AFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2015 1st Match vs  U-19 Australia Women's National Team
2015-8-18 (Tue.) - 16:00   Playing Time: 45min×2
Jiangsu Training Base Stadium (Nanjing, China)

U-19 Japan Women's National Team　2-0 (2-0, 0-0)　U-19 Australia Women's National Team

Scores
10'　KOBAYASHI Rikako (U-19 Japan Women's National Team)
28'　KOBAYASHI Rikako (U-19 Japan Women's National Team)

Line-ups
GK: MATSUMOTO Mamiko
DF: SHIMIZU Risa, KITAGAWA Hikaru, ICHISE Nana, NORIMATSU Ruka
MF: SUMIDA Rin, SUGITA Hina, NISHIDA Meika
FW: KOBAYASHI Rikako, MOMIKI Yuka, SHIRAKI Akari

Substitutes
GK: HIRAO Chika, MORITA Yukari
DF: TAKEMURA Misaki, HAZA Hisui, MATSUBARA Shiho, MIYAGAWA Asato
MF: HASEGAWA Yui, MIURA Narumi, MIZUTANI Yuki, ANZAI Yuka
FW: SEIKE Kiko

56'　SHIRAKI Akari → HASEGAWA Yui
66'　KITAGAWA Hikaru → MIYAGAWA Asato
84'　MOMIKI Yuka → SEIKE Kiko

Match Report

U-19 Japan Women's National Team won the first game of the group stage against Australia 2-0 in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship China 2015.

After five minutes in the first half, Japan had their first attacking opportunity. The defender SHIMIZU Risa, who ran up through the right wing, sent a cross to the forward SHIRAKI Akari, who went close with a header. Unfortunately, the shot went wide.

In the 10th minute, the midfielder SUGITA Hina passed the ball towards the centre, which struck the opponent in the head. Then the forward KOBAYASHI Rikako, who reacted to the loose ball, slotted the ball in the goal, striking the opener. Japan built up positive momentum.

After 28 minutes, Shiraki, who reacted to the forward MOMIKI Yuka’s right corner kick, headed the ball to Kobayashi, who struck a goal. Japan scored the second goal.

In the 56th minute of the second half, although the midfielder HASEGAWA Yui came off the bench to add pace to Japan’s attack, the team kept being pressed by Australia. After 65 minutes, Amy Harris from Australia, who received a long-distance pass in the penalty area, turned swiftly to take a shot only for it to hit the crossbar, luckily for Japan.

Under pressure, the forward SEIKE Kiko, who came onto the pitch in the 84th minute, took a shot in the penalty area, but she could not find the back of the net. Japan patiently defended to sustain their two-goal lead, and won their first match in the championship.

Coach and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, coach
At first I could see the players were nervous and playing awkwardly, but I was pleased that we scored early on in the game. We expected to a certain extent that Australia would become stronger in attack in the second half.

I’d like to point out that the players defended patiently. I’d like to perform well in passing and keeping possession in the next match again, as we always focused on this in our practice session.

KOBAYASHI Rikako (Tokiwagi Gakuen High School)
As I thought I could not play well in today’s match, despite the fact I wasn’t too nervous, I moved my body widely on the pitch. I was pleased that we won our first game. It was lucky that we could score two goals. We need to focus on scoring, taking more shots.

SHIRAKI Akari (Urawa Reds Ladies)
I was glad we could show what we’ve been repeatedly practicing, such as positioning during the corner kicks. In the next game, I’d like to use both the full length and width of pitch, adding the stopping plays as well.

Although I’m not quite sure what kind of team Uzbekistan is, I hope each of my teammates can show her strength in the game. I’d like to play, bearing basic skills in mind, such as focusing on initiating attacks and taking shots.

ICHISE Nana (Tokiwagi Gakuen High School)
I’m relieved that we won our first match. Scoring goals early in the game meant a lot to us. As we practiced moving the defensive line forward and backward, at first we could play while thinking about the space behind the defenders.

I’d like to continue that for the full 90 minutes in the next game. I would also like to judge in a better way during a build-up whether to pass the ball calmly around or pass it to initiate an attack.

Schedule

※Local Time
Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.