International Friendly Match  vs  Czech Republic Futsal National Team
2015-12-6 (Sun.) - 18:00 (Local time)　Playing Time: 40min (20min×2)
Chomutov (City Sports Hall)

Japan Futsal National Team　5-4 (0-2, 5-2)　Czech Republic Futsal National Team

Scores
9'　Goal against (Czech Republic Futsal National Team)
11'　Goal against (Czech Republic Futsal National Team)
24'　WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China)
27'　NAKAMURA Yusuke (NAGOYA OCEANS)
29'　Goal against (Czech Republic Futsal National Team)
32'　SHIMIZU Kazuya (FUGADOR SUMIDA)
34'　YOSHIKAWA Tomoki (MAGNA GURPEA/Spain)
38'　OSODO Nobuya (SHRIKER OSAKA)
40'　Goal against (Czech Republic Futsal National Team)

Starting Five
GK: SEKIGUCHI Yushi (ESPOLADA HOKKAIDO)
FP: OSODO Nobuya (SHRIKER OSAKA), NISHITANI Ryosuke (FUGADOR SUMIDA), WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China), TAKITA Manabu (PESCADOLA MACHIDA)

Match Report

Japan Futsal National Team played the first of their international friendlies against the Czech Republic on 6 December in Chomutov.

Although both teams stayed competitive from the first half, the Czech Republic struck the opener in the ninth minute. The Czech Republic passed the ball rhythmically with their big physical presence, waiting for a brief moment for the opportunity to counter-attack. Japan, on the other hand, could not pick up their pace. After 11 minutes, Japan let the opponent score another, and the match went into the second half at 2-0.

The coach Miguel encouraged the players in the changing room during halftime: "we couldn’t play with our own pace in the first half, but let’s focus once again! Strike a goal first, pressing the opponent with our defence. Then we can turn the game around. Let’s challenge together to claim a victory!"

In the second half, the players responded to the coach’s expectation. In the 24th minute, WATANABE Tomoaki scored a goal, closing the gap to one goal. Japan picked up their pace, taking the initiative with their focused defence and solid passing. After 27 minutes, NAKAMURA Yusuke levelled the game. Although Japan conceded another goal shortly after that, the team stayed aggressive.

In the 32nd minute, SHIMIZU Kazuya scored the equaliser, and his first goal for the national team. Then YOSHIKAWA Tomoki struck another after 34 minutes, and OSODO Nobuya after 38 minutes. The opponent found the back of the net again just before the final whistle, Japan won the first leg against the Czech Republic 5-4.

YOSHIKAWA, who is based in Spain, and HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael, who is based in Portugal, were also on the pitch, adding a positive accent to Japan’s attack.

Players' Comments

SHIMIZU Kazuya (FUGADOR SUMIDA)
Although the opponent took the lead in the game today, we did what we needed to do to claim a victory. I was very pleased to score my first goal for the national team. I expect a tougher game tomorrow, but I will look for a good result, playing as hard as I can.

HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael (SL Benfica/Portugal)
I really enjoyed the match as I played for the national team for the first time after a while. At first it was difficult to coordinate our plays, but I picked up my pace as the match went on. We won the game solidly. I’d like to play hard again tomorrow.

WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China)
We won the first of the friendlies against the Czech Republic 5-4. As we lost two consecutive matches against Croatia, we are determined to get a positive result as a team today. Although we let the opponent build a two-goal lead in the first half, and struggled just like the games against Croatia, we managed to get back into shape in the second half to pick up our pace. We could strike goals, and stayed focused to defend even when throwing everything into attack. Tomorrow’s match will be the last one during this trip. We’d like to win the game to show our achievement and to finish this trip.

Schedule

*Local time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, etc.