Japan Futsal National Team faced Uzbekistan in the International Friendly Tournament on Sunday 24 April in Kariya, Aichi. Japan beat Vietnam 7-0 on Friday 22 in their opening match of the tournament. As Uzbekistan were held to a 2-2 draw by Vietnam on Saturday 23, Japan were in a situation where they would win the championship with a draw or win in their final match against Uzbekistan.

Although Japan scored goals early in the Vietnam match, they struggled to create chances as Uzbekistan defence was solid with taller players. Uzbekistan reached the final of the AFC Futsal Championship last February and clinched September's FIFA Futsal World Cup berth. Against such a team, Japan’s goalkeeper PIRES Higor (PESCADOLA MACHIDA) saved his team against Uzbekistan’s imposing offence in his first start for an official international match. He showed his presence on offence as well with accurate throws to create openings.

After a while of deadlock, Japan conceded an opening goal in the 13th minute before the first half ended. Japan equalised with SHIBANO Sota's (VASAGEY OITA) goal in the two consecutive matches in the 24th minute, but allowed the opponents to edge ahead from a tricky free kick move, which forced the home side to be in a tough situation.

Yet Japan showed their winning attitude from that point. In the 32nd minute, MAEDONCHI Matias Hernan (NAGOYA OCEANS) netted a direct free kick to get back on level terms once again. Then two minutes later, OSODO Nobuya (SHRIKER OSAKA) fired a blast for a 3-2 lead after a corner kick.

While Japan were trying to keep the scoreline for a win, Uzbekistan played on a power play by putting field player Artur YUNUSOV at the goalkeeper position. Japan, who did not have enough preparation, failed to cope with the attack. In the 37th minute, Javlon ANOROV broke through the centre of defence for an equaliser.

Uzbekistan kept on a power play even after the equaliser to look for a win. Japan's NISHITANI Ryosuke (FUGADOR SUMIDA) and NIBUYA Kazuhiro (VASAGEY OITA) had a chance to take shots toward the unguarded goal, but both were unable to score before the match ended in 3-3. As a result, Japan was awarded the tournament title with the record of win and draw.

See more match details

Coach and Players' Comments

KOGURE Kenichiro, Coach
We couldn’t win today’s match, but in the two matches I kept telling my players to show the pride and the heart of our national team on the pitch. In other words, that’s all we can show right now at this moment. It would have been much better, if we had defeated Uzbekistan. But if we were able to show our pride and heart, even a little bit of them, on the pitch and convey them to the people in the stands, our fans, other people involved in futsal, that makes me very happy.

FP #13  SHIBANO Sota (VASAGEY OITA)
We wanted to finish it with two wins in a row, so it’s disappointing not to make it happen. Their goalkeeper was so good that it seemed our shots wouldn’t go in unless we shot them off (timing). I am satisfied with the fact that I scored in two straight matches, but there were many situations I lost the ball to the opponents. I felt I still need to improve the quality of my play. To get selected to the national team again, I will try to be better physically as a pivo. My physical strength is not enough to keep the ball effectively and taking the ball to shots.

FP #9  KATO Minami (SHRIKER OSAKA)
It was good to be able to play two matches on a national team in my hometown Aichi. My job was clear and it was to attack from both sides offensively, so I was able to play without any hesitation. In the man-to-man defence, it didn’t require too much thinking either. So it was easy to play. Coach Kogure knows my style and he took it into his consideration. Being able to play in these matches gave me confidence to play against Asian countries. From now on, I want to keep playing hard in the F.League, always trying to put up good results.

FP #12  MAEDONCHI Matias Hernan (NAGOYA OCEANS)
It took long until I got a chance to play, but I was able to strike a good shot. That free-kick situation was my first opportunity to play in the second half. We as a team were struggling to create chances, so it was good that I could score that. When I got onto the pitch, I kicked it as if I had already been playing from the start. I am satisfied to some degree because the goal I scored helped my team tie the match, but I am more disappointed because I couldn’t play that much. To come back up from this disappointment, I want to get better in the F.League.

FP #6  OSODO Nobuya (SHRIKER OSAKA)
This tournament was held at a difficult timing because it was right after we were eliminated in the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers. I think the audience understood that we including our coach were fighting together as one team to show our national team pride. Winning against Vietnam and drawing today was a good thing, considering we had only a short period for preparation and got somewhat good results. But in order to fully get back at the bitter feeling we had, it’s only at the World Cup four years later. So I will always try to stay on the national team as long as I play this game as a player.

GK #2  PIRES Higor (PESCADOLA MACHIDA)
I was very happy to play these two matches as a member of Japan Futsal National Team. At the same time, allowing three goals in my first match to start is very disappointing. I really wanted to win. When I play in a kit with Japan’s flag on my chest, I carry the national team pride and I do my 100%. I think this team are a collection of players who can do that, and I want people to believe in this national team. I aim at the World Cup four years later and we will get the spot there without a doubt. Please keep supporting us.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

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