International Friendly Match vs U-20 USA National Team
Mon. 25 March 2019 Kick-off time 12:00 (local time) Match duration 90mins (45mins×2) 
Pinatar Arena (Alicante, Spain)　

U-20 Japan National Team 1-2 (0-0, 1-2) U-20 USA National Team

Scores
49' goal against (U-20 USA National Team)
65' HIRAKAWA Rei (U-20 Japan National Team)
74' goal against (U-20 USA National Team)

Starting Line-up
GK: MOGI Shu
DF: NAKAMURA Takumi, KOBAYASHI Yuki, TSUNODA Ryotaro, OGIWARA Takuya
MF: SAITO Koki, KIDA Hinata, HIRAKAWA Rei, TAKI Yuta
FW: SAKURAGAWA Soromon, HARA Taichi

Reserves
GK: OSAKO Keisuke
DF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, SEKO Ayumu, SUZUKI Toichi
MF: FUJIMOTO Kanya, ITO Hiroki, ABE Hiroki
FW: NISHIKAWA Jun, MIYASHIRO Taisei

Substitution
53' SAITO Koki → NISHIKAWA Jun
60' TSUNODA Ryotaro → SUGAWARA Yukinari
60' OGIWARA Takuya → FUJIMOTO Kanya
75' SAKURAGAWA Soromon → MIYASHIRO Taisei
75' KIDA Hinata → SUZUKI Toichi
75' HIRAKAWA Rei → ITO Hiroki

Match Report

On Saturday 25 March, the U-20 Japan National Team faced the U-20 USA National Team and lost the match 1-2 to conclude their Poland/Spain Tour.

Following their two losses in their Europe tour, Japan made a drastic change in their line-up since the match against the U-20 Argentina National Team. With the team desperately needing a win, it was Japan who took the initiative of the match. In the third minute, HARA Taichi borke through the right flank and delivered an early cross into the box. Midfielder TAKI Yuta connected with the delivery to take a shot at goal, but his attempt couldn’t capture the target. While the American side effectively utilised their physical advantage, the Japanese defence showcased their persistency to keep the clean sheet. In the 24th minute, Taki fired a shot after receiving the ball from HIRAKAWA Rei, only to see his effort missing the goal. Hirakawa and Hara combined with each other in the 30th minute to threaten the USA goal, but their attempt was denied by the opposing goalkeeper. Despite creating multiple opportunities, Japan was kept scoreless in the first half.

It was the US side who took the initiative in the early minutes of the second half. In the 49th minute, the American side collected a clear ball in the Japanese territory before launching a powerful shot to capture the opening goal. Japan’s patience was tested for a stint, as the USA took control of the match. The long-awaited goal for Japan came in the 65th minute, when Hirakawa connected with the cross delivered by FUJIMOTO Kanya to level the match. Despite scoring the equaliser, Japan struggled to cope with the speedy offence launched by USA and conceded the lead once again in the 74th minute. In the 77th minute, ITO Hiroki, MIYASHIRO Taisei, and SUZUKI Toichi combined with each other to break down the left flank, but the final pass couldn’t connect with their striker. The Japanese goal was threatened in the 81st minute, but defender SUGAWARA Yukinari showcased a tenacious effort to deny the opportunity. Although the Japanese side made the efforts to level the competition, the match ended with a final score of 1-2. As a result, Japan concluded the Poland/Spain tour with three consecutive losses.

Japan’s final tour abroad ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 has came to an end, and the U-20 Japan National Team will hold a training camp in April before entering Poland in mid-May. The Japanese side will face Ecuador, Mexico, and Italy at the World Cup.

Coach and Players' Comments

KAGEYAMA Masanaga, Coach
At the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, we are in the same group with U-20 Ecuador National Team, U-20 Mexico National Team, and U-20 Italy National Team. This Europe tour has given us the opportunity to simulate the World Cup by facing teams from the same continents, as we faced Poland from Europe, Argentina from South America, and USA from North-Central America. During this period of the FIFA match day, four players from our age group is attending the AFC U-23 Championship Thailand 2020 Qualifiers in Myanmar. We also have players joining this U-20 squad from the U-17 category. These connection between each age category provides a great experience for these players striving to make it into the SAMURAI BLUE.

With the team suffering three consecutive losses in this Europe tour, it certainly gave us something to worry about. We were given a wonderful opportunity to simulate the World Cup, and it has made us realise that we still need to make more efforts to improve ourselves. However, during these matches, the team did manage to showcase our strong points as well. We still need to polish up on the quality, but we did prove that we are capable of putting up an equal fight against the world’s powerhouses. Our time is limited ahead of the World Cup, but we will give our best efforts to earn positive results at the tournament. I would like to take this time to thank all the clubs for allowing their players to join this team. Thank you very much.

GK #12 MOGI Shu (Cerezo Osaka)
In our final tour abroad ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, we were given a great learning experience through these three matches. We conceded numbers of goals from the mid-range, so that’s definitely an aspect we must improve on. After losing our first two matches, today’s match against the USA was an important match for us, and it was very disappointing to lose the match. It was especially regretful because we conceded right after we equalised the match, and the second goal came from a long-range shot. This tour had a big impact for me at an individual level. I was able to experience a fast pace match, which is something I can’t experience in Japan. Once I return to my club, I will train with the World Cup matches in mind. There is less than two months ahead of the World Cup, so I will pick up my form and strive to get selected into the final roster.

DF #17 OGIWARA Takuya (Urawa Reds)
After I got injured, I had some tough stretches where I couldn’t get myself involved in my club’s matches, and I had a difficult time during this tour to showcase my best performance. In our first match against the U-20 Poland National Team, my mistake cost the match for us. I was so ashamed of my performance and I could hardly pick up my head after the match. Following that match, I was committed to do whatever it takes to help out the team and stayed vocal to pick up the mood. In today’s match, I feel like I was able to showcase a good spirit, but it would’ve been better if I could’ve got myself involved in a goal scoring play. Once I return to my club, I will do my best to earn results ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.

MF #7 ITO Hiroki (Nagoya Grampus)
Unfortunately, we ended up losing all three matches our final tour abroad ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019. This tour has really made us realise the gap between the foreign teams in terms of the individual level. The quality of each play, decision making skills, and risk management, these are all important aspects of the game, but we also need to be able to win the technical and physical battles in front of us. If we can’t fill in this gap, it will be hard to compete against the rest of the world. We must learn from these losses and prepare ourselves ahead of the World Cup in May.

MF #19 HIRAKAWA Rei (F.C. Tokyo)
Following my experience at the Brazil tour with the U-19 team, this tour has given me a wonderful learning experience. Each match has given me great inspiration and I had a very productive time here in Europe. Despite creating many opportunities in today’s match, we weren’t able to capitalise on our chances. The three losses have given me a reality check, but I will bounce back from this experience and give my best efforts to get called back to the national team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.

FW #9 HARA Taichi (F.C. Tokyo)
During this tour, we were given the opportunity to face three very strong teams who will also participate in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019. The three losses have made us realise the gap between Japan and the top teams of the world. However, it also reminded us that our strong points can be effective against these powerhouses. In today’s match against the USA, our opponents had the upper hand in terms of physiques and athleticism, but we were able to cover that gap with our collective efforts and managed to create many opportunities. We just have to polish the quality in the final third. Once I return to my club, I will keep my motivation high and work hard to improve myself.

Schedule

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

International Friendly Match - Europe Tour

Dates: Mon. 18 - Wed. 27 March 2019

Match Information