(7.29 J Academy Match U-15 J Selection 2-0 Liverpool U15 Ajifi Nishi)
On the 31st, the U-15 J-League selection won their second victory by defeating Liverpool U15 2-0 in the final match of the J-League International Series 2025 Academy Match.
This is a one-day match from the first game, where we won 1-0. Goalkeeper Oya Minato Ryo (Kashiwa U-15) and midfielder Inada Ryohisa (Kashiwa U-15) have made their first appearance in their current activities, starting pitchers. The formation remains the same at 4-2-3-1. The final line will be lined up from the right with defender Nishii Genatatsu (Kyoto U-15), defender Odajima Yuki (Akita U-15), defender Takeuchi Yuzo (Nagoya U-15), and defender Yamada Juo (Kanazawa U-15). Inada and midfielder Suehiro Daito (Shonan U-15) are two midfielders, with midfielder Hatsune Kojiro (Kawasaki F U-15 Todoroki) on the right and midfielder Ito Ko (FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi) on the left. The second batter was forward Kataoka Hiroki (Kochi Jr. Youth), and forward Mihara Daitora (Kitakyushu U-15) was at the forefront.
Unlike the first match, Liverpool U15 played with the ball. However, the Liverpool U15 lacked accuracy in the front line and could not be brought into the shooting scene. In the 12th minute of the first half of the U-15 J-League selection, Nishii received Suehiro's feed and passed the ball to Hatsune on the front line. If we had connected, it would have been a chance, but we couldn't reach it.
Also, in the 14th minute of the first half of the U-15 J-League selection, Takeuchi scored his first shot from long range with his left foot. Immediately after that, Ito's floating ball gave Mihara a chance to make him 1-1 with the goalkeeper. However, Mihara's shot was shot in a loop and was blocked by goalkeeper Harry Lee Fris' right hand.
Then, Liverpool U15 set off a short counter in the 15th minute of the first half from defender Cole Ademuiva's press. Through forward Torwani Okelola, Ademuiva entered the left side of the penalty area and passed the ball back by defender Charlie Huss, but Takeuchi's shot block made the score unchanged.
In the final play of the first half, Kataoka made a sharp turn and swung the opponent off and broke through the left side. However, the ball went back to the negative Ito and the ball ended with 0-0. Manager Kawai Kenta sent midfielders Kakinuma Reinon (Kashima Tsukuba Jr. Youth) and forward Ota Rinsora (Tosu U-15) in place of Mihara and Kataoka after halftime, and Hatsune moved to the bottom of the pitcher. Kakinuma played the right side half.
Liverpool U15 took the lead in the early part of the second half, and in the 7th minute, defender Shadrak Ekiugbo headed a left corner kick, but the ball, which grazes the defender's body, went off to the left of the target. In the 10th minute of the second half, Hatsune, Ito, and Suehiro took turns retreating, and forward Abe Keigo (Machida Jr. Youth), midfielder Zainer Daiyo (Tokyo V Jr. Youth), and midfielder Hiroyama Taku (Numazu U15) joined.
In the U-15 J.League selection, just before the drinking time in the second half, Ota, who scored the winning goal in the first match, went 1-1 with the goalkeeper, but his shot hit the left post directly. Hiroyama's shot responded to the loose ball and flew to the outside side net. Inada left the water when he was drinking, and midfielder Ozawa Haruta (Sendai Jr. Youth) joined.
The U-15 J-League selection was difficult to attack in the second half, but they didn't miss a momentary gap in the 22nd minute of the second half. Abe picks up goalkeeper Louis McKenna, who received a floating back pass, made a kick mistake. Abe poured this into the goal with his right foot, scoring the first goal.
After that, they kept the lead with a good save from goalkeeper Oya, and defender Yamazoe Koa (Iwaki U-15) and defender Takahashi Shinhei (Matsumoto U-15) came on as a substitute. Liverpool U15 shot in the left corner of the goal in the 31st minute of the second half, and shot from the right in the penalty area in the 40th minute, but goalkeeper Oya managed to beat him brilliantly.
In the U-15 J.League selection, Ota made a shot from the counter that was disliked by the target, and Kakinuma made a major addition in additional time in the second half. They finished their time with no conceding goals and ended their activities with two consecutive wins.
(Interview and text by Kato Naoki)
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