The 15th Delle Nazioni Tournament 2nd Match vs U-15 Czech Republic
Thu. 26 April 17:36 kick-off Playing Time 70min.(35min.×2)
Rivignano, Italy

U-15 Japan National Team 2-2 (2-1, 0-1) U-15 Czech Republic National Team

Scores
15' KIKUCHI Shuta (U-15 Japan National Team)
21' SUWAMA Kosei (U-15 Japan National Team)
33' Goal against (Czech Republic National Team)
58' Goal against (Czech Republic National Team)

Starting Line-ups
GK: KANEDA Yamato
DF: TAKAYANAGI Eijiro, TANAKA Hayato, SUWAMA Kosei, KIKUCHI Shuta
MF: KATO Daichi, YAMANE Riku, HIRAKAWA Takuto, YASHIKI Yusei
FW: TAKAHASHI Anri, KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke

Reserves
GK: KANOSHIMA Yu
DF: OSAKO Aoto, SANO Kazuki, MORITA Sho
MF: ASANO Naoki, YASUDA Kojiro
FW: NAKAMURA Naoki, SHIMOKAWA Haruki

Substitutions
HT HIRAKAWA Takuto → SHIMOKAWA Haruki
HT TAKAYANAGI Eijiro → YASUDA Kojiro
HT YAMANE Riku → ASANO Naoki
HT SUWAMA Kosei → SANO Kazuki
55' TAKAHASHI Anri → OSAKO Aoto
55' KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke → NAKAMURA Naoki

Match Report

On Thursday 26 April, the U-15 Japan National Team played their second match of the 15th Delle Nazioni Tournament against the U-15 Czech Republic National Team. After beating the U-15 England National Team the day before, Japan wanted to ride the momentum, but ended up tying the Czech side 2-2.

After rotating most of their players in their starting line-ups from the day before, Japan came out aggressively to start the match. However, the Czech Republic team that has also won their first match came out with a similar intensity, making it hard for either side to take the initiative of the match. But it was Japan who started to take control of the match, and eventually broke the deadlock. Midfielder YASHIKI Yusei relentlessly penetrated the right flank, earning his side a corner kick. KIKUCHI Shuta timed himself perfectly to the ball delivered by YAMANE Riku, giving Japan the opening goal with his header. Six minutes later, Japan earned another corner kick, this time the ball was delivered into a goalmouth scramble, which the Japanese defender SUWAMA Kosei converted to give Japan a 2-0 lead. After conceding two goals from two set plays, the Czech side scored a goal off their own corner kick just before the end of the first half, entering halftime with an one goal deficit.

Japan utilised four of their substitutes during half time, but it was Czech Republic who gained the momentum in the second half. Led by their defence line, Japan showcased their tenaciousness, but in the 58th minute, Japan gave up the equiliser after allowing a Czech player penetrate the centre from the flank. Once the game was tied, both teams created opportunities to take the lead, including consecutive shots taken by Japanese forward SHIMOKAWA Haruki but his efforts were saved by superb saves made by the opposing goalkeeper. The match ended with a final score of 2-2.

Japan will now face U-15 UAE National Team in their third match scheduled on Friday 27 April, with their advancement to the semi-final at stake.

Players' Comments

FW #11 KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke (Kyoto Sanga F.C. U-15)
Having being called up to the national team for the first time, there were many things I had to get used to, but the atmosphere created by the team were very welcoming and I was able to settle down right away. The team played very hard in the first match to win against England. I played today’s match as a striker, but I couldn’t possess the ball nor could I score a goal, so that was disappointing. But the way our team played in the second half showed that our passing game can cope with the world’s best. The fact that we tied the game was unfortunate, but we will play as a team in tomorrow’s game against UAE, and strive to become champions in this tournament.

FW #9 TAKAHASHI Anri (FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi)
I am very honoured and proud to be able to represent my country. The teams we face in this tournament are teams such as England, Czech Republic, and UAE, who presents us with enormous amount of physical strength, which we don’t usually encounter in Japan. We will utilise our agility, endurance and mobility to put up a fight against these world class powerhouses. In today’s match against Czech Republic, we faced bigger opponents, but our forward KATSUSHIMA and I were able to force turnovers from our high pressure in the first half. In the past I struggled to play my game when facing foreign teams, but today I was able to receive the ball in spaces between the opposing midfield, delivering through balls and initiate attacks with my passes. I’m still not satisfied with the performance of my dribbles and turn moves, but I feel like I will eventually be able to showcase my full potential. We ended up with a tie today, but the team showed great enthusiasm, and I think this game will help us propel through the following matches. I will do my best to improve myself at this stage so that I can make my dream come true.

Schedule

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

The 15th Delle Nazioni Tournament

Tournament dates: Wed. 25 April 2018 - Tue. 1 May 2018
Tournament information