U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 JAPAN 2nd Match
2015-6-26 (Fri.) -14:30  Playing time: 90min. (45min. x 2)
J-GREEN SAKAI (Sakai City, Osaka)

U-16 Japan National Team  2-0 (1st 1-0、2nd 1-0)  U-16 Chile National Team

Score
37'   FUJIMOTO Kanya (Japan)
55'   NAKAJIMA Motohiko (Japan)

Line-ups
GK: OKI Yuya
DF: MIZUTA Kazuma, HASHIOKA Daiki, SHIOZAKI Yuji, TANAKA Kosuke
MF: SHINADA Manato, SAITO Mitsuki, ARAI Hikaru, FUJIMOTO Kanya
FW: NAKAJIMA Motohiko, KATO Takumi

Substitutes
GK: OSAKO Keisuke
DF: NISHIYAMA Taiga, NAKAYA Yuki
MF: ITO Hiroki, HORI Kenta, YOSHIDA Ayumi
FW: NAKAMURA Shunta

HT   SHIOZAKI Yuji → NISHIYAMA Taiga
HT   MIZUTA Kazuma → HORI Kenta
HT   ARAI Hikaru → ITO Hiroki
HT   KATO Takumi → NAKAMURA Shunta
63'   FUJIMOTO Kanya → YOSHIDA Ayumi
80'   TANAKA Kosuke → NAKAYA Yuki

Match Report

The U-16 Japan National Team met Chile for their second match in the U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 JAPAN Presented by JFA.

At the beginning of the game, Japan came under pressure from Chile’s swift change between attack and defence, and their aiming at the space behind the defenders. Japan’s defenders, who formed around HASHIOKA Daiki, gradually picked up their pace to prevent the opponent from creating any goal-scoring opportunities. Although SHINADA Manato faced a one-on-one in front of the goal and TANAKA Kosuke took a long-distance shot that went very close, they were saved superbly by the goalkeeper. 

Japan could not find the back of the net. Towards the end of the first half, the opponent started to show signs of tiredness. Japan continued their attack and after the 37th minute, FUJIMOTO Kanya, who received a loose ball from KATO Takumi in front of the goal, slotted it into the net, and got the opener.

In the second half, both teams played aggressively on one-on-ones or near the ball. Then Japan scored from the left side, where they kept creating goal-scoring opportunities. In the 55th minute, HORI Kenta and Tanaka passed the ball between them smoothly, getting through the left side to pass a cross, and NAKAJIMA Motohiko, who faced around, struck an excellent one-touch goal. Japan kept their concentration on defence until the last whistle and won the match 2-0.

Japan will play their last match against France on 28 June to decide the champions of the Cup.

Players' Comments 

FUJIMOTO Kanya (Tokyo Verdy Youth)
As we expected that the opponent would play aggressively from the first half, we competed in running to move the ball from side to side, which gradually made the opponent tired. That was one of the reasons for our victory. I tried to stay in the centre and use my strength – shots, touching the ball, and through passes. By succeeding at this, I got some confidence.

I found some issues – the accuracy of passes in front of the goal and the skill needed to steal the ball. I’d like to practice every day. I’ll play even harder in the match the day after tomorrow, so that we can win the championship.

ITO Hiroki (Jubilo Iwata U-18)
I came off the bench in the second half, hoping to have an impact on the game. So I focused on running when my team were struggling, and moving the ball around rhythmically in attack. Although I tried to pass the ball to pick our pace at the end of the game, it didn’t work well. I’d like to share this issue with my teammates to improve before the coming match.

Personally, I could steal the ball aggressively and got through to the centre to pass it effectively towards the front line. Having said that, I need to focus more on long-distance shots and to improve my positioning when the opponent attacks from the wings. As we drew with the U-16 France national team last year in the U-16 International Friendly Tournament in Val-de-Marne 2014, I’d like to win this time.

OKI Yuya (Kashima Antlers Youth)
We kept a clean sheet to win, which brought an even better atmosphere to our team. I’m pleased that all of us managed to compete well in playing near the ball and running, and to acclimatise the weather and the condition of the pitch.

Personally, there remains much room for improvement in terms of the accuracy of passes, the timing of moving forward, and the way we stay vocal. I still felt some gaps between the world and us. In the last game, I’d like to focus on not only winning as a united team, but also keeping a clean sheet.

ARAI Hikaru (AC Nagano Parceiro U-18)
I’m very pleased that we won the game, which was essential for us. Personally, I need to move toward the centre to move the ball around more and to improve the accuracy of my shots. Having said that, since I got to know the movements of my teammates gradually, we succeeded in some combination plays from the sides, which was one of our achievements. I’d like to win the last game as a team and also to find out how to improve myself even more by playing against teams that I can’t usually meet.

NAKAMURA Shunta (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
All of us tried so hard in defence and won the game against a strong aggressive team today, which brought us some confidence. Having said that, I really wanted to score a goal, and I should have struck a goal with my opportunity, which is something I have to improve. In the last match, I’d like to score myself to win the championships.

HORI Kenta (Yokohama F-Marinos Youth)
We could change our attacking rhythm depending of the time of the game, which was different from our first match. We have to improve more on our physical aspects, including movement into the space behind the defenders. As there is a good atmosphere around the team, I’d like to win our last match as a united team with pride for the national team.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

U-16 Costa Rica National Team vs. U-16 France National Team - Highlights

Schedule

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

U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 JAPAN Presented by JFA

Wed. 24 June - Sun. 28 June 2015
J-GREEN Sakai, Kincho Stadium (Osaka)　*Admission Free

More information

Future Schedule