On Wednesday 12 June, the U-22 Japan National Team faced the U-22 Mexico National Team at the semi-finals of the 47th Toulon International Tournament 2019. It was Mexico who took the lead in this match, but Japan prevailed at the end after coming from behind twice and surviving the penalty shootouts.

With their seat to the final at stake, acting coach YOKOUCHI Akinobu started OBI Powell Obinna in goal with the defence line of OMINAMI Takuma, OKAZAKI Makoto, and SHIIHASHI Keiya. KO Takahiro and TANAKA Ao were named as the defensive midfielders while KAWAI Ayumu and SOMA Yuki were positioned in the flanks. It was HATATE Reo who was named as the lone striker with IWASAKI Yuto and KAMIYA Yuta playing as the attacking midfielders.

It was Mexico who took the initiative of the match in the early minutes. Although Japan managed to carry the ball upfront in few occasions, the team lacked creativity in the final third to create major threats. In the 41st minute, Hatate intercepted the ball deep in the Mexican territory, but his shot went straight to the goalkeeper. The Japanese defence showcased great persistency to keep the clean sheet intact, as the match entered halftime scoreless.

With both teams desperately needing a goal, the match turned into a see-saw game, where both teams created opportunities, however, it was Mexico who broke the deadlock. In the 50th minute, an early cross was delivered to allow the Mexican striker to convert a header to take the lead. Japan responded in the 71st minute, when Tanaka’s shot struck the cross bar, allowing Soma to convert the loose ball to equalise the match.

As the match approached the final minutes of the second half, Mexico struck the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute, when they capitalised with yet another header following a cross from the right side. With their back against the wall, Japan made their final efforts to level the match, and the golden moment arrived for the second half substitute, OGAWA Koki, when he responded to a pass delivered by Hatate to score Japan’s second equaliser in the 89th minute.

After the completion of regulation time, the match entered penalty shootouts to determine the winner. With Mexico missing one of their attempts, Japan managed to score all five of the spot kicks to advance to their first ever final at the Toulon International Tournament.

Coach Yokouchi Akinobu praised his players after the match, “even before the match, the players were showing great intention to win the match. They have really earned this win.” Japan will face Brazil at the final on Saturday 15.

Coach and Players' Comments

YOKOUCHI Akinobu, Acting Coach
Mexico is a team that applies very aggressive pressure, so I told the players to stay patient and keep moving the ball. The players played very patiently to finish the first half scoreless. We conceded the first goal when we were making a move to press forward, and ultimately that allowed us to commit ourselves in offence. By brining in Ogawa in the early minutes of the second half, he did a fine job of initiating the offence for our team. With our opponents showing signs of fatigue, we were able to take control of the ball possession and finally got to showcase our style of football towards the end.

GK #1 OBI Powell Obinna (Ryutsu Keizai University)
I am not satisfied with my personal performance today. We didn’t concede many opportunities in the first half, but I made a bad decision that cost us a goal, and the other goal came from a miscommunication between our defence. We were really saved by the two goals scored by our offence. To be honest, I am very glad that we made it to the final, but we haven’t achieved anything yet, so we hope to celebrate after we win the next match.

MF #14 SOMA Yuki (Nagoya Grampus)
As a wing back, I was continuously making runs down the line, and one of the runs allowed me to be in that position to score that goal. All I had in mind was to watch the ball and make firm contact with the ball. Rarely do you see a team coming from behind twice in a match, and I am totally satisfied with this result. We just have one more match to go. We hope to prove that Japan is capable of winning a title.

FW #9 OGAWA Koki (Jubilo Iwata)
In the scene where I scored the goal, I was able to correctly predict where the opposing defenders where going, so I just had to stay composed to slot the ball into the net. The shot I took didn’t carry much pace to it, so I was nervous for a second, but I think I was able to make the play with great composure. I entered the penalties with a strong intention to win, and I really wanted to take the shot rather than watching my teammates take care of the business, so I am very happy that I managed to convert my spot kick. I will not forget to enjoy myself during the final and we hope to win the match. We must not pay too much respect to our opponents and stay aggressive in the match.

Schedule

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

The 47th Toulon International Tournament 2019

Tournament Dates: Sat. 1 - Sat. 15 June 2019

Final:
Sat. 15 2019, 23:00 (Japan Time)
vs Brazil National Team

Tournament Information