This tournament aims to "provide optimal match opportunities for U-15 to U-17 players, tailored to their individual growth rates." Antlers Youth, missing national team players from various age groups, formed a team comprising U-17 to U-15 players, including junior high school students from their junior youth team, and fought the final with their collective strength.
Wearing their 2nd uniform, Antlers Youth started aggressively, with Onuki attempting two powerful shots that hit the crossbar, actively seeking an early goal. As time passed, the match became more balanced, and the first half ended scoreless.
The second half saw continued back-and-forth action. Under the guidance of coach Takuya Honda, substitutes also played hard, but neither team could break the deadlock within 90 minutes. With the score at 0-0, the match went into extra time, consisting of two 10-minute halves.
Extra time remained tense, with both teams pushing for a goal. Antlers Youth created several scoring opportunities in the second half of extra time but couldn't break the stalemate, leading to a penalty shootout to decide the champion.
In the penalty shootout, Antlers Youth took the first kick, followed by Hiroshima Youth. After five rounds, the score was tied 4-4, and the shootout went into sudden death. In the eighth round, with the score at 6-6, Antlers Youth's shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. In a do-or-die situation, goalkeeper Shinagaki made a brilliant save, reading the opponent's shot path perfectly and securely catching the ball, saving his team.
The penalty shootout then became an epic battle. Both teams successfully converted their kicks in the 9th, 10th, and 11th rounds, moving into the second rotation of kickers. Kicks continued to be successful from the 12th player onwards, and after 19 players, the score was 17-17, marking a historically long shootout.
Then came the 20th player. Kurahashi of Antlers Youth, taking first, found the back of the net, and then goalkeeper Shinagaki saved Hiroshima Youth's kick, finally bringing the match to a conclusion.
Antlers Youth won the championship for the first time in 11 years since the 22nd tournament in 2014! This is their fourth tournament victory, tying the record for most titles. This title follows their win in the 49th Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18) in July!
Thank you for all your support!