AFC U-14 Girls' Regional Championship 2014 [East region]
Sunday 1 June 2014  Kick Off at 17：00 Local Time　35min
China National Football Training Centre (Beijing, China)

U-14 Japan Girls National Team　1 - 2（1st 1-1、2nd 0-1）U-14 China National Team

Scores
29min HAYASHI Suzuka（U-14 Japan Girls National Team）

Starters
GK：YAMASHITA Rina
DF：SHIBAYAMA Fumina、AOKI Haruka、TAKEDA Asumi、INOUE Moe
MF：TAMURA Suzuka、YAMADA Hikari、NEZU Makoto、ENDO Jun、KUTUWADA Ayumi
FW：HAYASHI Suzuka

Substitutes
GK：INO Maya
MF：MAKI Haruka、NAKAMURA Moe、TOGAWA Yuki、DOHI Honoka
FW：MIURA Haruka、HARA Miina

24min　KUTUWADA Ayumi　→　MIURA Haruka
HT　HAYASHI Suzuka　→　TOGAWA Yuki
66min　ENDO Jun　→　HARA Miina

Match Report

The last game in group stage against China, was a very tense game as both sides aiming to get semi-final spot.
Having been exhausted from playing consecutive games, Japan squad was slow in the first half and losing the ball frequently for making simple mistakes On the other hand, China kept creating a scoring opportunity by building the attack mixing long and short passes and taking the side space. In spite of adverse situation, Hayashi (6) racing to zone behind China’s defense line and scored opening goal at 29 minutes and finished the first half leading 1 to 0.
In the second half, China launched the fast-paced attack, the Japan squad kept the formation compact and maintained solid defense by challenge and cover and fought hard with every players concentrated that securely kept the lead until the final whistle. China was successful in keeping the ball under their control even facing the pressure and exchanging the consecutive passes, that gave Japan squad a hard time. China assigned key players in key positions, they were good team taking advantage of their strong points.

Comments

INOUE Moe, DF (Saitama Prefecture, Urawa Reds Ladies Junior Youth)
Reaching tournament if you win, not reaching tournament if you lose. This was a decisive game which side will face South Korea in the next match.
Japan eventually won the match against China 1 to 0. But China clearly demonstrated their superiority to us. Only thing I was satisfied was we allowed no goal. Nothing but disappointing and regretting game. But I felt I should review myself from the scratch. I am eager to improve carefully something insufficient, difference of skills.

ENDO Jun, DF (Fukushima Prefecture: JFA Academy Fukushima)
I felt quite a few things playing the game against China. Firstly, they are physically strong, a different from previous day’s game. They are skillful players, I was amazed they don’t just kick the ball but they keep exchanging the consecutive passes. Secondly, every play was so powerful. Amazing to see skillful ball touch, physically strong play style. It was hard to play Japan’s own style because Chinese player’s superior ball controlling skill. In spite of winning the game 1-0, China was playing better in the game. But as we won the match, I am determined to go and win the rest of two matches by playing our own style. The match on the day after tomorrow is Japan vs. South Korea. We played two games last year, but disappointed to have lost two games. I’m hoping to win the match, playing better. In everyday life, I want to have communication with the players from other countries and enjoy myself.

TAKEDA Asumi, DF (Fukushima Prefecture: JFA Academy Fukushima)
I played in right side back position. China was the attack-oriented team exchanging the pass, moving the ball toward opponent’s goal, totally different attacking style from D.P.R.Korea.
We had some occasions quite hard when we losing the ball with missed pass and lack of inter-connections. But I think I make a rhythm bit by bit, launching a dribble, increased the numbers of intercepts in defense-wise. As a result, we managed to win the game 1 to 0.
What I felt needs to be addressed was, accuracy of pass and throw-in after switching to offense. I will take a good rest tomorrow as it will be day off, and get ready for the match against South Korea on day after yesterday