ALGARVE CUP 2018
Group League 2nd Match vs Iceland
Fri. 2 March Kick-off 15:25 (Local Time) Playing Time 90min.(45min.×2)
Estadio Estadio Municipal da Bela Vista (Parchal/Portugal)

Nadeshiko Japan 2-1 (1-0, 1-1) Iceland

Scores
15' SUGASAWA Yuika (Nadeshiko Japan)
74' Goal against (Iceland)
85' UTSUGI Rumi (Nadeshiko Japan)

Starting Line-ups
GK: YAMASHITA Ayaka
DF: UTSUGI Rumi, KUMAGAI Saki, TAKAGI Hikari, SHIMIZU Risa
MF: NAOMOTO Hikaru, SUMIDA Rin, MASUYA Rika
FW: SUGASAWA Yuika, IWABUCHI Mana, YOKOYAMA Kumi

Reserves
GK: YAMANE Erina, IKEDA Sakiko
DF: SAMESHIMA Aya, OYA Ayumi, MIYAKE Shiori, ICHISE Nana
MF: SAKAGUCHI Mizuho, ARIYOSHI Saori, NAKAJIMA Emi, HASEGAWA Yui
FW: HAJI Madoka, TANAKA Mina

Substitutions
63' MASUYA Rika → OYA Ayumi
63' SUGASAWA Yuika → HASEGAWA Yui
70' SUMIDA Rin → NAKAJIMA Emi
77' YOKOYAMA Kumi → TANAKA Mina

Match Report

Friday 2 March saw the second match of the Algarve Women's Football Cup 2018 for Nadeshiko Japan. They faced Iceland, just two days after their bitter defeat against the Netherlands 2-6.

In a game which featured strong wind on site, Nadeshiko Japan swapped ten players from their previous starting line-ups, as SUMIDA Rin was the only player to be given the start in two consecutive matches. Japan started in the leeward but managed to control possession with their quick short passes and took the initiative early on.

The scorings opened up in the 15th minute, when SHIMIZU Risa found SUGASAWA Yuika scorching towards the goal. With the goalkeeper closing down the gap, Sugasawa brilliantly took a looping shot over the head of the approaching goalkeeper, giving her side a much-wanted opener in the early minutes of the match. After gaining the lead, the Nadeshiko defence showcased their ability to create turnovers with their quick approach, giving no space for Iceland to gain any momentum.

Although Japan did not add any more goals in this half, their attacking threats were evident, as IWABUCHI Mana created chances from her dribbling, Shimizu and MASUYA Rika’s combination forced the Iceland to drop their defence line. The match would enter half-time at 1-0.

Nadeshiko Japan continued to take control in the second half, while Iceland started to run out of gas. Japan utilised direct passing to move the ball forward, which forced the Iceland side to drop even further to defend. NAOMOTO Hikaru and Sumida played a critical role in the midfield, contributing for both offence and defence, creating chances for their side. While Japan struggled to score their second goal, Iceland found their equaliser in the 74th minute. Following a corner-kick, the Japanese defence failed to clear the ball, allowing the Icelandic side to score from a goal mouth scramble.

Desperately needing the full three points, Nadeshiko Japan kept on attacking, giving no chance for Iceland to seize the initiative. In the 85th minute, UTSUGI Rumi scored the game-winner, giving her side the much-needed victory.

Nadeshiko Japan’s third match in the Algarve Women's Football Cup 2018 will be against Denmark Women’s National Team on Monday 5 March. Denmark was runner-up of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team)
We planned on applying pressure from our attacking third, and that’s what we did to control the game today. We managed to score a goal early, but couldn’t capitalise after we grabbed the lead, and that was pretty irritating. The ball wasn’t running, and our opponent took a defensive approach, so it was difficult to gain momentum. We tried changing the rhythm by making substitutions, but conversely, we gave up a goal to make things worse. But we never gave up, and at the end, we managed to score the decider. I am very glad we won the match, but we definitely need to improve on our offence.

GK #18 YAMASHITA Ayaka (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
Our first match made us realise how far behind we are in the world, especially compared to last year. After giving up six goals in our last match, we wanted to win with a clean sheet against Iceland today. Our team was desperate to win today, and as a result we were much united as a team. It was a difficult match, but the fact we were able to pull off a win is a positive we can take back. Regarding the goal we conceded, it was a shot deflected by our defender, and if it had not gone in, it would have been a good defence, so we were just a bit out of luck there.

MF #12 NAOMOTO Hikaru (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
It was my first time to play the full 90 minutes under coach Takakura. It was a very physical match compared to any competition in Japan, and I was very focused throughout the whole match, so I am mentally and physically exhausted now. Playing against foreign teams, they seem to have longer reach than you expect, so that’s something I just need to get used to. I was able to make the necessary adjustments in the second half, after noticing a few things in the first half, and I think I can do more. For our next match we will continue to set priority on defence, while building our offence according to how our opponents play.

FW #15 SUGASAWA Yuika (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
We really needed the win today, and as a forward, I am glad I was able to score and give the team momentum. After our first match, we had nothing to lose. We conceded six goals in our first match, but we have to take the positives out of that and share it with the team. I was happy when I score the goal today, but a goal is not enough, so I played to score another goal.

Schedule

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

Algarve Women's Football Cup 2018

Tournament Period: 28 February 2018 (Wed.) - 7 March 2018 (Wed.)

Nadeshiko Japan's (Japan Women's National Team) Match
1st Match 28 February (Wed.) kick-off 15:40 (Japan Time : 24:40) vs Netherlands
2nd Match 2 March (Fri.) kick-off 15:25 (Japan Time : 24:25) vs Iceland
3rd Match 5 March (Mon.) kick-off 15:40 (Japan Time : 24:40) vs Denmark

All matches to be broadcasted live across Japan by Fuji TV Group

For more information