On Thursday 21 November, the Japan Beach Soccer National Team played their first match of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup against the Paraguay Beach Soccer National Team in Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay.

The match started with Japan taking the initiative against the host nation, but fell short from taking the lead, as the first period ended scoreless. The opening goal came early in the second period, when OKUYAMA Masanori responded to a lobbing pass from MOREIRA Ozu and struck a bicycle kick that captured the Paraguayan goal. Three minutes later, Japan managed to double their lead when Moreira scored the team’s second goal in the 15th minute. After Paraguay scored back a goal in the 22nd minute, Moreira showcased a spectacular pass to assist the goal of AKAGUMA Takuya, giving Japan a 3-1 lead at the end of the second period.

With Moreira converting a free kick early in the third period, it was thought that Japan had locked up their win in their tournament opener, but the home side rallied back from this point on, as they scored consecutive goals in the 27th and 31st minute to get back within a goal. In the 32nd minute, Japan’s coach RAMOS Ruy was ejected from the match after making an objection against the referees.

Just moments after the Japanese coach was ejected, Paraguay converted a free kick to equalise the match. Time was running out and the win was slipping away for Japan, but with just 0.5 seconds left on the clock, Akaguma capitalised on a corner kick to score the game winner, giving Japan three points in dramatic fashion.

Match Details

At the group stage, 16 teams are divided into four groups, where each team will play in a round robin format. Top two teams of each group will advance to the knockout stage. The Japan Beach Soccer National Team will face the USA Beach Soccer National Team on Saturday 23 and the Switzerland Beach Soccer National Team on Monday 25.

Coach and Players' Comments

RAMOS Ruy, Coach
Although we were able to win the match today, there are both positives and negatives about how we won the match. The fact that our players didn’t give up until the end was a positive aspect that will help us improve as a team. We held the jersey of GOTO Takasuke during the national anthem, because he is part of the team. Even after he sustained the injury, he stayed in Paraguay to support the team and helped us prepare ourselves for this match. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, I wanted to do something for him, and that was my way of showing respect to him.

FP #10 MOREIRA Ozu (Tokyo Verdy BS)
I think we were able to enter the match in great shape. Our transitions from defence to offence were quick and we managed to score goals early. However, we lost our momentum from our own mistakes and gave the opponents the opportunity to get back in the game. Getting coach Ramos ejected from the match was a huge blow for us, because he gives us so much energy from the bench. (Regarding Goto’s injury) He is a player who can score goals for the team and he was in great form during our camp in Brazil, so it very unfortunate that he can’t play for us.

FP #9 YAMAUCHI Shusei (Tokyo Verdy BS)
It wasn’t like I was sitting on my laurels, but thinking objectively, I was pretty confident that I would be selected into the squad for the World Cup, so I was really shocked when I found out that I wasn’t in the squad. However, it really gave me the opportunity to rethink about myself. I often questioned myself if I had taken for granted of the fact I was becoming a regular member of the national team. This entire experience of being left out from the squad and getting the additional call-up into the squad has allowed me to reinforce the importance to work for the team and to cherish the moment with the national team. I have just joined the team last night, so I may not be in my best condition, but I will give my utmost efforts to help the team in the upcoming matches.

GOTO Takasuke (Tokyo Lequios BS)
It is so much more stressful to watch the match from outside than playing on the pitch. The match feels so short when it is our match. I injured my left knee during our camp in Brazil, when I slid into a huge rock that was covered in the sand. The Japan Beach Soccer National Team is very strong. I am confident that they can make a deep run at this tournament.

Schedule

*Local time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019

Tournament Dates: Thu. 21 November - Sun. 1 December 2019

Tournament Information