Bahrain U19 Cup 1st Match vs U-19 Mali National Team
2016-3-22 (Tue.) - 16:00   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.✕2)
KHALIFA STADIUM (Bahrain/Manama)

U-19 Mali National Team   2-0 (1-0, 1-0)  U-19 Japan National Team

Scores
44'   Goal against (U-19 Mali National Team)
52'   Goal against (U-19 Mali National Team)

Line-ups
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: KOJIMA Masaya, OMINAMI Takuma, HASHIOKA Daiki, HATSUSE Ryo
MF: MORISHIMA Tsukasa, SASAKI Takumi, ITO Hiroki, KUBOTA Kazune
FW: IWASAKI Yuto, OGAWA Koki

Substitutes
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke, YAMAGUCHI Rui
DF: IWATA Tomoki, NODA Hiroki, FUNAKI Kakeru
MF: DOAN Ritsu, SAKAI Daisuke, KAMIYA Yuta, ITO Ryotaro
FW: KAKITA Yuki, YOSHIHIRA Tsubasa

56'   SASAKI Takumi → SAKAI Daisuke
56'   MORISHIMA Tsukasa → KAKITA Yuki
56'   KUBOTA Kazune → ITO Ryotaro
71'   ITO Hiroki → DOAN Ritsu
90+1'   KOJIMA Masaya → YOSHIHIRA Tsubasa

Match Report

The U-19 Japan National Team played the first game of the Bahrain U19 Cup against the U-19 Mali National Team. Mali are one of the strongest team in the age-categorised championships, finishing second in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile and ending third in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Japan took the initiative from the first half, and moved the ball around to initiate attacks from both sides.

While Japan were struggling to find the back of the net, Mali swiftly counter-attacked in the 42nd minute, with the forward getting through on the right wing to fire a strong shot. Mali had struck the opener.

Although Japan held the initiative in the second half, Mali once again intercepted in the centre from a careless Japanese mistake in the 52nd minute. Then the opponent passed the ball behind Japan’s defenders, and struck a superb goal from the left side, building a two-goal lead.

Japan never gave up, initiating attacks from the wings. After 55 minutes, HATSUSE Ryo, who got through on the left side, dribbled up towards the goal area and took a shot. The ball unfortunately hit the goalpost.

Despite Japan’s efforts, the team could not score until the final whistle. Japan lost the match 2-0. 

Players' Comments

KOJIMA Masaya (Vegalta Sendai)
I’m very proud that I’m here to join the national team. Although I couldn’t contribute to the team at all in today’s game due to nervousness in my first international match for the national team, it was an excellent experience. We lost to the Mali National Team, but I’d like to learn from today’s mistakes and refresh my mind, so that we can earn two victories from now.

ITO Hiroki (Jubilo Iwata U-18)
Today was an important match against Mali. As it was our first game in this championship, we needed a victory to build momentum. However, unfortunately we lost 2-0. At the beginning of the game, we struggled against an opponent, who was physically stronger, but we used short passes to pick up our pace. Though we sent numerous crosses from the sides, we couldn’t score and conceded goals from our mistakes. I think the reason we couldn’t find the back of the net was bad coordination between each play. So I’d like to increase the accuracy. I’d like to prepare better from tomorrow’s practice session, so that we can win the two remaining games. 

IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Tachibana High School)
We lost a vital game against Mali 2-0 today. Although we aimed to win our first game to build up positive momentum, we struggled against an opponent that was physically stronger. We couldn’t get a good result. I don’t think we played with the kind of responsibility that comes with representing your country. It’s necessary to become more aware and get ready to play as the national team. There is still some room to improve both in attack and defence – careless mistakes in the centre, the accuracy of shots, and sharing defensive judgements. I’d like to fix them as much as possible in the remaining two games. 

HASHIOKA Daiki (Urawa Reds Youth)
I struggled against Mali today even with my strengths, which include playing strongly near the ball and headers. I’d like to practice harder, so that I can be more competitive. We shouldn’t have conceded a goal at the end of the first half from our mistake. In the second half, we could find our rhythm and get through to the goal. However, we couldn’t find the back of the net and lost the game. I found many are for improvement for myself today. I’d like to play my hardest to get some wins. 

Schedule

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