Morocco Tour
Sat. 15 April 2023, 21:00 (Local time)
Match duration 40mins (20x2 Playing-time)
Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat, Morocco)

Japan Futsal National Team 0-3 (0-1, 0-2) France Futsal National Team

Scores
4' Goal Against
26' Goal Against
39' Goal Against

Starting Line-up
GK: TABUCHI Hiroshi
FP: MIZUTANI Soma, YOSHIKAWA Tomoki, HIRATA Neto Antonio Massanori, HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael

Reserves
FP: ISHIDA Kentaro, YAMADA Kaito, KANAZAWA Sora, TSUTSUMI Yuta, SHIMIZU Kazuya, KATO Minami, UCHIMURA Shunta, TAKAHASHI Kyo, YAMANAKA Shoto

Out of the roster
GK: KUROMOTO Guilherme (Injury)
FP: HARADA Kokoro (Injury)

Match Report

The Japan Futsal National Team, who are currently on a tour in Morocco, played a match against the France Futsal National Team on Saturday 15 April.

Following their loss to the Morocco Futsal National Team the day before, the Japanese players, under the leadership of Head coach KOGURE Kenichiro, went over the scouting reports of their opponents and reviewed the match footages form the day before to address the issues they encountered in their previous match before leaving for the venue.

The match started with both teams testing the water, but it was France who scored the opening goal, when they converted a cross delivered from the right side to take the lead in the fourth minute. With momentum on their side, France collected the ball to their tall pivot to create chances, but UCHIMURA Shunta made his presence felt in front of the goal to prevent the French side from scoring the second goal.

After finishing the first period down by a goal, coach Kogure demanded his players to stop playing it safe and show their willingness to win the match. Responding to the coach’s pep-talk, the Japanese players increased their time with the ball to start the second period.

In the 24th minute, YAMADA Kaito showed excellent individual effort to attack down the left side, while TAKAHASHI Kyo, making his first appearance for his country in this game, showed his defensive prowess.

However, Japan lost possession of the ball in the 26th minute, allowing France to convert a one-on-one situation to double their advantage. Japan kept the ball moving to develop their attacks but was unable to score and fell behind 0-3 after giving up the third goal in the 39th minute.

The Japan Futsal National Team will now face the Croatia Futsal National Team to cap off the Morocco tour.

Coach and Players' Comments

KOGURE Kenichiro, Head Coach (Japan Futsal National Team)
Of all the matches we have played, this is the one we have to learn the most from. We must fight with pride as the Japan National Team in the upcoming encounter against Croatia because it will be our final game of the first half of the year.

FP #4 ISHIDA Kentaro (Bardral Urayasu)
We are really grateful for all the support we have received to make this tour to Morocco possible. We have been playing against Asian nations in our recent activities, and it has been a while since we played against African and European nations. We will enter the match against Croatia with pride and responsibility as the representative of Japan and give our all to win the game.

FP #5 YAMADA Kaito (Inter Movistar FS/Spain)
Although we entered the match with a different mindset since losing to Morocco on the day before, we didn’t have what it takes to win the match. I am also aware that I wasn’t able to showcase a performance that could help the team to victory. I will give it everything I've got in the remaining game and attempt to make a case for myself because my spot on the national team isn't guaranteed. I am appreciative of all the support we received from Japan, so please continue to support us.

FP #7 KANAZAWA Sora (Nagoya Oceans)
This was a very disappointing match. In order to be competitive at the world stage, we need to be stronger in the one-on-one situations, both in offence and defence. We must learn from this experience and try to win our next match against Croatia to finish this tour on a high note.

FP #10 HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael (Real Betis/Spain)
This definitely wasn't the outcome we were hoping for. We will give it our all since we all know that the upcoming game will be a crucial match for us. We rest up tomorrow and prepare well for the match against Croatian in two days' time. I want everyone to continue to support us, and we will do our best to live up to that support.

Morocco Tour

Tournament Date: Mon. 10 - Wed. 19 April 2023
Venue: Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Morocco
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