◆Date: Sun. 12 March, 17:10 (Local time)
◆Venue: Jomtien Beach (Pattaya, Thailand)

Japan Beach Soccer National Team 7-1 (3-1, 1-0, 3-0) Thailand Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
<1p>
1' AKAGUMA Takuya
5' SHIBAMOTO Shinya
8' AKAGUMA Takuya
10' Goal Against
<2p>
1' MOREIRA Ozu
<3p>
6' AKAGUMA Takuya
7' YAMADA Takahito
10' KIBUNE Yuki

Starting Line-up
GK SHIBAMOTO Shinya
FP MOREIRA Ozu, OBA Takaaki, UESATO Takumi, AKAGUMA Takuya

Reserves
GK KAWAI Yusuke
FP YAMAUCHI Shusei, OKUYAMA Masanori, MATSUDA Kosuke, MATSUO Naoya, KIBUNE Yuki, YAMADA Takahito

Match Report

The match started with Japan taking the initiative by applying aggressive pressure from the outset. Although Thailand made attempts to pressurise the Japanese goalkeeper, SHIBAMOTO Shinya did well to evade the pressure to initiate a counterattack, setting up the goal of AKAGUMA Takuya with the assist coming from UESATO Takumi in the first minute. With Thailand getting hesitant to apply pressure upfront, Shibamoto carried the ball himself to score Japan’s second goal in the fifth minute.

Akaguma scored his second goal in the eighth minute, when the striker headed in the heel pass of MATSUDA Kosuke to extend the Japanese lead to 3-0. Although Thailand scored back a goal from a corner kick in the 10th minute, the first period finished with Japan showing total dominance over the host country of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2023.

The second period saw Thailand drop deep in their own half, allowing Japan to control the game through their ball possession. The goal scored by MOREIRA Ozu was the only goal scored in this period, but it was evident that both sides weren’t taking much risk through the period.

Japan continued to build their attack through their goalkeeper in the third period. In the sixth minute, Moreira broke through the flank to assist the goal of Akaguma, who completed his hattrick. A minute later, OKUYAMA Masanori redirected the throw of KAWAI Yusuke to setup the bicycle shot of YAMADA Takahito, who scored his first international goal. Japan capped off the match with the goal scored by KIBUNE Yuki in the 10th minute to win the match 7-1.

The Japan Beach Soccer National Team will play another international friendly against Oman on Monday, as they prepare ahead of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023.

Players' Comments

FP #2 YAMADA Takahito (Tokyo Verdy BS)
We've been in Thailand for four days now, and we've had time to get used to the weather before this friendly. It felt like each one of us was able to demonstrate what we had been working since our training camp in Japan. As an individual, I was able to score my first goal for the national team. My teammates were celebrating as if it were their own, and it was something I will never forget. I think the team has been working in a positive vibe, so although there are only a few days left, we will prepare well to achieve good results, both as a team and as individuals.

FP #6 AKAGUMA Takuya (Lazo Apego Kitakyusyu)
As this is our fourth day in Thailand, we are gradually getting used to the temperature and time difference. Since arriving in Thailand, we have repeatedly reviewed our tactics to prepare for today's training match against the Thailand Beach Soccer National Team, and I think it really showed in our performance. With Yamada scoring his first international goal, the atmosphere of the team is very good. We will try to improve on the good parts of our game while making corrections for tomorrow's match against Oman. We only have five days before our first match of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023. We want to improve our condition and be in the best possible shape for the tournament. Your support will give us a lot of strength, so please continue to support us.

AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023

Tournament Date: Thu. 16 - Sun. 26 March 2023

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