AFC Women's Futsal Championship Thailand 2018
Semi-final vs Thailand Women's Futsal National Team
Thu. 10 May 18:00 Kick-off Playing Time 40mins. (20mins.x2)
Indoor Stadium Hua Mak (Bangkok, Thailand)

Japan Women's Futsal National Team 2-1 (1-0, 1-1) Thailand Women's Futsal National Team

Scores
5' EGAWA Ryo (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
30' Goal against (Thailand Women's Futsal National Team)
33' KATO Masami (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)

Starting Line-ups
GK: YAMAMOTO Ayaka
FP: KOMURA Misato, WAKABAYASHI Eri, KATO Masami, EGUCHI Mika

Reserves
GK: SUGIYAMA Aiko
FP: NAKAJIMA Shiori, TAKEMURA Junko, AMISHIRO Anna, KATSUMATA Riho, FUJITA Mio, YOTSUI Saki, EGAWA Ryo, CHIDA Hinako

Match Report

On Thursday 10 May the Japan Women's Futsal National Team squared off against the Thailand Women's Futsal National Team at Indoor Stadium Hua Mak in the semi-final match of the AFC Women's Futsal Championship Thailand 2018.

The semi-final match took place under a total away environment for Japan. The match saw both teams creating opportunities, but it was Japan who scored the first goal, as they have done in previous matches of this competition. In the fifth minute, FUJITA Mio delivered a pass towards EGAWA Ryo who was there in front of the goal to redirect the ball into the net.

Japan entered halftime with a 1-0 lead, but despite their intention to extend the lead, it was the home team who took control of the match in the second half. The Thailand side leveled the match in the 30th minute, but Japan retook the lead in the 33rd minute, when KATO Masami converted an opportunity created by a shot taken by EGUCHI Mika. Japan showcased a collective effort in defence to evade the Thailand side’s power play in the closing minutes of the match to clinch their spot into the final, with a score of 2-1.

After the match, Coach KOGURE Kenichiro shared his aspiration ahead of the final against Iran, “Iran has only played two matches in their group stage, so they are in better condition compared to Japan. But we have the edge of fighting through tough matches, so we will utilise our experience as our advantage.”

Players' Comments

FP #9 EGAWA Ryo (Bardral Urayasu Las Bonitas)
I am glad we were able to win against the host team in the semi-final. The way we scored the goal was something we have been working on since our training camp in Japan. It went just as we imagined. All I had to do was to score, so I’m glad I managed to convert it. We played under a total away situation, and we couldn’t even hear our teammates’ voices. The stadium was surrounded in a surreal atmosphere when we conceded the goal, but we managed to keep our composure and play our futsal. We will now face Iran. It will be a difficult match, but I personally would like to utilise my experience from the Asia Indoor Games, where we beaten Iran and record another win against them.

FP #11 WAKABAYASHI Eri (arco-iris KOBE)
This is the land where I first started playing futsal, and to be given the opportunity to face the Thailand National Team as part of the Japan National Team is something very special to me. In the opposing end, there were former teammates and rivals who I competed against in the past. It was such a special match for me, and I am glad I was able to give all I’ve got for my team. However, this match is not the end, as our goal is to win the title, so we would like to win the final and go home with a smile. We will prepare ourselves well ahead of the final.

Schedule

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

AFC Women's Futsal Championship Thailand 2018

Tournament Period: 2 May 2018 (Wed.) - 12 May 2018 (Sat.)
For more information