U-16 Japan National Team  vs.  U-16 France National Team
2015-6-28 (Sun.)  - 15:00  Playing time: 90min. (45min. x 2)
Kincho Stadium (Osaka City, Osaka)
U-16 Japan National Team  3-1 (1st 0-0、2nd 3-1)   U-16 France National Team

Score
51'   NAKAJIMA Motohiko (Japan)
64'   NAKAMURA Shunta (Japan)
71'   Goal against (France)
90+4'   SAITO Mitsuki (Japan)

1st Half Members
GK: OSAKO Keisuke
DF: YOSHIDA Ayumi, HASHIOKA Daiki, NISHIYAMA Taiga, TANAKA Kosuke
MF: SHINADA Manato, SAITO Mitsuki, ITO Hiroki, FUJIMOTO Kanya
FW: NAKAMURA Shunta, KATO Takumi

2nd Half Members
GK: OKI Yuya
DF: MIZUTA Kazuma、NAKAYA Yuki、SHIOZAKI Yuji
MF: HORI Kenta、ARAI Hikaru
FW: NAKAJIMA Motohiko

Substitutes
HT   SHINADA Manato → NAKAJIMA Motohiko
65'   KATO Takumi → HORI Kenta
75'   FUJIMOTO Kanya → ARAI Hikaru
83'   ITO Hiroki → SHIOZAKI Yuji

Match Report

The last of three match series for U-16 Japan National Team in the U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 JAPAN Presented by JFA was against France.

In the first half, Japan struggled against France’s physicality and quick offence-defence transition and hardly created their offensive rhythm. Despite a good shooting attempt by KATO Takumi, both teams were scoreless until the end of the first half. At the beginning of the second half, Japan came out remarkably aggressively.

In the 51st minute, NAKAJIMA Motohiko, receiving the ball in the middle, took it up and struck a beautiful shot to give his side the much-awaited opener. Japan went on to another scoring in the 64th minute when Nakajima sent a free kick to the near side and out of the scramble NAKAMURA Shunta volleyed a loose ball with his left foot into the back of the net.

France also tried to fight back as their bench made a few substitutions. In the 74th minute, they converted a penalty kick to cut the deficit to a single goal. After that, they kept taking advantage of their superior physicality and creating opportunities. Japan’s defence, however, was led by HASHIOKA Daiki’s impressive clearance right on the goal line and denied French attacks.

In the additional time, NISHIYAMA Taiga explosively dribbled up the field and made a through ball to SAITO Mitsuki, who brought Japan the third goal. The match ended with the score of 3-1 in Japan’s favour, who as the result won the inaugural tournament title.

The Most Valuable Award and the scoring title were awarded to Hashioka and Nakamura respectively.

Head Coach and Players' Comments

MORIYAMA Yoshiro, Head Coach
I am very happy that we won this historic inaugural U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 JAPAN tournament, and I am proud of our players. More than anything, this tournament was meaningful in terms of having a chance to play seriously against some of the best countries in the world and also giving ourselves extra confidence by making sure that our football can match up well against those opponents. 

When I sent our players onto the pitch before today’s match, I said to them “We are so fortunate to play against these countries, in front of these supporters and on this great pitch. Show them what you can do and enjoy yourself.”

In offence, areas such as moving the ball to build up and receiving passes need further improvement, but in defence, we played tenaciously and physically until the end. So that made me feel good about ourselves. I want our players to work even harder, harder than anybody on their respective club to advance to the older category or higher level. I appreciate all the support we received. 

NAKAJIMA Motohiko (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I could score a goal in three matches in a row, and more than anything I am extremely happy that we could win the title with this team. Being able to play at Kincho Stadium also made me happy and all the supports and cheers got this team going to get this result. 

Our coach Moriyama said to us during the halftime, “I give you the green light to attack aggressively right from the start of the second half,” so I am glad that I could utilise the opportunity. I go back to my club and from tomorrow I will work hard to improve my weakness day in and day out. 

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 JAPAN Presented by JFA
Match Schedule

Match Day 1
Wednesday 24 June at J-GREEN Sakai Main Field [S1]
U-16 Japan National Team   7-0   U-16 Costa Rica National Team
U-16 France National Team   1-1 (PK 6-7)   U-16 Chile National Team

Match Day 2
Friday 26 June at J-GREEN Sakai Main Field [S1]
U-16 Japan National Team   2-0   U-16 Chile National Team　　
U-16 Costa Rica National Team   1-5   U-16 France National Team

Match Day 3
Sunday 28 June at Kincho Stadium
U-16 Chile National Team   2-1   U-16 Costa Rica National Team
U-16 Japan National Team   3-1   U-16 France National Team

The Cup information