JOC Junior Olympic Cup the 20th All Japan Youth Women’s Football Tournament started on Tuesday 3 January at J-GREEN Sakai with eight matches of the first round played on that day.

Pick-up Match 1

Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls（Kansai１／Osaka）16-0（8-0, 8-0）Vicsale Okinawa FC Navita（Kyushu１／Okinawa）

In strong chilly winds, Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls from the host city of Sakai faced Vicsale Okinawa FC Navita from Okinawa where it’s still warm enough to walk outside with a short-sleeve shirt. Two minutes into the match, Cerezo opened the scoring from TANAKA Tomoko attacking the open space behind the defenders. The previous cup winners Cerezo Osaka took the initiative from there. After scoring her first goal in the 11th minute, TAKARADA Saori achieved a hat trick before the end of the first half. Okinawa FC, who kept the clean sheet throughout the Kyushu regional qualifiers, conceded eight goals in the first half alone.

The players of the Okinawa side talked it over during the half time and got back to the pitch re-motivated. Cerezo, however, scored the first goal only two minutes after the halftime break. Takarada took the ball up with her dribbling and composedly netted it home, calmly observing the goalkeeper. “I have practised my shots with specific attention to the accuracy of them”, said Takarada who showed her decisiveness and tallied the total seven goals including a beautiful loop shot finding the net. URASAKI Rikako, the only third grader and the captain of the Okinawa squad, attempted to lead the team and their defence while she kept fighting against mighty Cerezo Osaka, but the gap was too hard to fill and Cerezo ended the match with the big 16-goal lead to advance to the second round.

Match Summary (Japanese version only)

Pick-up Match 2

FC Imabari Hiuchi Ladies（Shikoku／Ehime）0-10（0-5, 0-5）Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Youth（Kanto4／Saitama）
 
FC Imabari Hiuchi Ladies, who are a less-than-a-year-old new team, went against Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Youth, third-placed team of the last year’s tournament. Even though Imabari allowed MIURA Haruka of Urawa to score the match opener in the 5th minute, Imabari’s coach KIMURA Takahiro kept inspiring his players, saying “it’s what we do from here”. Urawa’s NAGANO Fuka, however, extended the lead only four minutes later. When the first half was finished, the scoring was already 5-0 in favour of Urawa, as Imabari players were walking back to their bench holding their tears. 

Urawa even with the big lead did not stop attacking in the second half. In the 49th minute, WATARI Yuki, who was subbed in at the beginning of the second half, started another scoring spree with her own. Then KANEKATSU Rio and Nagano scored one goal apiece before the highlight play was made from a set-piece in the 65th minute. KUBO Mariko deflected a corner kick with her head and Watari tapped it in to make the score 9-0. Lastly TAKAHASHI Minori scored the tenth goal for her team in the 80th minute and Urawa came out with a rout.

Match Summary (Japanese version only)

Coaches' and Players' Comments

KUNIYOSHI Atsushi, Coach (Vicsale Okinawa FC Navita)
We have prepared ourselves to be able to defend collectively and tenaciously. But we had injuries in our midfield players and while we were figuring out whether to play her or not, we allowed multiple goals. Our team have many high school first graders and second graders, so I think they got to have an excellent experience for the next two years to come. They were clearly a better team than us, but we were able to go at one of the title contenders like Cerezo Osaka. Next year we want to come back here again and show our improvements.
 
URASAKI Rikako, Vicsale Okinawa FC Navita
We had many workouts for this first match and we improved our ball movement. But Cerezo Osaka were very fast in passing and decision making and they were better than us. We allowed goals and had a long tough stretch, but we kept talking to each other and our bench also kept supporting us vocally, so we were able to do our best. We lost, but we don’t have any regrets. It was a very good experience to get to play on this national stage.

KIMURA Takahiro, Coach (FC Imabari Hiuchi Ladies)
We set goals for this tournament as ‘getting wins’ and ‘keeping playing with our heads up in any situation’. Unfortunately, we didn’t get good results, but my players did very well in terms of keep fighting till the end. Our opponents were a much better team, good enough to contend for the national championship. So it was within my imagination to end up with a match like this. But since we clinched a spot in this tournament one month ago, we have tried to improve our individual skills with an eye on the national level. We want to play in a nationwide tournament again and next time we want to get a win.

SHIMOYAMA Kaoru, Coach (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Youth)
We didn’t start off this match very well, but my players scored a goal early and after that they gained their poise. We still have things to correct in terms of being able to observe the opponents and understand each situation, so I want them to address them now for the second round and beyond. If we win the second round, we will have two more matches to play. The second round will be a key match for us.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

JOC Junior Olympic Cup The 20th All Japan Youth Women's Football Tournament

3 Jaunuary 2017 (Tue.) ～ 7 January 2017 (Sat.)
J-GREEN Sakai（Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture）
Tournament Information