U-16 Japan National Team vs U-16 Turkmenistan National Team
2016-3-2 (Wed.) - 11:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
JAR Stadium reserve pitch (Uzbekistan/Tashkent)

U-16 Japan National Team　1-0 (1-0, 0-0)　U-16 Turkmenistan National Team

Scores
42'　NAKAMURA Keito (U-16 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: OUCHI Issei
DF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, KEMMOTSU Takumu, KANO Kanato, KUWAHARA Kaito
MF: AWANO Kento, HIRAKAWA Rei, KOZUKI Soichiro, SUZUKI Toichi
FW: YAMADA Hiroto, NAKAMURA Keito

Substitutes
GK: AOKI Kokoro
DF: KOBAYASHI Yuki
MF: KUBO Takefusa, FUKUOKA Shimpei
FW: MIYASHIRO Taisei

HT　OUCHI Issei → AOKI Kokoro
HT　AWANO Kento → SEKO Ayumu
60'　SUZUKI Toichi → KUBO Takefusa
67'　KOZUKI Soichiro → FUKUOKA Shimpei
67'　YAMADA Hiroto → MIYASHIRO Taisei
75'　KUWAHARA Kaito → KOBAYASHI Yuki

Match Report

“00JAPAN” defeated the U-16 Turkmenistan National Team post their first win in the Central Asia - Japan U-16 Football Exchange Programme with a 1-0 win over the U-16 Turkmenistan National Team in their second match of the tourney.

Japan, who ended in a draw in their previous match and needed a win this day, came in an aggressive mode from early as midfielder HIRAKAWA Rei provided passes so many times to create a rhythm. In the 7th minute, forward YAMADA Hiroto found a space behind the opponents' defensive line and fired a shot, but it went outside the goalmouth.

In the 16th minute, defender KANO Kanato perfectly connected a cross from midfielder SUZUKI Toichi, though it was punched out by the Turkmenistan goalkeeper. Yamada then had the loose ball and had a shot on a volley. But it went over the goal bar. Japan missed those big chances, but their defence carried out their line controlling, supporting with their own teammates and distances between themselves smoothly and would not give the opponents an opportunity. And defender KUWAHARA Kaito repeatedly ran up in the left side, creating chances.

In the 42nd minute, Kuwahara tenaciously dribbled past a defender in the left side and launched a cross. Forward NAKAMURA Keito nailed it into the goal with his body to give Japan a 1-0 lead before halftime.

Japan, hoping to add another goal in the second half, played in their own rhythm like in the first half. In the 48th minute, Kano again headed a corner kick, but it went aside of the goal post. Japan then substituted their players and midfielder SEKO Ayumu provided passes into the front line so many times. Midfielder KUBO Takefusa and Nakamura fired shots to give Japan scoring opportunities, yet they had hard time creating decisive moments. After that, as in the previous day, a player was ejected and the game became rough. But Japan retained their composure.

In the 90th minute, Kubo dribbled past defenders and fired a shot. But it hit the goal post. The game ended as it was with the 1-0 score. Japan will play their final game of the tournament against the U-16 Uzbekistan National Team team in their next game. With a win in it, Japan will win the championship.

"00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

HIRAKAWA Rei (F.C. Tokyo U-15 Musashi)
Today's game was a tough game for us as we couldn't capitalize on our own opportunities. Individually, I barely was involved in the front area, so I wanted to go a little more aggressively. In our next game the day after tomorrow, I want to get a goal while we want to stick to winning and play as a team and win the championship.

YAMADA Hiroto (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I had more shots and the number of times I had the ball in front of the goal than in yesterday's game, so it was good that I played in my own game. But I wasn't able to capitalize on the chances and we ended up with a 1-0 score, so I feel responsible so much. This team can find ways to attack, but in terms of shooting and last passes, we tend to get a little rougher, so we would like to keep our focus until we score and we want to put up as many goals as we can.

MIYASHIRO Taisei (Kawasaki Frontale U-15)
In today's game, we let our opponents play in their own tempo, so we had so many occasions that we didn't play in our rhythm as in our collective passing. Also, it left as our issue that we couldn't connect our opportunities for goals like yesterday. As the team, we've been able to play in good mood from our warm-ups. I think that we are showing our fighting spirit, so we want to keep it up.

Toward the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, we want to stick to winning, while I should score as many goals as I can so I can contribute to help our team win. And we want to win it all at the main stage by any means.

Schedule

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