2016 U-17 Women's NTC Invitational　3rd Match  vs U-17 USA Women's National team
2016-2-15 (Mon.) - 15:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Grenn "Mooch" Myernick Field (USA/Carson)

U-17 Japan Women's National team   1-2 (1-2, 0-0)   U-17 USA Women's National team

Scores
10'   Goal against (U-17 USA Women's National team)
27'   Goal against (U-17 USA Women's National team)
30'   ENDO Jun (U-17 Japan Women's National team)

Line-ups
GK: TANAKA Momoko
DF: USHIJIMA Riko, ONO Nana, TAKAHIRA Miyu, MORINAKA Hina
MF: KANNO Oto, NAGANO Fuka, TAKARADA Saori
FW: MIYAZAWA Hinata, UEKI Riko, ENDO Jun

Substitutes
GK: KOGURE Chiaki
DF: TOMITA Miyu, KANEHIRA Risa, NEZU Makoto
MF: KURATA Akari, INOUE Hina, KITAMURA Nanami, MATSUDA Shino
FW: MIURA Haruka

72'   MORINAKA Hina → KURATA Akari
81'   ENDO Jun → MIURA Haruka

Match Report

The USA trip for the U-17 Japan Women's National team had its 3rd match of the 2016 U-17 Women's NTC Invitational against the U-17 USA Women's National team on 15 February.

The temperature rose up to 32 degree. Under the strong sun light the match kicked off at 15:00. It was President Day on the 15th and lot of people visited the match venue. In the 5th minute, midfielder NAGANO Fuka made a deep pass to defender TAKARADA Saori who broke through to the right wing and the ball was passed to forward UEKI Riko who was front of the goal, but it was blocked by the opponent goalkeeper. 

In the 10th minute, Japan conceded the opening goal from a right wing cross. Japan tried to catch up as soon as possible, but in the 27th minute, USA broke through the right wing again and added another goal. In the 30th minute, right after the goal, Takarada and Nagano moved the ball and forward ENDO Jun screwed it in to the net. Japan finally got one goal back. 

Japan kept trying to equalise and took control of the ball from the beginning of the 2nd half. In the 62nd minute, Takarada twisted her body to make a shot in a goalmouth scramble, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper. After the shot, Japan brought the ball up to the front but could not break through the defence and the match ended 1-2. Japan finished the competition as the runner-up. 

Coach and Players' Comments

KUSUNOSE Naoki, Coach
High press defence and pressure worked well to steal the ball in the middle, but we conceded 2 goals due to the crosses from long passes. The players had such intensive defence putting their bodies in front of the goal, but the opponents were even stronger and broke us. We have to strengthen our “physical strengths in clashes” and “intensity in controlling the ball.”

During this trip we focused on rhythmical pass work and improving ideas in finishing. We have lost the match today but it must be good for the players to play against the USA who are just ahead of the qualification tournament for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in their area; they should be even more serious for this competition. We will keep working hard, making effort to have a good result at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan. We will keep a good level of motivation for the next 6 months leading up to this World Cup.

ENDO Jun (JFA Academy Fukushima)
It was our revenge match from the previous match we lost against the USA last year, and it was the key match to get the title. In the meeting before the match, we were told by the Coach that the first 10 minutes and the time right after the water drinking time would be key, so we concentrated from the beginning.

However, we conceded one goal in the 20th minute, then we had the water drinking time and kept concentrating on what we were doing, but we lost another goal at that time. However, we could score a goal because all of us chased the ball well and made our own space. There were some players who shed tears since we missed the title, but we have just begun our activity as the U-17 Women’s National team. We will keep working hard in our local teams not forgetting about this experience. For the FIFA U-17 World Cup, we keep our cheerful team atmosphere and will improve individual skills to get the title. 

TANAKA Momoko (Nippon TV Menina)
The worst things of today’s match were the time we conceded the goals, and both goals were from the similar approach which was from crosses. Regarding the time, we conceded both goals in the time that we should have been extra careful: the first 10 minutes and the time after drinking water. I think we could have saved these 2 goals if we could make quicker decisions with better communication amongst ourselves. Our level of concentration was lower than the USA and that is what we have to improve immediately.

We should have learned more to avoid conceding another goal from the same formation. It means nothing if we can’t learn from our mistakes so what we should do is to absorb from our match experiences and to grow up. Even after going back to my local team, I will keep working hard in my daily training with a very positive attitude to learn. 

Schedule

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