U-15 Japan National Team vs U-15 Cambodia Japan National Team

2015-7-1 (Wed.) -9:30　Playing Time: 60min (30min x 2)
J-GREEN Sakai（Sakai, Osaka）

U-15 Japan National Team　5-0(1st 3-0, 2nd 2-0)  U-15 Cambodia National Team

Scores
14 '　IGARASHI Arata (U-15 Japan)
20'　Own goal
26'　FUNAKOSHI Hiromu (U-15 Japan)
43'　HONNA Shion (U-15 Japan)
52'　MASUTANI Takara (U-15 Japan)

1st Half Members
GK: ASANO Taro
DF: HOMMA Youhei, ENDO Hikaru, INOUE Miki, KAMIYAMA Kyosuke
MF: IWAI Ryuji, YAMAMOTO Rihito, FUNAKOSHI Hiromu, IGARASHI Arata, KANBE Kosuke
FW: KURIHARA Ibrahim Junior

2nd Half Members
GK: TAKADA Yuma
DF: TAKESHIMA Kyosuke
MF: HOMMA Shion, MASUTANI Takara, YACHIDA Teppei
FW: ISHII Kaisei

Substitutes
HT　 KURIHARA Ibrahim Junior → ISHII Kaisei
HT　 IWAI Ryuji → HOMMA Shion
HT　IGARASHI Arata → YACHIDA Teppei
HT　FUNAKOSHI Hiromu → MASUTANI Takara

U-15 Japan National Team vs. Vissel Kobe U-15

2015-7-1(Wed.) -14:00　Playing Time: 60min (30min x 2)
J-GREEN Sakai (Sakai, Osaka)

U-15 Japan National Team　1-0(1st 0-0, 2nd 1-0)  Vissel Kobe U-15

Score
47'　MASUTANI Takara (U-15 Japan)

1st Half Members
GK: TAKADA Yuma
DF:  ENDO Hikaru, IGARASHI Arata, IWAI Ryuji, KANBE Kosuke
MF:  ISHII Kaisei, MASUTANI Takara, YACHIDA Teppei, FUNAKOSHI Hiromu, HOMMA ShionFW: KURIHARA Ibrahim Junior

2nd Half Members
GK:  ASANO Taro
DF:  KAMIYAMA Kyosuke, TAKESHIMA Kyosuke, INOUE Miki
MF:  YAMAMOTO Rihito, HOMMA Youhei

Substitutes
42'　KURIHARA Ibrahim Junior → INOUE Miki
52'　KANBE Kosuke → KAMIYAMA Kyosuke

The Japan-Mekong U-15 Football Exchange Programme has started. The U-15 Japan National Team met Cambodia for their first match. Although the pitch was wet due a downpour, Japan pressed the opponent aggressively from the beginning. After 14 minutes, IGARASHI Arata, who got through to the space behind the defender, scored a splendid opening goal. Japan showed off their stable defence. In the 20th and the 26th minute, FUNAKOSHI Hiromu, struck two consecutive goals, building a three-goal lead before half time.

In the second half, Japan struggled to control the ball to add more insurance because of the continuous strong rain and wind. However, long-distance passes started to work effectively, and two players, who came off the bench in the second half, HOMMA Shion and MASUTANI Takara struck goals in the 43rd and 52nd minute. Japan won their first game 5-0.

The team played their second game against Vissel Kobe U-15. After three minutes, Japan defended against Vissel Kobe’s goal-scoring opportunity, and gradually started to play in a coordinated way, passing the ball around to create some opportunities. In the 15th minute, KURIHARA Ibrahim Junior played one-on-one. Then after 18 minutes, FUNAKOSHI Hiromu tried to sweep in a loose ball, which was punched by the goalkeeper when ISHII Kaisei took a shot. However, it hit the goalpost. Neither of the teams could find the back of the net.

The game went into the second half at 0-0. Japan changed the players’ positions in the second half to attack even more aggressively, focusing on through-passes to the space behind the opponent. After 47 minutes, YACHIDA Teppei, who received the ball in the centre, passed it superbly to Masutani, where he earned a penalty kick. Masutani struck the opening goal calmly from the penalty spot. Japan defended well against Vissel Kobe’s fierce counter-attack and won the match 1-0. Japan won two consecutive games on the first day. They will meet Vietnam the following day.

Players' Comments

YAMAMOTO Rihito (Tokyo Verdy Junior Youth)
In today’s match I realised again that my skill was not enough. Also I couldn’t adjust myself quick enough to the condition of the wet pitch. Having said that, I’d like to point out that I could move the ball through combinations with my teammates, just like we learned in the training session. I’ll play hard in the game against the U-15 Vietnam national team tomorrow with fighting spirit to win.

HOMMA Youhei (Consadole Sapporo U-15)
I found some issues to be improved in today’s match ? positioning in defence and one-on-one in attack. In tomorrow’s game, I’d like to defend, thinking of interception a little more, and to think about the priority of passes before receiving the ball. I’ll stay mentally stronger and run more than the U-15 the Vietnam national team to win the game.

ASANO Taro (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I’m pleased that we kept clean sheets in two matches. We communicate a lot and there is a good atmosphere around the team. Personally, I need to improve the quality of coaching to encourage the team and cooperation with the defenders. I’d like to learn what I need to improve more throughout this championship. I learn many things off the pitch as well, including managing my health and diet. I’d like to keep a clean sheet in tomorrow’s match again with my teammates.

IWAI Ryuji (Yokohama F-Marinos Junior Youth)
I’d like to point out that we played aggressively without giving up and attacked from the sides in both games. Even when we made a mistake, we could refresh our mind swiftly to intercept the ball harmoniously, which was very good as a team. We need to improve the timing of through-passes, as the receiver sometimes wasn’t ready when the passer made a pass. I’d like to communicate more to build up the team. As the U-15 the Vietnam national team also won two matches, building up positive momentum for them, I’d like to win the game as a united team, focusing on staying strong in front of goal and competitive near the ball.

IGARASHI Arata (Albirex Niigata U-15)
We could play our style against Cambodia, as we scored goals in the second half. We struggled a lot in our second game without any goal for a while. Having said that, in the end we won our victory after creating many goal-scoring opportunities. I’m pleased that I could score, but I’d like to contribute more by playing near the ball a little more. I’d like to sweep to victory tomorrow. As we might play against the same opponent in the final round of the AFC Championship, I don’t want to lose against them. We will stay vocal and play hard.

Schedule

Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

Future Schedule

Japan-Mekong U-15 Football Exchange Programme

Wed. 1 July - Fri. 3 July
J-GREEN Sakai (Osaka)
Participating Teams: 
Five U-15 National Teams of Mekong Countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos), U-15 Japan National Team, Vissel Kobe U-15, Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Junior Youth
More information