On Friday 15 June, each teams played their second match of the U-16 International Dream Cup 2018 JAPAN presented by The Asahi Shimbun.

The match between U-16 Spain National Team and U-16 Paraguay National Team saw the two teams exchanging jabs, but both struggled to find the net. The deadlock was broken in the 79th minute when Spain’s forward Jordi Escobar struck a shot to force the Paraguayan goalkeeper to deflect the ball. Midfielder Antonio Pacheco followed up the shot and converted the loose ball to give Spain the opening goal. However, Paraguay’s Rolando Valentin Ortiz Correa scored the equaliser off a corner kick in the third minute of additional time, sending the match into penalty kicks. Both teams successfully made their first three attempts, but the Spanish goalkeeper Lucas Cañizares denied the fourth attempt made by the Paraguayan side. The goalkeeper went onto stop the fifth kicker as well to give Spain the win.

Official match detail of U-16 Paraguay vs U-16 Spain

The following match between U-16 Japan National Team and U-16 Senegal National Team saw an early goal, as Senegal’s Aliou Badara Baldé scored the team’s opener in the seventh minute. With the rain pouring down since the first match, Japan struggled to hit the target despite their efforts to level the match. Japan made three substitutions during halftime to energise their offence, but conversely conceded another goal to Baldé, losing to Senegal with a final score of 0-2.

Official match detail of U-16 Japan vs U-16 Senegal

Coaches’ and Players’ Comments

David Gordo, Coach (U-16 Spain National Team)
The match progressed in a high pace and our opponents displayed outstanding defence in one-on-one situations, making it a very tough match for us. We have watched their match against Japan and had prepared a strategical plan to face them, but they came out playing totally different tactics and approach. The fact our players were forced to play and respond differently than the initial game plan gave us great experience.

MF #6 Antonio Pacheco (U-16 Spain National Team)
Paraguay played very physical and we couldn’t gain any momentum. When I was brought into the match, I was asked to change the rhythm, and I am glad that I was able to do what I was ask for.

MF #8 Alex Rico (U-16 Spain National Team)
I entered the match from the second half, but from my observation during the first half, it was evident that we were facing a team with a very organised zone defence, who displayed strength in physical abilities and one-on-one situations. We intended to keep our high ball possession in the second half while changing our tempo and rhythm in our attacks. Once our opponents got off balanced in defence we managed to exploit the gap created from their delayed coverage. I think our approach worked out well.

Malick Daf, Coach (U-16 Senegal National Team)
We successfully managed to win our match. I think we were able to put in a good preparation ahead of our second match. We observed the match between Japan and Paraguay and noticed their flaws in defence, especially how they mark their opponents. After analysing Japan thoroughly, I told my players to push up the line and play in higher positions than usual. The players were able to gain confidence after they scored the first goal. We created many opportunities and we should have converted those chances to extend a further lead. However, knowing how great Japan can play, we could have easily conceded as many goals as well. Japan control the match in the second half and we were forced to drop back, which actually allowed us to exploit the space created behind our opponents, as we managed to score the second goal from a counter attack. We still have a match to play and Paraguay is a very physical team. It will not be an easy match, but we will stay focused and give our best to win the match.

FW #9 Aliou Badara Baldé (U-16 Senegal National Team)
We managed to enter the game focused, as we knew that we had to win this match. Our team executed our coach’s game plan well. Facing a Japanese side who was taking a passive approach, I was able to showcase my strength and score two goals by finding and exploiting the space behind defenders. Ahead of the top teams’ clash in the World Cup, we managed to win against Japan, so I hope our team in the World Cup will win as well.

MF #18 Pape Moussa Thiao (U-16 Senegal National Team)
We entered the match with an ambition and gave our best to win the match. We failed to win our first match, so we wanted to earn the points we missed out on. Japan is a very good team with great skills. We were able to gain great international experience through this tournament, and it made me want to play abroad in the future.

U-16 Paraguay vs U-16 Spain full match

U-16 Japan vs U-16 Senegal full match

Wed. 13, Fri. 15, Sun. 17 June 2018 [Free Admission]
Japan/Senegal/Spain/Paraguay
Yurtec STADIUM SENDAI, Miyagi

Tournament Information