AFC U-16 Women’s Championship  Final vs U-16 DPR Korea Women’s National Team
2015-11-15 (Sun.) - 15:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Xinhua Road Stadium (Wuhan, China)

U-16 Japan Women’s National Team   0-1 (0-1, 0-0)   U-16 DPR Korea Women’s National Team

Score
41'   Goal against (U-16 DPR Korea Women’s National Team)

Line-ups
GK: TANAKA Momoko
DF: USHIJIMA Riko, TAKARADA Saori, ONO Nana, TAKAHIRA Miyu
MF: UEKI Riko, NAGANO Fuka, KANNO Oto, MIYAZAWA Hinata
FW: KOJIMA Seira, TAKAHASHI Hana

Substitutes
GK: KOGURE Chiaki, YONEZAWA Moeka
DF: KANEKATSU Rio, WAKISAKA Reina, KANEHIRA Risa, ICHINOSE Chisato, MORINAKA Hina
MF: YONEI Honoka, ISERI Natsuki, KARAHASHI Mayu
FW: ENDO Jun, MIURA Haruka

67'   MIYAZAWA Hinata → KANEKATSU Rio
80'   KOJIMA Seira → ENDO Jun
90+2'   KANNO Oto → ICHINOSE Chisato

Match Report

On 15 November, U-16 Japan Women’s National Team took on DPR Korea in the final of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship China 2015 only to lose 1-0 and finish the tournament at second place.

The rematch of the group stage’s third fixture started in the rain with DPRK’s ball. Although Japan, aiming for the third straight title, allowed the opponents to take initiative early in the match, after passing the 20-minute mark, they started playing with their own pace. In the 29th minute, forward KOJIMA Seira intercepted an opponents’ pass and fed midfielder NAGANO Fuka, who struck a mid-range shot going just above the goalmouth.

It was forward TAKAHASHI Hana in the 40th minute that produced another close moment when she took the pass from MIYAZAWA Hinata and fired her shot unguarded. Her shot hit the cross bar. Then a minute later, DPR Korea scored a stunning opening goal from a free-kick opportunity. 

In the second half, Japan moved defender TAKARADA Saori up to another striker position to play more offensive football and get back on level terms. Forward UEKI Riko’s attempt in the 81st minute was denied by the opposing goalkeeper. While forward Takahashi also aimed her own, Japan could not found the equalizer before the match finished with the score remaining 1-0 in favour of DPR Korea.

Coach and Players' Comments

KUSUNOSE Naoki, Coach
Against DPR Korea who came out aggressively from the beginning, we were able to play well. After surviving through a tough stretch, we started dominating the ball and created chances. But we couldn’t score goals, and allowed the opening goal in the 41st minute. We finished this AFC U-16 Women’s Championship as runners-up, which left us with some unfinished business.

The opponents were fundamentally sound, for example speed, power, stopping and kicking the ball. Their lower body were strong and stable, which helped them play very consistently. How we can fill that gap will be the key for us in the World Cup next year. We have to get better and better.

TAKARADA Saori (Cerezo Osaka Sakai Ladies)
We made many chances, but we couldn’t finish our shots and we lost to DPR Korea. I found so many individual weaknesses that I have to work on. So after going back to Japan, I will work on it with my club. We finished as runners-up in this tournament, but we clear our minds and start good preparation for the World Cup next year.

NAGANO Fuka (Urawa Reds Ladies Youth)
In the beginning of the match we were focused and able to deal with the opponents who were aggressively attacking toward us. Because we were playing patiently enough, midway through the first half we could start moving the ball around and create several good chances to score. We allowed one goal in the end of the first half. The difference between us and them is whether we can finish that one chance or not. We have about one year before the World Cup. We want to fill this gap in this one year and finish the World Cup with tears of happiness. 

Schedule

Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

AFC U-16 Women’s Championship China 2015 

Japan is in Group B. Group A includes Chaina PR, Thailand, Iran, Korea Republic.
Top two teams will qualify for FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Jordan 2016.