The U-20 Japan Women's National Team, who are currently participating in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016, met U-20 Spain in the second group-stage game on Wednesday 16 November. Both teams won their first match in group B, and Japan played against Spain in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup two years ago. Although Japan beat them back then to become the world champions, Spain have been improving in the last two years. This match will have an impact on who advances to the knockout stage.

Japan made a two-player change to the team, using defender HAZA Hisui at right back and forward NISHIDA Meika up front. Spain found their rhythm at the beginning of the game. Whenever Japan intercepted, Spanish defenders swiftly put pressure and prevented Japan from creating any goal-scoring opportunities. In the 7th minute, although defender NORIMATSU Ruka on the near side reacted to a free kick and deflected towards the goal with a header, the forward players could not connect with the ball and slot it into the net. After 9 minutes, forward MOMIKI Yuka stole the ball and sent it quickly to the centre towards onrushing Nishida, but she failed to control it. The match stayed scoreless until halftime.

In the second half, coach TAKAKURA Asako sent forward UENO Mami onto the field. After 56 minutes, midfielder SUGITA Hina skilfully sent the ball from left to the centre, where Ueno stretched to the ball and redirected towards Momiki, but unfortunately it was out of reach for her. However, it was a moment when Japan really got close to the goal. Although Andorea FALCON of Spain, on the other hand, stole the ball from Norimatsu in the 70th minute and dribbled up to the goal, Japanese defenders did not let her score.

After 80 minutes, Spain earned a penalty kick, because Haza’s ball to clear a free kick unfortunately hit her teammate’s hand. Although goalkeeper HIRAO Chika reacted to the shot, Maria CALDENTEY still managed to convert the spot kick. Japan did not have enough time left to equalise. In the remaining five minutes, including injury time, although Japan never gave up going close to the goal until the final whistle, they lost the match 0-1.

Japan dropped to second place in the group. They will play the last group-stage game against Canada after a three-day break in order to book a place in the knockout stage.

Match Details

Coach's and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach
Although I expected a tough game as Spain are an excellent team, I don’t believe we displayed our strengths. In terms of physicality, we have been training by playing against men. However, we were defeated in many ways, including speed. I’d like to point out that the players worked hard.

Since we tend to take the initiative in most of the matches, the players felt anxious when they were pressed. Since we do not still have the ability to dominate the match against a potent team, they might have played too hastily. When we keep a good distance when coordinating plays in defence, we can initiate good attacks. So I’d like to check on our defence again.

MF ＃6 SUMIDA Rin (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
We decided to focus on our strengths in the game, as the opponents’ playing style was similar to ours. However, the match ended without being able to do so. We tended to kick the ball too hastily when we were pressured and made passing errors. We couldn’t play our football. The ball was intercepted in the centre and we were not competitive enough on the ball. So I believe we need to work on that. We have to refresh and face the next match. I’d like to review our plays and prepare ourselves to showcase the Japanese style of football.

MF ＃8 HASEGAWA Yui (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
As I believe there are always tough stretches in a game, I was prepared to be patient in the first half. In the second half, I managed to bring up the ball well and handled the opponents better in defence. Both of them were improvements from the first half. We have been practising against men’s teams. However, the strength on the ball and the body movements were different from playing men. It was too late to realise, and I should probably not use that as an excuse. All we need is to win the last game. We will try not to be distracted by other teams, perform Japanese style football by fixing our own issues and create many scoring opportunities.

DF #5 NORIMATSU Ruka (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
As a team, we didn’t perform well and try hard enough to steal the ball. In terms of attack, we struggled to break down the opponents, since Spain put pressure in a more balanced way compared to Nigeria. We should have fixed our problems during the match. As each individual opposing player was much stronger than before, we needed to keep our defence compact to rob the ball. Attack is, of course, important, but I believe defence will be the key against Canada. We also need to have the same vision as to where we aim to steal the ball. In offence, even when we are pressured by the opponents, we need to continuously take the right positioning and move swiftly to the next position after passing the ball without feeling intimidated.

Schedule

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