International Friendly 2nd Match vs U-19 France National Team
2016-9-3 (Sat.) - 14:00   Playing Time 90min. (45min.×2)
Stade des Bourgognes (Chantilly, France)

U-19 France National Team   4-1 (0-0, 4-1)   U-19 Japan National Team

Scores
51'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
61'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
76'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
81'   Goal against (U-19 France National Team)
90+2'   KISHIMOTO Takeru (U-19 Japan National Team)

Line-ups
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: IWATA Tomoki, KOGA Taiyo, MACHIDA Koki, FUNAKI Kakeru
MF: MIYOSHI Koji, ICHIMARU Mizuki, HARA Teruki, SUGIMORI Koki
FW: KAKITA Yuki, IWASAKI Yuto

Substitutions
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke, OSAKO Keisuke
DF: FUJITANI So, OMINAMI Takuma, NAKAYAMA Yuta, HATSUSE Ryo
MF: DOAN Ritsu, WATANABE Kouta, KAMIYA Yuta, ENDO Keita
FW: KISHIMOTO Takeru, OGAWA Koki

HT   KAKITA Yuki → OMINAMI Takuma
65'   SUGIMORI Koki → DOAN Ritsu
79'   IWASAKI Yuto → KISHIMOTO Takeru
79'   HARA Teruki → WATANABE Kouta

Match Report

The U-19 Japan National Team and the U-19 France National Team had their second international friendly, this time at Les Bourgognes stadium, which was used as a base camp for England during June’s Euro 2016. Over a total of 700 French supporters came to watch the game.

Japan, who defeated France 3-0 in their first game, came in the second game switching all the starting members from the first game. In the first half, France had the pace, but Japan’s Iwasaki got in the space behind the French defenders and created a few scoring opportunities. Yet, in the 43rd minute, when Japan’s MACHIDA and a French forward competed for the ball, Machida was red-carded for a violent foul and was ejected from the game. Thus Japan had to play with one man down.

In the second half, Japan sent defender OMINAMI in for KAKITA to form a 4-4-1 system, but France netted a middle shot in the 51st minute to take a lead. And, in the 61st minute, Japan allowed a French player to break through on the right side and dribble into the box. The French attacker fired a shot and scored their second. In the 76th minute, France added another to extend their lead.

In the 81st minute, a French player dribbled up the middle and got behind Japanese defenders with skilful passing work and calmly made a goal to make it 4-0. Not only were Japan outmanned, but they also lost in one-on-one situations and kept allowing goals. However, in the 92nd minute, late substitute DOAN, as he did in the first game, dribbled up the right side beating French players and penetrated into the box. Doan fed a through pass to Kishimoto, who ran into the spot at the right timing. Kishimoto scored a goal before the final whistle. Japan fell 1-4 to France.

Japan ended with one win and one loss in the two-game series against France. Japan will travel to UAE and play an international friendly against the U-19 UAE National Team on 7 September.

Players' Comments

GK #12  HIROSUE Riku (Aomori Yamada High School) 
We got in the game well and created some good scoring chances, but struggled to net one and lost one of our players due to an ejection. We could have avoided some of the four goals we allowed in the second half. We might not have been able to switch our mind after we allowed the first goal. I got to know many of my strengths and weaknesses in this game, so I will reflect on them. I do not wish to waste this valuable experience.

DF #19  FUNAKI Kakeru (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I wanted to play showcasing all of my strengths and we wanted a win as a team ahead of the AFC U-19 Championship, but it's disappointing that we came up short. While France came out aggressively up front, we kept making mistakes and were pressured for a long time. However, it was positive that we competed tenaciously and resiliently.

In the second half, because one of our men was ejected towards end of the first half, it gave us tough times. I think that we need to share our image on where we try to rob the ball as a team a little bit more. Individually, I have to be more accurate regarding when I should get involved in offensive plays. Furthermore, I should get one step closer to the opponents to defend effectively. We don't have much time until the AFC U-19 Championship, but I will do my best to play on the pitch, overcoming my personal issues.

MF #21  HARA Teruki (Ichiritsu Funabashi High School)
We came up short, and I personally made too many easy errors, which interrupted the flow of our game. I would like to improve on that. I am going to have better preparation towards our game against UAE.

MF #14  SUGIMORI Koki (Nagoya Grampus)
We got in the game trying to have another win like we did in the first game, but we came up short. We did some good things defensively early on, but kept allowing goals after all. Individually, I felt that I needed to increase the number of times I find the open space to receive the ball and put pressure on the opponents by breaking through the defence. We are going to have good preparation towards our next game against UAE.

Schedule

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