Training Match vs Rio de Janeiro state selection Team
2016-3-27 (Sun.) - 9:00   Playing Time: 15min. ×3
Copacabana (Brazil)

Japan Beach Soccer National Team　3-3 (1st 1-1, 2nd 1-0, 3rd 0-1, Extra 1-1、PSO 3-1) Rio de Janeiro state selection Team

Scores
6'　AKAGUMA Takuya (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
14'　Goal against (Rio de Janeiro state selection Team)
20'　MOREIRA Ozu (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
44'　Goal against (Rio de Janeiro state selection Team)
46'　MATSUO Naoya (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
49'　Goal against (Rio de Janeiro state selection Team)

Line-ups
GK: SAITO Masaki
FP: OKUYAMA Masanori, NISHIGUCHI Keisuke, NAKAHARA Yuki, OBA Takaaki

Substitutes
GK: TERUKINA Shingo, GOTO Masato
FP: MOREIRA Ozu, TABATA Teruki, MATSUO Naoya, AKAGUMA Takuya, TOMA Masahito, GOTO Takasuke

Match Report

On the final day of the Brazil trip, Japan Beach Soccer National Team faced the Rio de Janeiro state selection Team in the last training match during this trip.

After losing twice to Brazil National Team, the squad were determined never to leave for home with a winless record.

Japan reformed their starting lineup for the 1st period mainly with young players and new faces on the national team. The players came off very aggressively from moments after the kick-off and AKAGUMA’s fierce strike out of a scramble in front of goalmouth gave Japan the match opening goal. Japan kept the initiative as a few more shots closely missed to extend the lead. In the 14th minute, however, they allowed the opponents to equalise the match from a counter-attack.

The second period saw more experienced players on the pitch, who were reliable to control the match and regain the offensive rhythm. In the 15th minute MOREIRA Ozu struck a sensational right-footed shot from around the half line, which put Japan one goal ahead.

In the third period, the opponents’ superb technique put Japan on their heels, but goalkeeper SAITO’s aggressive charge and tenacious efforts by defenders helped Japan save their goal. Japan, however, kept failing to create scoring opportunities for themselves although the ball was kept in their own control most of the time. Then Japan gave away a free-kick to the opponents at in front of the opponents’ goal. Despite the long distance, the shot found the back of Japan’s goal net to tie the match once again right before the end of the period.

The third period ended with no more goal actions, which took the match into an extra period. First minute into it, MATSUO directed his off-balance shot to the left corner of the goal to grab the lead again. Japan, in spite of their intent to maintain the lead and finish the match, allowed the opponents to get back to the level terms one more time when the ball coming out of a scramble was put into Japan’s goal in the 3rd minute. The extra period finished as the scoring remained the same, which let the penalty shootout decide the outcome.

While the opponents’ powerful first shot was firmly denied by goalkeeper Saito, Japan missed their own first attempt. The opponents’ second kicker showed a tricky floated shot, but it was not enough to misguide Saito, who composedly put that away. Then coolheaded Goto as Japan’s second kicker laid his shot to the left corner of the goal to put his team ahead by one goal. After the opponents’ successful third try, Akaguma at last converted his own attempt into the left corner to seal Japan’s win.

The players certainly gained first-hand experience of the level of football that they do not normally face. This experience will be taken advantage of for the upcoming Asian Games in this year and the World Cup qualifiers to be held next year. The squad are scheduled to leave their hotel in the evening of 27 March to take their flight back to Japan.

Coach and Players' Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Coach
Today I gave another chance to some of our new players. They met my expectation and it was very good. Overall we played well throughout the match, but we still gave away chances to our opponents. I think this Brazil trip has turned out to be a very positive one. I got to see our new players and we tried new formations and tactics. This is very good for the future of this national team. We must keep getting better and I want my players to keep working out to reach the top level, even after they go back to their club. I am thankful to all the team staff who supported us in Brazil and also to the players.

SAITO Masaki (Vamos a la Casa)
Today’s match was the last one in this trip. So I organised once again our coach’s idea and tactics and played to get the win. During the match, I was able to calm myself down and play as I usually play. So that gave me extra confidence. We took the control of the match more than the Brazil matches, but we still couldn’t score when we could and we also made many passing mistakes. Those things are left as our unfinished assignment. It has been a valuable experience, so I want to keep my motivation high even after I go back to Japan and I will keep working hard to reach the world level.

GOTO Takasuke (Fusion)
This Brazil trip turned out to be a very meaningful one for the national team of the near future. We experienced everything we were supposed to experience here such as opponents, environment, sand, meals and so on. Also this time we had many new players on the squad, so we including myself must take advantage of this experience for our next assignment. It was also enjoyable to interact with the world-best Brazil squad and many different players. Undoubtedly everyone is getting better at a remarkable speed, so I can’t be left off. I will keep working really hard in order to win the World Cup.

Schedule

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