AFC Women's Futsal Championship Malaysia 2015 vs Malaysia Women's Futsal National Team
2015-9-25 (Fri.) - 19:00   Playing Time 20min.×2
Nilai Indoor Stadium (Negri Sembilan, Malaysia)

Japan Women's Futsal National Team   8-1 (3-0, 5-1)   Malaysia Women's Futsal National Team

Scores
2'   SAKATA Mutsumi (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
12'   AMISHIRO Anna (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
15'   KITAGAWA Kana (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
23'   HIGASHIYAMA Maiko (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
35'   SAKATA Mutsumi (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
35'   Goal against (Malaysia Women's Futsal National Team)
39'   KICHIBAYASHI Chikage (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
40'   KICHIBAYASHI Chikage (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)
40'   KICHIBAYASHI Chikage (Japan Women's Futsal National Team)

Line-ups
GK: YAMASHITA Miyuki
FP: SAKATA Mutsumi, NAKAJIMA Shiori, KITAGAWA Kana, UEMOTO Yuna

Substitutes
GK: YAMAMOTO Ayaka
FP: HOTTA Eriko, KATO Saori, AMISHIRO Anna, HIGASHIYAMA Maiko, KICHIBAYASHI Chikage, SEKINADA Minako, TAKAO Akari, SEKI Kaori

GK YAMAMOTO Ayaka, FP HOTTA Eriko and SEKI Kaori were not on the pitch in this game.

Match Report

Japan met the host country, Malaysia, in the semi-final. The stadium was filled with singing and drumming from the local supporters and the atmosphere was completely different from any other group stage matches so far – it was an away game for Japan. 

Japan took the kick off. After two minutes, SAKATA Mutsumi, who dribbled up through the right wing, took a sharp shot from beside the goal, striking the opener. Japan stayed aggressive in attack, creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities. Malaysia attacked back as well, making the game exciting with a lot of body contact. 

Then in the 12th minute, AMISHIRO Anna, who was free in the penalty area, received a pass from KATO Saori and scored a goal. Japan picked up their pace, and prevented Malaysia from attacking and looking for goals.

After 15 minute, NAKAJIMA Shiori kicked-in from the right touchline. Then SEKINADA Minako passed the ball to KITAGAWA Kana, who directly took a shot, adding more insurance. The players defended calmly against Malaysia’s attack, and the game went into the second half at 3-0.

In the second half, Japan were relentless. After 23 minutes, Kato, who got through on the left side, passed the ball to HIGASHIYAMA Maiko on the right wing. Higashiyama reacted well to take a shot, scoring the fourth goal for the team. Japan continued to take the initiative by switching between attack and a solid defence.

In the 35th minute, Sakata was free on the left side and received the ball from Nakajima, who kicked-in the ball from the right touchline. She calmly slotted the ball into the goal, increasing their lead. However, right after that, Japan conceded a goal. The Malaysian goalkeeper kicked a long-distance pass and it went directly into Japan’s goal. The stadium was filled with a deafening thunder of cheers. 

Although Malaysia threw everything into attack, Japan stayed calm. Japan attacked against Malaysia’s weakened defence, and KICHIBAYASHI Chikage scored in both the 39th and 40th minute with her strong shots. At the end of the game, just before the final whistle, Japan earned a penalty kick from Malaysia’s foul, and Kichibayashi calmly scored from it.

Japan won a sweeping victory against Malaysia 8-1, and booked a place in the final. 

The final against the Iran women’s Futsal National Team will kick-off at 19:00 local time on Saturday 26 September.

Sakata Mutsumi was chosen as the Player of the Match in this game.

Coach and Players' Comments

ARIHARA Masaaki, Coach
As the players understood fully the concept and plays of the team, which had been built through practice sessions and matches, they did it well on the pitch without any instruction. The content of the game showed our achievement so far.

We’ll meet our biggest rival in Asia, Iran, in the final, and I expect the game will be different from others. I’m very pleased as well as excited to play against such a team in the final. I’d like to support the players fully, so that they can show all their ability.

SAKATA Mutsumi (SWH Ladies Futsal Club)
The reason we won the game was that we could show what we’d been practicing – set pieces, pressing forward, and maintaining possession. We could even enjoy the away atmosphere.

Tomorrow we will meet Iran for the final. I’d like to share today’s good plays with my teammates and fix today’s problem to improve the team, getting ready for the coming game. We’ll win the championship.

SEKINADA Minako (arco-iris KOBE)
There was a typical away-match atmosphere in today’s game against host country, Malaysia. It was good that Japan scored early in the match, followed by some more insurance. Also our new set piece worked well, which led us to strike another goal. We’ll play as a united team in tomorrow’s final to win the championship.

KITAGAWA Kana (Maruoka RUCK Ladies)
Although the cheer from the opponent’s supporters was so loud and I couldn’t hear my teammates call well in the match against Malaysia, we could play calmly, staying concentrated well. I was over the moon that I could score for the first time in this championship. We’ll claim the title of the inaugural AFC Women's Futsal Championship, winning tomorrow’s final.

Semi-Final vs Malaysia　Highlight

Internet Live Distribution

The knockout stage final match of the “AFC Women's Futsal Championship Malaysia 2015” between the Japan Women's Futsal National Team and the Iran Women's Futsal National Team, which will kick-off at 19:00 on Saturday 26 September (at 20:00 on Saturday 26 September Japan Time), will be broadcast live on the Internet by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
*The broadcasting image cannot be guaranteed and depends on the condition of the Internet or the viewing environment.

Schedule

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

AFC Women's Futsal Championship Malaysia 2015 Group Rosters
GroupＡ Iran, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong
GroupＢ Japan, China PR, Thailand, Vietnam