2016 U-17 Women's NTC Invitational　2nd Match  vs U-17 England Women's National team
2016-2-13 (Sat.) - 15:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Grenn "Mooch" Myernick Field (USA/Carson)

U-17 Japan Women's National team　1-1 (1-1, 0-0)　U-17 England Women's National team

Scores
30'　Goal against (U-17 England Women's National team)
31'　MIURA Haruka (U-17 Japan Women's National team)

Line-ups
GK: KOGURE Chiaki
DF: USHIJIMA Riko, ONO Nana, KANEHIRA Risa, NEZU Makoto
MF: MATSUDA Shino, KANNO Oto, TAKARADA Saori, INOUE Hina
FW: ENDO Jun, MIURA Haruka

Substitutes
GK: TANAKA Momoko
DF: TOMITA Miyu, TAKAHIRA Miyu, MORINAKA Hina
MF: NAGANO Fuka, KURATA Akari, KITAMURA Nanami
FW: UEKI Riko, MIYAZAWA Hinata

HT　NEZU Makoto → TOMITA Miyu
HT　MATSUDA Shino → NAGANO Fuka
HT　INOUE Hina → MIYAZAWA Hinata
60'　MIURA Haruka → KURATA Akari
77'　TAKARADA Saori → UEKI Riko
88'　ENDO Jun → TAKAHIRA Miyu

Match Report

On 13 February, U-17 Japan Women's National team played their second game of the 2016 U-17 Women’s NTC Invitational against the U-17 England Women's National team during their on-going USA trip.

With a cold wind blowing, the match kicked off at 15:00. Japan was aggressive from the beginning towards the England’s goal. In the 3rd minute, Japan stole the ball in their own half and midfielder TAKARADA Saori moved forward with dribble, then forward ENDO Jun passed the ball to midfielder MATSUDA Shino. The shot she made went over the crossbar.

In the 15th minute, midfielder Takarada got a throw-in ball and brought it to the front of the goal with a dribble, and forward MIURA Haruka struck a shot, but it only went to left side of the post for a goal kick. In the 30th minute, Japan conceded the opening goal due to their mistake but in the 31st minute defender USHIJIMA Riko passed the ball to forward Endo and finally forward Miura successfully made a chip shot which went over the head of the opponent goalkeeper. Japan equalized.

Japan finished the 1st half with 1-1 and tried to get additional goals in the 2nd half. In the 54th minute, they moved the ball around with good rhythm and finally midfielder KANNO Oto got the ball from midfielder Takarada and struck a shot, but it went left of the post. In the 71st minute, substitute midfielder NAGANO Fuka passed the ball to forward Endo but she couldn’t catch up the ball well. They kept attacking England’s goal but the match ended 1-1, Japan couldn’t get other goals.

Coach and Players' Comments

KUSUNOSE Naoki, Coach
The players began the match in a stable condition with a compact defence form, which is one of the aspects of our game, but we conceded the opener due to our mistake. They could equalize by not being disappointed by conceding the goal in the 1st half but we couldn’t add another goal and finished the match with a draw. They have more sense of rhythm in moving the ball around but the level of accuracy went down gradually and they couldn’t get any additional goal. For the next match against the USA, we will improve the accuracy and be united well to beat them.

MIURA Haruka (Urawa Reds Ladies Youth)
From the beginning I could be consistent in defence from the front line according to what I wanted to do. Due to my mistake in blocking the ball, we conceded the opener but we could switch our minds immediately, raising voices. Personally, it was good that we could score right after the first goal. Our next match is against the USA. We will end this competition with the title beating them, -this is our purpose.

KANEHIRA Risa (Hinomoto Gakuen Senior High School)
Today we were pressured by the English players who were bigger and stronger in fitness, and we became sufficiently nervous and mistakes crept into our game and until we finally conceded a goal. As a player I was so passive and I couldn’t be proactive to think what would happen next and move well. This is my issue and I want to correct this before the next match against the USA. I want to get the victory by beating them.

Schedule

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