SBS CUP International Youth Soccer 2015  3rd Match  vs  U-18 Croatia National Team
2015-8-16 (Sun.) - 17:20   Playing Time: 40min. x 2
Ecopa Stadium (Fukuroi city, Shizuoka)

U-18 Japan National Team  1-2 (1-1, 0-1)   U-18 Croatia National Team

Scores
14'   Goal against (U-18 Croatia National Team)
24'   KISHIMOTO Takeru (Japan)
52'   Goal against (U-18 Croatia National Team)

Line-ups
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: FUJITANI So, NAKAYAMA Yuta, MACHIDA Koki, URATA Itsuki
MF: MIYOSHI Koji, SAKAI Daisuke, DOAN Ritsu, KUBOTA Kazune
FW: KISHIMOTO Takeru, OGAWA Koki

Substitutes 
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: IWATA Tomoki, ITAKURA Ko
MF: TAKAGI Akito, SASAKI Takumi
FW: ICHIMI Kazunari

54'   KISHIMOTO Takeru → ICHIMI Kazunari
60'   MIYOSHI Koji → TAKAGI Akito
60'   KUBOTA Kazune → SASAKI Takumi
68'   URATA Itsuki → IWATA Tomoki

Match Report

The U-18 Japan National Team met the U-18 Croatia National Team for their last match.

Japan still had an opportunity to win the championship with a victory over Croatia, because Spain beat the U-18 Shizuoka Selection Team on the same day. In the first half, Japan played aggressively with their harmonious defence intercepting the ball, and initiating attacks from the wings through simple passes.

Croatia, who also still had a chance to claim the title, waited for Japan to make a mistake in their passing to initiate an attack. In the 14th minute, Japan were intercepted in the centre, letting the opponent dribble through the left wing. Japan’s defenders could not cover well, and Croatia took a shot in front of the goal, striking the opener.

However, Japan did not waste any time in attacking back. After 24 minutes, the defender URATA Itsuki, who received the ball on the left wing, sent a low cross towards the front of the goal. Then the forward KISHIMOTO Takeru, reacted to it before the opponent’s goalkeeper, scoring the equaliser. The game went into the second half at 1-1.

It was Croatia who scored in the second half. They earned a free kick on the left side from a Japanese foul, heading the ball near the goal. Although the goalkeeper HIROSUE Riku once punched it away, Japan let the opponent react to the loose ball, and strike another goal.

Japan initiated attack, creating a goal-scoring opportunity to once more level the game and turn it around. However, the opponent defended solidly, using their bodies, and Japan could not find the back of the net. The score stayed the same until the final whistle. Japan lost to Croatia, ending in fourth place in the championship.

Coach and Players' Comments

UCHIYAMA Atsushi, coach
I believe we achieved something positive in this championship. I’d like to point out that my team could show our playing style throughout the tournament.

Having said that, it’s vital to score in football. Without goals, we cannot win a game. We have to improve the quality of our playing, keeping our wits about us, even when the players are tired, in order to strike goals. We’d like to work on it, getting ourselves ready for the coming qualifying round in October.

MIYOSHI Koji (Kawasaki Frontale)
As we had to play consecutive matches within a short period, it was a good practice before the qualifying round in October. I thought we played against good opponents in an appropriate schedule. I appreciate all the staff as well as people in Shizuoka for organising such an excellent championship. 

Through three games, I keenly feel the importance of finishing attacks with goals, otherwise we just cannot win a game despite numerous goal-scoring opportunities. All the players, including me, have to become more focused scoring in order to win a match in Asia. I’d like to focus on it in everyday practice sessions. 

KISHIMOTO Takeru (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I was determined to get a good result in this championship, so that I would be able to play for the national team in the qualifying round in October. I scored a goal in today’s game, but I could have scored more with our opportunities. I’d like to work on improving shots through matches and practice sessions back in my club team, as well as in the next activity for the national team.

IWATA Tomoki (Oita Trinita U-18)
Like our second match, we couldn’t score when we had the opportunity. The opponents struck two goals with their two goal-scoring opportunities, while we couldn’t find the back of the net with numerous shots. 

In the second half, the opponent took the initiative, and we couldn’t get through their formation in our area. We couldn’t attack in a good way, as our performance, including the passing speed, the quality of play and the accuracy in front of the goal, was not good enough. I don’t think the quality of our crosses was good, either.

I’d like to improve the quality of crosses and other plays, so that I’ll be selected for the national team again next time.

Schedule

SBS CUP International Youth Soccer 2015 Participating Teams

U-18 Croatia National Team, U-18 Spain National Team, U-18 Japan National Team, U-18 Shizuoka Selection Team