Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament 2015 vs U-15 Netherlands National Team
2015-10-31 (Sat.) - 14:00   Playing Time: 80min. (40min.×2)
Complexe Sportif Philippe De Dieuleveut (Paris suburbs, France)

U-15 Japan National Team   0-3 (0-2, 0-1)   U-15 Netherlands National Team

Scores
31'   Goal against (U-15 Netherlands National Team)
40+1'   Goal against (U-15 Netherlands National Team)
62'   Goal against (U-15 Netherlands National Team)

1st
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: KOBAYASHI Yuki, SUGAWARA Yukinari, IWAI Ryuji, NOZUE Satoru
MF: KIDA Hinata, FUKUOKA Shimpei, NAKAMURA Keito, SUZUKI Toichi
FW: YAMADA Hiroto, TANAHASHI Akito

2nd
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: KOBAYASHI Yuki, SUGAWARA Yukinari, IWAI Ryuji, NOZUE Satoru
MF: KIDA Hinata, FUKUOKA Shimpei, NAKAMURA Keito, KUBO Takefusa
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei, TANAHASHI Akito

Substitutes
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, KATSURA Rikuto
MF: KOZUKI Soichiro, KUBO Takefusa
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei

HT   SUZUKI Toichi → KUBO Takefusa
HT   YAMADA Hiroto → MIYASHIRO Taisei
61'   TANAHASHI Akito → KATSURA Rikuto
61'   IWAI Ryuji → KIKUCHI Kenta

Match Report

"00JAPAN", U-15 Japan National Team, lost to the U-15 Netherlands National Team 3-0 in the third game of the Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament 2015 on 31 october. The team could not achieve their first championship title.

Although Japan had built up positive momentum by winning two consecutive games, the players struggled against the Netherlands’s long-distance balls from the beginning of the match due to their tiredness. After eight minutes, the Netherlands took a shot, only for it to go slightly wide. The midfielder NAKAMURA Keito had a goal-scoring opportunity in the 18th minute, and the forward TANAHASHI Akito in the 29th minute, but none of them could find the back of the net. 

While Japan were struggling to score, the Netherlands got through two of Japanese defenders on the left side and struck a strong goal in the 31st minute. Then after one minute in injury time, Japan conceded another goal from a tight angle through a corner kick. The match went into the second half at 2-0. 

Japan, who were strongly encouraged by the coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro during the halftime break, took the initiative at the beginning of the second half by changing the sides and passing the ball around in a coordinated way. Although Nakamura created goal-scoring opportunities in the 48th and 52nd minute, the Dutch goalkeeper punched them away superbly. The Netherlands started to intercept more often just like the first half through 1-on-1 and competition in the air.

Then after 62 minutes, the Netherlands passed a loose ball from Japan’s careless passing mistake in front of goal to the centre, slotting the ball into the goal to score their third goal. In the 69th minute, the goalkeeper OUCHI Issei narrowly saved a strong long-distance ball. Japan were eager to attack back.

In the 77th minute, Japan passed the ball around in the centre, and the defender SUGAWARA Yukinari faced the goalkeeper 1-on-1. However, the shot went just wide. The score stayed at 3-0 and Japan finished the championship with two wins and one loss.

U-15 France National Team beat the U-15 England National Team 3-0. Unfortunately, Japan ended up in second place on goal difference. Japan earned the "fair play award" of the championship.

* "00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-15 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

FW #9  KUBO Takefusa (F.C. Tokyo U-15 Musashi)
I wasn’t satisfied with our performance in the match at all, including the way we started the game. I came off the bench in the second half and tried to impact the game, by playing closely to the ball as much as possible. I’m really frustrated I couldn’t get a good result. We should improve the quality of our forward passing and also support each other more. As we had an excellent opportunity to play against strong teams in Europe, I’d like to bring what I learned during the tour back to my team and improve myself, taking my football to new levels.

MF #10  FUKUOKA Shimpei (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15)
We didn’t start the first half well and couldn’t react to long-distance balls well. In terms of attack, as the distance between the players was too great, not being able to support each other, it was difficult to get shots away. Personally, I wasn’t competitive enough near the ball.

I’ll practice more everyday in order to become stronger near the ball, keep possession in a careful manner, and stay ambitious for goals with better skills. As a captain, I’d like to lead the team to win tomorrow’s training match by playing as a united team despite our fatigue.

DF #16  IWAI Ryuji (Yokohama F Marinos Junior Youth)
We struggled against the opponent’s attack with long-distance balls. We conceded goals from our own mistakes. Personally, I could get through to the space behind the defenders whenever our defensive midfielder or centre back received the ball. Having said that, the timing of passing as well as the space and the speed were not right, which I’d like to continue working on.

I believe this team can run and think in play more than our opponents, even when they are strong teams. Tomorrow’s game will be the last one on this tour. So I’d like to show what I learned during this tour.

Schedule

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

Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament

Four coutries of England, France, Netherlands and Japan will play a round-robin.