CFA International Women's Youth Tournament 2016 Weifang vs U-17 New Zealan Women’s National Team
2016-7-16 (Sat.) - 16:00   Playing Time: 45min.×2
Weifang Olympic Sports Center Stadium (Shandong/China)

U-17 Japan Women's National Team   5-1 (1-0, 4-1)   U-17 New Zealan Women’s National Team

Scores
25'   MATSUMOTO Manaka (U-17 Japan Women's National Team)
47'   TAKARADA Saori (U-17 Japan Women's National Team)
49'   TAKARADA Saori (U-17 Japan Women's National Team)
60'   Jacqui Hand (U-17 New Zealan Women’s National Team)
78'   YAKATA Miyu (U-17 Japan Women's National Team)
90'   YAKATA Miyu (U-17 Japan Women's National Team)

Line-ups
GK: MIZUGUCHI Mayu
DF: FUNAKI Nodoka, TAKAHIRA Miyu, ONO Nana, TOMITA Miyu
MF: MIYAZAWA Hinata, KARAHASHI Mayu, KANEKATSU Rio, SHIMANO Mio
FW: MATSUMOTO Manaka, TAKARADA Saori

Substitutes
GK: KOGURE Chiaki
DF: USHIJIMA Riko, WAKISAKA Reina
MF: NAGANO Fuka, KANNO Oto
FW: UEKI Riko, TAKAHASHI Hana, YAKATA Miyu, ENDO Jun

61'   MATSUMOTO Manaka → TAKAHASHI Hana
61'   KARAHASHI Mayu → YAKATA Miyu
82'   MIYAZAWA Hinata → NAGANO Fuka
82'   TAKARADA Saori → KANNO Oto

Match Report

The last match of the CFA International Women’s Youth Tournament 2016 Weifang was played between the U-17 Japan Women’s National Team and the U-17 New Zealand National Team, who will play in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016. 

Japan changed eight of starting eleven players from the second match against China. The match didn’t move in the first 15 minutes of the first half, but Japan started to take control thereafter. MATSUMOTO Manaka cleared the defence and took shots in the 17th and 18th minutes, but both of them were denied by the goalkeeper.

In the 25th minute, KANEKATSU Rio passed the ball from left wing to TAKARADA Saori in the centre, and then Matsumoto received it on the right and made a calm shot. Japan scored the opening goal. They continued to attack aggressively with TOMITA Miyu and SHIMANO Mio, both having goal-scoring chances, but their shots missed the target. Before the end of the first half, Tomita raised the ball to the centre and Takarada tried to make the finishing touch but it didn’t find the net. The first half ended 1-0. 

In the opening minutes of the second half, FUNAKI Nodoka overlapped on the left wing and passed the ball to Takarada who scored the second goal. In the 49th minute, Takarada scored another goal from a goalmouth scramble, resulting in a 3-0 lead. In the 60th minute, Japan conceded a goal through a New Zealand’s counter-attack. Right after this goal, Japan brought on two substitutes TAKAHASHI Hana and YAKATA Miyu.

In the 78th minute, from the loose ball from Takahashi, Yakata found the opponent’s net. The score now became 4-1. In the 82nd minute, Japan introduced two other substitutes NAGANO Fuka and KANNO Oto to score more goals. In the additional time, Igata received the ball from Takahashi and scored her second goal. The match ended 5-1. 

The U-17 Japan Women’s National Team finished this competition as the runner-up with 2 wins and 1 defeat. Top scorer was given to Japan’s ENDO Jun. The team will go back to Japan on 17 July.

Coach and Players' Comments

KUSUNOSE Naoki, Coach
Before the match, we reviewed the fundamentals of our team such as individual tactics, compact defence, and aggressive defence from the front line. As a result, we won 5-1 against a formidable opponent. However, we still need to improve our accuracy especially in pass and offence combination. For the coming U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016, we will utilize this experience and apply it to our future endeavours as national team’s football coach and players. I would like to express my gratitude to participating club teams, schools, and all the staffs of the Chinese Football Association for inviting us in this event.

GK #18  MIZUGUCHI Mayu (YAMATO SYLPHID U-18)
It was an excellent experience participating and obtaining a victory in an international competition outside of Japan for the first time. By playing against foreign players, I got to understand the difference in physical strength and speed. These are the things that I cannot experience in Japan. Yet it is regrettable that we couldn’t get the title. I will work even harder to improve in my club team to win the U-17 Women’s World Cup. 

FW #17  TAKAHASHI Hana (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Youth)
Playing against New Zealand today, I realized the difference in agility and physical toughness between Japanese and foreign players. We have to stay consistent in our passing and firm when competing for the ball. I think we need to keep our motivation up for our future. This competition made us understand what we have to do to grow up as an individual and as a team. I will continue to work even harder.

Schedule

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