U-15 Japan National Team  v  U-18 PPLPD school of athletic
Sat. 18 April 2015 - 9:00 Playing time: 90min (30min x 3)
Bogor, Indonesia

U-15 Japan National Team  6-0 (1st 3-0, 2nd 0-0, 3rd 3-0)  U-18 PPLPD school of athletic

Scores
5' TANAHASHI Akito (U-15 Japan)
9' MIYASHIRO Taisei(U-15 Japan)
23' TANAHASHI Akito(U-15 Japan)
74' KUBO Takefusa(U-15 Japan)
84' SUZUKI Toichi(U-15 Japan)
89' MIYASHIRO Taisei(U-15 Japan)

1st Members
GK: AOKI Kokoro
DF: ARAI Hideaki, FUKUSHIMA Hayato, OKAMOTO Shosei, SHINOTSUKA Aiki
MF: KIDA Hinata, KUBO Takefusa, KANEKO Kazuki, IMOTO Kanji, KUDO Aoi
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei, TANAHASHI Akito

2nd Members
GK: AOKI Kokoro, TANI Kosei
DF: ARAI Hideaki, FUKUSHIMA Hayato, OKAMOTO Shosei, SHINOTSUKA Aiki, SAKUTA Ryutaro
MF: SUZUKI Toichi, SEKO Ayumu, FUKUOKA Shimpei, KUBO Takefusa, KIDA Hinata, NARUSE Shumpei
FW: YAMAYA Yushi, TANAHASHI Akito

3rd Members
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: FUKUSHIMA Hayato, KUDO Aoi, NARUSE Shumpei, SHINOTSUKA Aiki, FUKUOKA Shimpei
MF: SUZUKI Toichi, SEKO Ayumu, KUBO Takefusa, KANEKO Kazuki, IMOTO Kanji
FW: YAMAYA Yushi, MIYASHIRO Taisei, TANAHASHI Akito

Non-registered members (suspension, injury)
GK: TAKADA Yuma
DF: TAKADA Yuma, WAKATSUKI Teru
MF: SUGAWARA Yukinari

Match Report

The U-15 Japan National Team held a friendly consisting of three 30-minute playing periods against the U-18 PPLPD School of Athletics, the local high school team in Bogor Regency on the last day of their Indonesia tour. Japan pressed the opponent fiercely from the first period just like yesterday’s match. After five minute, TANAHASHI Akito, struck the opener, coordinating superbly with the midfielders. In the ninth minute, MIYASHIRO Taisei, who received the ball on the right wing, finished with an excellent long-distance shot to add Japan’s second goal. The bench continued to shout, supporting and encouraging the players on the pitch when they were close to the ball or when they needed to take on fluid. Japan continued to attack, and after 23 minute, TANAHASHI Akito got through the opponent and scored their third goal.

In the second period, although the opponent pressed Japan, who seemed to be a little tired, FUKUSHIMA Hayato used his body to prevent the opponent from scoring. In the last period, Japan intercepted well as they had intended and initiated their attack from the second line, which let them regain their pace. In the 74th minute and in the 84th minute, KUBO Takefusa and SUZUKI Toichi consecutively scored through penalty kicks from the opponent, who looked run down. Then just before the last whistle, MIYASHIRO Taisei added some insurance with a further goal. Japan continued to concentrate on keeping a clean sheet and won the game 6-0, finishing their Indonesia tour with a victory.

Players’ Comments

TANI Kosei(Gamba Osaka Junior Youth)
I’m glad we finished our tour with a good victory. Every player concentrated on playing to win just like yesterday and we played better in our defence coordination. I think we gradually become more united. Whoever is on the pitch, the defensive midfielder would run back at full stretch in order to intercept any possible through passes, which was a great reassurance to me as a goalkeeper. As my strength is to deal with the high ball and to switch swiftly, I’d like to continue practicing that when I’m back in my club team. I’ll practice hard to be able to play internationally. 　

SEKO Ayumu (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I learned a lot during my first tour with the national team. I was really frustrated because we lost our first game, but I learned that we had to improve the quality of our passes despite the condition of the pitches. As I didn’t want to lose physically, when I was at centre back, I stayed very competitive when receiving long-distance balls and playing close to the ball. I got used to the Asian environment off the pitch as well. I’d like to remain inspired when I’m back with my team and become an international player as soon as possible.

KUBO Takefusa (FC Barcelona/Spain)
I enjoyed myself and learned a lot playing for the national team for the first time. I’m very proud that I was chosen. I’d like to become a professional player soon and contribute to the national team in the World Cup. During the Indonesia tour, I found that I needed to improve my physicality and running power. Unlike in the case of Spain, we tend to use lengthwise long-distance balls in the games in Asia, and we need to stay accurate to pass or run a lot despite the condition of the pitches. So I’d like to practice hard. I learned a lot from the staff and my teammates. I want to play with them again. As my strength is dribbling lengthwise and playing one-on-one, I’d like to practice to strengthen them even more.

Schedule

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

Future Schedule