2018 the 25th International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek
Final vs U-17 USA National Team
Sat. 25 August 2018 Kick-off 16:00 (local time) Match duration 90mins (45mins x2)
Slavia Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

U-17 Japan National Team 1-1 (0-1, 1-0) PK2-4 U-17 USA National Team

Scores
17' goal against (U-17 USA National Team)
74' YAMAZAKI Ryosuke (U-17 Japan National Team)

Starting Line-up
GK: SUZUKI Zion
DF: HATA Taiga, BABA Seiya, BANGNAGANDE Kashif, INOUE Miki
MF: MATSUHASHI Yuan, MATSUMOTO Nagi, MATSUOKA Daiki, TSUKUI Takumi
FW: SAKURAGAWA Soromon, KURIBARA Ibrahim Junior

Reserves
GK: UEDA Itsuki
DF: NAKAMURA Takumi, SUMI Seiga, KIMURA Seiji
MF: TAKADA Soya, YAMAMOTO Rihito, ODA Yutaro
FW: YAMAZAKI Ryosuke, SOMENO Itsuki

Substitutions
58' KURIBARA Ibrahim Junior → YAMAZAKI Ryosuke
64' MATSUHASHI Yuan → ODA Yutaro
82' HATA Taiga → NAKAMURA Takumi
82' MATSUOKA Daiki → TAKADA Soya
82' TSUKUI Takumi → SUMI Seiga

Match Report

The U-17 Japan National Team faced the U-17 USA National Team in the final of the 25th International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek. Japan has won against the USA last year in the group stage, and this year they tried to earn another victory with the tournament title at stake.

From the beginning, both teams kept their formation compact in the midfield as they showcased an intense battle to win the ball. Quick decision makings were required as any small mistakes could have led to turning over the ball to the other side. Once the pace of the match settled down, USA started to utilise their quick forwards to possess the ball upfront to push up the entire team to threaten the Japanese goal. Although Japan managed to win the ball, they failed to find their rhythm from their own mistakes as their opportunities often ended without taking shots at the goal. The first goal came in the 17th minute, when USA delivered a long ball from the right flank to switch the side, which was followed by an early cross sent towards the goal. The Japanese defender couldn’t respond to this cross, allowing the USA to capitalise the chance to score a goal with a well-timed header. Japan continued to find their rhythm by fight tenaciously to win the ball, but came short from levelling the match, as they entered halftime by trailing a goal.

In the second half, USA continued to take the initiative of the match as they showcased great movements in a fast tempo. However, a substitution made in the 64th minute enabled Japan to attack more efficiently as ODA Yutaro (Vissel Kobe U-18) was brought into the right flank, shifting TSUKUI Takumi (Yokohama F-Marinos Youth) to the left. Both of the wingers, Oda and Tsukui created opportunities from the sides as they gave more attacking time for Japan. Now with momentum on their side, Japan equalised the match in the 74th minute, when MATSUMOTO Nagi (Cerezo Osaka U-18) dribbled into the penalty area before sending the final pass to YAMAZAKI Ryosuke (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth) who converted the opportunity.

Led by their team captain BABA Seiya (Tokyo Verdy Youth), the Japanese defence line performed well to keep USA from creating chances from their counter attacks. Japan attacked aggressively in the closing minutes to score the go-ahead goal but came short from finding the back of the net, as the match ended with a score line of 1-1.

Match details

*ODA Yutaro (Vissel Kobe U-18) scored three goals at this tournament

Coach and Players' Comments

YAMAHASHI Takashi, Coach (U-17 Japan National Team)
This tour in the Czech Republic was our third activity this year and we played in four matches at the International Youth Tournament of Vaclav Jezek. We ended up losing at the final against the U-17 USA National Team and finished as the runners-up, but our players learned a lot through these four matches. Day by day, they became tougher by experiencing challenging matches, while spending time in a foreign environment. The team showed lots of active discussions which help them enhance their mutual understandings and improve their quality of play. Once we return to Japan, I want the players to continue to work on what they have started here. I also hope that they keep a clear vision as their own selves being one of the future national team members. I would like to thank the clubs and everyone who has supported us. Thank you very much.

DF #6 INOUE Miki (Ventforet Kofu U-18)
In today’s final, we couldn’t control our line in the early minutes of the match, allowing our opponents to send in long balls and apply high pressure, which led to us conceding the opening goal. However, it was good that we managed to stay composed to not allow them to score any further goals. We made the adjustments in the second half and found our rhythm, but at the end, I think our opponents were more eager to win the match. Once I return to my team, I will keep this match in mind to keep a higher standard at a daily basis.

DF #19 HATA Taiga (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
It is very disappointing that we couldn’t win at the final. Although we managed to perform well as a team, we lacked that final strengths to push through to earn the victory. I personally made too many easy mistakes and the quality of my crosses were not good. I will feed off of this experience and implement what I learnt here in my daily routines so that I can improve myself and get called back into the national team again.

MF #16 MATSUMOTO Nagi (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
We played the final against the USA today. There were scenes where we moved the ball around effectively to create opportunities to take shots, but we made too many mistakes that eventually got ourselves in to a bad groove. Our opponents showed great mobility going down the line, while they exerted great power to win the fifty-fifty balls, which we normally don’t see in Japan. We lost in penalty kicks, but the match made us realise that we have much more things to improve on, so once we return to Japan, we will work hard to heighten our overall level and come back with an improved version of ourselves in our next opportunity to face the world.

FW #13 KURIBARA Ibrahim Junior (Mitsubishi Yowa SC Junior Youth)
I am happy that I was able to experience the stage of the final at an international tournament. However, it was disappointing that we came short from taking the title. I personally had many opportunities where I felt like I should have scored or couldn’t perform the way I wanted, so that’s what stings the most. I need to develop a mentality that allows me to perform well at these settings and heighten my skills so that I can keep up with the play speed shown at these world stages. Once I return to my club, I will keep a high intention to develop my overall level and work hard so that I can get called up to the national team again.

Schedule

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