Futsal Continental Cup Kuwait 2014
Friday　24 October 2014　14:30 Kick Off　20minutes Halves
Qadsia SC Hall(Kuwait /Kuwait)

Futsal Japan National Team　0-4(1st 0-1、2nd 0-3)　Futsal Czech Republic National Team

Scores
2min　Goal Against（Futsal Czech Republic National Team）
23min　Goal Against（Futsal Czech Republic National Team）
25min　Goal Against（Futsal Czech Republic National Team）
39min　Goal Against（Futsal Czech Republic National Team）

Starters
GK：SEKIGUCHI Yushi
FP：HOSHI Shota、TAKITA Manabu、MINAMOTO Akira、NIBUYA Kazuhiro

Substitutes
GK：KAWAHARA Hisamitsu
FP：OSODO Nobuya、HATAKEYAMA Bruno Takashi、SATO Toru、NAKAMURA Yusuke、NAGAI Yoshifumi、MIYAZAKI Satoshi、MORI Shuta、MUROTA Yuki

Match Report

Japan lost an opening game against Brazil and faced a very important 2nd match to clear the Group League. The team headed for the game venue from their staying hotel following a last meeting to get the strategy and features of Czech, the second opponent, into their minds.

The head coach Miguel launched the team into game with a encouraging word "this would become a close game with a rival of similar ability!" when they came out of a locker room after a warm-up.

However on second minute, Czech struck first from the front of the goal. Though the opponent's opening goal blocked Japan from grabbing their own rhythm, they gradually recovered, getting close to Czech's goal net at their own paces. Meanwhile, the team ended up the first round 0-1 without a goal despite creating some chances.

In the latter half, Japan allowed Czech add next goal that affected the win/loss of the game and gave up another to widen their lead for 0-3. Japan, on the point that an opponent's player fouled out of the game in the last 8 minute before end, tried to rally with a power play, but couldn't net one, and wound up losing 0-5 with one more loss of point.

Brazil's victory against Guatemala in the match later on decided Japan's elimination in the Group League.

Comments

Miguel RODRIGO, Head Coach
We could do defensive play especially in the first half and pressed up successfully. I have to say we were unfortunate today, because we created a lot of goal-making chances in offence. Though I am satisfied with players' performances, today's game taught me again that we have to make our effort to solve our ultimate problem to make a goal as a "finish" in the game. We will never beat world's strong teams without a goal. Reflecting game's contents, I could say it was worthwhile for Japan's victory, but Czech got ahead of Japan in scoring ability that showed in their today's goals utilizing only 6 or 7 chances. The team was sorry for getting defeated in the Group League, but we want to return Japan with the victory in the last match against Guatemala.

SEKIGUCHI Yushi (Espolada Hokkaido)
I learned a lot from games against world's strong teams such as Brazil yesterday and Czech today. I thought we could do many things generally , but faced gap with those stronger in details in today's game. Japan was eliminated in the Group League following today's loss, but we want to win tomorrow's game against Guatemala for our future. As my private thing, today was my 23rd birthday. I could not get my happy birthday's victory, but I appreciated my teammates to celebrate my birthday in the dinner.

NAGAI Yoshifumi (ASD FUTSAL ISOLA)
I was very frustrated the result following 2 games and also very sorry for not informing good outcomes to our supporter here and in Japan. I believe all things requiring national team are not processes but results. I will focus on making good results as a team and personally in tomorrow's match against Guatemala.

TAKITA Manabu (ASV Pescadola Machida)
I could play with my best condition physically and mentally in the important match to advance to final stage.
However, Japan failed to win. After the game, I was frustrated my failure at the chance in front of the goal and there were more things that I could do through the game as a captain. Although I understand everything is evaluated only by results, we need to admit the current situation and learn more to keep advancing for the next match with Guatemala. I will play with all my best.

Schedule

*Local time