Super Cup of Nations 2016 vs Brazil Beach Soccer National Team
2016-10-21(Fri.) - 16:30　Playing Time: 12min.×3
Praia do Gonzaga（Brazil/Santos）

Japan Beach Soccer National Team 4-4（1st 0-1, 2nd 1-0, 3rd 3-3、PK1-2）Brazil Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
9'　goal against（Brazil Beach Soccer National Team）
17'　ISO Hiroaki （Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
25'　goal against（Brazil Beach Soccer National Team）
26'　MOREIRA Ozu（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
26'　GOTO Takasuke（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
28'　goal against（Brazil Beach Soccer National Team）
29'　own goal（Japan Beach Soccer National Team）
33'　goal against（Brazil Beach Soccer National Team）

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

Substitutions
GK：KAWAI Yusuke
FP：ISO Hiroaki, HARAGUCHI Shotaro, NAKAHARA Yuki, AKAGUMA Takuya

Match Report

The Japan Beach Soccer National Team, who are participating in the Super Cup of Nations in Santos, São Paulo (Brazil), faced Brazil in their first match of the competition on Friday 21 October.

In this tourney, Brazil, Italy, Mexico and Japan will be competing in a round-robin format, whereby each team will play against every other team once. The number of points will determine the placement of each team, and the team with the highest point will win the competition. They are awarded three points for winning in regulation time, two points for winning in extra time, and a single point for winning in penalty shootouts.

Under the sporadic rain showers, the game saw many local supporters come and cheer for their national team and the hosting country of the competition, Brazil. Japan certainly felt the pressure playing away from home. 

In the first period, the hosting country took control of the match by having better possession of the ball and attacked the Japanese goal. In the 9th minute, Japan gave away a frivolous free kick in the centre of the field, and Brazil successfully converted the placed kick and opened the scoring. After the goal, the South American counterparts continued to pressure the Asian champions with individual skills, but the East Asian side did not concede any additional goals by defending tenaciously, led by their goalkeeper TERUKINA Shingo.

In the second period, Japan defended solidly by putting stronger pressure on the Brazilian field players. As a result, Brazil made more errors than the first period, creating chances for the Asian side to score. In the 5th minute, a much-awaited equaliser came from ISO Hiroaki, whose header changed the course of the shot taken by goalkeeper Terukina and went directly into the net. After the game-tying goal, Japan were able to play more calmly and connect passes. However, both team failed to capitalise on their scoring chances and the contest was tied 1-1 entering the second intermission of the match.

The rapidly changing third period saw both teams scoring goals, but failing to control the match. Japan conceded a goal in the first minute of the final period, but, moments later, MOREIRA Ozu cannoned a long-range shot into the opponents’ net and tied the match. Right after this goal, a Japanese player, GOTO Takasuke, was fouled in front of the Brazilian goal and earned a free kick. He himself successfully scored from the placed kick to take a 3-2 lead. however, in the 4th minute, the South American goalkeeper fired a shot directly into the net and levelled the match.

Then, in the 5th minute, AKAGUMA Takuya, who received the ball near the sideline, broke loose of the defender and send a whipping cross to the centre, where the ball hit the opponent and went directly into the goal. However, the game got in the balance again in the 9th minute, as the home team scored the equaliser from a counter-attack. Both team had scoring chances in the closing minutes of regulation time, but could not find the game-deciding goal. The match went into overtime.

In the three-minute extra time, both teams defended solidly and did not allow the opponents to create good scoring chances. The thrilling match now had to be decided by penalties.

Brazil came on top after the first round of penalty shootouts, as the Japanese kicker failed to convert the spot kick. However, after the second round, the penalty contest was levelled as the Brazilian player missed his placed shot. The close and enticing game came to end after the third round of penalties. After an unsuccessful attempt by the East Asian side, the South American counterpart slotted the shot back into the net. The final score was 6-5 (4-4 in regulation and extra time, 2-1 in penalty shootouts) in favour of Brazil.

Japan will face Italy in their second game at 10:45 on Saturday 22 October.

Coach's and Players' Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Coach
I am very proud of my players. Frankly speaking, what we have accomplished today surprised me; we played brilliantly against the best team in the world. I felt their strong motivation, desire to win, and confidence from the squad members. We lost in penalties, but there is nothing to be ashamed of. We played superbly throughout the entire game. I am confident that the team are making significant improvements competing each game. I cannot wait to see how we play against Italy tomorrow.

FP #11  GOTO Takasuke (Fusion)
Even a close contest (decided by penalty shootouts), a loss is a loss. The result meant everything to me. It was so disappointing, since we were so determined to win and make history. In the game, we had stretches where we were pressured, but also created numerous scoring opportunities. We conceded goals from our errors and failed to score when we had the lead. These are some of issues found in the match today. However, I like to state that we did have a chance to win.

But now, we need to shift our focus to the match tomorrow. We are going to face Italy, against whom we lost in the previous World Cup. I am looking forward to square off against another competitive team, where we can try out new things at the same time enjoy the match.

GK #1  TERUKINA Shingo (Sol Mar Praia)
We played against a better team, and this was a great opportunity for us to figure out where we currently stand. We got crushed by Brazil in March, so we entered to the match with determination to avenge the previous loss. We came up short, but played well against a formidable opponent.

But the problem we have is how we control the game once we take the lead. We need to be creative and find a way to cope against the opponents who pressure us up front. This is not the end of the competition, and we will be facing Italy tomorrow. We need to continue of our hard work and focus on the task ahead of us. We will aim to win the match.

Schedule

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