Academy Report

The group stage matches started today.
Kashima Antlers Junior's first match was against Hyogo FC, representing Hyogo Prefecture.



Both teams started cautiously, but after gaining momentum with early pressure, in the 6th minute of the first half, Hiro Oyama's left corner kick was met with a header by Yuto Koide in the center. It unfortunately rebounded off the crossbar, but Shota Iwama followed up to score the opening goal. Then, in the 13th minute, Oyama scored a volley in the center, giving them a two-goal lead at halftime.
However, in the second half, the opponent, having adjusted to the pressure, gradually gained rhythm and scored in a 1-on-1 situation with the goalkeeper. In the 12th minute, they scored with a mid-range shot, equalizing the score. After that, despite several chances, they couldn't score again, and the match ended as it was.The second match was against Grancena Niigata FC Junior, representing Niigata Prefecture, who had won their first match against local Kagoshima's "Tobimatsu FC" 3-0.From the start, they gained momentum with early pressure and created several scoring opportunities, but due to the opponent's strong defense and goalkeeper, they couldn't score. However, in the 9th minute of the second half, Kazumi Owa broke through on the right side, and Yuta Yamaguchi pushed the ball in with his body in the center to score the opening goal. But they were immediately equalized from a counterattack. However, the Antlers didn't give up, and Koide scored a powerful shot from an indirect free kick inside the penalty area, securing the winning goal and ending the match.

Tomorrow, the remaining group stage match and the Round of 16 will be held.

Today, Mr. Suzuki, Chairman of the Ibaraki Prefecture Category 4 Committee, came to offer his encouragement.