SportChain Cup UAE 2nd Match vs U-18 Russia National Team
Fri. 22 March 2019 Kick-off time 17:30 (local time) Match duration 90mins (45mins×2)
The Sevens Stadium (Dubai, UAE)

U-18 Japan National Team 2-1 (0-1, 2-0) U-18 Russia National Team

Scores
18' goal against (U-18 Russia National Team)
53' SUZUKI Yuito (U-18 Japan National Team)
71' KUMASAWA Kazuki (U-18 Japan National Team)

Starting Line-up
GK: NOZAWA Taishi Brandon
DF: INOUE Miki, TAKAHASHI Yusho, KAWAMOTO Riyo, SUZUKI Mizuki
MF: SHIBATA Sosuke, DOHI Kodai, TAKEDA Hidetoshi, MATSUHASHI Yuan, SUZUKI Yuito
FW: KURIBARA Ibrahim Junior

Reserves
GK: MITSUI Daiki
DF: BANGNAGANDE Kashif
MF: MATSUOKA Daiki, YAMAMOTO Rihito, TAKADA Soya
FW: KUMASAWA Kazuki, FUJIO Shota

Substitutions
56' MATSUHASHI Yuan → YAMAMOTO Rihito
56' DOHI Kodai → TAKADA Soya
67' SUZUKI Yuito → KUMASAWA Kazuki
83' SUZUKI Mizuki → BANGNAGANDE Kashif
83' KURIBARA Ibrahim Junior → FUJIO Shota
83' SHIBATA Sosuke → MATSUOKA Daiki

Match Report

On Friday 22 Marc, the U-18 Japan National Team played their second match of the Sport Chain Cup UAE against the U-18 Russia National Team. Before sending off his players to the field, Acting Coach TOGASHI Koichi went over the game plan and emphasised the importance to attack the ball with aggression.

In the 18th minute, Japan conceded the opening goal to Russia, when they allowed an opposing player to penetrate the goal area and take a shot at goal. Japan came close to levelling the match in the 22nd minute, when KAWAMOTO Riyo drove in a cross from the right flank, but no one was able to connect with the delivery. Soon after, KURIBARA Ibrahim Junior made an attempt at the Russian goal with his header, but the shot went wide.

After finishing the first half 0-1, Japan started to pick up their pace in the second half. The equaliser came in the 53rd minute, when SUZUKI Yuito captured the goal. With momentum on their side, Japan went onto take the lead in the 71st minute, when the late substitute KUMASAWA Kazuki found the back of the net. Japan managed to keep their lead until the ned to register their first win of the UAE tour. The U-18 Japan National Team will now face the U-18 Czech Republic National Team on Sunday 24.

Players' Comments

GK #12 NOZAWA Taishi Brandon (FC Tokyo U-18)
We weren’t able to communicate well in the first half and struggled to carry the ball up. In the second half, we attacked the opposing goal with more aggression and managed to take control of the match. In order for us to win the next match, we must perform the way we did today in the second half. We will work hard as a team and prepare ourselves in the best way possible ahead of the next match.

DF #2 INOUE Miki (Ventforet Kofu U-18)
With our offence struggling to find their rhythm, we got ourselves in a bad momentum and conceded the opener. However, we kept our composure to keep the match within our reach and managed to come from behind in the second half. I personally was able to perform with persistency and composure to play against opponents with much larger physiques. But compared to England and Spain, the quality of our passes still needs improvements. Ahead of our next match against Czech Republic, we must prepare ourselves in the best way possible while making the adjustments to improve the team.

MF #16 DOHI Kodai (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth)
We faced a Russian side that consisted many players with larger physiques and in many occasions, we lost the battle to win the ball. We lacked communication in the first half, which led to us getting counter attacked by our opponents. We also made many mistakes that led to us turning over the ball. I personally felt the need to heighten the quality of my passes and be stronger to win the fifty-fifty balls. I must work hard to fill the gap between the world and myself. I will keep challenging myself in our final match against Czech Republic and prove that I belong to this team.

MF #20 KUMASAWA Kazuki (Ryutsukeizaidai Kashiwa High School)
First of all, I am happy that the team won the match. I entered the match when the score was tied at 1-1, but I was fully prepared, so I was able to enter the match smoothly. I am very excited that I was able to score a goal in this match.

Schedule

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

SportChain Cup UAE

Tournament Dates: Wed. 20 - Sun. 24 March 2019
Match Venue: The Sevens Stadium

Tournament Information