The 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
Semi-final vs Uzbekistan Futsal National Team
24 September 2017 (Sun.) Kick-off 19:00 (Local Time) Playing Time 40min.(20min.×2）
Multifunctional Sport Venue Hall-1 (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan)

Japan Futsal National Team 3-3（1-1, 2-2, PK2-3）Uzbekistan Futsal National Team

Scores
21'　TAMURA Kasho（Japan Futsal National Team）
21'　goal against（Uzbekistan Futsal National Team）
23'　goal against（Uzbekistan Futsal National Team）
27'　SHIMIZU Kazuya（Japan Futsal National Team）
34'　HARA Shinsuke（Japan Futsal National Team）
35'　goal against（Uzbekistan Futsal National Team）

Starting Line-ups
GK：YAZAWA Daimu
FP：UEMATSU Koto, MUROTA Yuki, SHIMIZU Kazuya, UEMURA Atsuya

Reserves
GK：MIURA Taku, UEHARA Takuya
FP：HARA Shinsuke, TAMURA Kasho, HORIGOME Shota, YAGI Kiyoto, SAITO Koichi, MORIMURA Takashi, HASHIMOTO Masaya

Match Report

Japan Fustal National Team who are currently participating in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, faced Uzbekistan in the semi-finals on 24 September. Coach Bruno GARCIA encouraged his players prior to the game, ‘There is no such thing as an easy match. But we have been winning, so be confident. I’m certain that we have the quality to win the tournament. Everyone including our families and friends as well as supporters in Japan will cheer us up. Trust your teammates and go earn a place in the final.’ Despite these words of encouragement from the Japanese boss, there was an unexpected turn of events at the end of the match.

Japan got off to an excellent start in the 9th minute by scoring an opening goal of the match. TAMURA Kasho found a gap in the opponents’ defence and dashed up the right flank before HARA Shinsuke squared a neat ball to his onrushing teammate who fired home a right-footer to give his side an early lead.

The Japanese squad had struck first in the last three games and found their rhythm by scoring an opener in this match as well. On the other hand, powerhouse Uzbekistan struggled after Japan gained momentum and threatened the Uzbek goal with menacing attacks. However, the Central Asian side retreated and defended tenaciously and did not allow the Japanese internationals to add on to their lead, and fashioned few chances on the counter. It was looking as if Japan were taking one-goal lead at halftime, but the Uzbekistani squad equalised with only 15 seconds remaining in the first half, and the match went all squared one apiece at the break.

Despite a tentative start to the second half, Uzbekistan soon turned the game around in the 23rd minute and took a 2-1 lead. However, the relentless Japanese squad struck back four minutes later. On 27 minutes, SHIMIZU Kazuya reacted to the loose ball from a free kick and fired home a brilliant goal into the net.

Japan were the threatening side after they levelled the match 2-2, but moments later Shimizu was booked for the second time and was send off after he had illegally taken down a player who nearly intercepted the ball on his side of the court. Despite having to play with numerical disadvantage for two minutes, the tenacious Japanese defence fended off the menacing challenges from the Uzbek counterparts.

The energy level of the spectators inside the full-to-capacity stadium has reached its new highs in the game, as Japan carved open the solid Uzbekistan’s defence with a swift and incisive exchange of passes and found Hara in open space to strike a go-ahead goal for his side in the 34th minute. However, the Japanese squad could not protect this precious lead for a long time against the skilful Uzbek squad who fought back with pride and struck home on 35 minutes to even the match once again.

Both sides orchestrated few chances in the last 5 minutes of play, but were unable to hit the target before the final whistle. The game went into 10-minute overtime (of five-minute halves).

Japan were relentless on their pursuit for goals in extra time, but they could not take advantage of their goal-scoring opportunities and secure a win before the match entered a penalty shootout. Coach Bruno came out and energised his team prior to the penalties, ‘We have been making an excellent preparation for this moment. If you take the penalty with confidence, then there shouldn’t be any problem. Believe in yourselves.’

The rising tension could be felt inside the stadium, but it was Uzbekistan who kept their composure and took advantage of the situation. Japanese goalkeeper YAZAWA Daimu blocked one shot, while Uzbekistan stopped two to edge the penalties 3-2 and put an end to a highly-contested match with an aggregate score of 6-5.

As a result, Japan Futsal National Team will play in the third-place match against Afghanistan at 17:00 (21:00 Japan Time) on Tuesday 26 September.

Coach's and Players' Comments

Bruno GARCIA, Coach (Japan Futsal National Team)
I believe it was a wonderful match that will become a part of futsal history. The spectators must have been satisfied with an excellent performance put forth by both sides and enjoyed watching two teams with different playing styles. My players had a wonderful learning experience by playing three distinctive phases of a match against the potent Uzbekistan side: 40-minute first and second halves, overtime, and penalty shootout. I believe that the players learned more than we could have asked for. It was a shame that we couldn’t attain the desired result in the match. However, I would like to praise my players by saying that their performance they have shown today deserved a win. Therefore, it is important that we prove ourselves one last time and make a good preparation as the whole team to grab a win in the third-place match.

FP ＃3 HARA Shinsuke (PESCADOLA MACHIDA)
Whenever we go ourselves ahead, our opponents levelled the match from set pieces. In the match today, we went through a lot. One of our players was sent off and we experienced playing overtime and penalty shootout as well. We suffered a bitter defeat, but are not going to third-place match feeling demoralised. We will perform as a united team in order to grab a medal.

FP ＃5 HORIGOME Shota (SHRIKER OSAKA)
Frankly speaking, I am very disappointed with the loss. However the tournament is still not over yet. It is important that we refresh our mind and not feel demoralised, and consider it as if we were competing in the AFC Futsal championship or the World Cup. We will stay positive and work hard in order to return home with a medal.

FP ＃7 YAGI Kiyoto (NAGOYA OCEANS)
We worked hard together and competed in the tournament. This makes it even harder for me to accept the loss. I will not forget about this game. On the positive side, we have been improving with each match in the tournament. In the third-place match, we are looking to give our best performance and return home with a medal.

Schedule

*The schedule may be subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

The 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Ashgabat 2017

Tournament Period：16 September 2017(Sat.) ～ 26 September 2017(Tue.)
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