Training Match vs Paris F.C U-16
2015-11-1 (Sun.) - 9:30　Playing Time: 70min. (35min.×2)
Dejerine stadium (Paris suburbs, France)

U-15 Japan National Team　4-1 (3-0, 1-1)   Paris F.C U-16

Scores
8'　MIYASHIRO Taisei (U-15 Japan National Team)
27'　SUZUKI Toichi (U-15 Japan National Team)
31'　SUZUKI Toichi (U-15 Japan National Team)
42'　Goal against (Paris F.C U-16)
65'　KATSURA Rikuto (U-15 Japan National Team)

1st
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, SEKO Ayumu, KOBAYASHI Yuki, KATSURA Rikuto
MF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, KOZUKI Soichiro, SUZUKI Toichi, KUBO Takefusa
FW: YAMADA Hiroto, MIYASHIRO Taisei

2nd
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, SEKO Ayumu, KOBAYASHI Yuki, KATSURA Rikuto
MF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, KOZUKI Soichiro, SUZUKI Toichi, KUBO Takefusa
FW: YAMADA Hiroto, MIYASHIRO Taisei

Substitutes
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: IWAI Ryuji, NOZUE Satoru
MF: KIDA Hinata, FUKUOKA Shimpei
FW: TANAHASHI Akito, NAKAMURA Keito

47'　MIYASHIRO Taisei → NAKAMURA Keito
51'　SUZUKI Toichi → FUKUOKA Shimpei
51'　KIKUCHI Kenta → IWAI Ryuji
65'　YAMADA Hiroto → SUZUKI Toichi

Match Report

"00JAPAN", U-15 Japan National Team, who ended in second place in the Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament 2015, played a friendly match of 35-minute halves against a local team, Paris F.C U-16 on 1 November.

In the meeting prior to the game, the coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro told the players: "the fourth match of the coming AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 will be the most vital. I’d like to see how well you can play when you are pushed to your physical limit. Show me what you have learned during this tour."

Although Japan struggled against the opponent’s speed and swift change between attack and defence at the beginning of the game, the team stayed calm, not showing any fatigue from their recent matches. They gradually started to press the opponent by shifting more quickly between attack and defence as well as by coordination.

After eight minutes, the forward MIYASHIRO Taisei ran onto a through pass, which was threaded by the midfielder KOZUKI Soichiro after a swift exchange of passes, and faced the goalkeeper 1-on-1. He calmly struck the opener.

In the 27th minute, Miyashiro Taisei drew the defenders, keeping the ball up front, and passed a through ball to the midfielder SUZUKI Toichi, who got through one defender, striking a goal in the left-hand corner. Then in the 31st minute, after exchanging passes in the centre just like their first score, Suzuki Toichi received a through ball from the midfielder KUBO Takefusa and fired in a shot, scoring their third goal. The game went into the second half at 3-0.

Despite a Japanese desire to continue their rhythm in the second half, the team started to make careless mistakes in passing from the beginning due to their tiredness. The opponent, on the other hand, picked up their pace, and scored with a strong long-distance shot after 42 minutes, closing the gap to two goals. Japan struggled physically.

However, the defender SUGAWARA Yukinari led others to defend solidly, while the forward NAKAMURA Keito, who came off the bench, was creating goal-scoring opportunities one after another. Although Japan made shots in the 48th, 52nd, and 56th minute, none of them went into the goal because of the goalpost or the goalkeeper’s strong saves.

After 65 minutes, the defender KATSURA Rikuto scored directly with his cross. Japan continued their attack, and in the 66th minute, Katsura Rikuto ran deep into the opponent’s penalty area to send in a cross. Although NAKAMURA Keito’s shot hit the goalpost, the forward YAMADA Hiroto took a shot with from the loose ball, only for it to be judged offside.

Japan, including the captain SEKO Ayumu and the midfielder FUKUOKA Shimpei, who came off the bench, defended tenaciously until the final whistle. Japan won the game 4-1.

"00JAPAN" finished their tour with three wins and one loss against strong countries. Although there is still plenty of room to improve the team’s issues as well as individual’s tasks, the team made the tour a very productive one prior to the coming AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. "00JAPAN" are to hold another training camp in Kumamoto in December.

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

Players' Comments

MF #4  KOZUKI Soichiro (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15)
It was my first time to join this team, but I could blend in smoothly thanks to my teammates’ support. I focused on my body’s direction when I received a pass in today’s match, so that I could challenge at the goal. As a result, I could assist attacks, not to mention taking shots aggressively. I could also display my strength several times – dribbling to get through instead of passing backwards. Having said that, I realised the poor variation and quality in passing, and the insufficient stamina.

As the opponent was very good at balancing their plays, I learned a lot from them. I have earned a stronger mentality through this tour, challenging anything with confidence. I’d like to practice much more than before back in my club team, improving myself, in order to come back and join this team again.

DF #15  KIKUCHI Kenta (JFA Academy Fukushima U15)
I couldn’t play as I wanted at all in today’s match. We didn’t communicate well enough to coordinate in defence, and let the opponent take the space behind numerous times. I need to improve our communication skills as well as predict and manage risks. I also learned the importance of a strong mentality during this tour.

Players with a strong mentality can play normally in a big match, which I learned through the games against strong countries. I’ll bring what I learned back to my team, and practice from the basics.

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.