The knockout phase of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 began on Tuesday 30 May, and U-20 Japan National Team faced U-20 Venezuela at Daejeon World Cup Stadium.

While the Japanese squad advanced to the knockout phase as one of best four third-placed teams among all the groups, the powerful Venezuelan counterparts claimed the top spot with three straight wins and cruised through the group stage with a stunning performance both offensively and defensively, scoring a total of 10 ten goals and conceding none. Japan made several changes to their starting line-ups and placed FUJITANI So as right fullback, MIYOSHI Koji as left halfback, and TAKAGI Akito, who only had few minutes of playing time coming off the bench, as one of the two forwards.

Conceding early goals had been one of the problem areas for U-20 Japan in the tournament so far, but as NAKAYAMA Yuta later commented, “we were careful not to concede any goals in the first half,” the young Japanese squad defended solidly with high level of concentration against the opponents with many talented players upfront. However, the Venezuelan side still managed to create some scoring chances. In the 5th minute, Adalberto PENARANDA got through on goal with brilliant individual effort, but missed the target and, after 19th minutes, Yeferson SOTELDO reacted well to a through pass, but squandered the golden chance to open the scoring for his side after being denied in a one-on-one chance with Japanese goalkeeper KOJIMA Ryosuke.

Surviving some of the threatening chances fashioned in the early part of the game, the Japanese team started to have better possession of the ball and created few scoring opportunities of their own by attacking from both flanks. After earning a free kick in the 29th minute, DOAN Ritsu directly fired at goal and hit the crossbar, and IWASAKI Yuto chested well the deflection, but his attempt went wide to the right. After 33rd minutes, from the brilliant exchange of passes in the right side of the pitch, ICHIMARU Mizuki found Iwasaki with a superb lobbed pass behind the opponents’ backline, but the Japanese striker’s header blazed over the bar. Relentless attacks from the Japanese side continued as Takagi connected with SUGIOKA Daiki’s left cross, but his direct effort failed to find the target.

Doan reflected on the first half, “We entered the match well, and went exactly as we planned to end the first half scoreless.” Furthermore, as Japanese coach UCHIYAMA Atsushi commented on the day prior to the match, “we have a chance to win it in the second half,” the entire squad shared the same vision that the second half would be the key in winning the match. Then, in the 57th minute, after Ichimaru sent a neat forward pass to Doan, Takagi ran past the opposing backline, stating “I trusted Doan that he would send an incisive pass even with limited playing space.” The Japanese striker was put clean through by Doan, but failed to score with only goalkeeper to beat.

Thereafter, U-20 Japan subbed in KUBO Takefusa and ITAKURA Kou to impact the game. However, the young Japanese international failed to create scoring chances in the latter part of the second half as noted by TOMIYASU Takehiro, “We had a hard time keeping possession and had to endure stretches where the opponents had the ball.” After surviving the scare from smashing long-range attempt by Sergio CORDOVA, it was the defence that shone for the Japanese team, as both centre halves Nakayama and Tomiyasu fought tenaciously against the threatening Venezuelan side and kept them scoreless in the remainder of the second half.

The thrilling match did find their conclusion in regulation time and went into overtime. As fatigue kicked in after playing their fourth match in a short span of time, both teams saw their players’ work-rate go down, but kept their strong determination towards winning and continued to search for goals. In the 102nd minute, with a brilliant exchange of short passes from Doan to Kubo and then to Iwasaki, Doan find himself with a ball just outside of the box, but his attempt went above the crossbar.

The match stayed in the balance until the 108th minute, when Venezuela finally came through to break the tie. After earning two consecutive corners, the second was headed home by Yangel HERRERA to give his side a lead with only 12 minutes left to play. Having their back against the ball, U-20 Japan brought on forward TAGAWA Kyosuke and employed a power play placing defender Itakura with height upfront. Yet the goal was too far and the young Japanese could not find the equaliser until the final whistle. U-20 Venezuela came on top of the fierce battle in extra time, and ended Japan’s World Cup campaign in the round of 16.

Match Report

Coach's and Players' Comments

UCHIYAMA Atsushi, Coach (U-20 Japan National Team)
I am very disappointed with the result. It was a fierce 120-minute battle, but my players fought hard until the end. With only two-day rest between the games, they also did not have enough time to fully recover from the fatigue of last match. I advised them that we would definitely have a chance to win the game as long as we do not concede early goals. The match progressed rather well for us, as we controlled the defensive line properly, and had the right mindset to compete as well. However, the difference was that the opponents came through in the clutch. It has been two years and a half since we assembled this team and my players have gone through many experiences. I am certain that those experiences will help them in the future.

DF #3 NAKAYAMA Yuta (Kashiwa Reysol)
It was really regrettable that we lost despite maintaining a high-level of concentration in defence and managing the match better than the previous ones. I am also disappointed that we cannot continue to compete in this tournament, as I saw gradually improvement in my game as well as the problem areas I need to address with every match played. At this high-level competition, I felt that the opponents have the ability to find our weaknesses and exploit them. I would take these experiences and capitalise on them for my future.

DF #4 ITAKURA Kou (Kawasaki Frontale)
Coming off the bench, I focused on defending solidly first and then moving the ball well once I received it in the defensive-midfield spot. From this match, I learned that a single moment can decide the outcome of the match, and we cannot give away any chances to the opponents. However, I believe we could have still won this match and all of us felt that we could have done it better or competed harder. I am disappointed as well. One of the positive takeaways from contesting in the world stages was that I found out defensive midfielders have the ability to break through the opposing defence on their own. I will strive to become such player myself.

MF #18 TAKAGI Akito  (Gamba Osaka)
There were stretches where the opposing attackers threatened us, but gradually we found our pace and started to create our scoring chances. However, I wasn’t clinical enough to cease those opportunities. I wanted to make a significant contribution to the team as I started for the first time, but it was regrettable that I could not attain any concrete results. I will take this feeling of regret and work even harder once I get back to my team.

FW #13 IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Sanga F.C.)
In addition to our fatigue, we were late on reacting to the opponents’ moves as well as claiming the second balls against the Venezuelan players with excellent pace. We had chances, but failing to cease those opportunities might have led to the conceded goal towards the end of the match. World-class opponents have the ability to capitalise on those chances at the crucial moments in the game. I believe we have to improve our finishing in addition to the accuracy of the plays leading to a shot. Aggressiveness and powerful drives to carve open the opposing defence are some of the things I am looking to work on as well.

Schedule

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