The 3rd Delle Nazioni Tournament 2nd Match vs U-17 Russia Women's National Team
Thu. 26 April 18:00 kick-off Playing Time 70min. (35min.x2)
Palazzolo, Italy

U-16 Japan Women's National Team 0-0 (0-0, 0-0) U-17 Russia Women's National Team

Starting Line-ups
GK: ISHIDA Kokona
DF: TSUKIJI Iku, TABATA Haruna, KAWAGISHI Emika, SUGISAWA Mihoshi
MF: MOMONO Miyuka, WATANABE Urara, TAKAWA Serika, ONISHI Wakana
FW: YAMASAKI Aimi, NODA Miyuu

Reserves
GK: NAKAZONO Karen
DF: TOKUNAGA Miyabi, TAMAGAWA Mina
MF: ITO Megumi, IDO Keito, IWASAKI Kokona
FW: SHIMADA Mei, SHIROWA Reina

Substitutions
HT TAKAWA Serika → IWASAKI Kokona
HT NODA Miyuu → SHIROWA Reina
HT ONISHI Wakana → ITO Megumi
49' YAMASAKI Aimi → SHIMADA Mei
58' TSUKIJI Iku → TAMAGAWA Mina

Match Report

On Thursday 26 April, the U-16 Japan Women’s National Team squared off with U-17 Russia Women’s National Team in their second match of the 3rd Delle Nazioni Tournament.

Japan struggled to build their momentum early on, but the players kept talking to each other to create chances. In the 27th minute, midfielder TSUKIJI Iku delivered a pass to forward NODA Miyuu, who dribbled up the field before firing a shot, but her attempt went off the target.

Japan went onto create more chances, including shots taken by Noda. At the end of the first half, WATANABE Urara received the ball following a throw-in. Watanabe carried the ball and launched a shot, but it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper. The first half ended scoreless.

Seeking to find their momentum, Japan went onto make three substitutions at half time.

Japan sought for opportunities through their ball possession. In the 44th minute, IWASAKI Kokona dished the ball to the right side, allowing midfielder ITO Megumi to take a shot, but her effort was off target. Desperate to score a goal, Japan continued to apply pressure aggressively. In the 61st minute, Ito delivered a through ball to forward SHIROWA Reina, but their timing was a little off, and their attempt was denied by the goalkeeper.

In additional time of the second half, MOMONO Miyuka sent a cross from the left flank, but could not produce a goal scoring opportunity. The game finished in a scoreless draw.

Japan’s third group league match will be held on Saturday 28 April, when they face U-17 Norway Women’s National Team.

* Japan must win against Norway in order to advance to the championship

Players' Comments

DF #3 SUGISAWA Mihoshi (Jumonji Senior High School)

This was my first time traveling abroad with the team. I was looking forward for this trip and at the same time very anxious about it as well. Players abroad were physically much stronger than I imagined, and I had a difficult time trying to adjust to their power. There were parts of the game where I felt like I did well, so I will continue to perform well in the following matches. During this trip, some of my weaknesses were also evident, so I will improve on what I lack to become a better player. We will win our match tomorrow and take home the title.

MF #7 WATANABE Urara (JFA Academy Fukushima)
We struggled to cope with the height, speed, and power, these foreign teams presents to us. We had a difficult time fighting for the loose ball and fifty-fifty balls, and as a result gave up too many second balls to our opponents. It’s something we can’t control with just our will power to win the match. We must improve our ability to predict where the ball will end up, and also talk to each other as a team a little more. The fact we ended in a scoreless draw speaks for itself. We must be able to score goals in order to win matches. In order for us to be able to perform to our fullest, we will have to talk to each other more both on the pitch and off the pitch. We will win our match tomorrow and advance to the championship. I am so grateful to be given such wonderful experience, and I will do my best in any given tasks moving forward.

FW #19 YAMASAKI Aimi (INAC KOBE LEONCINA)
It was my first time taking part in the national team, and playing with players I’ve never played with before made me very anxious. I played in the second half yesterday, and I was given the start today. Those playing time on the pitch gave me great confidence. But, I wasn’t able to produce good results, nor was I able to express what I am capable of. There are just limited games left, but I will do my best to contribute to the team.

Schedule

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

The 3rd Delle Nazioni Tournament

Tournament dates: Wed. 25 April - Sun. 29 April 2018
Tournament information