AFC Women's Futsal Championship Thailand 2018
1st Match vs Lebanon Women's Futsal National Team
Thu. 3 May 18:00 Kick-off Playing Time 40mins. (20mins.x2)
Bangkok Arena (Bangkok, Thailand)

Japan Women's Futsal National Team 5-1 (3-1, 2-0) Lebanon Women's Futsal National Team

Scores
2' EGUCHI Mika (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
8' KATO Masami (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
13' AMISHIRO Anna (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
15' Goal against (Lebanon Women’s Futsal National Team)
25' EGAWA Ryo (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
31' KATSUMATA Riho (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, CHIDA Hinako, EGAWA Ryo

Match Report

On Thursday 3 May, Japan Women's Futsal National Team faced Lebanon Futsal National Team at the Bangkok Arena in their first match of the AFC Women's Futsal Championship Thailand 2018.

Japan took control of the match, as they attacked the Lebanon goal from early on. In the second minute of the match, EGUCHI Mika (#3) forced a turnover in the opposing end and fired a shot with her left foot. Her shot gave Japan an early lead, and the player of the match later reflected, “the fact we scored early and followed it up with more goals soon after allowed us to take control of the match.” As Eguchi described, Japan went onto add on to their lead with goals in the 8th and 13th minute, but also conceded a goal after they lost possession in their own half in the 15th minute. The match entered halftime with a score of 3-1.

Japan did not stop attacking in the second half, as AMISHIRO Anna (#8) earned a free kick in the opposing end. Eguchi fired a shot from the set piece, which was once denied by the goalkeeper, but EGAWA Ryo (#9) was there to follow it up, scoring her side’s fourth goal. In the 31st minute KATSUMATA Riho (#5) launched a powerful shot to extend Japan’s lead, as the match ended with a final score of 5-1.

With their advancement into the final round at stake, Japan Women's Futsal National Team will now face Bahrain Women’s Futsal National Team on Saturday 5 May at 18:00 (local time).

Coach's and Players' Comments

KOGURE Kenichiro, Coach (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
It’s always good to win the first match of the tournament. We had many flaws and we trained hard to improve on those aspects. It was good to see that we were able to display what we have been working. Our next opponent Bahrain will present us with a different play style and challenge, but we will do our best to advance to the next round.

FP #6 KOMURA Misato (arco-iris KOBE)
We had a mixed bag of feelings, as some players were making their first appearance, while some were making their first in many years. Entering the tournament, we didn’t know how our opponents were going to play so we had to play very carefully in the opening minutes of the match, but it helped that we scored early. We had very limited time to prepare, but we all have been working hard to understand and showcase Coach Kogure’s style of futsal. We still have long ways to go, so we will prepare ourselves for our next match.

FP #14 FUJITA Mio (FUCHU ATHLETIC F.C. PRIMEIRA)
I am relieved that we were able to start with a win. We didn’t know how Lebanon was going to play, so we just had to believe in ourselves and showcase what we have been working on. Through this match we saw both positive and negative aspects about ourselves, so we will make the necessary adjustments moving forward. We still have much more to offer, so I am looking forward for the matches to come. We will put in a good preparation ahead of our next match so that we can perform well.

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