match Match Schedule & Results

[Reserves]
GK: 16, Takuro Baba
DF: 33, Shunji Gokatsuide
MF: -
FW: -

● Match Digest
The opponent in the Final Round of the 35th Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) Kanto Qualifiers Placement Match is Kashima Antlers Youth.
Continuing from yesterday, the venue, Nasu Sports Park, experienced occasional light rain and cool temperatures, creating a refreshing condition. The kickoff took place at 12:45 p.m.

Last year, Tokyo was defeated in this Final Round and ended up as runner-up. This year, they want to return to Tokyo as champions to avenge last year's loss.

1 min: Right after kickoff, both teams pressed high up the field, leading to an intense battle for possession. The ball was constantly taken and retaken, making it difficult for either side to settle control.
Trying to avoid the press, Tokyo attempted to concentrate the ball on forward Iwata as a target. However, the tall defender marking Iwata repeatedly cleared the ball with headers.

5 minutes: The chaotic sequence was brought to an end by a goal. Tokyo's right side was broken down, and when the ball was crossed back to the center, the forward who ran in connected with a header, resulting in a regrettable concession. The Tokyo eleven showed their frustration at this sudden turn of events.

6 minutes: Tokyo refocused and started building an attack immediately after kickoff. Yuasa received the ball, which was played back once, and ran forward vertically. Despite facing intense pressure, he managed to hold onto the ball diligently. In that moment, a pass was made to Iwaki, who was sprinting up the left side, creating what seemed like a sudden chance, but the opposing DF made a desperate clearance.

8 minutes: Iwaki received the ball on the left side and kept possession while dribbling. After creating some time, he quickly switched the play to the right side. Iwata, who received the ball, immediately passed it to Fukumori in the center, who then took a powerful long-range shot! The fierce shot was right at the goalkeeper, but it was a close chance.

10 min: Muramatsu commits a foul, giving the opponent a free kick. This free kick is sharply delivered and perfectly meets a player at the far post, who heads it back, causing a tense moment, but the offside call saves the situation.

13 min: Kamoike makes a well-timed run forward to receive the ball, quickly laying it off to Yuasa, who plays a through pass directly to Iwata running into the box! The pass connects beautifully, but a sharp tackle from the opposing defender prevents the shot. Tokyo creates good chances but struggles to finish.

14 minutes: Iwaki, who received a throw-in on the left side, was fouled and earned a free kick in a good position. Ishihara sent an early cross from the quick restart, but it was cleared by the center back, and no decisive chance was created.

18 minutes: The time Tokyo had possession gradually increased, and chances seemed to be growing at 18 minutes. However, an unexpected goal was conceded. Both fullbacks, positioned high up aiming for an equalizer, were caught off guard. Although Fukumori came in to cover, a perfectly timed pass got behind them, and a cross was sent into the center. The opposing forward skillfully held the ball and, turning around, took a shot! Despite Tani’s desperate save, it just missed, making the score 0-2.

28 minutes: Coach Kuramata makes a move early. He replaces FW Yuasa with the tall Reioka. Additionally, freshman DF Aoki, known for his abundant stamina, is brought onto the pitch in place of Shimokawa.

Fresh players come in, intensifying the pressing battle from the front line. The unsettled ball play continues, reminiscent of the moments just after the match started.

35 min: A perfectly timed pass from the defensive midfielder Kamoike to the forward Iwata. It seemed like a one-on-one with the GK after completely getting behind the defenders, but Iwata's trap was slightly off, and the opposing GK blocked the shot.

36 min: Kashima also unleashed a powerful long-range shot from a post play, but Tani made a great save, preventing any further goals.
From this flow, Iwata skillfully received Tani's punt kick and passed the ball to Iwaki on the left. He then ran up the left side alone and sent a cross to the center, but it just missed reaching the onrushing Iwata.

39 minutes: Once again, a chance arises from Tani's kick. Iwaki reacted to Tani's punt kick. Although two opposing defenders were marking him, he skillfully broke free and took a shot! However, the shot was just barely touched by the opposing goalkeeper and did not result in a goal.
The relentless counterattack continues.

39 minutes: Iwaki holds the ball on the left side. He dribbles in, feints a shot cutting to the center, then passes to the right side! Kamoike, receiving it, sends it directly to Aoki, who also delivers a direct cross. However, this too fails to connect well and is cleared by the opposing defender.

45 minutes: In stoppage time of the second half, Reioka received a wedge pass in the center and dropped the ball to Iwaki on the left side, then carried it into the center and passed it to Fukumori on the right side. From the quick passing, Fukumori sent in a cross, but it did not connect with Reioka. Repeated crosses also failed to connect well in the center.

Many chances were created, but the first half ended without finishing in a shooting opportunity.

The second half started with Kashima taking control of the pace, making it a tough situation.
46 minutes: Tokyo's right side was broken down, and although they managed to clear it somehow, the opponent picked up the second ball and dribbled down the left side. A large side change was sent to the center, but Muramatsu made a desperate clearance!

50 min: Following the halftime instruction from Coach Kuramata to "break down the sides," Iwaki dribbled along the very edge of the sideline. The sharp dribble caused the trailing opposing DF to trip, earning a free kick in a good position. The ball was carefully set, and a superb ball was sent to the center, but the tall CB cleared it with a header, and the chance could not be capitalized on.

52 minutes: Ishihara, who was handling the defense, got his foot caught in the grass and was beaten free down the left side. A powerful shot was fired from a backward cross, but Tani made a nice save to clear it somehow. It was a dangerous moment.

55': Tokyo endures without conceding as a header from the opponent's right corner kick hits the post.
A period continues where it is difficult to build up an attack.

62': Kawakami is brought on, replacing Kamoike.

70': A long ball to the front is cleared, but Kawakami picks up the second ball and sends an early cross. However, it just misses Iwata in the center.

71': Nihei is brought on, replacing Hiyooka.

71': A clean pass from Yamaguchi, who was positioned high up, to Iwaki. Iwaki then dribbles the ball down to the touchline and back-passes to Muramatsu! Muramatsu simply sends a long ball to the center, but it is cleared far away.

75 min: The right side is broken down and a cross is delivered from a deep position, but Ishihara repels it with focused defense.

80 min: Amano is brought onto the pitch replacing Iwata, and Iwaki also moves up to the top position, aiming to score with a three-forward attack.

83': The ball was passed from the newly substituted Amano to Iwaki on the left side, who aggressively dribbled past one opponent before cutting the ball back to the center! Despite repeated crosses from Iwaki, they failed to connect and were cleared.

88': Iwaki contested a punt kick from Tani, and Yamaguchi immediately played a through pass to Fukumori, who had started moving forward. It seemed he had successfully broken free, but was closely marked and the ball was cleared at the last moment.

89 minutes: DF Muramatsu, free, advanced to the front line and received the ball, then carefully passed it to the center. Nihei, Iwaki, and Amano all reacted to this ball, but it was cleared by the opposing DF.

There are 4 minutes of stoppage time. Tokyo desperately wants to score at least one goal.
However, Kashima skillfully keeps possession near the corner flag, trying to run down the clock.
They aggressively try to take the ball back but unfortunately concede a corner kick.
The corner kick is cleared, and the ball is quickly sent forward, but it is repelled, and the ball rarely reaches the FW before the final whistle.

Unfortunately, just like last year, the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) Kanto Qualifiers ended with a runner-up finish. We hope they will not forget this frustration and show us a much stronger performance at the national tournament.

Thank you very much to everyone who came today despite the poor footing.
The league matches will resume immediately from next weekend.
We appreciate your continued warm support.