Training Match
Wed. 21 January 2015   Kickoff 8:30    Playing Time 15minutes x 3 periods
Copacabana Beach (Brazil/Rio de Janeiro)

Beach Soccer Japan National Team   4-4(1st 2-0, 2nd 0-1, 3rd 4-1 Ext 1-1 PSO 2-1)   Rio de Janeiro Selection

Scores
8min　  GOTO Takasuke (Japan)
9min　  Goal against (Rio de Janeiro Selection)
31min　Goal against (Rio de Janeiro Selection)
32min　Goal against (Rio de Janeiro Selection)
42min　MOREIRA Ozu (Japan)
45min　GOTO Takasuke (Japan)

Ext1min　Goal against (Rio de Janeiro Selection)
Ext3min　YAMAUCHI Shusei(Japan)

Penalty Shoot-Out
1st    Rio Selecton scored,   MOREIRA Ozu (Japan) failed
2nd   Rio Selecton failed, 　TABATA Teruki(Japan) scored
3rd    Rio Selecton failed, 　MAKINO Shinji(Japan) scored

Starters
GK：TERUKINA Shingo
FP：ODA Hirofumi, MOREIRA Ozu, GOTO Takasuke, OBA Takaaki

Substitutes
GK：SUGITA Tetsuji
FP：TABATA Teruki,MAKINO Shinji,HARAGUCHI Shotaro, HARAGUCHI Shotaro, KOMAKI Masayuki, YAMAUCHI Shusei, AKAGUMA Takuya

Non-registered Member
FP: TOMA Masahito

Match Report

The fourth fixture of their South America tour, the final match in Brazil, turned out to be a close, intense contest as both teams did not want to lose until the end.

Japan National Beach Soccer Team opened the scoring with Goto Takasuke’s goal in the first period but allowed opponents to erase the gap shortly after that. The both teams did not allow any goal afterwards as the score remained at 1-1 until the start of the final period. However, Japan conceded two goals in the 1st and 2nd minutes of the final period. Japan, looking to close a two-goal gap, kept attacking toward the opposing goal but were unable to score. Then, captain Moreira Ozu saved his team. He fired a blast three minutes from time and changed the team’s mood. In the closing minutes, Goto Takasuke equalised with his second goal of the day. The match rolled into a three-minute extra-time period.

In the 2nd minute of extra-time, Japan conceded a goal from their own mistake, but Yamauchi Shusei scored a dramatic late goal that forced the teams into penalties. As Japan’s goalkeeper Sugita Tetsuji made a fine save, Japan clinched a 2-1 penalty shootout to improve their record against Brazilian teams to 4-0.

The Japan team flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina after the match.

Head Coach and Players Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Head Coach
Today’s match was very tough. I’m quite satisfied with the result because we came back from two goals down and won in the penalties in the end against the team who have lots of quality players. Even though we missed a couple of chances from set pieces that should’ve been scored, I’m simply happy that we eventually won the match.

SUGITA Tetsuji (Shonan Spread 1545)
It’s great that we won the match today above all things. As it was the last match in Brazil, all players showed their fighting spirit. I’m glad that we never gave up the match in the third period and the extra-time so that we could level the score in the closing minutes. Personally, I’m happy to save a penalty kick to contribute to the team’s win.

HARAGUCHI Shotaro (TOKYO LEQUIOS BS)
We had a fruitful time in great environment until today in Brazil. Today, we won the match even though we had some tough situations, so it can be our confidence. Personally, I still have things to improve. Anyway, I will adjust my condition and try to be in best shape for the remaining two matches in Argentina.

Schedule

*Local time