On Sunday 21 May, the U-19 Japan Women's National Team played their final match of the SUD Ladies Cup 2023 against the U-19 France Women's National Team.

The first goal of the game was scored by Japan in the sixth minute after a determined effort by KURIMOTO Yuka (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls U-18) to pressure the French goalkeeper led to a deflection that set up a goal by TANIKAWA Momoko (JFA Academy Fukushima).

In the 22nd minute, SASAI Chinari (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara) doubled the lead, and the Japanese defence showed outstanding focus to contain the opposing offence, allowing no shots in the first half.

Kurimoto opened the second half with the team's third goal in the 56th minute as Japan continued to dominate. Four minutes later, the fourth goal was scored when NEBU Momoko (Yamato Sylphid) redirected a cross from HAYASHI Manaka (MVLA Soccer Club) in front of the goal, setting up a goal for UJIHARA Rihona (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza).

Japan increased their dominance after a red card was shown to a French player, as Ujihara, Tanikawa, and OGAWA Yuki (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies) scored a goal in the 82nd, 86th, and 88th minutes respectively, to finish the tournament with a massive 7-0 victory. With this win, Japan, who kept clean sheets in all of their matches, took home the title with a total team effort.

SUD Ladies Cup 2023

Date: Sun. 21 May, 18:00 (Local time)
Venue: Parc Des Sports

U-19 Japan Women's National Team 7-0 (2-0, 5-0) U-19 France Women's National Team

<Scores>
6'  TANIKAWA Momoko (JFA Academy Fukushima)
22'  SASAI Chinari (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara)
56'  KURIMOTO Yuka (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls U-18)
60'  UJIHARA Rihona (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
82'  UJIHARA Rihona (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
86'  TANIKAWA Momoko (JFA Academy Fukushima)
88'  OGAWA Yuki (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies)

<Starting Line-up>
GK
 1   OKUMA Akane (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies)
DF
16  NAKATANI Rina (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies)
17  KOGA Toko (JFA Academy Fukushima)
22  SHIRAGAKI Uno (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies)
 2   KASHIMURA Nana (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
MF
 6   SHIRASAWA Yurie (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
 8   TSUNODA Fuka (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies)
14  TANIKAWA Momoko (JFA Academy Fukushima)
12  SASAI Chinari (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara)
FW
15  KURIMOTO Yuka (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls U-18)
24  HIWATARI Moka (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Menina)

<Substitutions>
HT
6  SHIRASAWA Yurie → 9  UJIHARA Rihona (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
8  TSUNODA Fuka → 5  HAYASHI Manaka (MVLA Soccer Club)
24  HIWATARI Moka → 4  NEBU Momoko (Yamato Sylphid)
57'
12  SASAI Chinari → 20  OGAWA Yuki (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies)
70'
2  KASHIMURA Nana → 13  INOSE Yuko (Mynavi Sendai Ladies)

<Unused substitutes>
 3   YONEDA Hiromi (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies)
 7   SAKAKIBARA Kotono (AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies)
11  OSHIMA Haruna (Omiya Ardija Ventus)
18  IWASAKI Uruha (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara Due)
21  KASHIMA Akari (JFA Academy Fukushima)
23  YOSHIDA Rui (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls U-18)

■Tournament MVP: TANIKAWA Momoko
■Top scorers: UJIHARA Rihona, TANIKAWA Momoko
■Team: Fair-play Award
■Players named Best Eleven of the tournament: NAKATANI Rina, KOGA Toko, SHIRAGAKI Uno, KASHIMURA Nana, SASAI Chinari, UJIHARA Rihona, TANIKAWA Momoko, OGAWA Yuki

Coach and Players' Comments

KANO Michihisa, Head Coach of U-19 Japan Women's National Team
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in the tournament, the teams that permitted their players to compete in the SUD Ladies Cup 2023 in Avignon, France, and the many locals who welcomed us with open arms. The U-19 Japan Women's National Team has participated in this tournament in preparation for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup (2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™ qualifier) to be held in March next year. Throughout the matches against Cameroon, Panama, and France, the players showed great aggression to challenge themselves both offensively and defensively, which allowed us to achieve our goal of winning the title. This was the first international competition for the U-19 Japan Women's National Team, and the players had a lot to gain from these tough and intense matches against foreign players. The players wrapped up their activities with a commitment to challenge themselves more in their daily lives in order to further develop themselves in light of the team's successes and individual insights gained through this tour to France.

FW #15 KURIMOTO Yuka (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls U-18)
I am very happy that the team was able to achieve our goal of winning the championship. I entered today’s match focusing on making runs down the line and then cutting inside, which was something I had been told to do since the first day of this tour. As the match progressed, I was able to create more and more chances from the flank, but I wish I had been able to do so from the first half. I am grateful for this wonderful experience and will do my best to make the most of it when I return to my own team. Finally, I would like to thank everyone involved in making this tournament possible.

FW #20 OGAWA Yuki (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies)
First of all, it was great to see us win the final match of the tournament with a total team effort. I entered the game in the second half when the team's rhythm was a little off, hoping to alter the game's flow. However, I felt that my plays lacked quality and that I wasn't in sync with my teammate off the ball. Even so, I am glad that I was able to score at the end of the match, as Coach Kano told me at the beginning of the camp that I should take advantage of my small size and make bold challenges with my dribbling skills in front of the goal. I am very grateful to my teammates, the staff, everyone involved, and everyone who cheered me on, for giving me this valuable experience of competing in an international tournament. I will devote myself to making this experience a significant part of my future development.

SUD Ladies Cup 2023

Tournament Date: Tue. 16 - Sun. 21 May 2023
Tournament Information

JFA OFFICIAL
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JFA NATIONAL TEAM PARTNER

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