SUWON JS CUP 1st Match vs U-19 France National Team
2016-5-18 (Wed.) - 17:15   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Suwon World Cup Stadium (Korea Republic/SUWON)

U-19 France National Team   3-1 (3-1, 0-0)   U-19 Japan National Team

Scores
7'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
14'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
25'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
39'   KAKITA Yuki (U-19 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: KOJIMA Masaya, OMINAMI Takuma, MACHIDA Koki, FUNAKI Kakeru
MF: TAKAGI Akito, SAKAI Daisuke, NAKAYAMA Yuta, ENDO Keita
FW: DOAN Ritsu, KAKITA Yuki

Substitutes
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: YANAGI Takahiro, NODA Hiroki
MF: SATO Ryo, KAMIYA Yuta, ICHIMARU Mizuki, ITO Ryotaro
FW: WADA Masashi, NAKAMURA Shunta

HT   KOJIMA Masaya → KAMIYA Yuta
HT   KAKITA Yuki → NAKAMURA Shunta
70'   TAKAGI Akito → ITO Ryotaro

Match Report

The U-19 Japan National Team met the U-19 France team for the first match of the Suwon JS Cup. Although Japan applied pressed up front against a strong opponent, stealing the ball to initiate attacks, France intercepted the ball from Japan’s passing mistake, and got through the centre to strike the opener in the seventh minute. After 14 minutes, France’s long-distance throw went closer to Japan’s goal. Despite the fact that Japan defended it once, France reacted to a loose ball and scored another, building a two-goal lead.

In the 25th minute, after sending a cross from the right side, the opponent’s forward received the ball in front of the goal due to Japanese defenders’ error in decision-making. He faced the goalkeeper 1-on-1 and calmly struck a goal. Japan had conceded three goals early in the game.

After 39 minutes, however, Japan moved the ball around on the right side and sent across a pass. DOAN, who ran towards some free space to receive the ball, dribbled up to the goal and passed it to KAKITA Yuki. Kakita fired a shot with his right foot to close the gap to two goals before halftime. 

Japan found some momentum in the second half. In the 64th minute, after the opponent defended with a handball in the penalty area, the team earned a penalty kick. The captain SAKAI Daisuke kicked the ball straight to the centre of the goal, only for it to be determinedly saved by the opponent’s goalkeeper. Japan could not find the back of the net.

Though Japan continued to take the initiative, getting through towards the opponent’s goal with one or two-touch passes, the team could not add any more goals against France’s solid defence. Japan lost their vital first game 3-1.

Japan will meet the U-19 Brazil National Team on Friday 20 May for the second game.

Players' Comments

DF #4  MACHIDA Koki (Kashima Antlers)
We conceded a few goals in a row at the beginning of today’s match and let the opponent take the initiative. Towards the end of the first half, however, we kept possession to initiate attacks. 

Having said that, I saw the difference between the international teams and us – France scored with one opportunity, while Japan couldn’t find the back of the net despite chances. I found that I needed to improve my reaction to quick forwards and the coordination between defence and the forwards. I’d like to get good results by playing as a united team in the remaining two games against excellent opponents. 

MF #18  ENDO Keita (Yokohama F・Marinos)
We played against an excellent opponent, France, in which we saw a technical gap and physical differences. I learned that I must improve what I can and enhance the accuracy of plays to contribute to goals despite those differences. I’ll refresh myself in preparation for the coming game against Brazil.

MF #14  TAKAGI Akito (Gamba Osaka)
France, one of the strongest team, was an excellent opponent for the team as well as for myself. We conceded a goal shortly after the kick-off due to our own mistake. Then we conceded two more, because we couldn’t reset and fix ourselves in time. It was such a shame. 

As the time passed, we gradually picked up our pace. Although I’d like to point out that we scored one goal, we couldn’t close the gap any more despite some goal-scoring opportunities in the second half. It’s very frustrating. I do not want to lose a game ever again. I’m determined to play hard as a team to earn a victory against Brazil. 

GK #1  KOJIMA Ryosuke (Waseda University)
I faced today’s match, looking for a good result and performance for the future. We couldn’t pick up our pace at the beginning of the game and conceded consecutive goals. We couldn’t initiate attacks in our way and had to play patiently.

In the second half, however, we created some goal-scoring opportunities. I think the reason for consecutive losses was not being able to refresh ourselves quickly after something went wrong. I’d like to fix our problems as a member of the team. I’ll get prepared as an individual and as part of a team, so that we can perform better to get good results in the coming two games. 

Schedule

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