AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei 2018
Group stage 3rd Match vs Uzbekistan Futsal National team
5 February 2018 (Mon.) Kick-off 16:30(Local Time) Playing Time 40min.(20min.×2)
University of Taipei (Taipei, Chinese Taipei)

Japan Futsal National Team 4-2 (0-1 ,4-1) Uzbekistan Futsal National team

Scores
3'　goal against (Uzbekistan Futsal National team)
21'　MORIOKA Kaoru (Japan Futsal National Team)
24'　HOSHI Shota (Japan Futsal National Team)
26'　goal against (Uzbekistan Futsal National team)
35'　HOSHI Shota (Japan Futsal National Team)
39'　NISHITANI Ryosuke (Japan Futsal National Team)

Starting Line-ups
GK: PIRES Higor
FP: HENMI Katsutoshi Rafael, TAKITA Manabu、MORIOKA Kaoru, NISHITANI Ryosuke

Reserves
GK: SEKIGUCHI Yushi
FP: MUROTA Yuki, SAITO Koichi, MINAMOTO Akira, YOSHIKAWA Tomoki, NIBUYA Kazuhiro, HOSHI Shota
FP: SHIMIZU Kazuya, WATANABE Tomoaki

Match Report

Japan Futsal National Team faced Uzbekistan on Monday 5 February in their third match of the group stage in the AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei 2018. Although both teams had already sealed their own spot for the knockout stage, it was an important match for them to decide who advances as group winners.

With tough wins over Tajikistan in the first match and Korea Republic in the second, Japan had picked up their form heading into their third match. Japan took control of the game early on, as they showed great transition. Uzbekistan also played a solid game as they sought for a gap in the Japanese defence. The deadlock was broken in the 3rd minute. Uzbekistan broke through Japan's right flank, dribbling past the defender before netting the opening goal. After allowing the lead, Japan increased their pace and came close to opponents' goal to cancel the deficit but missed out on their goal-scoring opportunities before heading into half time at 1-0.

After re-motivating themselves during halftime, Japan levelled the game just after the start of the second half. MORIOKA Kaoru smashed the equaliser from a free kick following opponents' mistake in the 20th minute. Japan did not slow down after they scored their first goal, earning a free kick through a foul in the 24th minute. HOSHI Shota redirected SHIMIZU Kazuya's grounder into the net. However, Japan would concede another goal from Uzbekistan’s quick attack in the 26th minute to allow them to erase the gap.

It was Hoshi who scored the decider in the evenly matched see-saw game. The goal came when Morioka received a kick-in from the right flank and fired a shot. After Morioka's shot was deflected by the goalkeeper, Hoshi followed up with a header to put his side ahead at 3-2. Then on the 39th minute, NISHITANI Ryosuke forced a turnover during Uzbekistan’s power play, slotting the ball into the open net to secure the victory. Japan beat Uzbekistan 4-2 in the end.

Japan won three straight group-stage matches and will now face Bahrain in the quarterfinals on Thursday 8 at 7:00 pm.

Coach's and Players' Comments

Bruno GARCIA, Coach
We were able to get a very important victory. We also got to pay back for the disappointment at the Asia Indoor and Martial Arts Games last year in Turkmenistan (where Japan lost to Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout at the semi-final). More than anything, I am happy that my players performed well enough to deserve this win. They were able to precisely execute our game plan. Heading into the quarter finals against Bahrain, we will reset our mindset and get prepared. The team is getting better and better as we play each games. We want to take this momentum over to the knock-out stage.

FP #5 MINAMOTO Akira (FUCHU ATHLETIC F.C.)
We once again allowed the opening goal to our opponents and it was a difficult match, but we were able to stay patient and kept fighting until the end to get this win. Every match in the group stage were tough, but the experience we have gained will work in our favour through the matches from here on. We’ll be entering the knock-out stage from this point on, and we want to take this momentum over to the Bahrain match.

FP #10 NIZBUYA Kazuhiro (VASAGEY OITA)
I am very happy that we won all matches in the group stage. We’ll keep fighting as a team in the knock-out stage, and give our best to win the championship.

FP #11 HOSHI Shota (Bardral Urayasu Futbol Sala)
With first place in the group at stake, it was certainly a difficult match. I am glad that we were able to pull off a win as a team. Personally, I was able to contribute to the win with my goals so I’m really happy about that. The team’s victory will always be my priority, and I’ll give my best one game at a time.

FP #13 WATANABE Tomoaki (FUCHU ATHLETIC F.C.)
We were able to win all three games in the group stage. For the knock-out stage, I would like to treat each game as the finals. I think our team has improved through each and every game we’ve played with each other. We would like to keep this trend and work hard to win the championship as a team.

Schedule

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

AFC Futsal Championship Chinese Taipei 2018

Tournament Period: Thu. 1 - Sun. 11 February 2018
Knock out stage Quarter-Finals
Japan Futsal National Team vs Bahrain Futsal National Team
8 February 2018 (Thu.) Kick-off 19:00(Local Time 20:00)

For more information