Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament 2015 vs U-15 France National Team
2015-10-29 (Thu.) - 16:00   Playing Time: 80min. (40min.×2)
Complexe Sportif Philippe De Dieuleveut (Paris suburbs, France)

U-15 Japan National Team   3-2 (2-0, 1-2)   U-15 France National Team

Scores
37'   MIYASHIRO Taisei (U-15 Japan National Team)
40'   KUBO Takefusa (U-15 Japan National Team)
46'   Goal against (U-15 France National Team)
52'   Goal against (U-15 France National Team)
80+1'   NAKAMURA Keito (U-15 Japan National Team)

1st
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, NOZUE Satoru, SEKO Ayumu, SUGAWARA Yukinari
MF: KIDA Hinata, FUKUOKA Shimpei, KOZUKI Soichiro, KUBO Takefusa, SUZUKI Toichi
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei

2nd
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, NOZUE Satoru, SEKO Ayumu, SUGAWARA Yukinari
MF: KIDA Hinata, FUKUOKA Shimpei, KOZUKI Soichiro, KUBO Takefusa, SUZUKI Toichi
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei

Substitutes
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: KOBAYASHI Yuki, IWAI Ryuji, KATSURA Rikuto
MF: NAKAMURA Keito
FW: YAMADA Hiroto, TANAHASHI Akito

52'   KOZUKI Soichiro → TANAHASHI Akito
66'   NOZUE Satoru → KOBAYASHI Yuki
66'   KIDA Hinata → KATSURA Rikuto
71'   KUBO Takefusa → NAKAMURA Keito
71'   KIKUCHI Kenta → IWAI Ryuji

Match Report

"00JAPAN", U-15 Japan National Team, beat U-15 France National Team 3-2 in the second game of the Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament 2015 on 29 0ctber.

The teams, who had both won their first matches, played carefully at the beginning of the game, surveying the situation. Then gradually, Japan started to defend aggressively to intercept the ball, initiating more attacks, just like they did in the first game.

After 11 minutes, the midfielder SUZUKI Toichi took a shot after some careful passing, which was punched away by the goalkeeper. Although the forward MIYASHIRO Taisei slotted a loose ball into the goal, it came off a teammate and was judged offside. In the 27th minute, Suzuki dribbles through to the centre, and the midfielder KOZUKI Soichiro, who received a through pass, fired in a shot, only for it to go wide.

Despite their numerous attempts, Japan could not find a goal-scoring opportunity. However, in the 37th minute, the game moved. After passing through the opponent, Kozuki Soichiro threaded a superb through ball, and Miyashiro Taisei, who ran into space, made a shot from a tight angle to strike the long-awaited opener. After 40 minutes, the midfielder KUBO Takefusa, who receive the ball in the centre, dribbled up front to knock the ball into the right-hand corner. The match went into the second half at 2-0. 

Although Japan were eager to keep their rhythm, France started to attack back from the beginning of the second half. Japan could not react well to long-distance passes or their speed, and were intercepted in 1-on-1. In the 46th minute, the opponent quickly moved though the right wing, calmly facing the goalkeeper 1-on-1 to score a goal.

After 52 minutes, the opponent slotted the ball in from a corner kick after some confusion near the goal, levelling the game. Despite the fact that Japan stayed under pressure, the midfielder FUKUOKA Shimpei led the team in defending against a physically stronger opponent so as not to concede any more. Until the final whistle, Japan defended the opponent’s numerous set pieces.

In the first minute of injury time, Japan earned a perfect free kick from a counter-attack. The forward NAKAMURA Keito struck the deciding goal directly from the free kick. Japan had won two consecutive matches.

The third and final game will be on 31 October against U-15 Netherlands National Team, who drew their match with England 2-2.

* "00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-15 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

MIYASHIRO Taisei (Kawasaki Frontale U-15)
I think we could display the team’s strength in the first half by coordinating well to get through and aiming at the space behind the defenders. In the second half, however, we couldn’t pick up our pace, and were intercepted when we shouldn’t have been. We also made mistakes in passing. I’d like to continue to practice keeping possession every day.

I’d like to show off my playing style as much as possible, as we have a rare opportunity during this tour to play against physically stronger opponents. I won’t waste any single scoring-opportunity as a forward to contribute to the team’s victory. I am not satisfied with today’s victory, and will brace our nerves to win another game.

SEKO Ayumu (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
We picked up our pace in the first half, while maintaining concentration. However, we didn’t start the match well in the second half, and had to spend much of the time in defence. We stayed focused until the final whistle and won the game, which meant a lot to us. 

Personally, I challenged as a centre back many times, backed up my teammates, stayed very competitive, and changed sides effectively, which gave me some confidence. There is still some room for improvement in risk management and passing depending on the pitch condition.

I think there is a good atmosphere around this team and we have got a rebound mentality. We never gave up until the end, winning a close game with a strong spirit. Although I cannot be on the pitch due to cumulative yellow cards, I’ll support the team with everything I’ve got.

TANI Kosei (Gamba Osaka Junior Youth)
Although we could concentrate on both attack and defence in the first half, scoring goals, we started the game in the second half in a bad way. We couldn’t stay focused on anything.

Personally, I was glad I tried to react to high balls many times, which is my strength, and something I have been continually coached on. I’d like to improve them even more. I think we won today due to our never-give-up attitude, playing hard until the final whistle. In the remaining match, I’d like to prove that we can play well against strong teams in Europe, not to mention in Asia.

Schedule

Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, etc. 

Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament

Four coutries of England, France, Netherlands and Japan will play a round-robin.