FPF Algarve Cup 2015
Mon. 9 March 2015 　Kickoff 14:10 　Playing time: 90 min (45min x 2)
Algarve Stadium (Parchal, Portugal)

Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team)   1-3 (1st 1-0, 2nd 0-3)   France Women’s National Team

Scores
43’   KAWASUMI Nahomi (Japan)
52’   Gaetane Thiney (France)
70’   Eugenie Le Sommer (France)
85’   Gaetane Thiney (France)

Starters
GK:  KAIHORI Ayumi
DF:  KINGA Yukari, KUMAGAI Saki, ARIYOSHI Saori, KAWAMURA Yuri
MF:  MIYAMA Aya (C), KAWASUMI Nahomi, OHNO Shinobu, UTSUGI Rumi
FW:  OGIMI Yuki, SUGASAWA Yuika

Substitutes
GK:  FUKUMOTO Miho, YAMANE Erina
DF:  IWASHIMIZU Azusa, SAMESHIMA Aya, KAMIONOBE Megumi, TANAKA Asuna
MF:  SAKAGUCHI Mizuho, ANDO Kozue, UETSUJI Yumi, YOKOYAMA Kumi, NAGASATO Asano
FW:  TAKASE Megumi

60’  OHNO Shinobu → ANDO Kozue
60’  UTSUGI Rumi → SAKAGUCHI Mizuho
80’  KAWAMURA Yuri → TANAKA Asuna
80’  KINGA Yukari → SAMESHIMA Aya
80’  SUGASAWA Yuika → TAKASE Megumi

Match Report

As Japan had to win the match to advance to the next stage, Ariyoshi and Kawamura as defenders, Utsugi in midfield, and Sugasawa up front started the game, based on their first match against Denmark. Although France attacked swiftly up front as soon as they intercepted the ball, taking shots, Japan did not let them find the back of the net. After 43 minutes, Sugasawa passed a ball from Ogimi, and Kawasumi, who reacted to it, struck the opener. After Japan scored through their first opportunity, they kept a one-goal lead until half time.

However, in the 52nd minute, after the match went into the second half, France earned a penalty kick, after one player was knocked down in the penalty area. The opponent scored the penalty, levelling the game. Both of teams tried to stretch their lead. Then after 70 minutes, France stole the ball in and Le Sommer ran towards the space behind the defenders, striking a goal. France turned the match around. In the 85th minute, Thiney got through and scored another goal. Japan couldn’t change the game after that, and came third in Group C.

With the combination of the results from other games, Japan could not beat either Brazil, who were sitting in third place in Group A with four points, or Switzerland, who were sitting in third place in Group B with four points. Japan will play a consolation match against Iceland to decide the ninth and the tenth places at 12:15 (Local Time) on Wednesday 11 March.

Head Coach and Players' Comments

SASAKI Norio, Head Coach
I hoped that we could see our current level - and what we could do - against an excellent opponent, France. Although we’re still developing our game, the physical aspects and our conditioning, there were some positive plays during the first 45 minutes. Having said that, in the second half, we dropped away both in terms of our movement and our concentration. The long balls and our mistakes gave the opponent some goal-scoring opportunities, which, I believe we can improve. Even though it is not the domestic season yet, each player can improve herself within the remaining few months before the World Cup. So I believe we will play well against France. We have to review the reasons why we couldn’t get a better result, but we’ll learn positively from it for the future.

OGIMI Yuki (VFL Wolfsburg)
Although we played rhythmically in the first half, we tended to play towards the back in the second half, and couldn’t adjust better until the end. The reason was that we didn’t share effectively how we should play at different stages of the game. I think we can fix this problem before the World Cup. In terms of the attack, we were intercepted before the last pass without sharing the attacking vision, or we made mistakes in passing even when we shared the same attacking vision. I wouldn’t say we couldn’t get through the opponent at all.

KUMAGAI Saki (Olympique Lyonnais)
Despite the fact we played according to our rhythm in the first half, we conceded three goals, which I can accept given our current level. We should have played more intensely near the ball in front of the goal and with better insight. I’d like to think what we need to improve, not wasting any of the remaining three months before the World Cup, so that we’ll play better in the future.

MIYAMA Aya (Okayama Yunogo Belle)
As the result indicated our current level of ability, I accepted the score 3-1 seriously. However, there were some positive plays in the first half, and I’d like to increase those. I think we could have won the game, if we had tried all kinds of things. It’s an essential period to play as a united team before the World Cup. We need to share a sense of crisis and learn from our loss for the future.

KAIHORI Ayumi (INAC Kobe)
We could move the ball around, as there wasn’t much pressure from the opponent in the first half. Then in the second half, the opponent took the initiative through our mistake. I’d like to fix our problems by watching the video and trying things out on the pitch. France had both speed and power, showing ambition for goals. Having said that, the reason for today’s loss wasn’t up to the opponent. We gave the ball away pretty easily. I’d like to think how to play in terms of risk management.

Schedule

*Local Time