U-16 Japan National Team vs U-17 Uzbekistan National Team
2016-5-10 (Tue.) -14:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Jiang yin Sports centre stadium (China/Jiangsu)

U-16 Japan National Team   3-1 (2-1, 1-0)   U-17 Uzbekistan National Team

Scores
25'   Goal against (U-17 Uzbekistan National Team)
32'   SUGAWARA Yukinari (U-16 Japan National Team)
38'   YAMADA Hiroto (U-16 Japan National Team)
84'   NAKAMURA Keito (U-16 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: AOKI Kokoro
DF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, YAMASAKI Taichi, KUWAHARA Kaito
MF: HIRAKAWA Rei, SUZUKI Toichi, KIDA Hinata, HIGASHI Shunki, KATSURA Rikuto, KOZUKI Soichiro
FW: YAMADA Hiroto

Substitutes
GK: KOKUBO Leobrian
DF: KEMMOTSU Takumu, KOBAYASHI Yuki, TAKAHATA Keita
MF: FUKUOKA Shimpei, SEHATA Gijo
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei, NAKAMURA Keito

HT   HIGASHI Shunki → TAKAHATA Keita
HT   KUWAHARA Kaito → KEMMOTSU Takumu
HT   SUGAWARA Yukinari → FUKUOKA Shimpei
63'   KOZUKI Soichiro → NAKAMURA Keito
68'   SUZUKI Toichi → MIYASHIRO Taisei
86'   KATSURA Rikuto → KOBAYASHI Yuki

Match Report

‘00JAPAN’ win first game of ‘Jiangyin Zhouzhuang Cup CFA International Youth Football Tournament 2016’ against the U-17 Uzbekistan National Team 3-1 on Tuesday 10 May.

Japan met the U-17 Uzbekistan National Team in March in the Sanix International Youth Soccer Tournament 2016 and won on penalties (5-3). Uzbekistan is a strong team, playing strongly 1-on-1 near the ball and showing off their stamina both in attack and defence. It was a perfect opponent for ‘00JAPAN’ to play to ascertain the current level of their game.

Although both teams played competitively as Asian rivals from the beginning of the game, neither could get close to the goal. Japan started to pass the ball around, aiming at the space behind the opponent’s defenders to create goal-scoring opportunities. In the 12th minute, the forward YAMADA Hiroto reacted to a through ball from the midfielder KIDA Hinata, and fired in shot, only for it to be saved by the opponent’s goalkeeper. Japan continued to take the initiative. However, Uzbekistan did not miss their momentary opportunity.

After 25 minutes, the opponent’s forward received the ball, which went to the right side, and he fired in shot, while drawing Japanese defenders. The ball hit the defender’s foot and went into the goal. In the 28th minute, although the opponent took a strong long-distance shot, the goalkeeper AOKI Kokoro managed to punch it away, not letting them add any more goals. Despite the pressure, Japan never became demoralised and played calmly to fight back.

In the 32nd minute, the midfielder SUZUKI Toichi reacted to a ball, which was cleared by the opponent from a corner kick. The defender YAMASAKI Taichi received s cross from Suzuki, and sent a square pass, from which the defender SUGAWARA Yukinari skilfully scored the equaliser. Then after 38 minutes, Sugawara powerfully ran up through the right side, sending in a low cross. Yamada reacted to the pass to turn the match around. The game went into the second half at 2-1.

At the beginning of the second half, Japan switched rapidly between attack and defence, and did not let the opponent create any attacking opportunities. After 58 minutes, though Yamada ran towards a long-distance pass from the midfielder KATSURA Rikuto to fire in shot, the opponent’s goalkeeper saved it superbly. Yamasaki led the defenders to defend solidly against pressure from the opponent.

Japan were eager for more goals. In the 84th minute, the midfielder HIRAKAWA Rei intercepted and dribbled through the opponent’s defender in order to pass the ball to the forward NAKAMURA Keito. With this pass, Nakamura calmly struck a goal, adding more insurance. Japan won their first, vital game 3-1.

Japan tried a new system, while playing fearlessly against an older U-17 opponent. The team also achieved their aims – increase the variety of their tactics and claim a victory.

Japan will meet the U-17 China PR National Team, who beat the U-17 Iran National Team 2-1, in their second game.

* "00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

MF #6  KIDA Hinata (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
Although the opponent struck the opener, we soon refreshed ourselves to play calmly together. It was good to turn the game around. In the second half, we stayed patient to defend against the opponent’s continuous pressure, which brought us a lot of confidence. Our aim on this tour is to increase the variation of our tactics. There are still many problems to be fixed and combinations need to be improved. So I’ll try hard from tomorrow’s practice session, while communicating well with others. I’ll focus on every single match.

DF #7  SUGAWARA Yukinari (Nagoya Grampus U18)
It was great that we won our first, vital game. We continued to concentrate until the final whistle. We tried a new system and we played aggressively. Especially in attack, we initiated attacks from the wings very well. As for our problems, positioning in defence and balance were not great. So we’d like to defend more effectively through better communication. I’d like to stay focused to play as a team until the end, so that we can win the championship.

MF #15  KATSURA Rikuto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth)
We tried a new tactical system today. By sharing our perspectives in yesterday’s training session, we could react well in today’s game. The opponent played well near the ball, was physically stronger and we occasionally struggled. Having said that, we continued to concentrate to show our spirit. I’d like to focus more on taking shots at goal in the next match. I want to bring this positive atmosphere into the next game.

Schedule

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