AFC Beach Soccer Championship Qatar 2015
Kick-off: 17:30 on Monday 23 March 2015
Playing time: 12 minutes x 3 periods
Location: Katara Beach (Doha, Qatar)

Japan Beach Soccer National Team   5-3 (1st 2-3, 2nd 3-0, 3rd 0-0)  Kuwait Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
5 '    GOTO Takasuke (Japan)
8'     Goal against (Kuwait)
10'   MOREIRA Ozu (Japan)
12'   Goal against (Kuwait)
12'   Goal against (Kuwait)
12'   MOREIRA Ozu (Japan)
13'   GOTO Takasuke (Japan)
21'   MOREIRA Ozu (Japan)

Line-ups
GK:  TERUKINA Shingo
FP:  ODA Hirofumi, MOREIRA Ozu, GOTO Takasuke, OBA Takaaki

Substitutes
GK:  SUGITA Tetsuji
FP:  TABATA Teruki, MAKINO Shinji, AKAGUMA Takuya, MATSUO Naoya
All players played except for Sugita

Non-registered members
GK: HARAGUCHI Shotaro, YAMAUCHI Shusei

Match Report

The AFC Beach Soccer Championship Qatar 2015 has finally started. The first game of the group stage against Kuwait kicked off at 17:30, when it became slightly cooler after sunset. Another match in the same group between China and Vietnam was held prior to Japan’s match. China won on penalty kicks, gaining one point according to the rules of the championship. This meant that if Japan won the game, earning three points, they could top the group.

In the first period, the players started the game very cautiously with some mistakes and fouls, partially because it was their first match. After five minutes, the goalkeeper punched away a shot from OBA Takaaki, but GOTO Takasuke struck the opener, slotting the ball into the goal. However, three minutes later, Japan conceded a goal from their mistake. Although MOREIRA Ozu scored a goal with a long-distance shot, building a one-goal lead, Japan conceded two goals in a row towards the end of the period. Japan finished the first period one goal behind.

How to start the first match of the championship had been always this team’s task and the need to think about this was highlighted in this game as well.

However, in the second period, Japan became more relaxed and pressed the opponent. After just one minute, GOTO struck a goal from a penalty, levelling the game. One minute later, MOREIRA scored from a free kick and turned the game around. Then towards the end of the period MOREIRA scored once more with an over-the-head shot, completing his hat trick.

In the last period, even though they did not add any more goals, they took the initiative throughout the period, keeping a clean sheet. Japan won their first match of the championship.

Head Coach and Players' Comments

Marcelo Mendes, Head Coach
It was tough today, as it was the first match of the championship. The opponent, Kuwait, held a training camp in Dubai just like Japan before the championship and got themselves ready. Also I felt they were really determined for today’s match. Although it was quite tough for Japan, I think we played very well. There are things to be improved before tomorrow’s game against Vietnam, of course, but I’d like to keep up our pace to win the coming games.

MOREIRA Ozu (TOKYO LEQUIOS BS)
The Asian qualifying round for the World Cup is always tough, and today’s game was especially difficult. I’m pleased that we won the game, even though we occasionally couldn’t play as we wanted due to tension and nerves. It was good that we followed the head coach’s directions and rules. Personally I’m happy that I could contribute to the team with a hat trick. It may be another difficult match tomorrow, but I’d like to play my best to win the game.

TERUKINA Shingo (SOL MAR PRAIA)
We always find the first match of the Asian qualifying round difficult, regardless of the opponent. As we expected, we couldn’t start the game well in today’s match, and finished the first period one goal behind. Having said that, our team can change our playing style and tactics according to the situation. After giving away the lead, or after turning the game around, we changed our tactics and took the initiative in today’s game. I think we need to improve our finishing quality with goal-scoring opportunities from tomorrow. I’d also like to start games in a better way, so that we can pick up our pace and control the match.

Schedule