The Japan Beach Soccer National Team played their second international friendlies against Tahiti on 18 September. Temporary rains stopped the game and a total of about 500 spectators enjoyed it while a stadium DJ cooked them with good-tempo music.

Japan made a circle to elevate their concentration before getting in the game. After holding Tahiti’s attacks early on, Japan initiated their own offence by robbing the ball and passing to captain MOREIRA Ozu, who in turn threatened their goal with an over-head shot. On the other hand, Tahiti’s Daniel Teva ZAVERONI fired a shot from far, but Japan didn’t give up a goal and the two sides ended the first period 0-0.

Japan maintained their concentration in the second period, defending solidly against Tahiti’s attack. Then in the 21st minute, Japan goalkeeper KAWAI Yusuke threw a high feed into the right side, and OBA Takaaki launched a shot being surrounded by two defenders. It hit the goal post, but AKAGUMA Takuya put the deflected ball into the net and striked an opener for Japan. Goalkeeper Kawai fed another accurate ball to TABATA Teruki, who scored the second goal to extend their lead.

In the final period, goalkeeper Kawai showed a spectacular one-handed save by the opponents’ shot and the whole team held Tahiti's offence from scoring. Surviving the tough times, Japan gained some chances. In the 26th minute, Japan earned a long-range free kick. Oba kicked a blazing shot into the net, after making a bounce right in front of the goal, stretching their lead. Two minutes later, Tabata scored his second of the day to give Japan a four-goal advantage.

Tahiti player-coach Zaveroni commented prior to the game that ‘his team was going to show their real strength’. In the 30th minute, Heimanu TAIARUI scored a goal with an over-head shot. Japan, who played focusing on protecting their goal against the physically-superior Tahiti, defended tenaciously using their bodies effectively. In the 36th minute, Moreira dribbled up the left side and was fouled by Zaveroni, drawing a yellow card. Moreira capitalized on this opportunity scoring to extend their lead to 5-1.

With only few minutes left, Japan goalkeeper TERUKINA Shingo blocked a free kick of Tahiti with his face. Moments later, the final whistle was blown and Japan won 5-1. They swept the two-game series against Tahiti who have finished runner-up in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Japan will compete in the Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam looking to climb for the summit of Asia.

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Coach's and Players' Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Coach (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
I’m glad that we won playing as we intended, while accumulating important experience by playing against the tough opponents. Before an international tournament, you’ve got to play against potent opponents to test your players. Our players understood that well and practiced, so they were able to play at their best in the short time.

We have about a week to prepare for the Asian Beach Games. We are going to fix our issues that we found in these international friendlies and aim at winning the championship.

FP＃7 TABATA Teruki (Tokyo Lequios BS)
Each one of us has worked hard to raise their football to the next level. My first goal was something we’d practiced. I’m glad we scored as we intended. After yesterday’s game, we refreshed our mind and understood the things that needed to be done. In today’s game, we played keeping our focus from the beginning until the end. I believe that is why we got the desired result. As we’ve posted two straight wins, competing well against the top-level players, we should be able to get into the upcoming games with confidence. We would like to return to the country with the championship of the Asian Beach Games.

FP＃8 OBA Takaaki (Dorsole Kitakyushu)
Regarding the score from the free kick, I tried to hit the target and make a bounce before their goalkeeper. It bounced higher than I thought and I was surprised. Ever since we heard that we would play against Tahiti, who have world-class power, I’ve been thinking about how we should practice and get ready for the two games against them. Winning consecutive matches, it gave me confidence. While improving my defence, I would like to showcase my strength in offence, such as scoring from dribbling, more constantly.

Heimanu TAIARUI (Tahiti Beach Soccer National Team)
It’s our playing style to compete until the end. Even after we got a big deficit, we were able to keep fighting with tough mind-set. We came in Japan after a European trip, so it was a little tough to tune up our condition. However, this could only be an excuse. Towards the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, we are scheduled to play a lot of games. We believe that gaining experiences by playing many games, while squaring off against variety of opponents, will be the best preparations for us going into the tournament.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

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

International Friendly Match

Japan Beach Soccer National Team vs Tahiti Beach Soccer National Team
Hyogo Prefecture／Akashi Okura Beach [Free]

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