Ventforet Kofu, Yokohama F. Marinos and JEF United Chiba have celebrated after winning their respective groups in the J.League Under-16 Challenge League at the start of April.

In cooperation with co-sponsors Japan Foundation Asia Center, the J.League invited four clubs from across Southeast Asia to participate in the 40-team event.

Ventforet were the winners of Group 3, held in late March at the Tokinosumika Sports Center in Shizuoka, while F. Marinos took the Group 4 title at J-GREEN Sakai in Osaka.

Chiba were victorious in the fifth and final group while Vietnam’s PVF placed sixth and Indonesia’s Pertamina Soccer School finished eighth.

Following the conclusion of the final group, participating teams were recognised during a medal ceremony and post-match banquet.

“We would like to use tournaments like this to increase cultural exchanges amongst this generation of players,” representatives from both South-East Asian teams said.