Friendly Match vs U-16 Oman National Team
2016-7-17 (Sun.) - 19:15   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (Muscat/Oman)

U-16 Japan National Team   2-2 (1-0, 1-2)   U-16 Oman National Team

Scores
21'   TANAHASHI Akito (U-16 Japan National Team)
62'   Goal against (U-16 Oman National Team)
76'   Goal against (U-16 Oman National Team)
90+1'   NAKAMURA Keito (U-16 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, SEKIGAWA Ikuma, FUJII Haruya, KIKUCHI Kenta
MF: KOKUBU Ryuji, SEHATA Gijo, HIRAKAWA Rei, KIDA Hinata
FW: TANAHASHI Akito, KUBO Takefusa

Substitutes
GK: AOKI Kokoro
DF: KEMMOTSU Takumu, KATSURA Rikuto
MF: KUMASAWA Kazuki, TSUNO Ayase
FW: NAKAMURA Keito, IZUMI Toya

22'   KIDA Hinata → NAKAMURA Keito
HT   SEHATA Gijo → KUMASAWA Kazuki
HT   FUJII Haruya → KATSURA Rikuto
69'   KOKUBU Ryuji → TSUNO Ayase
78'   TANAHASHI Akito → KEMMOTSU Takumu

Match Report

The U-16 Japan National Team, ’00 JAPAN’, played the third game of the tour once again against the U-16 Oman National Team on Friday 17 July, which was their final international friendly before the AFC U-16 Championship 2016 in India. Japan drew the match 2-2.

Both teams started the game with real determination, attacking and defending fiercely. After one minute, the forward TANAHASHI Akito, who reacted to a superb through ball from the midfielder KIDA Hinata, faced the goalkeeper 1-on-1. However, TANAHASHI could not find the back of the net due to an excellent save. Soon after, the opponents almost got through on goal from a counter-attack, but the defender KIKUCHI Kenta managed to block the opponent’s shot with a sliding tackle. 

In the 6th minute, from the space on the right wing, the opponents curled a superb cross into the box, but the diving-header attempt went wide. The frenetic attack and defence calmed, and Japan started to create goal-scoring opportunities, using effective forward passes. 

In the 21st minute, the forward KUBO Takefusa, who received the ball from the defender SEKIGAWA Ikuma, smoothly sent a pass to the forward TANAHASHI Akito. Facing the goalkeeper 1-on-1, TANAHASHI calmly struck the opener. In the 28th minute, the forward NAKAMURA Keito reacted to a cross from KIKUCHI and found the back of the net. However, it was disallowed for offside. Japan lead 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, the opponents fiercely counter-attacked from the beginning, effectively using the quick players up front. Japan had to stay resilient against an overwhelming attack. In the 62nd minute, although the goalkeeper TANI Kosei punched away a free kick, the opponents reacted to a loose ball to score the equaliser. Then, in the 76th minute, the opponents sent a quick pass to the space behind the defenders and fired a shot into the net, turning the match around.

Japan never gave up and fought back. From the swift ball movement among the attacking players, they created goal-scoring opportunities. In the 88th minute, KUBO got through on goal, only for it to be saved by the Omani goalkeeper. In the 1st minute of injury time, the midfielder TSUNO Ayase, who came off the bench, forcefully dribbled down the right flank to initiate an attack. NAKAMURA reacted to a loose ball, and managed to slot it into the goal, levelling the game. The match ended at 2-2, which gave Japan one victory and two draws at the end of this Oman tour. 

During this trip, Japan have learned how tough teams from the Middle East, probable opponent in the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, can be.

With only two months to go before the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, the players will meet up again for the training camp in Kagoshima at the end of August after the summer championship. The players and the staff of the U-16 Japan National Team, ’00 JAPAN’, are getting ready for tough games in the coming AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. 

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

Players' Comments

TANI Kosei (Gamba Osaka Youth)
To be honest, I was relieved that it wasn’t a real match in the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. We conceded a goal, partly due to my mistake, which was really frustrating. My weaknesses were exposed in these matches. I need to keep my concentration for the entire match and increase the amount and quality of communication with my teammates. There are many things to work on. I need to take intiative and practice hard once I get back to my club, in order for us to win the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. I won’t forget the toughness of the Middle Eastern teams. I hope to improve in every aspect of the game, including risk management, communication, positioning in defence, and judgement. I’ll see what I can do in preparation for the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 in September.

SUGAWARA Yukinari (Nagoya Grampus U18)
It’s really frustrating that we couldn’t win the game. Having said that, I’d like to point out that we never gave up and succeeded in levelling the game. As we had been playing the ’00 JAPAN’ style in the last 10 minutes, I was determined to score from our only opportunity in injury time. In terms of attack, I’d like to improve each play, including passing and trapping. As for defence, given that we were badly dispossessed, allowing the opponents to counter-attack, I’d like to work on our risk management. I think we need to create an even better atmosphere with resolve in the team ahead of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. I’d like to become more dependable and make the team stronger in every aspect by communicating with each other.

HIRAKAWA Rei (F.C. Tokyo U-18)
We gave away many opportunities to the opponent through our poor defence and conceded two goals today. In terms of attack, the basics were not solid, and we couldn’t break through with our combinations. We ended up drawing the game. We have learned what we need to improve as individuals and as a team prior to the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. So despite the break from international duties, I’d like to face up to my personal challenge and strengthen my skills in my club team, so that I can contribute to the national squad in the coming championship.

Schedule

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