Training Match vs Al Wasl Sport Club
2016-10-10 (mon.) - 16:30 Playing Time: 90min. (45min.×2)
Al Wasl Sport Club (Dubai, UAE)

Al Wasl Sport Club　2-3 (1-2, 1-1)　U-19 Japan National Team

Scores
6'　OGAWA Koki (U-19 Japan National Team)
13'　goal against (Al Wasl Sport Club)
40'　MIYOSHI Koji (U-19 Japan National Team)
50'　goal against (Al Wasl Sport Club)
66'　IWASAKI Yuto (U-19 Japan National Team)

1st Game
GK: KOJIMA Ryosuke
DF: FUJITANI So, TOMIYASU Takehiro, NAKAYAMA Yuta, FUNAKI Kakeru
MF: DOAN Ritsu, KAMIYA Yuta, SAKAI Daisuke, MIYOSHI Koji
FW: OGAWA Koki, KISHIMOTO Takeru

2nd Game
GK: HIROSUE Riku
DF: IWATA Tomoki, ITAKURA Kou, MACHIDA Koki, HATSUSE Ryo
MF: ENDO Keita, ICHIMARU Mizuki, HARA Teruki, NAGANUMA Yoichi
FW: IWASAKI Yuto, NAKAMURA Shunta

Subsitutions
GK: WAKAHARA Tomoya 

Match Report

The U-19 Japan National Team, who have been attending a training camp in Dubai, played a practice game against a local team, Al Wasl Sports Club, just before the start of the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016. As it was the final practice game prior to the championship, the match kicked off at 16:30 just like the three group-stage games will.

Japan found their rhythm at the beginning of the first half, and passed the ball around. In the sixth minute, the midfielder MIYOSHI Koji (Kawasaki Frontale), who got the ball from a counter-attack, passed into the space behind the opponent’s defender. Then the forward OGAWA Koki (Jubilo Iwata) ran forward, calmly facing the goalkeeper one-on-one to fire the first shot of the match. Japan got the opener. After 13 minutes, however, Japan gave a free kick away in front of the goal, and let the opponent score the equaliser. Both teams struggled in attack for a while, until the midfielder DOAN Ritsu (Gamba Osaka) got through the opponent’s defenders with a one-two with OGAWA in the 40th minute. MIYOSHI received a pass and took a strong long-distance shot from outside the penalty area to turn the match around 2-1 before halftime.

Japan substituted all 11 players for the second half. Although Japan took the initiative at the beginning as in the first half, the team conceded a goal from their own mistake in the 50th minute, letting the opponent level the game 2-2. After 66 minutes, the midfielder NAGANUMA Yoichi (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), who had received the ball in the centre, passed to the right. The midfielder ENDO Keita (Yokohama F・Marinos) got the ball and dribbled up through the penalty area, drawing in the opponent’s goalkeeper. He sent the last pass towards the forward IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Tachibana High School), who calmly slotted it into the goal, once again building a one-goal lead for Japan. Japan continued to maintain possession, and looked for more goals. However, they could not add any more insurance until the final whistle. The team won the last practice game 3-2 before the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016. They will now move to Bahrain, where the championship will be held.

Players' Comments

MF #17 ICHIMARU Mizuki (Gamba Osaka)
As we conceded two goals from our own faults today, I’d like to fix those problems before the championship. We made many careless mistakes in attack, and our performance was of a low quality. We need to prepare ourselves well not to make mistakes, as any schoolboy error can be fatal in the final qualifiers. Personally, I’d like to stay more ambitious for goals, and overwhelm the opponent. In the championship, we’re determined to book a place in the World Cup, and aim to become the Asian champions.

MF #18 ENDO Keita (Yokohama F・Marinos)
We made a lot of careless mistakes during today’s match due to the fact we haven’t got used to the heat. Although we did win the game, I believe we could have improved on our performance. Having said that, I’d like to point out the positives: we were determined to win the game, and we managed to get a win before the final qualifiers. Also, it was good to score three goals by getting through the opponent. Personally, though I assisted one of the goals in today’s match, I could have been involved in more. I’ll play my hardest, so that we can make it through the final qualifiers. 

DF #19 FUNAKI Kakeru (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I believe that I defended well against today’s opponent, who sent lots of long-distance balls up front. Japan had the initiative most of the time, but we conceded goals from set pieces while we were struggling, which must not happen in the final qualifying round. So I’m determined to fix that problem. It’s great that we will bring some positive momentum to Bahrain from today’s win. I’d like to sustain this positive atmosphere until the final match. 

FW #20 IWASAKI Yuto (Kyoto Tachibana High School)
It was good that we applied pressure aggressively up front whenever the opponent had the ball in today’s game. I believe we managed to sustain possession longer than usual. Having said that, we tended to let the opponent attack back off our mistakes after intercepting, and the game was competitive. Although I scored one goal, I could have had two or three more goals from our opportunities. So I’d like to improve the accuracy of my shooting. My aim in this championship is to score steadily in order to contribute to the team’s victory, and to grab a spot in the U-20 World Cup.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*The Championship's top four ranked teams will then fly the Asian flag at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017. If Korea Republic, the hosting country of 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, advances to the semifinals, the playoff matches will be held deciding the fifth place among the four losing teams in the quarterfinals.