International Friendly Match
9 July 2014   Kick Off at 16:00 local time   90minutes(45minutes halves)
SCG Stadium(Thailand/Bangkok）

U-16 Japan National Team　3-2（1st 3-1、2nd 0-1）　U-18 SCG Muangthong United

Scores
23min　DOAN Ritsu（U-16 Japan National Team）
29min　ISHIKAWA Hiroto（U-16 Japan National Team）
40min　WATANABE Yo（U-16 Japan National Team）
43min　Goal Against（SCG Muangthong United）
53min　Goal Against（SCG Muangthong United）

Starters
GK：HARADA Gaku
DF：SHIMOGUCHI Wakaba、DOAN Ritsu、MORISHITA Reiya、WATANABE Kouta
MF：TANAKA Ao、FUJIMOTO Kanya、SAKIMURA Yusuke
FW：ISHIKAWA Hiroto、WATANABE Yo、MATSUOKA Daichi

Substitutes
GK：TSURUTA Kaito、OSAKO Keisuke
DF：ABE Masashi、NISHIMOTO Takanobu、MORIOKA Riku
MF：KAJIYAMA Kanta、ONO Yuya、SUGA Daiki
FW：YASUI Takuya、SUGIURA Fumiya

Match Report

The early part of the match was under slippery pitch conditions due to the heavy rain which started right after the kick-off; the weather here is unstable and it was a clear sky when the players arrived at the stadium. U-16 Japan National opened the scoring with Doan Ritsu’s goal which came from a dribble to the central spot just in front of Thai’s goal on 23 minutes.

After that, Japan took the lead up to 3-0 with two additional goals by Ishikawa Hiroto（Sagan Tosu U-18）and Watanabe Yo（Urawa Red Diamonds Youth）. However, at 43 minutes, Muang Tong United got a goal back, their FW putting the ball past the GK Harada’s defiant jump, and the first half finished with 3-1. This is one of the issues of Japan that they allow goals in the latter part of the match and they have been facing since the training camps in Italy and Azerbaijan.

In the second half, the rain stopped and players then had to suffer from the strong sunlight and high humidity on the pitch. In the seesaw battle, Japan tried to make a chance to get another goal but they could not make it. Reversely, Japan allowed Muang Tong United another goal at 53 minutes and were now within only 1 goal of Japan.

Finally Japan held on their first match in the training camp to win with 3-2, defending its goal against the offense and had less opportunities to attack.
They will reflect on some issues they found in the match in the next day’s training and adjust themselves for the next match with U-18 Bangkok Glass on 11 July.

Comments

YOSHITAKE Hirofumi, Head Coach
Considering the upcoming final qualifier, we planned 4 matches which include 3
Group Stage matches and 1 Knockout Stage match of the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship in September. For the first match, we have played with U-18 Muang Tong United today and I found that both the players individually and the team as a whole have not satisfactory expressed their strengths on the pitch. It was very beneficial for us to play the match and to have the training in the stadium which may be one of the venues for the matches in the Championship in September. Also it was a good experience for us to know before the Championship about how long it takes from our accommodation to the stadium. We want to play well in the remaining 3 matches to make them worthwhile as simulation matches.

MORIOKA Riku（Jubilo Iwata U-18）
What I thought about after the first match in Bangkok was “see your opponents”; I learned the importance of having ideas about what to do before the ball is coming to me, because it is too late if I think about what to do after receiving the ball. Through keeping myself very thoughtful not only on the pitch, but also even in hotel, I will prepare well for the next match which will also be important considering the upcoming Group Stage matches.

KAJIYAMA Kanta（Nagoya Grampus U18）
Although it was good to win the first match here, I know that we could not do what Mr. Yoshitake, our coach, repeatedly demanded us to do - “see our opponents”. So from the training tomorrow, we all will pay more attention to this and prepare well for the next match to win with better play.

ONO Yuya（Tokai University Kumamoto Seisho Senior High School）
After the first match with foreign players, I learned that it’s impossible to win if we cannot make quick decisions and use good techniques before finishing. I felt that I constantly need to see my surroundings which include opponents, my teammates, and the ball enough to choose the best thing to do.

Schedule

Future Schedule