On Friday 14 June, the two fixtures of the U-16 INTERNATIONAL DREAM CUP 2019 JAPAN presented by Asahi Shimbun took place at Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Miyagi.

In the first fixture between the U-16 Mexico National Team and the U-16 Romania National Team, it was Mexico who took the lead when their striker Ali Avila VEGA captured the opening goal in the 45th minute.

Romania responded in the 71st minute, when their defender Eduard AVRAM struck a header to equalise the match. With the game tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes of play, the match entered penalty shootouts to determine the winner. After both keepers made a save each, the Romanian goalkeeper Alexandru BORBEI made an excellent save to deny Mexico’s sixth spot taker to give Romania the victory.

The second fixture between the U-16 Japan National Team and the U-16 Nigeria National Team saw Japan’s KATSUSHIMA Shinnosuke scoring the opener in the 17th minute. Nigeria’s Adeyeye DAMILOLA responded in the 27th minute by scoring his second goal of the tournament to make it 1-1 at halftime. Japan took full control of the match in the second half, as they captured consecutive goals in the 50th and 53rd minute, followed by Katsushima’s third goal of the match in the 85th minute to finish the match with a final score of 4-1. With this victory, Japan took the lead of the tournament after each team completed their second match.

The final match day of the INTERNATIONAL DREAM CUP 2019 JAPAN presented by Asahi Shimbun will take place on Sunday 16 June. Yurtec Stadium Sendai will host the match between the U-16 Romania National Team and the U-16 Nigeria National Team at 11:30, followed by a 14:30 match between the U-16 Japan National Team and the U-16 Mexico National Team. Admission is free for both matches.

Players’ Comments

DF #3 Angel de Jesus GARCIA GERMAN (U-16 Mexico National Team)
Although we were able to create many chances, we weren’t able to possess the ball as much. We will be facing a very tough match tomorrow, but we will enter the match with our mind and soul fully focused.

U-16 Mexico National Team vs U-16 Romania National Team

U-16 Japan National Team vs U-16 Nigeria National Team

U-16 INTERNATIONAL DREAM CUP 2019 JAPAN presented by Asahi Shimbun

Tournament Dates: Wed. 12 - Sun. 16 June 2019
Tournament Venue: Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Miyagi

Tournament Information