True to a final match, the atmosphere was tense from the start. In the 7th minute of the first half, Kashima Junior Youth successfully scored the opening goal. Ogasawara delivered an accurate left corner kick, which, after a scramble in front of the near post, led to an opponent's own goal, securing a crucial early lead.
After taking a 1-0 lead, Kashima Junior Youth found themselves allowing Omiya U15 to hold possession for extended periods, and in the 17th minute, they conceded a goal. Following a scramble from a corner kick, they were pushed back, resulting in a 1-1 equalizer. Despite facing further threats, including one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper, Sedei made a courageous block by rushing out, and Yonekawa covered the spilled ball. Their concentrated defense prevented them from falling behind. Ultimately, the first half ended 1-1.
The second half began with the same starting eleven, and the score changed once again early on. In the 42nd minute, Koeda passed the ball from midfield to Hayashi, who was running down the right flank. Hayashi then advanced it to Hirashima further up. Hirashima surged into the penalty area from the right, made a sharp cutback, and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot. The fierce strike found the back of the net, putting Kashima Junior Youth ahead 2-1.
Kashima Junior Youth continued to press their attack. In the 53rd minute, Hayashi sent a cross in front of the goal, and Takaki, who had made a run, attempted a header. Although it was a clear scoring opportunity, it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, and Takizawa's shot, responding to the rebound, was also blocked by an opponent's defender.
Then, in the 56th minute, a scramble in the penalty area allowed the opponent to break through, and Kashima conceded a goal. The score was 2-2, bringing the game back to square one. Near the end of the second half, a free kick was awarded in a dangerous position, but Sedei made a diving save to parry the opponent's shot on target, heroically defending the goal. With neither side giving an inch, the second half ended 2-2, and the match went into extra time.
In the 10-minute extra time halves, Kashima Junior Youth launched aggressive attacks. In the 7th minute of the first extra period, Ogasawara's left corner kick was cleared by the opponent, but Hirashima reacted to the second ball and unleashed a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area. The powerful volley rocketed into the goal, giving them a 3-2 lead.
Kashima Junior Youth, who had been caught twice, managed to hold onto their third lead. Although they couldn't score any more goals, they continued to relentlessly press for the goal without losing momentum, until the long-awaited final whistle. They defeated Omiya U15 3-2 and achieved national supremacy.
This is Kashima Junior Youth's second championship in 21 years, a remarkable achievement since 2002. Congratulations to all the players, staff, and parents! Thank you for your immense support!
■Comments from the coach and players (3rd year students) who participated in the final
[Coach Yoshiki Shinohara]
We knew that Omiya Ardija U15 was a very good team. We went into the match hoping it would be a tough game. There were good moments and bad moments, but the players made their own choices and performed to the best of their abilities, which made me the happiest.
After losing to FC Tama in the semi-finals of the Club Youth Championship in the summer, they had been practicing well to adapt their play according to the game's development. A game is decided in 80 minutes, or 100 minutes if it goes to extra time like today. So, it wasn't about "what if we score a point," but rather, I told the players, "you just need to control your emotions and close out the game at the end." I believe they played with confidence.
[GK 16 Yuzuki Sedei]
Today, we kept scoring and conceding goals, and in the end, Hirashima scored for us. In the second half of extra time, we all decided to "defend with spirit," and we were able to win. We finished 3rd in the summer's Club Youth Championship, but I'm very happy that we were able to win the Prince Takamado Trophy this winter.
[DF 2 Kanta Hayashi]
Honestly, I wasn't playing very well today, but my teammates helped me, and it's great that we could connect that to a victory. We lost in the semi-finals in the summer, and we've been training hard since September to get our revenge. It's great that we were able to win as a team. My parents and family came to watch the match, so I want to express my gratitude to them.
[DF 3 Hyao Yonekawa]
To get here today, we played our practice matches with more intensity than a national championship final. It's really great that we were able to realize that in this match. The result of winning is the best!
[MF 5 Rui Onuki]
Personally, I wasn't in my best form today in this tournament, but I tried to do what I could despite not being at my best, focusing on my strong defensive skills. I still haven't fully grasped the feeling of winning, but I am happy. This was the last official match we played together, so I'm incredibly happy to have won. I want to tell my family and my brother, who have always supported me, about this victory. I continued playing soccer because I looked up to my brother. I want to share this victory with all my friends, school teachers, and everyone involved with the Antlers.
[MF 6 Gemma Koeda]
We lost in the semi-finals of the Club Youth Championship, and that disappointment fueled us. We set a goal as a team to "win" the Prince Takamado Trophy, so I'm very happy that we achieved it. I want to share this victory with Onuki, who I've been playing alongside in defensive midfield for a long time. I want to deliver this championship to my family, the Antlers staff who have been involved, and all of the Antlers family.
[MF 10 Daigo Hirashima]
It was a tough match, but it's great that we were able to win the title. Kashima Antlers is a team that must always win titles, so with the top team struggling to win titles, it's good that we, the academy, were able to secure one. Led by the third-year students, not a single person slacked off, and everyone in the team had a very strong awareness of "fighting for the team." I have nothing but gratitude for everyone. To the third-year students, I want to say "thank you for fighting with me all this time," and to the first and second-year students, I hope you will definitely achieve consecutive victories next year.
[MF 11 Hiroto Okawa]
In a tied situation, the coach told me to "score a goal" when I entered the game. Ultimately, I didn't score, but I earned the free kick (which led to the corner kick for the third goal), and from there, Hirashima scored, so I was happy. I'm incredibly happy about the championship.