Training Match
Sat. 24 January 2015    Kickoff 10:30    Playing Time 15minutes x 3 periods
Buenos Aires (Argentine)

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

Scores
7min   Goal against(Argentine)
28 min MOREIRA Ozu(Japan)
14 min  Goal against(Argentine)

Starters
GK: SUGITA Tetsuji
FP: MATSUO Naoya, MOREIRA Ozu, YAMAUCHI Shusei, OBA Takaaki

Substitutes
GK：TERUKINA Shingo, GINOZA Tomoya
FP：TABATA Teruki, MAKINO Shinji, ODA Hirofumi, GOTO Takasuke , HARAGUCHI Shotaro, KOMAKI Masayuki, AKAGUMA Takuya

Non-Registered Member
FP: TOMA Masahito

Match report

The Beach Soccer Japan National Team played a match against the Argentina national team for the second time to finish the South America tour.

The players took the initiative from the beginning of the match, showing ambition for goals in order to finish their tour with a victory. However, after seven minutes of the first period, Japan let the opponent strike a skilful opener despite the fact it was their first goal-scoring opportunity. The match continued and Japan stayed one goal behind.

In the second period, although Japan kept possession and had goal-scoring opportunities, they could not find the back of the net. Then Moreira Ozu, the captain, struck a long-distance shot just before the whistle, levelling the game. It built up positive momentum for the team.

The match went into the final period at 1-1. Japan lost the ball from a mistake and ended up conceding an own goal. Despite Japan’s full-on attack, the players could not score goals against a skilful and tactical opponent. Japan lost a match again against the Argentina national team at the end of the South America tour.

The record of this South America tour was four wins and two losses. The players had a productive time before the qualifying round of the AFC World Cup in March. During the 11-day tour, the players understood more about tactics and strengthened their bodies through tough training sessions. The team became more united, sharing the same goal after living under one roof.

Head Coach and Players Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Head Coach
It was very regrettable that we couldn’t finish our South America tour with a victory. Having said that, the players put on a good performance in today’s match. We won four matches and lost two on this tour, which gave the team some confidence. Without doubt, this team is improving in the right direction. I’d like to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the team in preparation for the qualifying round of the AFC World Cup in March.

MOREIRA Ozu(TOKYO LEQUIOS BS)
When I look back at both yesterday and today’s matches, I believe our performance was better than the opponent. However, Argentina never failed to take advantage of our mistakes and finished their goal-scoring opportunities. We just couldn’t find the back of the net with our opportunities and lost the game. I discovered many areas to improve in our defeats during this tour and I’d like to fix them one by one when I get to Japan.

GOTO Takasuke(TOKYO LEQUIOS BS)
This South America tour was a great test ahead of the coming qualifying round in Asia in March. The stay at the hotel went well and we kept ourselves in good physical shape. I think we learned a lot as a team from what we did well and what we didn’t.
Personally, I found my own weaknesses clearly, which I’d like to work on after returning to Japan. I’ll practice everyday to get ready for March.

Schedule

*Local time