International Dream Cup 2016 Match 3rd　vs　U-16 Mexico National Team
2016-6-26 (Sun.) - 14:30   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Tottori / Tottori Bird Stadium

U-16 Japan National Team　6-0 (3-0, 3-0)　U-16 Mexico National Team

Scores
14'   TANAHASHI Akito (U-16 Japan National Team)
18'   FUKUOKA Shimpei (U-16 Japan National Team)
35'   NAKAMURA Keito (U-16 Japan National Team)
62'   HIRAKAWA Rei (U-16 Japan National Team)
68'   TANAHASHI Akito (U-16 Japan National Team)
76'   MIYASHIRO Taisei (U-16 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: AOKI Kokoro
DF: HIRAKAWA Rei, SUGAWARA Yukinari, KIDA Hinata
MF: MATSUMOTO Nagi, FUKUOKA Shimpei, KATSURA Rikuto, NARUSE Shuｍpei
FW: TANAHASHI Akito, KUBO Takefusa, NAKAMURA Keito

Substitutes
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, NISHIO Ryuya, KUWAHARA Kaito, KEMMOTSU Takumu
MF: KOZUKI Soichiro
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei

HT   NARUSE Shuｍpei → MIYASHIRO Taisei
HT   AOKI Kokoro → TANI Kosei
64'   KATSURA Rikuto → KOZUKI Soichiro
64'   MATSUMOTO Nagi → NISHIO Ryuya
70'   TANAHASHI Akito → KIKUCHI Kenta
81'   FUKUOKA Shimpei → KUWAHARA Kaito

Match Report

"00 Japan" beat the U-16 Mexico National Team 6-0 in their third and final match of the U-16 International Dream Cup 2016.

Mexico are one of the world's powerhouses as they reached at least a last four spot in the past three FIFA U-17 World Cups. For "00 Japan" who fell to Mali on Friday 24, it is a must-win match. It was a clear and sunny day, and the match kicked off in a great atmosphere filled with cheers from 5,200 spectators.

In the early stage of the match, Japan sought for attacking opportunities with defenders' composed passing moves against opponents putting intense pressure up front. Then in the 14th minute, when forward KUBO Takefusa fired a blast and the goalkeeper parried the shot, forward TANAHASHI Akito picked up a deflection and beat the goalkeeper for the opening goal to help his team get off to a fine start. In the 18th minute, midfielder FUKUOKA Shimpei scored his team's second goal with a dynamic diving header off defender SUGAWARA Yukinari's perfect cross. 

Japan allowed a goal-scoring opportunity in the 29th minute when the opponents got into space behind Japan’s defenders, but defender KIDA Hinata committed himself to keep them from scoring. In the 35th minute, Kubo's dribble was halted, but forward NAKAMURA Keito robbed the ball and took a quick shot for Japan's third goal of the match. Japan dominated the first half with a 3-0 lead.

As soon as the match went on to the second half, the Japanese youngsters went on an offensive surge including Tanahashi's long drive that hit off the cross bar. When Sugawara sent back Kubo's 61st minute corner kick at the far post, defender HIRAKAWA Rei headed home the fourth goal. In the 68th minute, Tanahashi turned around his body well for forward MIYASHIRO Taisei's through ball and netted the fifth goal as his body was going down. Japan's sixth goal came in the 76th minute when Miyashiro worked his way to tap in the ball through a right cross from midfielder KOZUKI Soichiro. Despite Japan's continuous attack, the match finished with the score at 6-0. Japan capped the tournament in second place with two wins and one loss.

Although "00 Japan" fell short to win the title this year, it was a valuable experience for them preparing for the AFC U-16 Championship three months later as the players had serious contests against world's top teams and saw their calibre on the pitch. The team are looking to take advantage of this experience in the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. "00 Japan" have an overseas trip in mid-July to further get ready for the AFC championship.

* "00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

DF #6  KIDA Hinata (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
We couldn't win the title, but I'm glad to finish the tournament with a win. In yesterday's Mali match, we couldn't do anything on both offence and defence, and we actually experienced the world top level. After the loss, we communicated with each other and shared what to improve and how we can change the awareness as a team. In today's match, I was playing at the defensive line and tried to pick up our rhythm with quick passing moves and passes to the front. It was good we scored in different styles. But we still need to improve quality of passes and lessen such mistakes. You can't catch up with the world level unless you change your daily awareness. I will try to work on things to improve what I found here even when I get back to my team.

MF #17  MATSUMOTO Nagi (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I was frustrated because I didn't have so much playing time in the first and second matches. Today I tried to get involved in offence and defence aggressively. What I felt I need to improve were the fact that I couldn't create a rhythm because of my slow passes and also the timing of calling out on positioning and the way to support my teammates. In the 13th Delle Nazioni Tournament in April, we faced top teams and I think I was able to bring out my strength. But this time, the opponents were older and at a very high-level. I want to be always aware of improving individual abilities. 

DF #7  SUGAWARA Yukinari (Nagoya Grampus U18)
Not satisfied with the result from this tournament, I will work hard to catch up with the world level. I played at several different positions. I want to improve quality of every play no matter what position I play at. The loss to Mali reminded me of what to improve, and I strongly felt I won't be a player who I can go neck to neck with good players in the world unless I increase the pace of growing. As a team, we were able to share the factors why we lost and reflections out of the loss. We will grow together with the experience. There are only three month left until the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. I will keep working in daily training.

JFA-TV

M6  U-16 Japan National Team vs U-16 Mexico National Team

Schedule

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

U-16 International Dream Cup 2016 JAPAN Presented by JFA

22 June 2016 - 26 June 2016
Tottori Bird Stadium（Tottori Prefecture）

More information