<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 them 2-1 and Yokohama F.Marinos Youth 4-1, advancing to the Semifinal Round and returning to Tokyo.
1st HALF - A tense first half. Allowing the first goal.
The match, which started at Tokyo's kickoff, began with a press from the front line on the opponent's defense line's ball rotation in the first 5 minutes of the first half, causing the opponent to make a passing mistake. The ball was then taken to the right side, where player Toshiki Kaneko skillfully evaded the opposing player and sent a quick ball to the goal. However, Watanabe TSUBASA was unable to make a successful finish.
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 attacks that utilized width, and there were scenes where the ball was carried to the goal, but 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 the first goal with a header. 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—A fierce attack with 4 goals scored, advancing to the Final Round
In the second half, Tokyo raises the banner of counterattack. Just 4 minutes into the second half, Kaede SUZUKI quickly seizes the ball after an opponent's 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 will increase by one or two gears.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Wataru GOTO's goal kick was received by Ryunosuke SATO, who dribbled past the defenders and took a shot with his right foot. The opposing goalkeeper deflected the ball, but Taiyo YAMAGUCHI calmly slotted it in to equalize. The momentum continued and in the 20th minute, Yuta SUGAWARA aggressively pressed the opponent who had received a deep ball in their own half. With relentless pressure, the team limited the opponent's passing options and formed a strong defensive formation. The opposing goalkeeper struggled to clear the ball under the intense pressure, and Kaede SUZUKI collected the ball in a high position. After a series of quick passes, the ball was passed to Taiyo YAMAGUCHI, who took a shot with his left foot from a difficult angle on the left side of the goal area. Although the ball hit the goalkeeper's foot, the momentum was not lost and the ball found its way into the goal, securing the third goal and extending the lead against Shimizu.
Tokyo, which is gaining momentum, launched a counterattack in the 28th minute of the second half, when Shunsuke Kaneko, who had snatched the ball from a fierce battle on the right side of their own field, ran solo to the front of the penalty area and expanded to the left side. Kaneko calmly received a pass from his teammate and scored the fourth goal to secure the victory. They calmly continued the game and gave Shizuoka a second goal in the 40th+4 minute, but the game ended 4-2. They advanced to the final stage 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 KANESHIRO
MF Watanabe TSUBASA (27th minute of the second half: Jumpei YOSHIDA)/Ryunosuke SATO/Koda 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 KANEKO
Shimizu S-Pulse Youth
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Sokuho OISHI
DF Kaiga IWAZAKI/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: Jojo 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.
A: I watched several matches of Shimizu S-Pulse Youth and thought they were a very strong team. We anticipated that there would be periods when we would be pressed back, and the key was how patiently we could fight through those times. I believe they had many shots on goal, but we managed to limit them to just one goal in the first half. Ideally, players would communicate and make adjustments during the match, but we were able to have a good conversation at halftime that motivated the players once again. I think that was a major factor.
Q: What instructions did you give during halftime?
A: Simply put, it is to “communicate properly among the players.” We base our approach on two-way communication. Since that aspect was stalled, rather than focusing on tactical matters, we corrected the issue by eliminating the communication breakdown.
Q: Please tell us the factors that surpassed Shimizu in terms of decisiveness.
A: I cannot share specific details, but I believe the factor was that what we have steadily built up through daily practice bore fruit as a result, and the players were able to play with confidence because of that.
I was impressed by Ryunosuke SATO's performance being the decisive factor, including the scene of the second goal.
A, I think it was probably not a good day for him in terms of ball feeling, but he managed to recover well mentally during the match. I believe Ryunosuke SATO has been able to grow precisely because of the support from his teammates, including the encouragement from the senior third-year players.
Q, it was a striker-like 2 goals by Taiyo YAMAGUCHI.
A, he himself went through a difficult period due to injury. During that time, he reviewed his diet and improved his physical conditioning, which I believe has made his ball control several times better than before. Additionally, since he possesses high decisiveness, I think, "This is far from his limit."
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. This was evident in the third goal against Yokohama F.Marinos Youth in the previous match, and despite being a first-year student, I think he has been fighting well with his strong defensive skills and plays that add an accent to the attack.
Q, only one more win until the championship.
A, I want to compete without any misconceptions. We have been struggling in the Premier League and only managed two wins in the first half of the season. However, the team has built up a solid foundation so far, and with players returning from injuries and national team duties joining back, I believe our team strength is improving. We want to remain humble until the very end and continue playing the same way we have been.
[Player Interview]
<Taiyo YAMAGUCHI>
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, the start of the first half was not good, and we conceded a goal, but I think it was good that everyone talked together at halftime and the whole team was able to reset. In the second half, Shuto NAGANO quickly scored to equalize, which gave us momentum, and we were able to score multiple goals, two and three. It was also good that I was able to score during that positive flow.
Q, please reflect on your first goal-scoring opportunity.
A, when Ryunosuke SATO took the shot, I thought the ball might spill loose. By chance, it came right in front of me, so I’m glad I was able to finish it. I’m always aiming for rebounds, so I’m happy I could convert this one.
Q, I think the second goal was a goal scored by swinging my left foot and deciding with my feelings.
A, the shot hit the goalkeeper and went in, but since it was a pattern we had been practicing, I think it was good to be able to utilize the strengths of my left foot in the semifinal round.
Q, if we win the next game, we will be the champions.
A, since the tournament began, we have been aiming for the championship, so I will give my all in everything I can do and absolutely win the title.
<Shuto NAGANO>
Q: please review the game.
A, for the first time in this tournament, we fell behind early and ended the first half that way. It was a tough match, but we were able to reset our mindset at halftime, and I think it was good that we managed to make a solid comeback in the second half. I’m also glad we scored from a set piece early in the second half during a good period of play.
Q, the momentum picked up in the second half after the halftime break.
A, at AJINOMOTO FIELD NISHIGAOKA, our home in Tokyo, many fans and supporters came to cheer us on. We were not defeated in spirit, so at halftime, we reaffirmed what we needed to discuss on the pitch. Although we were behind, we approached the second half with the determination to definitely turn the game around. I think it was good that we were able to equalize early in the second half from a set piece.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, since the group stage, good balls have been coming in, and I thought good balls would be delivered today as well, so the determination to definitely score from those opportunities led to the goal.
Q, many fans and supporters came to support.
A, even in the situation where we were conceding the first goal, we could hear the cheers, and that became motivation to turn the game around. Today's result is thanks to those cheers. We are grateful to all the fans and supporters who cheered for us.
Q, please say a few words about the Final Round.
A, I think the Final Round will be an even tougher match than before, but I want to fight with pride, carrying the Tokyo emblem on my back. I will carry the feelings of the fans and supporters who cheer for us, our families, and the players who couldn’t make the squad, and fight to seize the championship.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q, please review the game.
A, the first half was a difficult situation, but we had a good discussion at halftime. With positive encouragement, we were able to start the second half well. We scored repeatedly with good momentum, and I think the second half was a perfect game.
Q, in the second half, it seemed that the strengths of Ryunosuke SATO were particularly demonstrated.
A, I think both as a team and individually, we were able to play well in the second half. For the assist on the fourth goal, I could have taken the shot myself, but I prioritized the best choice to increase the chance of scoring and winning, and was able to play calmly.
Q, many fans and supporters came to today's match.
A, it was a great source of strength. They delivered passionate cheers for our play, which was very encouraging. I believe this victory was something the entire Tokyo family achieved together.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm towards the Final Round.
A, although we have not achieved good results in the league matches, I believe that by uniting as a team along with all the fans and supporters, we have reached the stage of the Final Round. We will fight together in the last match as well and aim to seize the title of "Japan's Best" at Nishigaoka. We appreciate your continued passionate support.
◇For more details about the tournament, click here
