The final match of the tournament, "the 19th All Japan Woman's Youth (U-15) Championship presented by NIKE", was held at J-GREEN Sakai (Osaka) on Friday, 1 August.

Final Match

NTV Menina Serias 2-1 (1st 1-1, 2nd 1-0) Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth

IPPOUSHI Hiroka of Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth (Kanto1 / Saitama) got an opening goal in the fifth minute of the first half. Though NTV Menina Serias was dull in its play at the beginning, losing the first goal in this tournament, the team didn't seem to feel rushed. As MOCHIDUKI Takashi, the head coach, said "players understood what they should do", the team passed a ball in the midfield, regaining a good rhythm. UEKI Riko pushed a crossing ball in a grounder from SUGIYAMA Hanano, scorizing a equalizer in the 12th minute of the first half.

Even after entering into the second half, Nittere continued to play the game at its own pace. In the 52nd minute, Nittere eased pressure from the opponent with passing a ball in the midfield and UEKI Riko received a through pass from TAKAHASHI Hina, making a shot inside the right post. Nittere gained a lead with UEKI's second point in the game. On the other hand, though Urawa losing the lead tried to launch a counterattack, it could not take a chance to win a goal.

In the final phase of the game, Nittere players chased a ball with thier physical strength, expressing strong feeling to the victory. The team kept its lead to the end, winning the championship of the tournament. After the final game, Mr MOCHIDUKI, the head coach of the team, said " I want to praise my players at least today, as I have always given them instructions in a strict manner", erupting with joy with his players.

Match Report

Comments

MOCHIDUKI Takashi, Head Coach（Nittele・Menina・Serias）
Though the team lost point for the first time in this tournament at the beginning of the game, players successfully regained their good rhythm with great efforts. They could control counter attacks by the opponent, showing the benefits of daily practice. We are very glad to win the championship, however, it is the case that the team got nervous on the big stage. From tomorrow, I will ask players how we can resolve our problems, hoping them to take advantage of lessons that they learnt.

TOMITA Minami（Nittele・Menina・Serias）
I had held frustrated and regretful feeling for last two years, as we were not able to reach the title of the championship which we were aiming. This year's team has had a strong mentality. We have been combined as one team, as all players have had strong feeling that we would necessarily to win the victory. In today's game, we tried to regain the point right after losing a score and I believe this strong feeling led to win the championship.

NAGAI Yoshiaki,Head Coach（Urawa Reds Ladies Jr.Youth）
I was really disappointed. It was ideal for us to score an opening goal in the early timing of the game, but we failed to intercept forward passes by the opponent and were more likely to play on defence side after evening the score. Even under such severe condition, my players played well thorough this tournament. I believe the first year grade players must think "we want to return to this stage for winning the championship" and I am overwhelmed with gratitude toward the second year grade players who brought me to the final match.

KUTSUWADA Ayumi（Urawa Reds Ladies Jr.Youth）
All and only I can say is that I was so disappointed. While the opponent took a chance and scored points positively, our team failed to take advantage of opportunities as we shot a ball directly toward a GK. Though the team managed to win games to advance to the final, it could not gain a victory in the most important final match as it lacked something necessary. I hope our junior players to find out that something for becoming a champion.

3rd Place Match

Tochigi Soccer Club Ladies 1-0 （1st 1-0、2nd0-0）Albirex Niigata Ladies U-15

Match Report

JFA-TV　3rd Place Match Highlight