AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016  Group Stage 1st Match  vs Qatar Futsal National Team
2016-2-11 (Thu.) - 16:30 (Local time)   Playing Time: 40min (20min×2)
Uzbekistan Stadium/Uzbekistan

Japan Futsal National Team　1-0 (1-0, 0-0)　Qatar Futsal National Team

Score
16'　#13　WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China)

Starting Five
GK: SEKIGUCHI Yushi (ESPOLADA HOKKAIDO)
FP: TAKITA Manabu (PESCADOLA MACHIDA), MORIOKA Kaoru (NAGOYA OCEANS), YOSHIKAWA Tomoki (MAGNA GURPEA/Spain), HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael (SL Benfica/Portugal)

Match Report

Japan Futsal National Team, which is participating in the AFC Futsal Championship 2016 in Uzbekistan, played their first match of the group stage against Qatar Futsal National Team at 16:30 (20:30 Japan time) on 11 February. Even though Japan took control of the match from the beginning, the players still looked nervous and time flew by without any goals.

In the 16th minute, HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael broke through the opponent’s defence with a dribble and made an excellent pass to WATANABE Tomoaki who was in front of the goal; Watanabe’s shot which had a terrific change in ball direction successfully found the net by aiming at the space behind the goalkeeper. In 2nd half, Qatar started to attack Japan and made some chances but Japan was well united to keep a clean sheet. The first match of the group stage ended with Japan’s victory 1-0.

As Japan’s Coach Miguel RODRIGO describes the team as "consistent" since whoever plays in the team, they can maintain the same level of play. Japan’s play looked a threat for Qatar throughout the match. At half time, they reconfirmed the importance of defence and that made them even more consistent to get the victory this time.

Their second match of the group stage will be against Malaysia Futsal National Team at 16:30 (20:30 Japan time) on 13 February.

Since Malaysia lost the first match against Australia 1-2 on the same day, the next match will decide the top 2 teams of the group stage – that is the condition to move up to the next round. Japan stays united to kick-off this second match.

Players' Comments

FP #10  NIBUYA Kazuhiro (VASAGEY OITA)
I remembered the difficulty of the first match today, but we could win by being united as a team. I’m relieved to finish the first game with a victory. Going through this type of difficult experiences, I hope that we can grow up as a team step by step and keep winning our future matches. Towards the future, we want to qualify for the World Cup and becoming World Champions is our goal.

FP #5  YOSHIKAWA Tomoki (MAGNA GURPEA/Spain)
It was the first match for us and it was difficult for us, as I expected. We had a challenging time not being able to break through Qatar’s defence, but it was good that we could win the first match after all. However, I’m not satisfied with how we played today, so we have to review and correct the necessary things as a team. We will have another match day after tomorrow, so I’ll take a good rest and get ready for the next one.

FP #13  WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China)
The first match is always difficult and it was indeed the difficult one for us today. However, I would like to take positively the fact that we could keep a clean sheet and got 3 points by this victory. Personally, I am happy that I could contribute to the victory by my goal. For the second match, I am sure that we can do better. We will prepare ourselves well enough to show our level of futsal.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*Top five team will earn FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016™ (2016/9/10-10/1) berth

AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016 [Wed. 10 February - Sun. 21 February 2016]

Group Stage 2nd Match
Sat. 13 February　Kick Off at 16:30 (20:30 Japan Time)
vs  Malaysia Futsal National Team
LIVE: Sat. 13 February 20:20- NHK-BS1
Prerecorded: Sun. 14 February 17:00- CS TV Asahi Ch2

More information