U-16 Japan National Team vs U-16 Iran National Team
2016-2-28 (Sun.) - 15:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
JAR Stadium reserve pitch (Uzbekistan/Tashkent)

U-16 Japan National Team   0-0 (0-0, 0-0)   U-16 Iran National Team

Line-ups
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: SEKO Ayumu, SUGAWARA Yukinari, KOBAYASHI Yuki, KUWAHARA Kaito
MF: FUKUOKA Shimpei, KIDA Hinata, KOZUKI Soichiro, KUBO Takefusa
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei, NAKAMURA Keito

Substitutes
DF: KEMMOTSU Takumu, KANO Kanato
MF: HIRAKAWA Rei, SUZUKI Toichi
FW: YAMADA Hiroto

HT   KOZUKI Soichiro → HIRAKAWA Rei
HT   NAKAMURA Keito → YAMADA Hiroto
71'   KIDA Hinata → SUZUKI Toichi

Match Report

“00JAPAN” kicked off the first match of the Central Asia - Japan U-16 Football Exchange Programme against U-16 Iran National Team and the match ended 0-0.

From the beginning, both teams –rivals in Asia- had intensive competition. Both teams didn’t give in an inch such as in 1-on-1 intensive situations, hence they couldn’t make any decisive chances at all. In the 20th minute, Iran broke through from side wing and raised a cross to make a final touch with a header, but it didn’t find the net. The difficult and intensive mood became calmer and Japan began to gradually have chances.

In the 23rd minute, midfielder KUBO Takefusa dribbled forward and at last midfielder KOZUKI Soichiro made a shot. In the 24th minute, Japan moved the ball round well and forward NAKAMURA Keito caught Kozuki’s back-heel and faced Iran’s goalkeeper, but the ball was blocked by the goalkeeper. Japan couldn’t break the deadlock with this chance. In the 44th minute, just before the end of the 1st half, midfielder KIDA Hinata tried a long shot but it went slightly over the crossbar and the 1st half ended 0-0.

The seesaw battle continued in the 2nd half. In the 65th minute, Japan’s midfielder HIRAKAWA Rei picked up a cleared ball made by the opponent’s defender and fired a long shot but it was blocked well by the Iran’s goalkeeper. Japan kept attacking making chances, but they couldn’t make apply the finishing touch due to bad passes and poor quality of cross. 

On the other hand, Japan’s defenders such as SEKO Ayumu and KOBAYASHI Yuki defended their area stably. They didn’t give Iran any chances which usually attempted long balls. Toward the end, a player was sent off and the match became rough, but Japan stayed calm and patient to keep attacking until the last moment. 

In the 90th + 2nd minute, Japan’s forward MIYASHIRO Taisei had a chance but his shot was blocked by an Iran defender and the game was over. Japan kept attacking but ended the first match with a goalless draw. Tomorrow, they will have their second match against U-16 Turkmenistan National Team. 

"00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

OUCHI Issei (Yokohama FC Junior Youth)
As a goalkeeper, it was good to keep a clean sheet. However, we still have an issue as a team to improve, we have to calm down to make good decisions. Referring to our team concept, which is combative attitude in our play, and sharing ideas on the pitch, I think we did well today. What is the big issue for us is to maximise our chances to score. As a player, I continue to pay good attention to keep a clean sheet and contribute to the team’s victory in every match. 

SUGAWARA Yukinari (Nagoya Grampus U15)
Considering the coming AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, drawing the match against this strong team is not a bad result. However, it was the match that we could have won; what was missing was our consistency to score at the end. Especially, we have to review our quality of play in front of the goal to improve it. The team has such a good mood and this is one of our strengths, but I think we still have to improve switching our mind on and off the pitch in both training and matches. Including the players who are not well now, all of the 20 players will get united to play well and we want to get good results. 

NAKAMURA Keito (Mitsubishi Yowa SC Sugamo Junior Youth)
I played only in the 1st half. Even though I could be a part of many of our chances, we just could not score in the end. I could keep the ball in the front line and trapped the opponents, but I couldn’t make quick decisions to make a shot or pass the ball. For the rest of the matches, I believe that we can make chances, so I will do my best to score at first, and to get the title in the end. 

Schedule

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