The quarterfinals of the 19th All Japan Women’s Youth (U-15) Championship presented by NIKE were held on Tuesday 29 July.

Pick Up Match

Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth 1-1 (1st 1-0, 2nd 0-1, PK5-4) Aosaki Football Club Hanako Clover's

Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth (Kanto 1/Saitama) got their first chance in the match against Aosaki Football Club Hanako Clover's (Chugoku 1/Hiroshima). Urawa’s midfielders actively intercepted the ball and pressed Aosaki. Tone Tetsunori, the head coach of Aosaki, noted: "we tend to hesitate a little in the beginning, as we haven’t had many opportunities to play against teams from other prefectures." After eight minutes, Takayama Nohara struck the opener, receiving the ball on the left wing. Urawa kept attacking from the wings, but couldn’t build on their lead. The match went into the second half with a one-goal lead for Urawa.

The game changed dramatically in the second half. Nagai Yoshiaki, the head coach of Urawa, later commented: "we couldn’t handle Aosaki’s positive momentum well. The players kicked the ball up front too quickly, and ended up with Aosaki counterattacks." Aosaki stole the ball with their solid defence and Harada Yuina swiftly counterattacked, aiming at the back of the opponent’s defensive line. In the 45th minute, Takezawa Namiko reacted to a corner kick and headed in a shot, leveling the game. Although Aosaki attacked even stronger again and again, Ino Maya, the Urawa goalkeeper, and the defensive players kept them out. The match went to penalties.

Urawa had five successful penalties, but Aosaki’s second kicker missed. Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth won this close match on penalties, getting one step closer to their aim – victory in this championship.
Match Report

Match Report (Japanese version only)

Comments

NAGAI Yoshiaki, Head Coach (Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth)
As we had a one-goal lead at halftime, I told the players that we would lose, if they thought "it’s ok not to run back a little bit, or not to put any more effort." Although the game was leveled in the second half, the players followed my halftime advice and played very well, stopping the opponent’s goal-scoring opportunities.

MIURA Haruka (Urawa Reds Ladies Jr. Youth)
During the first half, we had stamina and passed the ball calmly. Towards the end of the game, we lost our energy and went up front in haste, which ended up with opponent’s counterattacks. I’d like to fix this issue in the next match. I think the opposing team was very good. They attacked not only from the wings, but also from the centre, using their midfielders.

TONE Tetsujori, Head Coach (Aosaki Football Club Hanako Clover's)
Our lack of ability – and mental weakness - was exposed in this game. Normally I believe the players have got the ability to equalize and even turn around a game, even if they concede a goal. However, in actuality, they couldn’t. It was good that we played three matches, but I’m deeply regretting that we can’t go further, to be honest.

KATO Nozomi (Aosaki Football Club Hanako Clover's)
As we were one-goal behind in the first half, we faced the second half with the intention of scoring two goals. Although I was pleased that we played as a really united team, I think we showed our mental weakness on penalties. We still have many issues to be fixed, including not being able to play our style until the opponents lead the match. I’d like to improve our team for the future. 

Other results

ANCLAS Youth (Kyushu 2/Fukuoka) 0-7 (1st 0-4, 2nd 0-3) NTV Menina Serias (Kanto 2/Tokyo)

Tochigi Soccer Club Ladies (Kanto 5/Tochigi) 2-0 (1st 2-0, 2nd 0-0) Hioki Seagulls FC (Kyushu 4/Kagoshima)

Albirex Niigata Ladies U-15 (Hokushinetsu 1/Niigata) 0-0 (1st 0-0, 2nd 0-0, PK7-6) Jef United Ichihara Chiba Ladies U-16 (Kanto 3/Chiba)

Other results

JFA-TV quarterfinals highlight

The official coaching training session will be held.

The dead line for applications of the JFA Licensed coaching training 2014 and All Japan Women’s Youth (U-15) Championship is on 1 August 2014!
The details can be found here. (Japanese version only)

The 19th All Japan Women’s Youth (U-15) Championship presented by NIKE

Saturday, 26 July to Friday, 1 August
J-GREEN Sakai
Join the JFA Nadeshiko Hiroba to enjoy football together, and enter the draw at half time to win prizes!
Find out more details here. (Japanese version only)