On Saturday 23 November, the Japan Beach Soccer National Team played their second match of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup against the USA Beach Soccer National Team at Asuncion, Paraguay, where they won the match 4-3.

With Japan’s coach RAMOS Ruy getting ejected in the 5-4 victory over Paraguay in their first group stage match, the team entered this match against the USA with their coach watching from the main-stand. The match started with the USA taking the initiative, as they scored the opening goal in the ninth minute from a throw-in. However, Japan scored the equaliser in the very next play, as MOREIRA Ozu struck a shot from the kick-off, which deflected off the opposing player before finding the back of the net. After ending the first period 1-1, Japan took the lead in the early minutes of the second period, when MATSUO Naoya connected with a cut back delivered by AKAGUMA Takuya in the 13th minute to score the go-ahead goal.

Despite conceding a goal at the end of the second period, Japan retook the lead in the 30th minute, when TABATA Teruki responded to a pass delivered by OBA Takaaki, and struck a spectacular bicycle kick that pierced the opposing goal, as Tabata later reflected, “I was committed to taking that shot from the moment I made my run.”

The match was levelled for the third time when the USA scored the equaliser in the 33rd minute, but once again, Moreira responded with a kick-off shot that captured the opposing goal, giving Japan their second consecutive victory at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019.

Match Details

At the group stage, 16 teams are divided into four groups, where each team will play in a round robin format. Top two teams of each group will advance to the knockout stage starting on Thursday 28. The Japan Beach Soccer National Team will now face the Switzerland Beach Soccer National Team on Monday 25.

Coaches and Players' Comments

RAMOS Ruy, Coach
I was once ejected during a match at the Asian Cup, and this was my second ejection as a Beach Soccer coach. I wasn’t able to send directions from the bench and I put our players to great inconvenience. It was very difficult to watch the match from the stands. Our players never gave up and played hard until the very end.

MAKINO Shinji, Assistant Coach
Without having coach Ramos by my side, I was feeling very anxious. Although I gave out many directions prior to the match, there were many plays that didn’t go as we planned. Maybe we were too eager to do well. Our wingers were playing too offensively and made runs passed the pivot, which allowed our opponents to initiate counterattacks. The players must be feeling fatigued, but we will do our best in our match against Switzerland.

FP #5 TABATA Teruki (Veertien Mie BS)
As soon as our eyes met, I knew Oba was going to send me the ball, and I was able to trap the ball and take the shot just the way I visualised it. I don’t usually take shots like that, so I am sure my teammates were surprised by that bicycle kick. I have scored a bicycle kick in a match against Lebanon at the Asian Beach Games, and this was only my second goal as a member of the Japan Beach Soccer National Team. Considering I am with the national team for 13 years, I should be scoring more goals with bicycle kicks.

FP #10 MOREIRA Ozu (Tokyo Verdy BS)
Although we managed to create more chances than the USA, it turned out to be a tough match for us. Despite winning the match, we shouldn’t be satisfied with this performance. We were too scared of making mistakes and played too simple in this match. It would’ve been better if we played more positively and attacked with more energy. We still haven’t showcased our best performance yet, so we hope to do well against Switzerland.

Schedule

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

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019

Tournament Dates: Thu. 21 November - Sun. 1 December 2019

Tournament Information