Training Match vs Fukuoka University
2015-10-27 (Tue.) - 16:00　Playing Time: 80min (40min.×2)
Saga Athletic Stadium

U-22 Japan National Team 0-0 (0-0, 0-0) Fukuoka University

Line-ups
GK: NIEKAWA Ayumi
DF: YAMANAKA Ryosuke, NARA Tatsuki, IWANAMI Takuya, KAMEKAWA Masashi
MF: NOTSUDA Gakuto, KIDA Takuya, ENDO Wataru, SEKINE Takahiro
FW: NAKAJIMA Shoya, MAEDA Naoki

Substitutes
GK:  SUGIMOTO Daichi
DF:  NAKANO Yoshihiro, AKINO Hiroki, NAKATANI Shinnosuke, MUROYA Sei
MF: MISAO Kento, TAMEDA Hirotaka, KAWABE Hayao, HARAKAWA Riki, YAJIMA Shinya
FW: KAMADA Daichi, KANAMORI Takeshi, ARANO Takuma

20'　ENDO Wataru → MISAO Kento
20'　MAEDA Naoki → KAMADA Daichi
HT　NIEKAWA Ayumi → SUGIMOTO Daichi
HT　YAMANAKA Ryosuke → NAKANO Yoshihiro
HT　NARA Tatsuki → AKINO Hiroki
HT　IWANAMI Takuya → NAKATANI Shinnosuke
HT　KAMEKAWA Masashi → MUROYA Sei
HT　KIDA Takuya → HARAKAWA Riki
HT　NOTSUDA Gakuto → KANAMORI Takeshi
HT　NAKAJIMA Shoya → ARANO Takuma
HT　SEKINE Takahiro → YAJIMA Shinya
51'　MISAO Kento → KAWABE Hayao
51'　KAMADA Daichi → TAMEDA Hirotaka

Match Report

The third day of the training camp in Saga saw a practice game between the U-22 Japan National Team short-listed squad and Fukuoka University.

Japan used a 4-4-2 formation to play against a tall opponent. The pitch stayed wet with some puddles due to the rain, which had been falling until just before the kick-off. As the ball did not run smoothly on the pitch, Japan passed it swiftly with a single touch, looking for the areas behind the defenders.

After 11 minutes, the ball was passed from the forward NAKAJIMA Shoya to the midfielder SEKINE Takahiro. The midfielder ENDO Wataru, who ran from behind, took a shot. Unfortunately it went wide. Japan kept making careless mistakes because of the pitch conditions.

In the 20th minute, the forward KAMADA Daichi and the midfielder MISAO Kento came off the bench. Although the forward players, including Nakajima, Sekine, and Kamada, tried some set pieces, they could not find the back of the net. The game went into the second half at 0-0.

In the second half, Japan substituted nine players to try to break the deadlock. Soon after that, the forward ARANO Takuma got through to make a shot, but it missed the goal. The forward KANAMORI Takeshi and Arano continued to attack the space behind the opponent’s defenders aggressively.

Then after 76 minutes, the ball went from the defender NAKANO Yoshihiro on the left wing to Arano and the midfielder TAMEDA Hirotaka, and Kanamori made a shot. However, it also went wide. Although Fukuoka University nearly struck a goal in the 76th minute, Japan managed to defend it. The match ended at 0-0.

The players are to hold normal practice sessions on Wednesday 28 October in preparation for the coming match against Sagan Tosu the following day.

Coach and Players' Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Coach
I wasn’t on the bench today, but watched the game from the stands, so that I could check on the team’s functioning and individual performances. During halftime, I told the players to build the game and to share the understanding of football among the teammates on the pitch to take the lead in the game. I think they could be improved more, but it was a very good 80-minute game (40-minute halves).

In this generation, the players tend to be able to pass the ball around well, but have some problem getting through defenders. Having said that, they showed numerous attempts today to get through to the space behind the defenders. I’d like to point out that they tried well with a single-touch pass. They understand the team’s aim very well, and bring it into the game and into their performances.

Although I can’t grumble, eliminating players to decide the team is becoming really tough for me. I’d like them to try even faster and more aggressive playing style tomorrow. We aim to keep a clean sheet and score goals against a team in J.League Division1.

DF  KAMEKAWA Masashi (Avispa Fukuoka)
I played the game today and stayed very competitive near the ball. The opponent used long-distance balls just like teams in the Middle East, and the pitch condition was quite poor. In the final qualifier, I expect even tougher games. I thought we haven’t got a chance to get through the qualifying round, if we can’t win today. So I’m pleased we kept a clean sheet.

I couldn’t be here without my club team. As Avispa Fukuoka are doing well, I can also play very well. I appreciate my club team a lot, and I’d like to play hard to live up to its name. I’ll display my playing style, thinking of contributing to the team.

Schedule