AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016 Group Stage 3rd vs U-19 Qatar National Team
2016-10-20 (Thu.)- 16:30 Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Bahrain National Stadium (Manama/Bahrain)

U-19 Qatar National Team　0-3（0-2, 0-1）U-19 Japan National Team

Scores
14'　IWASAKI Yuto（U-19 Japan National Team）
45'　MIYOSHI Koji（U-19 Japan National Team）
62'　TOMIYASU Takehiro（U-19 Japan National Team）

Line-ups
GK：KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF：FUJITANI So, TOMIYASU Takehiro, NAKAYAMA Yuta, FUNAKI Kakeru
MF：DOAN Ritsu, ICHIMARU Mizuki, SAKAI Daisuke, MIYOSHI Koji
FW：OGAWA Koki, IWASAKI Yuto

Substitutions
GK：HIROSUE Riku, WAKAHARA Tomoya
DF：HATSUSE Ryo, ITAKURA Kou, MACHIDA Koki, IWATA Tomoki
MF：ENDO Keita, NAGANUMA Yoichi, HARA Teruki, KAMIYA Yuta
FW：NAKAMURA Shunta, KISHIMOTO Takeru

62'　SAKAI Daisuke→ HARA Teruki
62'　DOAN Ritsu → ENDO Keita
75'　OGAWA Koki → KISHIMOTO Takeru

Match Report

The U-19 Japan National Team played the last match of the group stage in the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016 against U-19 Qatar, who had the same number of points with one win and one draw. Both teams were playing to get through the group stage. 

Japan aggressively went close to Qatar’s goal from the beginning of the game, trying to take the early initiative, and struck the opener in the 14th minute. Midfielder MIYOSHI Koji (Kawasaki Frontale) sent a long-distance ball from the halfway line to the space behind the opponents’ defensive line, to which Qatar’s defender failed to react. Then, forward OGAWA Koki (Jubilo Iwata) pressed the opponents up front. Although the goalkeeper reacted well to deny the initial scoring attempt, forward IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Tachibana High School) found the loose ball and slotted the ball into the back of the net, striking his second opener of the championship.

Japan were on the hunt for more goals. In the 29th minute, defender NAKAYAMA Yuta (Kashiwa Reysol), who reacted to a corner kick, headed home. However, the goal was ruled offside. Japan struggled against the opponents’ fierce attack after this ruling, but the team stayed focused, not giving away any momentum. Just before halftime, when a Japanese corner kick was cleared by an opposing defender, Miyoshi reacted to it by firing a surprising mid-range shot into the net outside of the penalty area. The game went into the second half at 2-0.

In the second half, Qatar, who were two goals behind, fiercely attacked back. However, Japan defended solidly and did not let the opponents to cut their lead. After 62 minutes, although Ogawa’s header from a corner kick hit the goalpost, defender TOMIYASU Takehiro (Avispa Fukuoka) reacted to a loose ball to score a goal with his left foot, stretching their advantage to 3-0. Japan substituted several players to maintain their momentum and stayed determined to score more goals. However, despite having numerous opportunities, they failed to add to the scoreline. The match ended with a compelling 3-0 victory for Japan.

Japan topped their group and will meet the team in second place of Group D for the quarterfinal on Monday 24 October. If Japan win this quarterfinal, they will book a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Players' Comments

DF #19  FUNAKI Kakeru (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I was determined to win today’s game. It was great to strike the opener at the beginning of the match, as we surely needed one to take the initiative of the match. We managed to keep a clean sheet, even when we struggled against the opponents’ fierce attacks. I believe winning this contest will take us to the next level. Personally, I focused on contributing to attacks, but I wasn’t directly involved in any goals in today’s game. So, I’d like to work harder in the coming matches. Since the next game will be vital, we need to believe in ourselves and have a strong determination to win the match and earn a spot in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

MF #8  MIYOSHI Koji (Kawasaki Frontale)
As we would get through the group stage with today’s victory, all of us played with a strong determination to win. We struck the opener early on, which allowed us to play calmly. Keeping a clean sheet until the end brought us some confidence for the coming matches. Personally, I was able to build up positive momentum for the quarterfinal by scoring a goal. With three days before the next game, I’d like to review today’s match to prepare well for the next one. I’d like to make sure we book a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

DF #5  TOMIYASU Takehiro (Avispa Fukuoka)
After playing all three group-stage games, including today’s one against Qatar, we succeeded in topping the group to advance to the next stage. Having said that, it’s just the beginning. So, we’d like to focus our next game as if we were starting the new tournament and compete in the quarterfinal. Personally, although I played all three group-stage games, I wasn’t satisfied with my performance at all. I’ll aim to defend better, not letting the opponents get any goal-scoring opportunities. We’ll play harder as a united team, so that we can book a ticket for the global stage.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*The Championship's top four ranked teams will then fly the Asian flag at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017. If Korea Republic, the hosting country of 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, advances to the semifinals, the playoff matches will be held deciding the fifth place among the four losing teams in the quarterfinals.

AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016

2016-10-13(Thu.)-2016-10-30(Sun.)
More Information