SBS CUP International Youth Soccer 2015 1st Match  vs   U-18 Spain National Team
2015-8-13 (Thu) - 16:00　Playing Time: 40min. x 2
Fujieda-sogo Stadium (Fujieda City, Shizuoka)

U-18 Japan National Team  1-1 (0-0, 1-1, PK6-5)  U-18 Spain National Team

Scores
62'   Goal against (U-18 Spain National Team)
67'   SAKAI Daisuke (Japan)

Line-ups
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: FUJITANI So, NAKAYAMA Yuta, MACHIDA Koki, URATA Itsuki
MF: MIYOSHI Koji, SAKAI Daisuke, DOAN Ritsu, KUBOTA Kazune
FW: KISHIMOTO Takeru, OGAWA Koki

Substitutes 
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: IWATA Tomoki, ITAKURA Ko
MF: TAKAGI Akito, SASAKI Takumi
FW: ICHIMI Kazunari, KUNIMOTO Takahiro

48'   MIYOSHI Koji → TAKAGI Akito
54'   KISHIMOTO Takeru → KUNIMOTO Takahiro
54'   OGAWA Koki → ICHIMI Kazunari
54'   KUBOTA Kazune → SASAKI Takumi
64'   KUNIMOTO Takahiro → IWATA Tomoki

Match Report

U-18 Japan National Team met the U-18 Spain National Team for their first match.

In the first half, Japan out pressure in the opponent’s area to intercept the ball up front, building up attacks and creating goal-scoring opportunities. 

After 15 minutes, KISHIMOTO Takeru took a long-distance shot from near the centre of the penalty area, only for it to hit the goalpost. In the 25th minute, KUBOTA Kazune, who reacted to a cross ball from the left wing, headed the ball, but the opponent’s goalkeeper saved it superbly. Despite the fact Japan was dominating, the first half ended 0-0.

In the second half, Japan stayed solid in defence, pressing in the opponent’s area to steal the ball. Although Japan intercepted the ball well, the players could not find the back of the net. Then after 62 minutes, the opponent intercepted the ball in Japan’s area to dribble up through the left wing, and sent a cross to in front of the goal, where another player ran towards the ball, striking the opener. 

However, in the 68th minute, Japan initiated a counter attack. TAKAGI Akito, who came off the bench, received the ball on the right wing and dribbled up to the goal in order to take a shot. Although the opponent’s goalkeeper punched the shot away, SAKAI Daisuke, who reacted to a loose ball, headed the ball down, which went in off the goalpost. Japan had levelled the game.

Although Japan continued their attack, creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities, the score stayed the same until the final whistle. The game went to penalties. After five players from each team had scored from the penalty spot, the sixth one from Spain took was superbly saved by HIROSUE Riku. Then the sixth player from Japan, Takagi, calmly struck a goal to decide the game.

Japan won a close match to claim their first victory.

Players' Comments 

NAKAYAMA Yuta (Kashiwa Reysol)
After three days of training, we played our first game against Spain. We could press up front from the beginning of the game to take the initiative, just like we intended to.

In the second half, we held onto the initiative, which was a very positive thing. Having said that, we need to improve the accuracy in finishing attacks. I learned a lot as an individual and as one of the players in the defensive line, and I’d like to work on what we found to be our problems. I appreciate that many supporters came to cheer us on. Thank you very much.

DOAN Ritsu (Gamba Osaka Youth)
As a team, we kept possession as we intended from the beginning of the game, initiating effective counter-attacks to create some goal-scoring opportunities. However, the quality of our play in front of the goal was quite low and we should have scored more. We’d like to improve our accuracy. 

Personally, I think I played hard enough in both attack and defence, but could have done better with long-distance shots. With the remaining two games, we need all our strength. So I’d like to aim to win the championship as a united team.

HIROSUE Riku (Aomori Yamada High School)
Our first opponent, Spain, was a good one to start with before playing internationally. The team defended very well, building steadily to wait for their opportunities to initiate attacks. They did create numerous goal-scoring opportunities. Playing like we did against Spain was our big achievement.

Personally, I’d like to work on controlling the game depending on the situation of both my teammates and the opponent. As we still have two matches to play, I’d like to get myself into good condition to improve as an individual as well as a team.

OGAWA Koki (Toko Gakuen High School)
It was an excellent opportunity for individuals as well as a team to play against Spain. Although I was pleased that we won the game, personally I found many things to improve. I think it’s vital to stay more assertive with each other to improve our combinations. I’d like to work on these through the remaining two games to get good results. 

Schedule

SBS CUP International Youth Soccer 2015 Participating Teams

U-18 Croatia National Team, U-18 Spain National Team, U-18 Japan National Team, U-18 Shizuoka Selection Team