Japan Beach Soccer National Team at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Qatar 2015
Kick-off: 17:30 on Wednesday 25 March 2015
Playing time: 12 min x 3 periods
Katara Beach (Qatar, Doha)

Japan Beach Soccer National Team  5-0 (1st 1-0, 2nd 1-0, 3rd 3-0)  China Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
2 '    AKAGUMA Takuya (Japan)
15'   GOTO Takasuke (PK) (Japan)
33'   MOREIRA Ozu (Japan)
34'   GOTO Takasuke (Japan)
36'   GOTO Takasuke (Japan)

Line-ups
GK:  TERUKINA Shingo
FP:   ODA Hirofumi, MOREIRA Ozu, AKAGUMA Takuya, OBA Takaaki

Substitutes
GK:  SUGITA Tetsuji
FP:  TABATA Teruki, MAKINO Shinji, GOTO Takasuke, HARAGUCHI Shotaro

Non-registered members
FP: MATSUO Naoya, YAMAUCHI Shusei

Match Report

The last match of the group stage at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Qatar 2015 was against the China National Beach Soccer Team, who have also already secured a place in the knockout stage. This match would decide which team would top group. Japan have not played as they desired to in the two previous games, but the players finally showed their characters on the pitch.

The starting line-up was the same as the previous two games, but this time AKAGUMA Takuya replaced GOTO Takasuke.

After two minutes in the first period, AKAGUMA Takuya, responding to expectations, and struck the opener from a header, which went over the head of the opponent’s goalkeeper. Although Japan had numerous goal-scoring opportunities after that, they couldn’t add any goals. The first period ended 1-0 to Japan.

In the beginning of the second period, Japan continued to take the initiative. In the 15th minute, GOTO Takasuke calmly knocked the ball into the left-hand corner from the penalty spot, stretching their lead. China did have several attacking opportunities, but the goalkeeper TERUKINA Shingo put on a solid performance defending Japan’s goal.

In the two previous matches, Japan took the initiative in the beginning, but tended to be pressed towards the end of the game. However, Japan did not lose their pace in the last period this time, controlling the game all the way through.

Japan will play the quarterfinal against the Bahrain national team, who is sitting in second place in Group A, on Thursday 26 March.

Head Coach and Players' Comments

Marcelo Mendes, Head Coach
I’m very satisfied with the content of today’s match, not to mention the actual result. Our defence was excellent and we could create numerous great attacking opportunities. We completely led the game with our pace. Although I feel genuine pleasure for today’s victory, we expect to have tough matches from tomorrow and we’d like to refresh our minds to get ourselves ready.

GK #2  SUGITA Tetsuji (Shonan Spread 1545)
I’m really happy that we topped the group to get through the group stage. We conceded goals in the first two matches in the group stage, and struggled to win those games. So I’m pleased we kept a clean sheet today. Personally, although I came off the bench in the last two minutes of the game, I think all the players kept their concentration. I expect more pressure on the pitch from tomorrow, but I’d like play as a united team.

FP #7  TABATA Teruki (TOKYO LEQUIOS BS)
We kept our concentration from the beginning to the final whistle, playing our style and taking the initiative. From tomorrow, if we lose, we’d have to go home. So I’d like to play like we did today to win the coming matches under pressure. Personally, as I couldn’t score yet in the three games despite some goal-scoring opportunities, I’d like to stay ambitious for goals to contribute to the team. I’d also like to respond to the expectations of local Japanese people, who always come to the site to support us.

Schedule