17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 - Knockout Stage Round 16
Thu. 25 September 2014 Kickoff at 17:00 90minutes (45minutes halves)
Hwaseong Sports Complex Main Stadium (Hwaseong, Korea)

U-21 Japan National Team   4-0 (1st 2-0　2nd 2-0)   U-23 Palestine National Team

Scores
17min   ENDO Wataru (U-21 Japan)
27min   SUZUKI Musashi (U-21 Japan)
75min   ARANO Takuma (U-21 Japan)
82min   HARAKAWA Riki(U-21 Japan)

Starters
GK   NIEKAWA Ayumi
DF   MUROYA Sei,  IWANAMI Takuya,  UEDA Naomichi,  AKINO Hiroki
MF   OHSHIMA Ryota,   ENDO Wataru,   HARAKAWA Riki,
FW  NOTSUDA Gakuto,   SUZUKI Musashi,   NAKAJIMA Shoya

Substitutes
GK   POPP William
DF   NISHINO Takaharu,  YAMANAKA Ryosuke
MF   KANAMORI Takeshi,  YAJIMA Shinya,  KIDA Takuya,  YOSHINO Kyohei
FW  ARANO Takuma

63min   OHSHIMA Ryota → YAJIMA Shinya
74min   SUZUKI Musashi → ARANO Takuma
85min   NOTSUDA Gakuto → YOSHINO Kyohei

Match Report

The men’s football, launched on 14th ahead of other competitions at Asian Games, ended their group stage phase and entered the knockout stage today. The true must-win contests will then continue through the tournament.
At the Round 16 on 25th, Japan National U-21 team, who eye for the back-to-back trophy, faced Palestine National U-23 team, who had got though the group C on top.

Just as Nepal did in the last match, Palestine also seemed to be wary of Japan’s attacks and sat back in their end. With their light defensive pressure, Japan looked for a gap while passing in the opposing end.
In the 17th minute, when Endo Wataru received a one-two from Suzuki Musashi, he fired a first-time shot. His controlled right-footed shot found the upper right of the net to open the scoring. In the 27th, Suzuki Musashi headed in a cross from Harakawa Riki on the right flank as Japan ended the first half two goals up.

In the second half, Palestine started to possess the ball, but Japan kept controlling the match as keeping them from creating decisive moments, led by centre backs Iwanami and Ueda. Meanwhile, the defending champion also could not find a go-ahead goal as the time moved on.
To break the deadlock, head coach Teguramori sent in Kono Takuma replacing Suzuki.

Then, the replacement paid off right away. One minute later from the substitution, in the 75th minute, after Endo fed a long pass to the space behind the opposing defenders, unmarked Kono sneaked through and put it into the net to make it 3-0. The long-awaited go-ahead goal finally came to Teguramori’s side.
With the fresh-legged Kono’s goal, Japan retook their momentum. While Notsuda Gakuto was sent through around the box, the opposing goalkeeper blocked his free shot in the 82nd minute. Yet Harakawa closed in to the deflection and tapped it into the unguarded net for Japan’s fourth goal, and the score remained 4-0 until the end.

With scoring four goals and keeping clean sheets in the two consecutive matches, Japan advanced to the quarter finals held on 28th.
As Korea Republic defeated Hong Kong 3-0 after this match, Japan will face their old rival in the next contest.
The match broadcast against Korea Republic is scheduled as follows.

Men’s Football, TV Broadcast Schedule

Sunday 28 September, 4:50 pm to 6:55 pm, Semi-final against Korea Republic National U-23 Team, on NHK BS1 (Live)
* In case of extra halves, Ch102 takes over the air after 6:55 pm
* The broadcast schedule is subject to change depending on how other competitions go. Please be informed in advance.

Head Coach and Players Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Head Coach
For the knockout stage, I said to players “let’s play each match just like it is the final. And keep a clean sheet in the defensive side; be brave in the offensive side.”
We scored two in the first half and spent a bit of time to add the third goal. But it’s good that we kept the opponents from scoring as the time went on and eventually we could keep them quiet.
Because we could get through to the next round, I already started to think about the preparation for the next match.

(About Korea Republic game) I wanted to play against them at this tournament.
I believe we can grow more rapidly by experiencing the match at their home ground, so I’m looking forward to it.
I find Korea Republic have a big motivation for this event. I need to have my players control their nerves ahead of tactics. With all-out defence and all-out offence, I hope we can play solid and control the game.

ENDO Wataru（Shonan Bellmare）
Just as we talked with each other before the game, we could control the game pretty well as a team at the beginning.
I could score the opening goal but also could create chances.
We tried to go on the second half with care because two-goal difference is dangerous. In the end, we won the match, adding two late goals, so I’m definitely satisfied with the result.
(About Korea Republic game) I assume they feel a lot of pressure, so what we need to do is to be composed and further enhance the performance like today so that we can win the match.
We will take the away atmosphere in a positive way, and I will play with a feeling as if we enjoy the pressure, and hopefully we can win the match. .

HARAKAWA Riki（Ehime FC）
Palestine didn’t put more pressure than I predicted. That was unexpected. It wasn’t very difficult for me to touch the ball, I think I could play my game.
(About Japan spending some time to get the third goal) In football, people say the two goal difference is the most dangerous. So we all wanted the third one as soon as possible and (Kono) Takuma’s goal was big for us. That helped the team determine the win.
(About my goal) It was so-called “poacher’s goal.” To be honest, I wanted a pass from (Nakajima) Shoya, but (Nakajima passed the ball to Notsuda and) I kept running and it just happened to roll to me.
(About the semi-finals)
When we were at the U-19 (AFC U-19 Championship 2012) and when played in January (AFC U-22 Championships), we lost both at Round 8. If we can pull this through, that’s going to give the team confidence, so we surely want to win.

ARANO Takuma（Consadole Sapporo）
(About the goal) I just needed to be composed and net the great pass (from Endo).
I was told by my head coach, “try to initiate our attack up front and go forward whenever you can.” I kept it in mind and I’m happy to end it up with a goal.
(About the next match against Korea Republic) I think they are going to come out in good form at their home site. We’ll work together as a team so that we can win the match. We’ll do our best.

U-21 Japan National Team Match Schedule

17th Asian Games （2014/Incheon）Groups