Panda Cup 2016 1st Match　vs　U-19 Croatia National Team
2016-6-15 (Wed.) - 15:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium (Chengdu/China)

U-19 Japan National Team　5-0 (0-0, 5-0)　U-19 Croatia National Team

Scores
55'　OGAWA Koki (U-19 Japan National Team)
69'　DOAN Ritsu (U-19 Japan National Team)
80'　SUGIMORI Koki (U-19 Japan National Team)
82'　KISHIMOTO Takeru (U-19 Japan National Team)
84'　KISHIMOTO Takeru (U-19 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: YANAGI Takahiro, OMINAMI Takuma, NAKAYAMA Yuta, URATA Itsuki
MF: DOAN Ritsu, SAKAI Daisuke, TOMIYASU Takehiro, SUGIMORI Koki
FW: OGAWA Koki, KISHIMOTO Takeru

Substitutes
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: KOJIMA Masaya, MACHIDA Koki
MF: NAGANUMA Yoichi, ICHIMARU Mizuki, KUBOTA Kazune, TAKAGI Akito
FW: KAKITA Yuki, IWASAKI Yuto

74'　URATA Itsuki → ICHIMARU Mizuki
75'　TOMIYASU Takehiro → KUBOTA Kazune
86'　SUGIMORI Koki → NAGANUMA Yoichi

Match Report

The U-19 Japan National Team met Croatia for their first game in the Panda Cup. Japan lost to Croatia 2-1 in the SBS Cup last August, allowing them win the championship. Although both teams initiated attacks from the beginning of the game, neither could find the back of the net despite goal-scoring opportunities. The game remained scoreless in the first half.

In the second half, Croatia gradually slowed down due to temperatures over 30 degrees, while Japan pressed up front to steal the ball and initiate attacks more frequently. In the 55th minute, Japan intercepted on the opponent’s right side. URATA Itsuki, who started the game for the first time after re-joining the national team, dribbled up to send a superb cross to the area in front of the goal. OGAWA Koki reacted to it and headed home, striking the opener. Despite the fact that Croatia attacked back fiercely, Japan defended well with excellent saves from the goalkeeper KOJIMA Ryosuke.

After 69 minutes, Japan stole the ball in the opponent’s area and sent it from KISHIMOTO Takeru to Ogawa. DOAN Ritsu, who ran towards the goal, finally received the ball, and reacted calmly against the opponent’s goalkeeper to find the back of the net. Japan built a two-goal lead, and took the initiative. In the 80th minute, KUBOTA Kazune, who came off the bench, sent a cross from a quick corner kick, and Ogawa went close with a header. Although the shot was once defended, Japan reacted to a loose ball and SUGIMORI Koki struck a powerful shot, stretching Japan’s lead.

After 82 minutes, KISHIMOTO Takeru took a loose ball and dribbled up for 30 metres to score a goal. Then in the 84th minute, ICHIMARU Mizuki, who came off the bench, passed through to the left. Doan reacted to it and sent a quick low cross to the goal area, where Kishimoto slotted the ball home.

Japan won the match 5-0, finally earning a vital victory in the first game of a championship. The team will meet the U-19 Czech Republic National Team on Friday 17 June.

Players' Comments

MF #10  SAKAI Daisuke (Oita Trinita)
Our first game of the championship against Croatia was productive, as we kept a clean sheet by controlling the game in both attack and defence from the beginning. Having said that, we did make careless mistakes and it’s essential that we improve the quality of our game. I’m glad we won our first match. I’d like to prepare better for our remaining two matches.

MF #15  DOAN Ritsu (Gamba Osaka)
As it was the first match of the championship, I played thinking of those areas we needed to improve from previous tournaments – how to start the game. Although it was scoreless in the first half, we attacked as we had planned in the second half. It was excellent that we won the game. I’ll play hard in the next game, so that we can go home with the title.

GK #1  KOJIMA Ryosuke (Waseda University)
It was our first game, which was very competitive at the beginning. We stayed patient until the opponent slowed down in the second half. It was great that we scored consecutive goals through those opportunities. In terms of defence, we were able to remain focused, defending with everything we had, and keeping a clean sheet until the final whistle despite the opponent’s height. Personally, as the quality of delivery in the build-ups was not good enough and I didn’t prepare or move to distract the opponent before receiving the ball, I’d like to improve in these as much as possible before the next game.

DF #2  YANAGI Takahiro (F.C. Tokyo)
How we started our opening game was really essential and all of us faced today’s match bearing that in mind. As a result, we concentrated, and took the initiative in the game. We started well in the second half with an early opener, followed by another goal after substituting some players. I’d like to win the remaining two matches to win the championship.

Schedule

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