MORIOKA Kaoru scored a pair of goals and the Japan Futsal National Team posted a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Colombia in an International Friendly Match at Tokyo's National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium.

While Japan looks to capture their third straight title in next month's AFC Futsal Championship in Uzbekistan and earn a berth in this September's FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia, Colombia proceeds their development toward the host World Cup, so both teams displayed aggressive plays.

Japan wanted to take the initiative but allowed Colombia, who finished fourth in the World Cup 2012, to score a goal just 23 seconds into the game.

Angellott CARO intercepted the ball from Morioka and passed it to Jhonatan TORO. Toro connected it for the goal from the right side. Japan allowed Colombia to take the lead with the combination of the pair, who competed in the World Cup 2012.

HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael, Morioka, NIBUYA Kazuhiro and TAKITA Manabu kept raining shots for Japan, but weren't able to put them into the net before the solid defense of Colombia, who tried to defend the centre field.

Yet Japan tied the game at 12 minutes, 31 seconds into the contest, when WATANABE Tomoaki reacted to a pass from Nibuya and put it into the goal.

Japan played with composure with their defensive end. MUROTA Yuki and SHIMIZU Kazuya blocked shots of Caro and Toro. The game entered halftime with a 1-1 score.

Both teams continued to play aggressively in the second half. But it was Japan who broke the deadlock even when Morioka cut in in an open space in the midd and fired a shot into the net to give Japan a 2-1 lead. “I was involved in the play in which we gave up the goal to the opponents earlier, so I wanted to avenge that,” Morioka said later.

Looking to rally back, Colombia's Wilmar RAMIREZ attempted a shot from the left side in the 26th minute, but Japan goalkeeper SEKIGUCHI Yushi didn't get it past him.

At 31:02 minutes into the game, Morioka attacked dribbling, fired a shot with his right foot shaking off a defender and scored his second goal of the day, providing the team a two-goal lead.

Japan, who had worked on developing their physicality in their domestic training camp that began from January 19, played substituting their players in short period. Coach Miguel RODRIGO had worried about his players stamina toward the end of the game, but the players kept high concentration and energetic plays until the end and it made the coach surprised.

Colombia started a power play with five minutes left in the game, and James CASTILLO scored one back at 37:57 minutes into it. But Japan were able to retain the 3-2 lead and grabbed the victory.

It was the first time for Japan to post a win at National Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium since their contest against Ukraine on 4 May, 2008, and was the first time ever under Miguel. With the victory, Japan snapped a four-game winless streak at four (one draw and three losses).

The second match will be against Colombia on 30 January at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.

Match details

Coach and Players' Comments

Miguel RODRIGO, Coach
Despited the fact that we worked so hard in our training camp, our players kept their high concentration and playing with high techniques and quality, so to be honest, I'm a little surprised and it was great. It's not easy to beat the world's No. 4 team. We played around our defence and it effectively worked for us as we were able to endure the tough times trying to retain the lead in the end. We made our personnel rotations shorter, but it was one of the major reasons for the win that we were able to play with the same intensity no matter who we had out there. We could've scored a few more goals, but their goalkeeper made some saves that could've not been stopped usually. It gave us a result that we were able to assure that we are ready to play in the AFC Futsal Championship.

FP #9  MORIOKA Kaoru (NAGOYA OCEANS)
Colombia played like the world's No. 4 team, but I think we are becoming a team that can compete in the world as well. It felt great to score two goals, but I was involved in the player we gave up a goal earlier, so I really wanted to avenge and help my team. On the goal scene, right after I made a turn, I felt I could make the shot. We hadn't won at Yoyogi, so it was our goal to post a win here. I believe the opponents are going to come out with better condition, but hopefully we will have another win in Osaka, too.

FP #5  YOSHIKAWA Tomoki (MAGNA GURPEA/Spain)
I don't think Colombia weren't in their top condition, so it will come down to how much we can fair against them when they improve their condition in Osaka. I don't particularly have an impression that our team have changed a lot since two years ago, but our players have known each other and understood each player's traits better than two years ago, so it feels that the team is now more matured.

FP #13  WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China)
Regarding the goal scene, I was believing that Nibuya would put a pass inside. It felt good that I put it in. It felt great that we came on top over Colombia, and it gave us some confidence. We would certainly like to take the next game and get into the AFC Futsal Championship.

FP #8  TAKITA Manabu (PESCADOLA MACHIDA)
We knew it was going to be a difficult game against the No. 4 team in the world, but it was great that we ended up playing a good game at home. We gave up a goal early, but our players have experience and didn't become negatively. There were good times and bad times for us, but I think we were able to play with great intensity until the end.

Osmar FONNEGRA, Coach (Colombia Futsal National Team)
I think that we were able to showcase a very spectacle game. Japan ended up taking the game, but I believe we played good as well, and it was good that we used all our players (except one goalkeeper). We only had little time to adjust the time difference, and our players showed some fatigue toward the end, but it cannot be an excuse for our loss. We gave up goals from mistakes by our individual players. We had prepared against Japan's set plays, but there were some moves that we hadn't expected and it surprised us.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

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

International Friendly Match

Japan Futsal National Team vs Colombia Futsal National Team
[ 2nd Match ] Saturday,30 January 2016 Kick Off at 14:15 (estimate time) 
Osaka/Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium
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