Japan Beach Soccer National Team - International Friendly 1st Match vs. U.S.
2015-6-20 (Sat.) - 16:00     Playing Time: 12min x 3 periods (Extra time 3min)
Ginowan City Tropical Beach, Okinawa

Japan Beach Soccer National Team   5-3 (1st 0-1, 2nd 2-2, 3rd 1-0, Ext. 2-0)   U.S. Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
3' 　  Goal against (U.S.)
18'　 ODA Hirofumi (Japan)
18'　 Goal against (U.S.)
22'　 MOREIRA Ozu (Japan)
24'　 Goal against (U.S.)
35'　 MATSUO Naoya (Japan)
37'　 GOTO Takasuke (Japan)
39'　 ODA Hirofumi (Japan)

Match Report

The Japan Beach Soccer National Team took on the United States national team in an international friendly match at Ginowan Tropical Beach in Okinawa Prefecture on 20 June. Rainfalls hit the place, but it was gone in the afternoon, and so many fans assembled to the site, which was cooked by a dance performance by a local dance team. The players of both teams appeared there to start warmups 45 minutes before the kickoff, and the supporters in the stands welcomed the players with loud cheers.

At 4 p.m., the game kicked off with a temperature of 32.3 C and a 75-percent humidity. Japan started actively as its ace player GOTO Takasuke and captain MOREIRA Ozu took shots. But it was the U.S. team who struck first, when their play netted a goal in a corner on 3rd minute.

Down by one goal, Moreira fired a shot from far but it hit a post. While German Laverde, the U.S. team head coach, later said that they were able to play smartly, preserving their energy, Japan excited the fans as they would get near the goal but weren't able to scoring one. Japan ended the first period down 0-1.

Early into the second period, MAKINO Shinji attempted to kick a loose ball after Moreira's shot, but the U.S. goalkeeper put it away. Japan had another attack on the U.S. goal, but again their goalkeeper made a great save of a shot. Yet Japan earned a penalty kick on 18th. ODA Hirofumi made the shot to equal the contest.

Moments later, Japan gave the U.S. team a free kick on a foul. TERUKINA Shingo deflected their direct shot, but they put the loose ball in to extend their lead. But Moreira made an outstanding over-head shot to pull even on 22nd.

Moreira, who had said on the previous day that he wanted to score on an over-head shot to show the attractiveness of the sport, intrigued the fans at the site with his high-level techniques. Right after he scored the goal, Moreira ran up to the stands to send the fans into nuts. Japan tried to take a lead in the mood, but they gave up a goal to the U.S. from a set play on the 24th minute, and they wrapped up the second period behind the opponents again.

Japan entered the final period having formed a circle to get everybody on the same page. While the U.S. team showed some fatigue, Japan grabbed the momentum. Moreira kicked a free kick and it gave a difficult bounce as it hit the ground right before the American goalkeeper, but he managed to put it away with one of his hands.

But with just one minute left in the game, MATUO Naoya, who received the ball with a combination with Goto, made a tough shot from the right side with no much of angle to tie it. Matsuo exploded his gratitude hugging with head coach Marcelo. The game entered extra minutes with the score at 3 all.

The game was played with the same format as the World Cup; they played three 12-minute periods and then three extra minutes. On the 37th minute, Goto, who had said that he wanted to score a goal for the same of his late grandfather (passed away the day before), netted a goal into the left corner of the goal. Goto pumped his both hands into the air, and Japan took a lead for the first time of the day.

On the 39th, Oda shed a defender and scored his second goal of the day to seal the deal. Japan posted a tenacious, come-from-behind 5-3 victory.

Japan's second international friendly against the U.S. will kick off at 4 p.m. on 21 June.

Head Coach and Players’ Comments

Marcelo Mendes, Head Coach of Japan Beach Soccer National Team
The United States is such a high-level team, so we knew it would be a tough game. In the first period, we made too many mistakes and put the momentum away to the opponents. But I'm pleased that our players didn't give up, tried to put up what we'd done and rallied to win it. We had so many scoring chances and it gives you a hard time if you don't take advantage of those when you can, so for tomorrow, I would like to tell our players to make adjustments, taking shots with more composure.

FP   MATSUO Naoya (Pracia Yamaguchi)
While I've made mistakes yet head coach Marcelo has given me chances, I wasn't able to live up to his expectations, and I was extremely disappointed with myself. I was given another chance to play in today's game against America, and though I missed so many shots, but I was able to put up a good challenge and am excited that I scored a goal in a critical moment. I was relieved when I made the goal, and I was very pleased that when I ran into the bench, coach was waiting for me.

FP   GOTO Takasuke（TOKYO LEQUIOS BS）
I want to improve accuracy of shoot because I missed the first goal chance. This is why we won after battling tough game. I suppose distance among players is not close enough and this is something we need to adjust before the World Cup by holding training. As this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become World Champion, I want to challenge with the firm determination with spirit of “got to make it happen.”

JFA-TV

Schedule

International Friendly Match　vs.  U.S. Beach Soccer National Team (Ginowan Tropicalbeach）

Sat. 20 June 16:00    v  U.S. Beach Soccer National Team
Sun. 21 June 16:00   v  U.S. Beach Soccer National Team
Ginowan-city Tropicalbeach/Okinawa
*Admission Free
More information

Future Schedule