goalkeeper struggled to clear the ball against the intense press, Kaede SUZUKI recovered the ball in a high position in enemy territory. After a series of short passes, the ball was passed to Taiyo YAMAGUCHI, who swung his left foot from an angleless position in the left side of the goal area. Although the ball lost its momentum after hitting the goalkeeper's foot, it was still enough to score the third goal and secure a lead against Shimizu.
Tokyo, gaining momentum, launched a counterattack in the 28th minute of the second half, when player Toshiki Kaneko snatched the ball from a fierce battle on the right side of their own field. He ran solo to the front of the penalty area and then expanded to the left side. After receiving a pass from his teammate in front of the goal, Kaneko calmly scored the fourth goal to secure the victory and widen the lead. They continued to calmly play the game and gave Shizuoka a second goal in the 40th minute of the second half, but the game ended with a score of 4-2. They advanced to the final round for the first time in three years.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo U-18＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Wataru GOTO
DF Shuto NAGANO/Jumpei ISHIDO/Seisa NUMATA (37th minute of the second half: Shoei SASAKI)/Shunsuke KANEKO
MF Tsubasa WATANABE (27th minute of the second half: Kisei YOSHIDA)/Ryunosuke SATO/Yukidai TANABE (27th minute of the second half: Kio TANAKA)/Kaede SUZUKI (39th minute of the second half: Romeo ITO)/Yuta SUGAWARA
FW Taiyo YAMAGUCHI (37th minute of the second half: Divine OTANI)
SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
DF Takamasa KANEKO
MF Shun KOGA/Hyugo OMACHI
GOAL
4 minutes into the second half: Shuto NAGANO/13 minutes into the second half: Taiyo YAMAGUCHI/20 minutes into the second half: Taiyo YAMAGUCHI/28 minutes into the second half: Shunsuke KANESHIRO
Shimizu S-Pulse Youth
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Sokuho Oishi
DF Kaiga Iwasaki/Shogo Iwamoto/Hayato Arimura/Kenryu Iwao
MF Narumi Ota/Naru Hoshito (8 minutes into the second half: Tamaki Okada)/Ryunosuke Yada/Sean Kotake (25 minutes into the second half: Jo Sho Nakano)/Genki Nishihara
FW Jigen Tanaka (35 minutes into the second half: Hiroto Tashiro)
SUBS
GK Kaito SHIBASAKI
DF Naruki ISHIKAWA/Taro MURAKAMI/Seitaro TAI
MF Atsuki NAKAYAMA/Kyogo IWANAGA
GOAL
First Half 35th Minute: Motoaki Nishihara, Second Half 40+4th Minute: Motoaki Nishihara
[Takashi OKUHARA Coach Post-Match Comments]
Q, please review the game.
I watched several matches of Shimizu S-Pulse Youth and thought they were a very strong team. I expected there to be times when they would be pushed back, so the key was how patient they could be in their fight. I think they also faced a lot of shots, but they were able to keep the first half to just one goal. Ideally, it would be better for the players to communicate and make adjustments during the match, but we were able to have a good conversation at halftime and motivate the players once again. I think that was crucial.
Q, What kind of adjustments did you instruct during halftime?
A, In short, it is "talking firmly between players". We base our conversations on two-way communication. Since that part was stagnant, we focused on fixing the conversation flow rather than the tactical aspect.
Q, please tell us the factor that allowed us to surpass Shimizu in terms of finishing.
A, I cannot tell you the specific details, but I believe that the results were achieved through the daily accumulation of training, and the players were able to play with confidence as a result.
I was impressed by Ryunosuke Sato's performance being the deciding factor in important moments, including the second goal scene.
A, I think it was not a good day for him in terms of ball feeling, but he was able to mentally recover and perform well in the game. Thanks to the support of his teammates, including the encouragement from the third-year players, Ryunosuke SATO has been able to grow as a player.
Q, it was a striker-like 2 goals by Taiyo YAMAGUCHI.
A, he himself had a difficult time with injuries. During that time, he reviewed his diet and improved his physical condition, which I think has greatly improved the way he handles the ball compared to before. In addition, he has a high level of decision-making ability, so I think, "This is not enough yet."
Q, Yuta SUGAWARA's press back was very effective in leading to the third goal.
A, His high athletic ability has been proven numerically in this tournament. The third goal in the previous round against Yokohama F.Marinos Youth was also like that, and I think he is doing well in defense and making plays that stand out in attack even though he is a first-year student.
Q, only one more win until the championship.
A, I want to fight without misunderstanding. We are struggling in the Premier League and we have only won 2 games in the first half. We have built up as a team so far, and in that, players who have returned from injuries and national team activities have also joined, and I think the team's strength has increased. I want to continue playing with humility until the end, and play the same kind of game as we have been doing so far.
[Player Interview]
<Taiyo YAMAGUCHI>
Q, please review today's game.
A, We didn't have a good start in the first half and conceded a goal, but at halftime, we had a discussion with the whole team and were able to switch gears. In the second half, Shuto NAGANO scored an early goal which gave us momentum and we were able to score multiple goals, 2 and 3. It was great to be able to score during that positive flow.
Q, please review your first goal scene.
When Ryunosuke SATO took a shot, I thought it would be a loose ball. Fortunately, it fell in front of me and I was able to score. I always aim for loose balls, so I'm glad I was able to score.
Q, the second goal was scored with a swing of the left foot, I think it was a goal scored with feeling.
A, the shot hit the goalkeeper and went in, but it was a pattern we had been working on in practice, so I think it was good that I was able to use my left foot's strengths in the semifinal round.
Q, if we win the next game, we will be the champions.
A, since the start of the tournament, I have been aiming for victory and will give my all to achieve it. I will definitely win.
<Shuto NAGANO>
Q, please review the game.
A, In this tournament, we were scored against for the first time and ended the first half in that state. It was a tough game, but we were able to switch our mindset during halftime and I think it was good that we were able to turn the game around in the second half. Right after the start of the second half, we were able to score a goal from a set piece at a good time, which I think was good.
Q, after the first half, we gained momentum in the second half.
At AJINOMOTO FIELD NISHIGAOKA, the home of Tokyo, many fans and supporters came to cheer us on. Even though we were losing, we confirmed during halftime that we were not giving up. We went into the second half with the determination to turn the game around. It was good that we were able to equalize early in the second half with a set piece.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
A, from the group stage, good balls have been coming in, and I thought that a good ball would come up today as well, so I think the determination to score definitely led to a goal.
Q, many fans and supporters came to cheer.
A, even in an environment where we were behind, we could hear the cheers and it motivated us to turn the game around. Today's result is thanks to the support and cheers from our fans and supporters. We are grateful to everyone who cheered us on.
Q, Please give us a few words for the final round.
A, I think the final round will be a tougher match than ever before, but I want to fight with pride wearing the Tokyo emblem. I want to carry the thoughts of the fans, supporters, family, and players who couldn't make it into the team, and aim for victory.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q, please review the game.
A, the first half was a difficult development, but we were able to have a good discussion at halftime. There were also positive voices, and we were able to have a good start in the second half. We were able to score in a good flow and I think the second half was a perfect game.
Q, in the second half, it seemed that Ryunosuke SATO's strengths were particularly demonstrated.
A, In the second half, I think we were able to play well both as a team and as individuals. I could have taken a shot for the fourth goal, but I prioritized the best choice to score and win, and was able to play calmly.
Q, many fans and supporters came to today's game.
A, it was a great help. They gave us passionate support for our play and it was very encouraging. I think it was a victory that we all grabbed together as the Tokyo family.
Q, Please give us your enthusiasm for the final round.
Although we have not achieved good results in the league matches, I believe that we were able to reach the final stage by coming together as a team, including our fans and supporters. We will fight together in the final match and aim to become the "champions of Japan" at Nishigaoka. We ask for your continued passionate support.
◇For more details about the tournament, click here
