5th Asian Beach Games   Quarterfinal vs UAE Beach Soccer National Team
2016-9-29 (Thu.) - 14:30 (Local Time) Playing Time: 12min×3
Asian Beach Games Beach Soccer Court 2 (Danang/Vietnam)

Japan Beach Soccer National Team 6-2（1st 1-1, 2nd 3-1, 3rd 2-0）UAE Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
1'　OBA Takaaki（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
11'　goal against（UAE Beach Soccer National Team）
19'　goal against（UAE Beach Soccer National Team）
19'　MOREIRA Ozu（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
21'　TABATA Teruki（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
23'　AKAGUMA Takuya（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
32'　HARAGUCHI Shotaro（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
34'　GOTO Takasuke（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）

Line-ups
GK：TERUKINA Shingo
FP：MOREIRA Ozu、TABATA Teruki、OBA Takaaki、GOTO Takasuke

Substitutions
GK：KAWAI Yusuke
FP：HARAGUCHI Shotaro、NAKAHARA Yuki、MATSUO Naoya、AKAGUMA Takuya

Match Report

On 29 September, the Japan Beach Soccer National Team, who is competing in the Asian Beach Games, has won the quarterfinal match against the UAE (United Arab Emirates) Beach Soccer National Team 6-2.

Under the scorching sun just like the previous matches, Japan kick off with their ball at 2:30 p.m. The game moved right after it started.

GOTO Takasuke, picking up the loose ball after the kick-off shot, crossed it to OBA Takaaki in front of the goal. He, then, slotted the ball into the net, scoring the opener for Japan.

After the goal, both teams had many goal scoring chances, but both goalkeepers protected their goals well. The scoreline remained unchanged at 1-0.

The game stayed in the balance until the closing minutes of the first period, where the UAE scored successfully from a distanced overhead shot. The teams entered the break tied at 1-1. 

In the second period, both teams continued to create many scoring opportunities. The game did not move in the opening minutes, but in the 7th minute, the UAE player changed the direction of the long shot right in front of the Japanese goal and found the net. The UAE turned the game around 1-2.

However, right after that goal, MOREIRA Ozu smashed a kick-off shot which directly went into net. Japan immediately equalised the game.

In the 9th minute, TABATA Teruki, who received a long pass from HARAGUCHI Shotaro in front of the goal, struck home with a header, taking back the lead 3-2. Further, just before the end of the period, AKAGUMA Takuya scored directly from a free kick. The second period ended 4-2. 

Japan gradually took control by making many chances from combination plays in the third period.

On the other hand, the UAE actively took shots from distance but Japan’s goalkeeper KAWAI Yusuke didn’t allow any goals from them. 

In the 32nd minute, Japan’s Haraguchi, being brought down inside the penalty box, earned a spot kick, where he calmly scored the team’s 5th goal. In the 34th minute, NAKAHARA Yuki stole the ball by swiftly pressuring the opponents and passed it to Goto, who successfully smashed a shot into the net, extending the lead to 6-2. After this shot, Japan continued to take control and manage the game well until the end of the match. Japan won the quarterfinal 6-2.

Japan has gone through to the semifinal for the second consecutive time. In the previous tournament, Japan got the silver medal. The semifinal match against Lebanon Beach Soccer National Team will kick off at 2:30 pm on 30 September at the First Official Pitch of the Asian Beach Games. 

Coach's and Players' Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Coach
This quarterfinal was not an easy match for us. In the first period, we had stretches where we were pressured, but we were fortunate that we struck first. We allowed China to turn the game around in the second period, but we kept our composure, and eventually we regained the lead. I am proud about my players for coming through this tough match today. We will play against Lebanon in the semifinal. I expect it to be another difficult match, so we will play with courage and go through to the final. 

GK #2 KAWAI Yusuke (Sol Mar Praia)
Before the must-win match today, our captain encouraged us by saying ‘let us take the Gold Medal back to Japan’, and we were able to pull ourselves together and focus on the game. We sensed the right amount of tension going into the match.

When the team was struggling, I entered as a substitute and I think I was able to change the tempo of the match. Winning the game today will bring us some confidence, but we shouldn’t get overconfident. We will work hard and give our best, working together as a team. We want to win the semifinal tomorrow for the supporters who came all the way to see us here.

FP #9 AKAGUMA Takuya (Dorsole Kitakyushu)
I really wanted to win this match for coach Marcelo, who used to coach for the UAE, and also since I have never won against them. Avenging the previous loss, we were able to win the match 6-2. But the most important thing was that we played as a united team and got the win. We have some issues so we need to correct them before the semifinal tomorrow. We will make the best preparation possible in order for us to win the match and advance to the final.

Schedule

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

5th Asian Beach Games (2016/Danang)

2016-9-25(Sun.)～2016-10-2(Sun.)
More Information