HYOGO FUTSAL WOMEN’S FRIENDLY MATCH 2015
2015-7-19 (Sun.) - 11:00   Playing time:20min.x2
Green Arena Kobe (Kobe, Hyogo)

Japan Women's Futsal National Team short-listed squad  0-0 (1st 0-0, 2nd 0-0)  Cataluna Selection

Line-ups
GK: YAMASHITA Miyuki
FP: NAKAJIMA Shiori, KATO Saori, KOMURA Misato, SEKINADA Minako

Substitutes
GK: YAMAMOTO Ayaka
FP: HOTTA Eriko, HIGASHIYAMA Maiko, SAKATA Mutsumi, HARUYAMA Ai, AMISHIRO Anna, KICHIBAYASHI Chikage, IGARASHI Manami, TAKAO Akari

Match Report

On the fourth day of their training camp, Japan Women's Futsal National Team short-listed squad had a training match against Cataluna Selection on Sunday 19 July.

The starting five for Japan were YAMASHITA Miyuki, NAKAJIMA Shiori, KATO Saori, KOMURA Misato, and SEKINADA Minako. In the 7th minute, HOTTA Eriko fired off a pass from AMISHIRO Anna, but it was beautifully denied by the opposing goalkeeper.

Japan repeatedly picked up the ball in the opponents’ end, but struggled to finish attacks with a shot. In the 18th minute, Nakajima got the ball and HIGASHIYAMA Maiko struck it hard, but it went wide of the right post. The first half finished 0-0.

In the second half, Japan, looking to score the opener, had Nakajima react to a floater from Sekinada for another shot attempt. The shot was apparently going into the goal after deflected by the goalkeeper, but another player cleared it to reject Japan’s hope. Although Japan’s attacks did not stop even after that, the match finished without a goal scored for either side.

Coach and Players' Comments

ARIHARA Masaaki, Coach
It was a match we were supposed to win. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t score no matter hard we tried. The Cataluna Selection team were well-organised and consistent even though their condition was not good due to the time difference.

The match finished as draw, but I could see our improvements here and there which we piled up in this training camp. Now we need to keep being smart and working on how we show more of those successes as a team for the AFC Championship in September.

NAKAJIMA Shiori (Burela Pescados Ruben)
I am thankful to have an opportunity to play against the Cataluna Selection squad from such a great futsal country as Spain, and I personally was looking forward to this match very much. In the first half, our possession was kept well, but our overall attacking momentum was weak and we couldn’t create many shooting opportunities.  

Because of the instruction from our coach and also the discussion among the players, we could create many chances in the second half. We also had many plays that could threaten the opponents. But the fact that we failed to score and the match finished as draw is now our assignment to improve both for the team and for each of us personally.

SAKATA Mutsumi (SWH Ladies Futsal Club)
It was the day four in this camp. Our teamwork had gotten better and then we had this match today. The concept we had been working on left good results. 

But at the same time, we had some more things to work on. So it turned out to be a very meaningful match. Understanding what every one of us has to do according to each opponent and our concept, we will make sure we come out to tomorrow’s training match with good spirit. 

Schedule

*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condtion, the weather, etc.