AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei 2018
Group stage 2nd Match vs Korea Rep. Futsal National team
4 February 2018 (Sun.) Kick-off 19:00(Local Time) Playing Time 40min.(20min.×2)
University of Taipei (Taipei, Chinese Taipei)

Japan Futsal National Team 5-2 (1-1, 4-1) Korea Rep. Futsal National team

Scores
11'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)
14'　goal against (Korea Rep. Futsal National team)
29'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)
29'　goal against (Korea Rep. Futsal National team)
30'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)
37'　TAKITA Manabu (Japan Futsal National Team)
39'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)

Starting Line-ups
GK: PIRES Higor
FP: HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael, TAKITA Manabu, MORIOKA Kaoru, NISHITANI Ryosuke

Reserves
GK: SEKIGUCHI Yushi
FP: MUROTA Yuki, SAITO Koichi, MINAMOTO Akira, YOSHIKAWA Tomoki, NIBUYA Kazuhiro, HOSHI Shota, SHIMIZU Kazuya, WATANABE Tomoaki

Match Report

Japan Futsal National Team played their second group-stage match of the AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei 2018 against Korea Republic Futsal National Team on Saturday 3 February.

Japan faced a tough stretch from early on, as Korea Republic utilised their physical advantage to apply pressure on both offence and defence. Japan did create some chances under the tenacious pressure, but could not capitalise, and were forced to be patient. That would change in the 11th minute, when MORIOKA Kaoru received the ball while holding off the defender. He then made a swift turn and unleashed a powerful right footed shot to give Japan the lead. With this goal, it was thought that the tide had changed, but in the 14th minute the Korean side came back with an equaliser following a kick-in from the left side. Japan tried to regain the lead by creating numerous chances, but came short and ended the first half tied at one all.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet. We only have 20 minutes in the second half. If we carry on the way we’re playing, we won’t make it through the group-stage. We need to unite once again, and play as a team.” Japan’s coach Bruno GARCIA gave the players a pep-talk and sent them back on to the pitch.

The second half saw a revived Japanese squad, as Morioka scored again after carrying the ball on the left side, dribbling passed the defender and firing another strong shot. Korea Republic showed their tenacity, as they caught the Japanese defence off-guard to level the match once again. In tough stretches like this, it was Morioka who shined the most. In the 30th minute, he scored his third goal of the match following up on a loose ball in front of the goal, assisted AKITA Manabu’s goal in the 37th minute, and then scored once again from YOSHIKAWA Tomoki’s assist in the 39th minute. Morioka was involved in all five goals for the Japanese side.

Japan edged Korea Republic 5-2. With this victory, Japan secured a spot into the knock-out stage. They will face Uzbekistan Futsal National Team on Monday 5 February for their third and final match of the group stage to advance into the next round as group winners.

Coach's and Players' Comments

Bruno GARCIA, Coach
First of all, I have to say that I am glad we earned the three points we needed to advance into the quarter final, but it didn’t come easily. We definitely struggled against our opponents’ physical approach. They kept their plays simple in front of the goal, and created difficult times for us in both physical and psychological ways. But at the end, we were able to come through with a victory, and our minds are already set for our next game’s opponent. We faced Uzbekistan in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games last year, and we lost in penalty-shoot-outs. So we’d like to win this time and advance to the next round as group winners.

GK #1 SEKIGUCHI Yushi (NAGOYA OCEANS)
We were able to win consecutive matches against Tajikistan and Korea Republic. We appreciate all the support shown here and from Japan. We have secured ourselves a spot into the next round, but we want to head in as group leaders, so we’ll prepare for our next match against Uzbekistan.

FP #6 YOSHIKAWA Tomoki (NAGOYA OCEANS)
We had another difficult match today, but it was good that we pulled off a win. We haven’t been able to play the way we wanted in the first two matches, but we’re definitely improving as a team. We are looking forward for our next match against Uzbekistan.

FP #8 TAKITA Manabu (Pescadola Machida)
Today’s match was far from perfect. We need to get better, with more responsibility, with more unity, and be more alert. We will play the remaining games as a more united Japan National Team.

FP #9 MORIOKA Kaoru (Pescadola Machida)
Both teams were well-focused today and it was an intense match. We struggled against a physical approach from our opponent in the first half, but we were able to play our game in the second half. Our opponent showed great heart, and it was very difficult facing them. So it makes it that much better that we picked up the three points, and the fact that I was able to score utilising my strong plays. We need a win in our next match against Uzbekistan, in order to advance as group winners, so we’ll prepare well for it.

Schedule

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

AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei 2018

Tournament Period: Thu. 1 - Sun. 11 February 2018
Group stage 3rd Match
Japan Futsal National Team vs Uzbekistan Futsal National Team
5 February 2018 (Mon.) Kick-off 16:30(Local Time 17:30)

For more information