Training Match vs U-20 Al-Seeb Club
2016-7-15 (Fri.) - 19:15   Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (Muscat/Oman)

U-16 Japan National Team　2-2 (1-1, 1-1)　U-20 Al-Seeb Club

Scores
12'　NAKAMURA Keito (U-16 Japan National Team)
19'　Goal against（U-20 Al-Seeb Club）
46'　Goal against（U-20 Al-Seeb Club）
75'　HIRAKAWA Rei (U-16 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: AOKI Kokoro
DF: KIKUCHI Kenta, KEMMOTSU Takumu, SEKIGAWA Ikuma, KATSURA Rikuto
MF: IZUMI Toya, KUMASAWA Kazuki, SEHATA Gijo, TSUNO Ayase
FW: NAKAMURA Keito, TANAHASHI Akito

Substitutes
GK: TANI Kosei
DF: SUGAWARA Yukinari, FUJII Haruya
MF: HIRAKAWA Rei, KIDA Hinata, KOKUBU Ryuji
FW: KUBO Takefusa

HT　AOKI Kokoro → TANI Kosei
HT　TANAHASHI Akito → KIDA Hinata
60'　KUMASAWA Kazuki → HIRAKAWA Rei
63'　IZUMI Toya → SUGAWARA Yukinari
73'　TSUNO Ayase → FUJII Haruya

Match Report

On July 15th, in the second match of their trip to Oman, “00-JAPAN” drew 2-2 against U-20 Al-See Club, an affiliate team that belongs to the Oman professional league. They are considered to be one of the top youth teams having multiple players advancing to the top league.

Japan started the game with four newly invited players. Against their opponent that uses long balls from their goalkeeper, Japan countered with players with speed, putting pressure from the front line in attempt to gain control of the game.

In the 12th minute, Japan struck first giving them an early advantage. Controlling the ball on the right side of the field, the midfielder TSUNO Ayase served a pass to the forward TANAHASHI Akito who relayed the ball to the forward NAKAMURA Keito. Although his initial attempt to split by the defender was denied, he found the loose ball and scored a spectacular goal with his left foot.

Yet the opponent, utilizing their physical strengths, started to gain control of the game, increasing their possession in the middle of the field.  In the 19th minute, Japan recklessly conceded a free kick, allowing the hosting team to level the match.  In the 21st minute, the home side found the space behind the defenders only to see their shot gone wide.

Starting the match tied at 1-1 in the second half, Japan conceded a soft goal in the opening minute. From a simple long ball, Japan gave up a one-on-one opportunity, allowing the home team to score. In attempt to regain control of the game, the visiting side used substitutions.

In the 75th minute, the defender KATSURA Rikuto initiated an attack from the left side, sending a cross to the midfielder Hirakawa Rei. He, in turn, dribbled past through a defender with excellent techniques and fired a brilliant long-range shot, leveling the match. In the remaining third of the second half, the home team showed fatigue and allowed the visitors to gain control of the game. However, both sides failed to score resulting in a tie 2-2.

The next match will be against the U-16 Oman National Team for the second time on July 17th.

* "00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

DF #2  KATSURA Rikuto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth)
For today’s game, we tried to play aggressively as a team, reflecting back on our last match. Partly due to lack of communication, we struggled to play collectively and conceded two goals. Some players have been called up for the first time and I felt the need to communicate better about our tactics and positions and make the necessary adjustments during the game.

We drew against a tough opponent. We shall take this result positively. While we prepare ourselves for the next and final game in this trip, we still need to resolve some issues.

MF #8  SEHATA Gijo (JFA Academy Fukushima U18)
For this trip, I set my goal to make more and better attempts inside the box. However, I failed to do so in the first half of the match. In regards to winning the competition for the ball, which has been an important issue for this match, I wasn’t able to anticipate well, thus allowing the opponents to take control of it.

On the contrary, in the second half, I had several opportunities to run inside the box and take shoots. In order to play well throughout the match, I need to practice even harder considering the tough game situations.

FW #10  NAKAMURA Keito (Mitsubishi Yowa SC Youth)
Feeling the responsibility of leading the team, I was able to cheer them up in our warm-ups. We entered the match in a position mood.  Despite the tough opening of the match, we were able to strike first. However, we lacked communication thereafter and conceded a frivolous free kick, resulting in an equalizer.

Still another issue was the far distance between myself and two forward players. I was also slow in making accurate decisions when I was given the ball. I felt the need to broaden my vision prior to receiving the ball, imaging about the subsequent plays.

The next match will be the last one of our trip. In order for us to be on the winning side and finish the camp on a high note, we need to maintain a high level of concentration and communicate better amongst ourselves.

Schedule

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