On Friday 23 June, the U-17 Japan National Team played their third group stage match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 at Rajamangala National Stadium, where they faced the U-17 India National Team.

Entering this match, Japan was in position to advance through to the knockout stage with a draw or better, but was likely to be eliminated with a loss, making it a match they couldn’t afford to drop. The team also had to factor in goal difference in order to top Uzbekistan to take the group lead. However, Head Coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro opted not to share the information of the other fixtures and demanded the players to focus on winning the match at hand.

With the team playing their third match in a week under extremely hot conditions, the coach made seven changes to their starting line-up, saying, “We want to create a positive vibe as a team and strive to reach the knockout stage.”

KAMBAYASHI Taisei (Montedio Yamagata Youth) was given the start between the sticks, with KOSUGI Keita (Shonan Bellmare U-18), NAGANO Shuto (FC Tokyo U-18), HONDA Kotaro (Shonan Bellmare U-18), and SHIBATA Shotaro (Kawasaki Frontale U-18) forming the four-man defence line. YADA Ryunosuke (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth) and MIYAGAWA Daiki (Gamba Osaka Youth) were placed in the centre of the field, while MOCHIZUKI Kohei (Yokohama F. Marinos Youth) and KAWAMURA Gakuto (Tokyo Verdy Youth) were positioned in the flanks. TAKAOKA Rento (Nissho Gakuen High School) and NAWATA Gaku (Kamimura Gakuen High School) were named as the two strikers up front.

The match started with Japan taking the initiative, as Shibata assisted the goal of Kawamura in the 13th minute. Nawata then scored back-to-back goals in the 41st and 45th minutes to extend the lead 3-0 at halftime.

However, as Miyagawa later reflected, “We let our guards down in the second half,” Japan conceded from a free kick in the 47th minute. Although Japan managed to convert two opportunities in the 52nd and 54th minutes to make it 5-1, the match opened up from this point onward.

“We allowed our opponents to regain confidence,” said coach Moriyama, as the team conceded consecutive goals in the 62nd and 69th minutes to make it a 5-3 game. Japan and India exchanged a goal apiece in the 74th and 79th minutes, respectively, before second half substitutes, YAMAGUCHI Gota (Shohei High School) and SUGIURA Shungo (Nagoya Grampus U-18), each scored a goal during additional time to give Japan an 8-4 victory.

“It's not the players' fault,” said coach Moriyama after the game, “because we made three changes at halftime with our sights set on the knockout stage.” The team will now compete in the quarterfinals on Monday 26 June with the ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ on the line.

Coach and Players' Comments

MORIYAMA Yoshiro, Head Coach
We were able to end the first half strong, but our lack of cohesion in the second half allowed our opponents to gain momentum. However, it is great that we were able to win the match and finish the group stage in first place. We did our best not to allow the outcome of the other game affect the players. India had very technical players with strong physical abilities, so if they can put more effort into youth development, they will certainly become a force to be reckoned with in the close future.

MF #18 NAKAJIMA Yotaro (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth)
I was introduced after we allowed our opponents to score and gain momentum, so I entered with the intention of changing the dynamics of the match. In that sense, I feel like I did my job by scoring and assisting a goal apiece. I was a bit fortunate to score that goal, but what matters is that I was there at the right timing and was able to execute.

MF #19 MIYAGAWA Daiki (Gamba Osaka Youth)
The fact that we were able to end the first half with a comfortable three-goal advantage may have caused us to get overconfident in the second half. We didn’t play well at the beginning of the second half, and I think it was a mental thing. We were playing like we had already won the match, so that is something we need to address and fix. I was also running out of gas in the second half, which is an aspect I must improve as an individual.

FW #14 NAWATA Gaku (Kamimura Gakuen High School)
We must not be content with the way we played today. Before the quarterfinals, each and every one of us needs to evaluate our performance and make any necessary improvements. Personally, I am glad that I was able to score two goals. I will continue to do my best to contribute to the team by scoring goals in the knockout stage.

YouTube(AFC):#AFCU17 - Group D | Japan 8 - 4 India

AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023

Tournament Dates: Thu. 15 June - Sun. 2 July 2023

Tournament Information