SPORTS FOR TOMORROW Japan-Central Asia U-15 Football Exchange Programme
Group League 2nd Match v Iran National U-15 Team
Thursday 26 March, 2015 Kick-off: 10:50 Match Duration: 60 min (30 min halves)
J-GREEN Sakai (Sakai, Osaka)

Japan National U-15 Team 1-2 (1st 0-1, 2nd 1-1) Iran National U-15 Team

Score
7 min Goal Against（U-15 Iran National Team）
45min TANAHASHI Akito（U-15 Japan National Team）
57min Goal Against（U-15 Iran National Team）

Starters
GK： TANI Kosei
DF： KAWAI Tetta、OMOMO Leon、KEMMOTSU Takumu、TOKUNAGA Haruto
MF： HIRAKAWA Rei、HOMMA Shion、ENDO Masashi、AWANO Kento
FW： YAMAYA Yushi、TANAHASHI Akito

Substitutes
GK： TAKADA Yuma
DF： SAKUTA Ryutaro
MF： MASUTANI Takara、SUGAWARA Yukinari
FW： MIKUNI Kennedy Ebusu

Non-registered member
DF： KUDO Aoi
MF： KATSURA Rikuto

Substitutes
HT HOMMA Shion 　→ 　MIKUNI Kennedy Ebusu
HT ENDO Masashi 　→ 　SUGAWARA Yukinari
HT OMOMO Leon 　→ 　SAKUTA Ryutaro

Match Reports

Iran started the match charging early with their intense pressing. In the 7th minute, Japan had their side attacked and allowed the opening goal of the match. Even after that, Japan lacked accuracy in their passes and were not able to break down Iran’s defence to create chances. In the second half, however, substitutions worked and Japan started gaining possessions and creating key opportunities. Finally in the 45th minute, Sugawara fed a cross and Tanahashi calmly tapped it into the goal to tie the match. Then in the closing minutes, Iran’s long feed reached the open space between Japan’s defenders and goalkeeper, which Iran’s forward player chipped over the goalkeeper to the back of the net. As the match finished with the score being 1-2, Japan failed to record the second straight win.

Comments

DF 14 KAWAI Tetta（Gamba Osaka Junior Youth）
Their pressing was very powerful and we couldn’t show what we could do. I’m very disappointed that we lost the match that way. They were not only physically strong but also quick in transition between offence and defence. When they clicked, they were very strong. But in the second half, we were able to start our combination plays and get the equaliser. Being able to do that has made us confident. It was also good that we were able to stay focused and deal with the balls coming to our backline many times. I want to keep playing our best in the last three matches.

DF 3 KENMOTSU Takumu（Shimizu S-Pulse Junior Youth）
In the first half we couldn’t find our pace and kept our backline too low. We adjusted that in the second half and kept our defenders and midfielders closer. Then our passes started moving and the pace got better. Their goal before the end of the match was because the distance between centrebacks was too long and we were late in getting that long feed. Today after this we will look back this match and get prepared for tomorrow’s matches. Tomorrow we will make sure to win it.

FW 11 MIKUNI Kennedy Ebusu（Aomori Yamada Junior High School）
In this match, it was good that we didn’t lose in individual battles for the ball, but we made some careless mistakes and lost possession. So we feel that we have to improve that. Also they pressed our ball very hard, and that’s something we try to do. And that made it difficult for us to pass the ball and move around collectively. I am expected to score goals on this team, so tomorrow I will try harder to get a goal and I want to win both matches tomorrow.

Schedule

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

Entry teams of the programme

Future Schedule