The 11th International Youth Tournament (U-17) in Minsk 2015  Group League 3rd Match
Wed. 21 January 2015    Kickoff 16:20    Playing Time 80min（40min halves）
Football Covered Arena Minsk(Minsk/Belarus)

U-17 Japan National Team   0-0(1st 0-0, 2nd 0-0)  U-17 Russia National Team

Starters
GK： WAKINO Atsushi
DF： ABE Masashi, TOMIYASU Takehiro, ITO Hiroki, TANAKA Kosuke
MF： TANAKA Riku, WATANABE Kouta、SAITO Mitsuki, HATTORI Takehiro
FW： NAGASAWA Ryosuke, IWASAKI Yuto

Substitutes
GK：  CHIDA Keito
DF：  TSUNEMOTO Keigo
MF：  SAKIMURA Yusuke, KAJIYAMA Kanta
FW： TAKAHASHI Toshiki,SUGA Daiki

54min　HATTORI Takehiro →SUGA Daiki
65min　TANAKA Riku → KAJIYAMA Kanta
71min　ABE Masashi → TSUNEMOTO Keigo

Match Report

The game started with a tense atmosphere fitting for a match that would decide who tops group B. Both teams pressed forward and were very tense with swift moves from the beginning of the match. Japan showed their passing techniques, while Russia used their long passes and speed.

In the 10th minute, Japan made their first shot. Iwasaki struck a shot, but it hit the goalpost. Although Russia struck a long-distance shot after 12 minutes, and also had a chance to face the goalkeeper one-on-one in the 30th minute, both of the goal-scoring opportunities were saved superbly by the goalkeeper Wakino. Then after 34 minutes and 35 minutes, Watanabe and Takahashi in a row took long-distance shots, only for them to be saved by the goalkeeper. The game went into the second half at 0-0. During the half time, Moriyama, the head coach, encouraged the players: ‘all of you, let’s display stronger leadership both in attack and defence. Then take a full swing!’

After four minutes in the second half, a tall Russian forward went close with a header, which hit the bar, putting pressure on Japan. However, Japan stayed calm to control the ball and gradually took the initiative. Japan had several goal-scoring opportunities - Suga, who was fresh off the bench, showed his strong free kick, and Nagasawa, Saito and Iwasaki showed their superb combination play. Although Japan earned a corner kick before the last whistle, the players could not find the back of the net against the solid Russian defence. The match was a draw.

Russia was ahead on goal differential, topping group B. Japan got through the group league in second place. The U-17 Japan National Team will play against Belarus, who is sitting in second place in group A, on Friday 23 January.

Comments

MORIYAMA Yoshiro, Head Coach
We were playing Russia for the top place in the group. At the beginning of the game, although we took the initiative against the opponent, who had one forward, the match stayed goalless. In the second half, all the players played hard, staying ambitious for goals. However, we couldn’t find the back of the net against the opponent’s solid defence in the penalty area. The whistle blew and the game was over scoreless. The results for both Russia and Japan were 2 wins and 1 draw, but we were unfortunately behind on goal difference and advanced to the tournament for those teams in second place in their groups. I must point out that we kept a clean sheet in three consecutive matches. However, all of our 20 shots against Russia were saved by the post or the opponent’s goalkeeper. We’ll have two more matches after a one-day break. I’d like the players to challenge a lot without fear in order to improve their strength.

NAGASAWA Ryosuke (Vissel Kobe U-18)
Although we kept the possession well in the centre, we didn’t have much space behind the opponent, as their defenders stayed further back. We passed the ball around in that situation, but I wish I could initiate the attack from the side or counter-attack to score a goal. We’ll advance to the tournament for the teams in second place in the group and will play against Belarus, a local team. As I think we can still improve this team, I’d like to play hard in order to win the tournament.

HATTORI Takehiro (Yokohama FC Youth)
We still have issues in finishing our attack, which was the same in the previous two games. We need to improve the accuracy of the timing and the angle of passes. I’d like to improve it in the tomorrow’s practice session and get ready for the next match. Although we’ll be in the tournament for the teams in second place in their groups, I’d like to win two more games in order to finish this trip without any loss.

Schedule

※The schedule may be subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.