NSWI Cup First Match vs U-19 USA Women’s National Team
10 September 2017 (Sun.) Kick-off 19:35 (Local Time) Playing Time 90min. (45min×2)
Fitness Center of Qiannan Main Stadium（Duyun, China）

U-19 Japan Women’s National Team　0-1（0-0, 0-1）U-19 USA Women’s National Team

Scores
64'　goal against（U-19 USA Women’s National Team）

Starting Line-ups
GK：SUZUKI Aguri
DF：USHIJIMA Riko, TAKAHASHI Hana, MINAMI Moeka KITAMURA Nanami
MF：SATO Mizuka, KANNO Oto, NAGANO Fuka, MIYAZAWA Hinata
FW：MURAOKA Mami, ENDO Jun

Reserves
GK：SUZUKI Sawako
DF：KIZAKI Aoi, NAGASHIMA Reina, ONO Nana
MF：MURAKAMI Maho, HARA Ibuki, KARAHASHI Mayu, WATANABE Mai
FW：OZAWA Hiro, 大OKUMA Rana, MIYAMOTO Kano

Substitutions
HT　KITAMURA Nanami → KIZAKI Aoi
HT　MIYAZAWA Hinata → HARA Ibuki
66'　ENDO Jun → MIYAMOTO Kano
79'　SATO Mizuka → NAGASHIMA Reina
84'　MURAOKA Mami → KARAHASHI Mayu

Match Report

Sunday 10 September marked the third day of China Tour for the U-19 Japan Women’s National Team and they faced U-19 USA in the opening match of the NSWI Cup CFA International Women’s Youth Football Tournament Duyun 2017.

In the game that started at 19:35, Japan took the early initiative in the match. In the 7th minute, midfielder SATO Mizuka collected a long ball from defender TAKAHASHI Hana down the right flank and surged up the pitch to send in a fine cross towards the middle of the box, but was unable to find a forward player to fire in a shot. Another scoring chance for the Japanese squad came in after 27th minutes, when forward MURAOKA Mami was played through by defender USHIJIMA Riko and earned a free kick, after being illegally taken just in front of the penalty area. Midfielder NAGANO Fuka’s delivery was then met by defender MINAMI Moeka, but her header went off the target. Both teams ended scoreless before entering halftime.

Japan’s threatening attacks continued after the break, as they were hunting for the opening goal of the match. In the 52nd minute, forward ENDO Jun orchestrated a fine chance from the left side for Muraoka, where she struck a dazzling shot at target. However, a fine save from the opposing goalkeeper denied her side from breaking the deadlock. Then, it was the U.S. squad who capitalised on a free kick on 64 minutes, when they slotted home a low through-pass into the Japanese net.

In the 76th minute, substitute midfielder HARA Ibuki fashioned a decisive chance for Japan. Forward MIYAMOTO Kano was put clean through by her incisive pass, but the young Japanese forward failed to convert this one-on-one scoring opportunity with the keeper, before the match ended in a 1-0 defeat for the U-19 Japanese team.

Coach's and Players' Comments

IKEDA Futoshi, Coach (U-19 Japan Women’s National Team)
It was regrettable that we lost a game in which we started off really well. We have to work on not conceding a goal from set pieces, but still I have gained some confidence in plays such as having strong physicality in defence and making quick transitions that we have been working on so far. We will prepare ourselves for the next match, while we continue our efforts to strengthen the team for the coming AFC championship in October.

GK #1 SUZUKI Aguri (Mynavi VEGALTA SENDAI LADIES)
It was disappointing we lost the match that we were determined in winning. If we had figured out our opponents’ game plan much earlier and fought more tactically as a untied team, then we could have played to our strength and managed the game more advantageously. Both as a team and individuals, we need to reflect back on today’s game and have confidence in the plays that worked, but at the same time be held accountable in making the necessary improvements on the plays that did not work as well. We will go all out to win the remaining two matches.

FW #11 ENDO Jun (JFA Academy Fukushima)
I entered the game as a forward player, but I could not execute well the attacking plays as required by my team. And more than anything, it was regrettable that I failed to score and help my team win. It was also a disappointing result for me as well as my team, but we still have two more games remaining. We will try to win them both by analysing the replay of the match carefully. Lastly, I will work hard each and every day to learn and absorb as many things as possible before returning to Japan.

Schedule

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

【NSWI Cup CFA International Women’s Youth Football Tournament Duyun 2017】
Particiapting Countries: China PR, Iran, USA, and Japan / Format: Round-robin tournament