AFC U-20 Futsal Championship Thailand 2017
Quarter-final vs U-20 Iraq Futsal National Team
22 May 2017 (Mon.) Kick-off 19:00 (Local Time) Playing Time 40 min. (20min. x 2)
Bangkok Futsal Arena (Bangkok, Thailand)

U-20 Japan Futsal National Team　0-1（0-1, 0-0）U-20 Iraq Futsal National Team

Scores
19'　goal against（U-20 Iraq Futsal National Team）

Starting Line-ups
GK：YAMADA Masataka
FP：ISHIDA Kentaro, NAKAMURA Mitsuru, UEMATSU Koto, SHIMIZU Kazuya

Reserves
GK：SAKA Keisuke, IWANAGA Taiki
FP：UCHIDA Shunta, OKABE Naoki, HIGUCHI Takeshi, ITO Keita, OKADA Shokei, YAMADA Jiei, NII Takahito

Match Report

U-20 Japan Futsal National Team squared off against Iraq in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship Thailand 2017 on Monday 22 May.

Despite struggling in the group stage, Japan performed as a united team to finish in second place and advanced to the knockout phase. The young players have become more confident with experience and were now ready to face Iraq in the quarter-finals.

In the early part of the match, Japan’s tactics to defend collectively functioned against the Iraqi side with menacing attacking power scoring 25 goals in the group stage and threatened the Middle Eastern goal off counter-attacks. Furthermore, the Japanese squad substituted their players frequently and created several chances by stringing passes swiftly and breaking through the opponents’ defence, but failed to capitalise on those scoring opportunities and take control of the match. Looked as if the match would enter the break at 0-0, but the game changer came in the 19th minute, when the Iraqi player displayed their strong physicality by stealing the ball in front of the Japanese goal and slotted into the net after evading the challenge of the goalkeeper to take the lead before halftime.

Coach SUZUKI Ryuji encouraged the players during halftime: ‘We will not end our tournament here. We managed to shut out their attacking plays completely. Now it’s up to us. Confidence will be the deciding factor of the game. You’re not competing alone. We are here together. Have confidence. Let’s get it done in the second half.’

Looking to level the match after halftime, Japan found their attacking rhythm just as they did in the first half by defending collectively and shutting out their opponents. SHIMIZU Kazuya led the team’s attack and created numerous chances for the Japanese side, but their scoring attempts were defended superbly by the opposing goalkeeper. In their last-ditch effort, Japan employed a power-play towards the end of the game, but made simple passing errors and lacked the finishing touch to even the scoring until the final whistle.

The young Japanese internationals played courageously and resiliently until the end of the match. Despite showcasing their style of football and putting pressure on the opponents throughout the game, they suffered a bitter defeat at the end and missed out on their chance to play for the semi-finals.

Match Report

Coach and Players Comments

SUZUKI Ryuji, Coach
We’ve been playing tough games since the group stage, but my players carried out their assigned tasks superbly and improved significantly as well. I was very pleased to get through the group stage while observing my players’ growth. They fought courageously against the opponents whose physicality was far superior than what they were accustomed to seeing in Japan. Despite having numerous chances, we failed to score and suffered a bitter defeat. As a coach, I feel responsible that I could not lead the team to the next stage with a win. However, I would like to comment that these young players have huge potential to succeed in the future. I believe they will learn from this experience to take themselves to the next level. Lastly, I am truly grateful to the staff members for all their support, my players for participating and working together as a team in the tournament, and the supporters for all their cheers.

GK #1 SAKA Keisuke (ESPOLADA HOKKAIDO)
Our U-20 Japan Futsal National Team were knocked out in the quarter-finals by losing today’s game to Iraq 1-0. I’m really grateful to the staff members, reserve players MATSUBARA Tomohiro and NITTA Hayate who practiced together until the final training camp, all the fans for their support, and my club team for cheering me up before joining the national team.

We’ve noticed that we have become like a family since the final training camp, and I truly believe we are an excellent team led by our captain SHIMIZU Kazuya. So I feel even more frustrated that we couldn’t win today. I am disappointed that we missed out the chance to win the championship as well. Having said that, we have definitely improved over a short period of time. I will practise hard back in my club team, since I do not wish to feel this way in the future. I hope we can play together again, and make it to the top national team.

FP #7 NAKAMURA Mitsuru (PESCADOLA MACHIDA ASPIRANTE)
Our AFC Championship is over after losing to Iraq. I feel responsible that we conceded a goal and couldn’t turn the game around. I learned how difficult scoring a goal can be as well. I also feel frustrated that we couldn’t end this championship in a better way.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my teammates for sharing the hardships and working hard together, the coach, the staff, and the supporters. Thank you very much. Our Asian campaign is over now, but I will remember this bitter feeling and learn from our experience in this championship to improve myself as a futsal player. I will make a fresh start and work hard again.

FP #11 SHIMIZU Kazuya (FUGADOR SUMIDA)
We lost today’s game 1-0. Our tactics as a team worked really well, but we made small mistakes and allowed the opponents to score. I feel responsible that we couldn’t get better results as a national team. Having said that, we have learned a lot through this championship – the toughness of the qualifiers, the importance of each goal, and the level gap between us and our opponents. Capitalising on these experiences, I will continue to work hard every day. I sincerely appreciate the support we’ve received from the staff, the supporters who came to cheer us in the stands and our fans back in Japan. Thank you for your cheers.

Schedule

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