AFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2015 3rd Match vs U-19 China Women's National Team
2015-8-22 (Sat.) - 16:00   Playing Time: 45min×2
Jiangning Sports Centre Stadium (Nanjing, China)

U-19 Japan Women's National Team  3-2  (1-0, 2-2)   U-19 China Women's National Team

Scores
22'   KOBAYASHI Rikako (U-19 Japan Women's National Team)
64'   NISHIDA Meika (U-19 Japan Women's National Team)
71'   Goal against (PK) (U-19 China Women's National Team)
75'   KITAGAWA Hikaru (U-19 Japan Women's National Team)
84'   Goal against (U-19 China Women's National Team)

Line-ups
GK: HIRAO Chika
DF: SHIMIZU Risa, KITAGAWA Hikaru, ICHISE Nana, NORIMATSU Ruka
MF: SUMIDA Rin, SUGITA Hina, HASEGAWA Yui, NISHIDA Meika
FW: KOBAYASHI Rikako, MOMIKI Yuka

Substitutes
GK: MATSUMOTO Mamiko, MORITA Yukari
DF: TAKEMURA Misaki, HAZA Hisui, MATSUBARA Shiho, MIYAGAWA Asato
MF: MIURA Narumi, MIZUTANI Yuki, ANZAI Yuka, SONODA Mizuki
FW: SEIKE Kiko, SHIRAKI Akari

64'   MOMIKI Yuka → MIURA Narumi
80'   HASEGAWA Yui → SEIKE Kiko

Match Report

U-19 Japan Women's National Team edged host China 3-2 in their third group stage match and qualified through Group A in the first place in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship China 2015 on 22 August.

Because it was played on Saturday, the teams played surrounded by more fans. While the fans supported China with cheering and drumming, Japan grabbed the momentum in the first half.

In the 22nd minute, Japan forward KOBAYASHI Rikako robbed the ball while the Chinese defender were passing it among themselves and headed toward the goal. She made a shot to give Japan a lead. Moments later, midfielder SUMIDA Rin fired a middle shot but it hit the bar. Afterward, Japan weren't able to capture China's solid defence and entered halftime up 1-0.

In the 64th minute, midfielder NISHIDA Meika, who ran into a space in the middle and received a pass, dodged a defender and netted a goal to make it 2-0 for Japan. But Japan had to endure the time China kept attacking in the second half. In the 71st minute, defender SHIMIZU Risa fouled a Chinese player and China made the penalty kick to cut their deficit to one.

In the 75th minute, however, defender NORIMATSU Ruka fired a shot after a corner kick of Sumida from the right and defender Kitagawa put the loose ball into the net to give Japan a 3-1 lead.

Yet Japan struggled against China's fierce attacks and gave up a goal after a corner kick from the left in the 84th minute. Japan were forced to play patiently against China's attacks until the end, but managed to endure it. Japan barely beat China 3-2.

Japan, who have qualified through Group A in the first place, will take on the runner up team of Group B in the semifinals on the 26th.

Coach and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach
We came in the game knowing it would be a tough one today. But as we expected, China strengthened their offensive power in the second half. Whether we'd wrap up our group league games with three straight wins or not would affect our battles going forward, so I give credit to our players who managed to endure. I consider that our team have improved as a team through a game like today's.

KITAGAWA Hikaru (JFA Academy Fukushima)
When we got the corner kick, I had a full confidence to net it. I'm relieved that I connected it for a goal. China put a lot of players up front and their defensive line collapsed, so we tried to put pressure with the ball thoroughly. There were some occasions that our front line and defensive line weren't resonant, so would like to correct that until the next game. 

HIRAO Chika (Urawa Reds Ladies)
I was a little nervous as it was the first game for me in a while, but I had a confidence that we'd win if we did what we practiced. I re-realized that the players will come at the ball hardly in the international level. It's my issue to improve the decision making on whether I should catch the ball or punch the ball. Developing the connections with my teammates, I would like to contribute to the team with plays that will save them.

Schedule

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