AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016　Knockout Stage/Quarter-Finals vs Vietnam Futsal National Team
2016-2-17 (Wed.) -19:00 (Local time)   Playing Time: 40min. (20min.×2)
Universal Stadium(Uzbekistan/Tashkent)

Japan Futsal National Team　4-4 (2-1, 1-2, extra 1-1, PSO 1-2)　Vietnam Futsal National Team

Scores
8'　NIBUYA Kazuhiro (Japan Futsal National Team)
13'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)
14'　Goal against (Vietnam Futsal National Team)
26'　NIBUYA Kazuhiro (Japan Futsal National Team)
35'　Goal against (Vietnam Futsal National Team)
39'　Goal against (Vietnam Futsal National Team)
42'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)
49'　Goal against (Vietnam Futsal National Team)

Starting Five
GK: SEKIGUCHI Yushi (ESPOLADA HOKKAIDO)
FP: YOSHIKAWA Tomoki (MAGNA GURPEA/Spain), HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael (SL Benfica/Portugal), TAKITA Manabu (PESCADOLA MACHIDA), MORIOKA Kaoru (NAGOYA OCEANS)

Match Report

Japan Futsal National Team, which was participating in the AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016, kicked off against Vietnam in the quarterfinal at 19:00 local time (23:00 Japan Time) on Wednesday 17 February. 

Both teams seemed to have started the game in a different way from usual, partially because of the knockout stage nerves. The game remained scoreless for a while. Japan were too eager and could not find momentum at the beginning of the game without a goal. In the 8th minute, however, NIBUYA Kazuhiro (VASAGEY OITA) got through from the left side, and struck the opener. Then after 13 minute, MORIOKA Kaoru (NAGOYA OCEANS) fired a shot to build a two-goal lead. Vietnam, on the other hand, pressed from up front, and attacked back strongly. In the 14th minute, Japan conceded a goal. The game went into the second half at 2-1. 

In the second half, Japan took the initiative by passing the ball around, adding insurance with Nibuya’s shot in the 26th minute. After 35 minute, however, HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael (SL Benfica/Portugal) was intercepted while dribbling, and Vietnam counter-attacked swiftly, closing the gap to one goal. Vietnam threw everything into attack and levelled the game in the end.

During the five-minute halves of extra time, MORIOKA struck his second goal of the day in the 42nd minute. Just before the final whistle, after 49 minutes, Vietnam, who never gave up on victory, got through the left wing to level the match once again. Both Morioka and Nibuya unfortunately failed to score their penalties, while Vietnam put theirs away. Japan lost to Vietnam 1-2.

As the Kyrgyz Republic Futsal National Team lost to Iran 7-0 today, Japan will play the first play-off against Kyrgyz Republic. If Japan wins, they will play the second play-off on 19 February in order to earn the fifth Asia spot at the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Players' Comments

FP #8  TAKITA Manabu (PESCADOLA MACHIDA)
It ended with a bad result. However, I’d like to accept it, and I’m ready to find a better future. I’m determined to do everything in the remaining two games. It’s going to be a real test for the team. When it’s difficult, we’d better play with responsibility and pride. 

FP #11  HOSHI Shota (BARDRAL URAYASU)
We cannot achieve our aim any more – winning three consecutive Asian championships, as we lost today’s game. It’s extremely frustrating. To keep winning is one of the toughest things and we learned that the hard way. We have to accept it. Although there is no more chance for us to claim the title, we can still book a place at the World Cup, which means a lot for us. We can still achieve things. First, we need to face our defeat to do so. We’ll play as a united team in the play-off games from tomorrow, showing off our abilities. We will earn our place.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*Top five team will earn FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016™ (2016/9/10-10/1) berth

AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016 [Wed. 10 February - Sun. 21 February 2016]

Knockout Stage/play off 1st Match
Thu. 18 February　Kick Off at 16:00 (20:00 Japan Time)
vs  Kyrgyz Republic Futsal National Team
LIVE: Thu. 18 February  19:55- NHK-BS1

More information