AFF NutiFood U19 Cup 2014 Final 　vs. U-19 Vietnam National Team
Saturday 13 September 2014    Kickoff 19:15   90miutes(45minutes halves)
My Dinh Stadium(Hanoi, Vietnam)

U-19 Vietnam National Team　0-1(1st 0-0, 2nd 0-1)　U-19 Japan National Team

Score
75min OMOTEHARA Genta（U-19 Japan National Team）

Starters
GK: NAKAMURA Kosuke
DF: TAKAGI Daisuke, UCHIYAMA Yuki, MOTEGI Rikiya, SAKAI Daisuke
MF: SUGIMOTO Taro, OYAMA Keisuke, IDEGUCHI Yosuke, OGAWA Naoki
FW: KITAGAWA Kohya, KANEKO Shota

Substitutes
GK: YOSHIMARU Kenshin
DF: FUJITANI So, SHINDO Ryosuke, MIURA Genta
MF: OKUGAWA Masaya, ANDO Akira, NAKANO Masaomi
FW: OMOTEHARA Genta, OCHI Yamato

HT　KITAGAWA Kohya → NAKANO Masaomi
58min SUGIMOTO Taro → OCHI Yamato
69min OGAWA Naoki → OMOTEHARA Genta

Match Report

The final match was against Vietnam National U-19 Team. The stadium was filled with Vietnamese fans of nearly 40,000, which made a total away atmosphere for Japan.

The early first half saw both teams trying to control the ball at the midfield and not being able to create shooting opportunities. They looked hesitant and afraid of making mistakes as well partly because it was the big final match. In the 14th minute, Ideguchi gave the ball to Ogawa, and to Kaneko who rushed into the box. Kaneko took the feed and fired a shot, but the opposing goalkeeper saved his goal. After that, Sugimoto and Ideguchi both created more chances, but failed to strike the goal before the first half eventually ended scoreless.

It was Vietnam that took the early initiative in the second half. They connected quick short passes, which is their trademark style, and tried to break down the middle to attack the goal. Japan’s defence, however, threw away bodies and did not allow Vietnamese offensive end to get to the goal so easily. Gradually the momentum shifted to Japan. In the 75th, Japan got the ball at the right flank, and through Kaneko in the middle, it reached Omotehara just at the left side of Vietnamese goal. Omotehara, who did not start and was substituted into the match, dribbled a little and struck a left-footed shot to the left corner of the goal to give Japan the much-awaited first goal. Later Ochi tried to extend the lead, but that effort did not come through. Vietnam also kept fighting back, but Japan’s defensive end of Takagi, Uchiyama, Motegi and Sakai tenaciously protected the goal and didnot allow easy shots for Vietnam. The match finally came to an end, and Japan with their collective effort won the championship.

Japan finished the tournament with the best result available and the trip also turned out to be a great simulation opportunity for the AFC U-19 Championship in October.

Comments

SUZUKI Masakazu, Head Coach
In the final, I suppose we could firmly control the game than previous game against Vietnam in group league. There are many things needed to improve but we could play the game full of good plays during four games in totally away environment. I can tell it was very meaningful trip for AFC U-19 Championship in October. I want to restart good preparation when we get back to Japan.

TAKAGI Daisuke（Tokyo Verdy）
I am really happy to win the championship because it was our objective of this trip. It was a good championship for playing in team as united. Personally I get much confidence for playing starters for all the games and I am going to do my best in the club I belong to. I want to hold good training for AFC U-19 Championship in October. Thank you very much for all the cheering support given to us in Vietnam and in Japan. I really appreciate it.

KANEKO Shota (Shimizu S-Pulse)
It was very tough championship because playing four games with only one day break in between. I am really glad to won the championship in this condition. I had a good experience of playing the final in the stadium of totally away fully-packed with spectators of 40,000. Days are numbered for AFC U-19 Championship in October, I am going to play as hard as I can in the club.

UCHIYAMA Yuki（Consadole Sapporo）
We set the goal before the tournament and it was “play four matches and win the championship.” We achieved that and that added up our confidence. Next is the AFC U-19 Championship. This team got started about two years ago, and I believe we have improved very much. We believe in the football we have played and we will get ready for October.

OMOTEHARA Genta（Ehime FC）
I am happy to have an opportunity to play against Vietnam in front of such a big crowd. I wanted to help my team when I got to play. Then I could do that by scoring a goal, and I am very happy. Winning this championship has been our goal, so achieving this goal gave us confid

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