U-15 Japan National Team  vs.  U-18 Chonburi FC
2015-7-27 (Mon.)　Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Chonburi Municipality Stadium (Bangkok, Thailand)

U-15 Japan National Team 　4-2 (1-2,  3-0)　U-18 Chonburi FC

Line-ups
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: INOUE Miki, SEKO Ayumu, KEMMOTSU Takumu, KIKUCHI Kenta
MF: HIRAKAWA Rei, KATSURA Rikuto, SUGAWARA Yukinari, KIDA Hinata
FW: NAKAMURA Keito, MIYASHIRO Taisei

Substitutes
GK: TAKADA Yuma, ISHII Ryo
DF: OKAMOTO Shosei, ENDO Hikaru, OISHI Naoya, IWAI Ryuji, SAKUTA Ryutaro
MF: MASUTANI Takara, FUNAKOSHI Hiromu, HOMMA Shion, YACHIDA Teppei, SUZUKI Toichi
FW: KUBO Takefusa

HT   INOUE Miki → SAKUTA Ryutaro
HT　KATSURA Rikuto → SUZUKI Toichi
58'　NAKAMURA Keito → KUBO Takefusa
68'　KIDA Hinata→ HOMMA Shion
86'　MIYASHIRO Taisei → FUNAKOSHI Hiromu

Match Report

The U-15 Japan National Team, “00JAPAN”, played against the U-18 Chonburi FC, who have won numerous domestic championships, for their third friendly on their Thailand trip. The starting line up mainly comprised players who were on the pitch for their first game, but they were pressed by the physically stronger opponent from the beginning. After just one minute, the opponent got through the centre with passes and struck the opener. 

In the 7th minute, the goalkeeper TANI Kosei faced a one-on-one and narrowly saved their goal, when the opponent got through the right wing. Although Japan continued to struggle, the forward NAKAMURA Keito at the front, who received a pass through a counter-attack from the midfielder SUGAWARA Yukinari, struck a goal, levelling the game. 

Japan finally got into their rhythm, and after 17 minutes, Sugawara, who reacted to a cross from the defender KIKUCHI Kenta, hit a ball on the volley, only for it to miss the goal closely. The opponent started to take the initiative by switching wings. After 18 minutes, Japan conceded another goal from their mistake by passing into the centre. 

Although in both the 21st and 37th minutes, the opponent created goal-scoring opportunities, facing one-on-ones, Tani saved superbly, using his body. At the end of the first half, Japan were one goal behind.

During halftime, the team shared their defensive strategy and checked each position’s balances in defence and attack. Japan started to take the initiative from the beginning of the second half, creating several goal-scoring opportunities. After 63 minute, the forward KUBO Takefusa, who came off the bench, received a pass in the centre from the side, and got through the defender on his own to knock the ball into the goal with his right foot.

Japan continued their attack, and in the 81st minute, the defender SEKO Ayumu took a long-distance shot, which wasslotted in the goal by Kubo. However, the goalwas ruled offside. After 82 minutes, the forward MIYASHIRO Taisei struck an aggressive goal from the right side to turn the game around.

In injury time, Japan earned a free kick in front of the goal. Seko took a superb shot to add more insurance, and deciding the match. Japan kept their concentration until the final whistle and won three consecutive matches on the trip.

“00JAPAN” will meet the U-18 SCG Muangthong United for their last game on the Thailand trip on 29 July.

Note: “00JAPAN” is the nickname of the U-15 Japan National Team led by players born in 2000.

Players' Comments  

SEKO Ayumu (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
As we were pressed and couldn’t play well at the beginning, we conceded a goal.Even though we levelled the game once, we conceded another goal. However, we never gave up and stayed ambitious for goals. So we turned the game around in the end. 

Personally, I could pass rhythmically and intercept the ball by positioning inside the opponent, which we learned in our practice sessions. As I was interceptedby the opponent, I realised that I needed to improve the quality of each play. I’d like practice harder to face my task in tomorrow’s training session.

SUGAWARA Yukinari (Nagoya Grampus U15)
During this trip, I’ve been learning how to play the qualifying round of the AFC U-16 Championship through an unfamiliar environment, pitch conditions and refereeing. I challenged getting through to the space behind the defenders and taking shots aggressively in today’s match.

However, I couldn’t find the back of the net. I’d like to focus more on scoring in the next game. As there is an excellent atmosphere around the team, we’d like to win our last game to finish the Thailand trip in a good way.

HIRAKAWA Rei (FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi)
We couldn’t react well to the opponent’s high-level plays and struggled at first. I’m pleased that we turned the game around, though. Personally, I found I needed to improve the accuracy of the support when the ball is at the front or ifthe passes are to the other wing.

KUBO Takefusa (FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi)
Although I’m pleased we won the game, I found many issues, which we need to work on as a team. I’d like to point out that we defended well and scored many goals. However, we need to work out how to dribble through opponents who are physically stronger than us. I’d like to focus on it. I’ll stay vocal to encourage my team from tomorrow’s training session and practice hard, so that we can score against any opponent.

Schedule

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