AFC U-20 Futsal Championship Thailand 2017
Group Stage Second Match vs U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team
18 May 2016 (Thu.) Kick-off 17:00 (Local Time) Playing Time 40 min. (20min. x 2)
Hua Mark Indoor Stadium (Bangkok, Thailand)

U-20 Japan Futsal National Team　5-5 (2-3, 3-2) U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team

Scores
1'　Goal against (U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team)
1'　Goal against (U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team)
14'　YAMADA Jiei（U-20 Japan Futsal National Team）
16'　Goal against (U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team)
17'　UEMATSU Koto (U-20 Japan Futsal National Team)
23'　SHIMIZU Kazuya (U-20 Japan Futsal National Team)
34'　SHIMIZU Kazuya (U-20 Japan Futsal National Team)
36'　Goal against (U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team)
40'　NAKAMURA Mitsuru (U-20 Japan Futsal National Team)
40'　Goal against (U-20 Tajikistan Futsal National Team)

Starting Line-ups
GK: SAKA Keisuke
FP: ISHIDA Kentaro, NAKAMURA Mitsuru, SHIMIZU Kazuya, NII Takahito

Reserves
GK: YAMADA Masataka, IWANAGA Taiki
FP: UCHIDA Shunta, OKABE Naoki, HIGUCHI Takeshi, ITO Keita, OKADA Shokei, UEMATSU Koto, YAMADA Jiei

Match Report

U-20 Japan Futsal National Team had their second group-stage match against Tajikistan in the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship Thailand on Thursday 18 May.

Japan conceded a goal from a free kick just after kick-off in the 1st minute. The young Japanese allowed one more goal before their defence got settled, and then the match went into a deadlock at 2-0.

But as the time went on, the Japan side regained their composure and broke down the opponents with quick passing moves. While draining Tajikistanis energy, they kept looking for a chance to score. In the 14th minute, Japan first closed a gap to one goal with a drive by YAMADA Jiei rushing from left centre of the box. They seemed to have picked up their momentum but gave up another goal that made the scoreline 3-1 in the 16th minute. Although Japan were struggling to cope with Tajikistan's counterattacking after interceptions and not able to control the game, UEMATSU Koto tapped in a lay-off by pivo HIGUCHI Takeshi to make it 3-2 before the match entered the half-time.

Japan came back in the second half and went ahead when SHIMIZU Kazuya netted home in the 23rd and 34th minutes.

However, Tajikistan, who lost last two matches, showed their never-give-up attitude and equalised with a free kick in the 36th minute. With the match approaching the end, when NAKAMURA Mitsuru scored in dramatic fashion through Tajikistan's goalkeeper mistake, everyone was convinced of Japan’s win. The last part of the drama, however, was waiting five seconds from time. The Tajikistan side found a gap with a power play when their goalkeeper cut into the centre with dribbling. His shot found the net to get back on level terms before the match ended in a 5-5 draw.

Match Details

With a record of one win and one draw, Japan's third group stage match on Friday 19 will be against group leaders Indonesia, who are leading the group with seven points partly thanks to the fact that they already finished one more match than the rest of the group.

Coach's and Players' Comments

SUZUKI Ryuji, Coach
Today's game was difficult as we got troubled and allowed a lead from the start. Even so, we turned the score around thanks to my players creating chances themselves in both halves. Tajikistan also didn't give up and levelled the score at the very end. To win through the tournament as a team from here on, we must be having such a tough game like this. We will go all out to get three points at any cost tomorrow.

FP #5 ISHIDA Kentaro (Tama University/Futsal Club)
We made the game difficult for ourselves by giving up two goals early on. Each one of us needs to play while being aware of how important each move is. First, we must get three points tomorrow.

FP #7 NAKAMURA Mitsuru (PESCADOLA MACHIDA ASPIRANTE)
Today, we failed to close it out and ended in a draw, earning only one point. That's disappointing. We’ve got to accept the outcome and get prepared well to win it out tomorrow with a better performance.

FP #14 NII Takahito (SHRIKER OSAKA SATELLITE)
In today's Tajikistan match, we gave up two goals early in the first half and that made the game difficult from the start. I'm glad we at least managed to get a point with a 5-5 draw. We will have a match tomorrow again, so I will be just relaxed before going for the Indonesia match.

Schedule

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