Practice match of the U-18 Japan National Team on the Korean tour against FC SOL
Tue. 19 May 2015 - 15:00  Playing time: 90min (45minx2)
Uijeongbu Athletic Field (Uijeongbu, Korea)

U-18 Japan National Team  2-1 (1st 0-0, 2nd 2-1) FC SOL

Scores
50'  KUNIMOTO Takahiro (U-18 Japan National Team)
63'  Goal Against (FC SOL)
67'  ICHIMI Kazunari (U-18 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: MORISHITA Ryoya, OKANO Jun, NAKAYAMA Yuta, URATA Itsuki
MF: NAGATO Ayumu, SAKAI Daisuke, DOAN Ritsu, KUBOTA Kazune
FW: SUGIMORI Koki, IWASAKI Yuto

2nd Set
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: YANAGI Takahiro, NODA Hiroki, MACHIDA Koki, FUNAKI Kakeru
MF: TAKAGI Akito, NAGANUMA Yoichi, SASAKI Takumi, KUROKAWA Atsushi
FW: ICHIMI Kazunari, KUNIMOTO Takahiro

Substitutes (not played）
GK: WAKAHARA Tomoya, HIROSUE Riku
FW: OGAWA Koki

Match Report

The U-18 Japan National Team, who aim at participating in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Incheon, arrived in Uijeongbu, Korea on Monday 18 May to start their training camp.

On the first day of their training, the players focused on stretching and running for a while, as many of them had played in official games over the weekend. Then they moved to some attacking practice for each position, using a full-length pitch. On Tuesday 19 May, the second day of their training, they played a practice match in the afternoon against FC SOL, who was a local Korean youth team. 

Although both teams created some goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, the game went into the second half 0-0. Right at the beginning of the second half, after 50 minutes, Takagi Akito took some time to dribble and passed the ball to Yanagi Takahiro, who ran up through the right side. Yanagi sent a superb cross between the opponent’s defender and the goalkeeper. Then Kunimoto Takahiro, who ran onto the ball, calmly struck the opener. However, in the 63rd minute, Japan were attacked through the right wing and lost their lead from a strong long-distance shot from the penalty area.

Japan were eager to build up their lead once more and stole the ball more often in the opponent’s area to create goal-scoring opportunities. In the 67th minute, just four minutes after conceding a goal, Yanagi, who received a pass from Naganuma Yoichi, got through the right side again. He sent a low cross towards the area in front of the goal, where Ichimi Kazunari swiftly reacted to strike a goal. Japan took the lead once again. Although the players continued their attack, taking the initiative, they could not extend the lead before the final whistle. Japan finished the first practice match of the Korean tour with a victory.

Tomorrow, the team will meet SEOUL DIGITAL UNIVERSITY.

Players’ Comments

NAGATO Ayumu (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
I’m very pleased to join the U-18 Japan National Team for the first time. During the practice match against FC SOL today, I focused on running towards the space behind the opponent numerous times and also on initiating attacks. I’d like to continue finding the space behind the opponent in games. Having said that, as I can still improve the speed and the quality of movement, I’d like to work on that in the remaining two-days training. I’ll show off my strength – speed – for my future.

KOJIMA Ryosuke (Waseda University)
As we came abroad, we had our first match in a different environment from usual.We could all contribute to scoring, which was a good way to attack. Although we won the game, we were intercepted easily and there was plenty of room to improve the risk management skill by adjusting positions. I’d like to fix the issues, which we found in today’s match, so that we can win the game tomorrow.

YANAGI Takahiro (F.C. Tokyo U-18)
I’m very happy to be chosen for the U-18 Japan National Team for the first time. I was struggling during the training session. However, when I played bearing in mind what the head coach or the coach advised, I could play better. I could gradually communicate with my teammates and in the actual match improve on my weaknesses, which were pointed out during the training session. I assisted the goal, using my skills. I’d like to learn as much as I can in the remaining two days.

ICHIMI Kazunari (Otsu High School)
I was on the pitch for the first time as a player of the U-18 Japan National Team. Personally, I played focusing on striking goals. So I was able react to a cross and score with a sliding move. It was good, as I could finish with a shot running from the area near the wing, which was one of my aims. Having said that, I couldn’t score with another goal-scoring opportunity. I’d like to challenge myself in tomorrow’s match in order to improve the calmness and accuracy of my shooting.

Schedule

Future Schedule