<Match Review>
The Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18), which can be said to be a summer tradition, is in its 47th edition. Kawasaki Frontale U-18, who advanced through the group stage held in Gunma Prefecture with 1 win and 2 draws, and has also performed well in the 2023 EAST of the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League, defeated Thales 2-1 and Yokohama F.Marinos Youth 4-1, advancing to the Semifinal Round and returning to Tokyo.
1st HALF - A tense first half. We allowed the opening goal.
The match, which started with a kickoff in Tokyo, saw a press from the front line on the opponent's defense line during the 5th minute of the first half, inducing a passing error from the opponent. The stolen ball was spread to the right side, where Kaneko Shunsuke received it, elegantly evading the defender and sending a quick ball in front of the goal. Watanabe TSUBASA dove in but couldn't connect well.
They continue to advance the ball to the front line, but they are met with the opponent's solid defense and cannot get a shot off as they would like. Gradually, Shimizu S-Pulse Youth begins to create time with wide attacks, and scenes of the ball being advanced to the goal area become prominent, but centered around Shuto NAGANO, they put their bodies on the line at the last moment, not giving the opponent any freedom.
However, in the 35th minute of the first half, a corner kick was awarded to Shimizu, and Nishihara headed it in, allowing the first goal. After that, the back-and-forth battle continued, but we could not catch up and ended the first half at 0-1.
2nd HALF—With a fierce attack scoring 4 goals, advancing to the Final Round
In the second half, Tokyo raises the banner of counterattack. Just four minutes into the second half, Kaede SUZUKI quickly seizes the ball after a trap mistake and exchanges passes with Taiyo YAMAGUCHI. He sends the ball to Ryunosuke SATO, who skillfully carries it while competing with an opponent, and takes a shot with his left foot after a clever deep cutback. The shot is unfortunately blocked by the opponent, but they earn a corner kick from the sequence. Yuta SUGAWARA delivers the ball with his left foot, and Shuto NAGANO manages to meet it with his head while competing with an opponent, successfully bringing the game to an even state early on.
From here, Tokyo's attacking power shifts up a gear, then another.
In the 13th minute of the second half, from Wataru GOTO's goal kick, Ryunosuke SATO broke through with a dribble and struck with his right foot. The opposing goalkeeper deflected the ball, which was calmly slotted in by Taiyo YAMAGUCHI to equalize, and shortly after, they took the lead. The momentum did not stop there; in the 20th minute of the second half, Yuta SUGAWARA applied intense pressure on an opponent who picked up the ball deep in enemy territory. He continued to chase, limiting the opponent's passing options while applying pressure, and his teammates joined in to form a high defensive line. When the opposing goalkeeper struggled to clear the ball under the intense pressure, Kaede SUZUKI recovered the ball in a high position in the opponent's half. After a series of precise passes, the ball was connected to Taiyo YAMAGUCHI, who struck with his left foot from a tight angle on the left side of the goal area. Although the shot lost some power after hitting the goalkeeper's foot, the determined ball found its way into the net, securing the third goal and pulling ahead of Shimizu.
Tokyo, gaining momentum, saw player Shunsuke Kaneko steal the ball from a fierce contest on the right side of their own half in the 28th minute of the second half, initiating a counterattack. He sprinted solo to a position directly in front of the penalty area and spread the play to the left side. After receiving a return pass from a teammate in front of the goal, Shunsuke Kaneko calmly finished to score the fourth goal, extending their lead and sealing the victory. They continued to manage the game calmly, conceding a second goal to Shimizu in the 40+4 minute of the second half, but the match ended 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 (substituted at 37 minutes: Shoei SASAKI)/Shunsuke KANEKO
MF Tsubasa WATANABE (substituted at 27 minutes: Kisei YOSHIDA)/Ryunosuke SATO/Kodai TANABE (substituted at 27 minutes: Kio TANAKA)/Kaede SUZUKI (substituted at 39 minutes: Romeo ITO)/Yuta SUGAWARA
FW Taiyo YAMAGUCHI (substituted at 37 minutes: Divine OTANI)
SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
DF Takamasa KANEKO
MF Shun KOGA/Hyugo OMACHI
GOAL
4th minute of the second half: Shuto NAGANO / 13th minute of the second half: Taiyo YAMAGUCHI / 20th minute of the second half: Taiyo YAMAGUCHI / 28th minute of the second half: Shunsuke KANEKO
<Shimizu S-Pulse Youth>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Oishi Ikufuu
DF Iwasaki Kaiga/Iwamoto Shogo/Arimura Shuto/Iwao Kenryu
MF Narumi OTA/Naru HOSHITO (substituted in 8 minutes of the second half: Okada Tamaha)/Ryunosuke YADA/Sean KOTAKE (substituted in 25 minutes of the second half: Nakano Takuto)/Nishihara Genki
FW Jigen TANAKA (substituted in 35 minutes of the second half: Tashiro Hiroto)
SUBS
GK Kaito SHIBASAKI
DF Naruki ISHIKAWA/Taro MURAKAMI/Soutaro HIRA
MF Atsuki NAKAYAMA/Kyogo IWANAGA
GOAL
35th minute of the first half: Genki Nishihara, 40+4 minutes of the second half: Genki Nishihara
[Coach Takashi OKUHARA 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 that there would be times when we would be pushed back, and the key was how patiently we could fight. I think we had a lot of shots against us, and despite that, we managed to limit ourselves to just one goal conceded in the first half. Ideally, it would be best to communicate and make adjustments among the players during the match, but we had a good conversation at halftime, which allowed us to motivate the players once again. I believe that was significant.
Q: What adjustments did you instruct during halftime?
A, to put it simply, it is about “communicating well among players.” We base our approach on having two-way conversations. That aspect had been stagnant, so rather than focusing on tactics, we made adjustments to eliminate the interruptions in communication.
Q: Please tell us the factors that allowed you to surpass Shimizu in terms of decisiveness.
A, I cannot share specific details, but I believe that the accumulation of our daily practice has borne fruit as a result, and that the players were able to play with confidence is a key factor.
Q, I got the impression that Ryunosuke SATO's performance was the key factor in important moments, including the scene of the second goal.
I think it was perhaps not a good day for him in terms of ball feeling, but he managed to regroup well during the match, including his mental aspect. I believe that Ryunosuke SATO has been able to grow thanks to the support of his teammates, starting with the encouragement from the third-year players.
Q: Taiyo YAMAGUCHI scored two goals typical of a striker.
A, he himself had a difficult time due to injuries. During that period, by reassessing his diet and improving his physical condition, I believe his ability to control the ball has improved several times compared to before. Additionally, he possesses high finishing ability, so I think, "This is just the beginning."
Q, Yuta SUGAWARA's press back that led to the third goal was very effective.
A, his high athletic ability has been proven numerically in this tournament. The third goal in the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos Youth is one example, and I believe that his defensive skills and the plays that add an accent to the attack show that he is performing well even as a first-year student.
Q: We are one win away from the championship.
I want to fight without misunderstanding. We have been struggling in the Premier League, and we only managed two wins in the first half. The team has built up a lot so far, and I believe that with the return of players from injuries and national team activities, our team strength is improving. I want to remain humble until the end and continue to play as we have been.
[Player Interview]
<Taiyo YAMAGUCHI>
Q, please review today's game.
A, we didn't start well in the first half and conceded a goal, but I think it was good that we all talked during halftime and the whole team was able to switch gears. In the second half, Shuto NAGANO scored early, which gave us momentum, and we were able to score multiple goals, two and then three. I was also glad to score during that good flow.
Q, please review your first goal scene.
When Ryunosuke SATO took the shot, I thought it would spill out. By chance, it spilled right in front of me, so I was glad to score. I always aim for loose balls, so I was happy to convert it.
Q: I think the second goal was scored with a powerful left foot and determination.
A, the shot hit the goalkeeper and went in, but since it was a pattern we had been working on in practice, I think it was good that I was able to utilize the characteristics of my left foot in the Semifinal Round.
Q: If we win the next match, we will be champions.
A, since the tournament started, I have been aiming for victory, so I will give my all and definitely win.
<Shuto NAGANO>
Q, please review the game.
In this tournament, for the first time, we fell behind and ended the first half that way. It was a tough match, but I think it was good that we were able to switch our mindset at halftime and successfully turn the game around in the second half. Right after the start of the second half, I think it was great that we were able to score from a set piece at a good time.
Q: After the halftime break, we gained momentum in the second half.
At AJINOMOTO FIELD NISHIGAOKA, our home in Tokyo, many fans and supporters came to cheer us on. We didn't lose our spirit, so we confirmed again that we would talk on the pitch during halftime. Although we were behind, we approached the second half with the determination that we could definitely turn it around. I think it was great that we equalized early in the second half with a set piece.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
Since the group stage, good balls have been coming in, and I thought good balls would come up today as well, so I believe the determination to definitely score from those opportunities led to the goals.
Q, many fans and supporters came to cheer.
Even in an environment where we were trailing, we could hear the cheers, and that motivated us to turn the game around. Today's result is thanks to those cheers. I am grateful to all the fans and supporters who cheered for us.
Q, please say a few words about the Final Round.
I believe the Final Round will be tougher than ever, but I want to fight with the pride of carrying the Tokyo emblem. I want to fight carrying the thoughts of the fans and supporters who cheer for us, as well as my family and the players who couldn't be part of the team, and I want to seize the championship.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q: Please reflect on the match.
A, the first half was a difficult development, but we had a good discussion at halftime. With positive encouragement, we were able to start the second half well. We scored in a good flow, and I think the second half was a perfect game.
Q: It seemed that Ryunosuke SATO's strengths were particularly showcased in the second half.
In the second half, I think both as a team and individually, we were able to play well. For the fourth assist, I could have taken a shot, but I prioritized the probability of scoring and the best choice to win, and played calmly.
Q: Many fans and supporters came to today's match as well.
A, it was a great help. You gave us passionate support for our play, and it was very encouraging. I believe it is a victory that we all, as the Tokyo family, have achieved together.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the Final Round.
Although we haven't achieved good results in the league matches, I believe we have reached the Final Round stage by uniting as a team, starting with our fans and supporters. In the final match, we all want to fight together and seize the title of 'Japan's Best' at Nishigaoka. We appreciate your continued passionate support.
◇For details about the tournament, please see here
