The 6th All Japan Youth (U-15) Women's Futsal Tournament entered its final day on Monday 11 January as Maruoka Ruck Ladies (Hokushinetsu/Fukui) clinched their third title and first in three years.

Both semi-finals turned out to be close matches. In the contest between Maruoka and FC Vitoria (Kansai/Osaka), the former went on an offensive surge early on, but the latter scored first when ASANO Ayaka scored through a counterattack. Even with their continuous attacks on the opposing end, Maruoka failed to break through Vitoria's strong defence before entering halftime. Maruoka's efforts were finally awarded in the second half when MAEDA Miu netted an equaliser in the 11th minute and TSUBOTA Yuno scored in the 13th minute to turn the score around. At the end, IKEUCHI Aki found home in the 18th minute. Maruoka grabbed a 3-1 win and advanced to the final.

In the other side of the bracket, group's second placed wildcard Club Fields Linda (Hokkaido) faced Shrine Ladies FC (Tohoku/Aomori). After opening the scoring with OSANAI Akari's goal in the 4th minute, Shrine Ladies then began a relentless attack and added two more goals. In the second half, Linda proved themselves with two goals, yet with only a few seconds left in the match SAKURABA Kotono found a gap on the opponents who pushed forward, scoring to make the scoreline 4-2. Debutants Shrine Ladies advanced to the final.

Dramatically different from semi-finals, the final was a one-sided match. Maruoka picked up their pace early and YAMAKAWA Rikako opened the scoring with a well-struck shot from outside the area. The goal gave Maruoka momentum, and the Fukui side added three more goals including Ikeuchi's brace before finishing the first half 4-0.

Despite their dominant offence shown before the final, Shrine Ladies were not able to take advantage of their strength to get their pace in front of Maruoka's disciplined defence. On the other hand, Maruoka's all twelve players including the bench showed collective quality on the pitch and kept battling it out not easing their attack.

In the closing minute, Tsubota found the back of the net before the match ended with Maruoka's 5-0 rout. Although Maruoka were composed of the second grade of junior high school students only, the players worked together as a team throughout the tournament and got the championship back after three years since they first claimed. "I believed in my players and we won out," said TANAKA Etsuhiro after the match.

Coach and Players' Comments

TANAKA Etsuhiro, Coach (Maruoka Ruck Ladies) 
We were thinking only about winning the match in the final. The same Hokushinetsu clubs men's Esprit Nagaoka and Nagaoka JYFC cheered for us from the stands, and we really enjoyed the match. Including staff members, everyone in the team trusts each other and the players brought out their best that they piled up in their training. Our team have history. And just like the phrase "Practice makes perfect," we have continued various efforts so that we could win.

IKEUCHI Aki (Maruoka Ruck Ladies)
Three years ago, our seniors lost to Vitoria in the final, so I was determined to win (the semi-final match) at any cost. In the final, we were successful in working as a team and tried to win the ball aggressively from up front. Then that added a sense of urgency to the opponents and we got a goal. Individually, my goal is to be like Nadeshiko Japan's IWABUCHI Mana. I'm small but always try to be aware of details taking advantage of my agility. I will work hard to be a Japanese futsal international.

YAMAKAWA Rikako (Maruoka Ruck Ladies)
I was so happy to enjoy and share the delight with my teammates. My strength is a turn and shot, and if the opponents see beyond, I try to play in various other ways like passing or dribbling. I learnt such plays from my senior KITAGAWA Kana, whom I get inspired by. I have to work hard on football, but also I'm aiming to be a Japan's futsal international just like Kitagawa. Taking advantage of the experience at this tournament, we will go for the back-to-back title next year.

TAZAWA Kenichi (Shrine Ladies FC)
We played the national tournament for the first time as an Aomori Prefecture's representative and climbed up to the final. That happened because of the accumulation of efforts by the players. In the final, I felt Maruoka were far ahead (of us) and we've got to take that seriously and train. After losing their coach last March, the players worked hard to give something back to him. It's disappointing we couldn't win the title, but I really appreciate the players. I'd like to say to the departed coach, "I was able to build up the team that can compete on the national stage."

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Semi-Final  Shrine Ladies FC vs Club Fields Linda

Semi-Final  Maruoka Ruck Ladies vs FC Vitoria

Final  Maruoka Ruck Ladies vs Shrine Ladies FC

All Japan Youth (U-15) Women's Futsal Tournament

Sun. 10 January 2016 - Mon. 11 January 2016
Aichi／Sky Hall Toyota
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