5th Asian Beach Games   Group Stage 1st Match vs Afghanistan Beach Soccer National Team
2016-9-25 (Sun.) - 14:30 (Local Time)   Playing Time: 12min×3
Asian Beach Games Beach Soccer Court 2 (Danang/Vietnam)

Japan Beach Soccer National Team   11-0 (1st 4-0, 2nd 2-0, 3rd 5-0)   Afghanistan Beach Soccer National Team

Scores
1'   OBA Takaaki (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
7'   AKAGUMA Takuya (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
8'   AKAGUMA Takuya (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
9'   GOTO Takasuke (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
14'   MOREIRA Ozu (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
18'   GOTO Takasuke (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
25'   HARAGUCHI Shotaro (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
27'   AKAGUMA Takuya (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
29'   TERUKINA Shingo (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
31'   GOTO Takasuke (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)
35'   AKAGUMA Takuya (Japan Beach Soccer National Team)

Line-ups
GK: TERUKINA Shingo
FP: MOREIRA Ozu, TABATA Teruki, OBA Takaaki, GOTO Takasuke

Substitutes
GK: KAWAI Yusuke
FP: HARAGUCHI Shotaro, NAKAHARA Yuki, MATSUO Naoya, AKAGUMA Takuya

Match Report

On 25 September, the Japan Beach Soccer National Team, who is competing in the Asian Beach Games, had their first match of the group stage against Afghanistan. 

Under the scorching sun, Japan kicked off with the ball at 14:30. Japan concentrated well from the beginning, since they know that first matches are always challenging. 

Right after the kick-off, in the 1st minute, Japan’s OBA Takaaki scored the opener. After this goal, they had a couple of difficult moments from opponents’ counter-attacks, but their defence centred around goalkeeper TERUKINA Shingo protected the Japanese goal. 

In the 7th minute, AKAGUMA Takuya met a high ball from a corner and made it 2-0. Right afterwards, Akaguma quickly responded to a loose ball and slotted back into the net, extending their lead to 3-0. Furthermore, in the 9th minute, GOTO Takasuke successfully netted an overhead shot from a nifty lofted pass by MOREIRA Ozu. The first period ended 4-0.

Japan substituted players frequently in the second period, but they kept their high intensity level in offence. In the 14th minute, Moreira scored directly from a free kick and further stretched their advantage to 5-0. Four minutes later, Goto scored calmly from a penalty shot, expanding their lead to 6-0.

Japan continued to attack Afghanistan’s goal in the third period. In the 25th minute, HARAGUCHI Shotaro scored their seventh goal from Akaguma’s post play. Furthermore, in the 27th minute Akaguma turned himself superbly and smashed in a dazzling shot into the net. Now, Japan were convincingly ahead 8-0.

Japan further added to their impressive score tally. Goalkeeper Terukina and Goto from the penalty spot scored in the 29th and 31st minutes, respectively. The end of Japan’s goal-rush was scored by Akaguma, when he slotted the ball into the opponents’ net from a goalmouth scramble. The match ended with the Japanese side winning decisively 11-0. 

For this match, the members of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) and Japanese players, who will participate in the Asian Beach Games, came to the venue and supported the Japan Beach Soccer National Team. The governor of Aichi prefecture, OHMURA Hideaki, and the Mayor of Nagoya city, KAWAMURA Takashi, were also present at the match.

On the same day, the General Assembly of Olympic Council of Asia was held, and Aichi prefecture and its capital city Nagoya were confirmed as co-hosts of the 2026 Asian Games. 

After the General Assembly, the Japan Beach Soccer National Team and their staff members took a group photo with the members of JOC, Governor Ohmura, and Mayor Kawamura. Both the players and the staff expressed their gratitude for their support and encouragement.

Japan will have training sessions on 26 September and their second match of the group stage against China at 14:30 on 27 September. 

Coach and Players' Comments

Marcelo MENDES, Coach
We had an excellent match today. Afghanistan Beach Soccer National Team do not have enough experience in beach soccer and we were able to take full control of the match. It was very good that all the players had a chance to be on the pitch today. I am happy with their performance and the result. However, we will compete soon against China, so we need to keep working hard and get ready for the next match.

FP #10  MOREIRA Ozu (Fusion)
We have been able to manage today’s match brilliantly. We kept a high level of concentration until the end and performed well representing the Japanese National Team. We only have one day before the next match, so we need to make good preparation for it. We will do our best and win the next match against China, keeping our good condition. 

GK #2  KAWAI Yusuke (Sol Mar Praia)
We knew that the first match was important in order to keep winning throughout this competition. Furthermore, we are expected to win the title this time. We squared off against Afghanistan, and what led us our victory today was that all of us understood what we have to do as a team. In adddition, we were able to make swift transition between offence and defence as well. It is an important result for us that we kept a clean sheet today—this will build our confidence for the upcoming matches.

Amongst our supporters today, there were Governor Ohmura of Aichi prefecture and Mayor Kawamura of Nagoya. Since I am from Nagoya in Aichi prefecture, I was very much encouraged by their passionate support. We will be united as a team and do our best to win the title.

Schedule

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

5th Asian Beach Games (2016/Danang)

2016-9-25(Sun.)～2016-10-2(Sun.)
More Information