AFC U-14 Girls' Regional Championship 2015 (East) /3rd-place Playoff  vs. U-14 Korea Women's National Team
2015-5-24 (Sun.) - 14:00  Playing time: 70min (35minx2)
National Football Training Centre Pitch 5 (Beijing, China)

U-14 Korea Women's National Team　1-4  (1st 1-1, 2nd 0-3)  U-14 Japan Selection

Scores
28'  ONO Haruka (U-14 Japan Selection)
35+1'  Goal against (U-14 Korea Women's National Team)
52'  ONO Haruka (U-14 Japan Selection)
58'  UEDA Kana (U-14 Japan Selection)
61'  TERADA Himeka (U-14 Japan Selection)

Line-ups
GK: MIYAKE Sayu
DF: YOSHIMOTO Konatsu, GATTO Yukino, ONISHI Ayuka, NAGAE Ibuki
MF: AOKI Yuzuka, TANAKA Tomoko, NOJIMA Ayami, OIKAWA Riko
FW: SAITO Riko, ONO Haruka

Substitutes
GK: ITO Nanami
FP: TERADA Himeka, TOMIOKA Chihiro, NAKAO Momo, MITANI Wakana, UEDA Kana, NAKAE Moe

HT  SAITO Riko → TERADA Himeka
HT  OIKAWA Riko → TOMIOKA Chihiro
47'  NOJIMA Ayami → UEDA Kana
47'  ONISHI Ayuka → MITANI Wakana
62'  YOSHIMOTO Konatsu → NAKAO Momo
66'  TERADA Himeka → NAKAE Moe

Match Report

In the third-place match the U-14 Japan women’s selection played against Korea. As Japan lost their opening match in the group stage 2-0, they wanted to settle the score this time.

Although Japan took the initiative from the beginning of the game, creating some goal-scoring opportunities, all the shots went wide. It showed Japan needed to improve the accuracy of their shots. The game changed for better after 28 minutes. Oikawa Riko (FC Miyagi), who ran from the right side, crossed the ball in front of the goal. Ono Haruka (JFA Academy Fukushima) reacted to it and fired a volley directly at the goal, striking the opener. The crowd exploded with joy. However, in first half injury time, Korea did not fail to take advantage of Japan’s mistake in front of the goal, and they slotted the ball into the goal before the whistle, levelling the game.

Japan refreshed themselves during half time and in the 52nd minute, Ono scored her second goal of the day to build a one-goal lead. Then after 58 minutes, Ueda Kana (Urawa Reds Ladies Junior Youth), who came off the bench, scored through a free kick from slightly left side of the centre, stretching their lead.

The players built up positive momentum. Just two minutes later, Terada Himeka (Asahi Sports FC Junior Youth) struck a deciding goal and sealed the victory. Japan kept taking the initiative throughout the match, and won a sweeping victory 4-1 against Korea, finishing in third in the championship.  They also won the fair players’ award and will fly back to Japan with two medals.

Head Coach and Coaches' Comments

KATO Kenji, Head Coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach)
The players showed their spirits on the last game of the tour. As we lost against Korea 2-0 in the opening match, it meant a lot that we scored four goals against them. What’s more, keeping the initiative for 70 minutes in both attack and defence must have brought the players some confidence. I’d like to point out that the bench stayed really vocal and we won the victory together. The players also showed their charm off the pitch – friendliness and open-mindedness, making a lot of friends through football, which might mean more than winning the medal. I realised how much potential they might have in the future.

TASHIRO Kumiko, Coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach/Yamanashi Gakuin University)
I believe the players did feel the world-class level in this championship. Especially in the semi-final, although they were pressed by a lot of strength near the ball, the speed and general power, they never gave up and could play as hard as possible with pride as part of the national team. The players tried to communicate a lot with the players from other countries, but sometimes found it a little difficult to express their thoughts, which made some of the players realise the importance of learning languages. I think some were inspired to learn languages, thinking of playing internationally. Although they were pleased with winning the medal, many showed their frustration as well. I hope this experience will bring them to the next level. 

IJIMA Masaki, GK Coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach/Tokai University kumamoto Foot Ball Club)
Although it was a limited time, I did see a big improvement as an individual and as a team. Everyday, each player has improved herself. In the final match, all of them – who were playing on the pitch and the ones on the bench as well as the staff - won a victory together. Not only playing an international match, but also communicating with players of their generation from other countries must have been really inspiring. I hope this experience will give some boost for their future improvement.

Schedule