AFC U-14 Girls' Regional Championship East 2016/Group A  1st Match   vs U-14 Northern Mariana Islands Women’s National Team
2016-5-17 (Tue.) - 17:00   Playing Time: 70min. (35min.×2)
National Football Training Centre Pitch 6 (China/Beijing)

U-14 Japan Women's Selection  23-0 (13-0, 10-0)  U-14 Northern Mariana Islands Women’s National Team

Scores
1'   NOGUCHI Akari (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
2'   ABE Ayane (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
8'   SHIMADA Mei (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
8'   KIMURA Chisa (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
12'   TAKARA Kotone (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
14'   MATSUHISA Kanna (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
19'   TAKARA Kotone (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
22'   TAKARA Kotone (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
23'   SHIMADA Mei (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
26'   ABE Ayane (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
28'   SHIMADA Mei (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
30'   KIMURA Chisa (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
32'   SHIMADA Mei (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
40'   TABATA Haruna (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
41'   KATANODA Suzu (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
50'   ITO Megumi (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
54'   SHIROWA Reina (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
55'   ITO Megumi (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
56'   KAWAMOTO Sae (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
58'   KAWAMOTO Sae (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
60'   TABATA Haruna (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
65'   SHIROWA Reina (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)
69'   SHIROWA Reina (U-14 Japan Women's Selection team)

Line-ups
GK: TAKESHITA Kanasa
DF: NOGUCHI Akari, KAWAGISHI Emika, TABATA Haruna, MATSUHISA Kanna
MF: TAKARA Kotone, ABE Ayane, FUCHIGAMI Nonoka, YOSHIZUMI Warai
FW: KIMURA Chisa, SHIMADA Mei

Substitutes
GK: OBA Shu
FP: SHIROWA Reina, IMADATE Nodoka, ITO Megumi, KASAI Yui, KATANODA Suzu, KAWAMOTO Sae

HT   SHIMADA Mei → SHIROWA Reina
HT   KIMURA Chisa → ITO Megumi
HT   FUCHIGAMI Nonoka → KATANODA Suzu
HT   YOSHIZUMI Warai → IMADATE Nodoka
HT   KAWAGISHI Emika → KASAI Yui
HT   TAKARA Kotone → KAWAMOTO Sae
54'   TAKESHITA Kanasa → OBA Shu

Match Report

The third day of the China trip saw the first match of the championship against Northern Mariana Islands. It was the very first official international game for the U-14 Japan Women's Selection. The players seemed to be nervous, as all the procedures were the same as the national team, from carrying a championship AD card, going through kits prior to the match, entering the stadium with the AFC anthem to singing the national anthem.

However, the atmosphere changed as soon as the game started. Soon after the kick-off, NOGUCHI Akari (JEF UNITED ICHIHARA CHIBA LADIES U-15) at left back fired a bold long-distance shot into the Northern Mariana Islands’ goal. Japan struck the opener in the first minute.

Shortly after the first score, ABE Ayane (Albirex Niigata Ladies U-15) struck a goal to stretch their lead, followed by SHIMADA Mei’s (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Junior Youth) shot, which was taken from the right wing YOSHIZUMI Warai’s (Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls) cross. KIMURA Chisa (OKAYAMA YUNOGO BELLE U‐15・U‐18) also showed off her skill and dribbled up to score a goal. Japan struck six goals in the first 15 minutes, while keeping a clean sheet. The match went into the second half with 13 goals to Japan. The coach YODOKAWA sent six new players, who had been at the bench in the first half, to the field.

The new faces on the pitch also played aggressively. SHIROWA Reina (JFA Academy Fukushima) scored three goals initiating attacks from the sides, while KAWAMOTO Sae (EhimeFCLadies MIKAN) struck two more. The team added ten more goals in the second half and won a sweeping victory for the vital first game of the championship 23-0. OBA Shu (JFA Academy Fukushima) replaced the goalkeeper TAKESHITA Kanasa (INAC KOBE LEONESSA U-15) in the second half, meaning that all the players got a debut international match. 

Another game in the same group was held prior to Japan’s match, and the hosting country China PR drew with Korea Republic 2-2. 

The top two teams among the four from each group will advance to the semi-final. Tomorrow’s match against Korea Republic will be key to getting through to the next stage.

Coach and Players' Comments

YODOKAWA Tomoharu, Coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach)
On the second day of the China trip, I noticed the players weren’t comfortable, feeling nervous about this environment, in which all the participating teams sleep and eat under the same roof. The championship has started today. Each team planned how to prepare for their first game. We had held our morning practice session in preparation for our first match, which kicked off at 17:00.

Many things were new to the players – including checking their equipment, entering the stadium with the anthem, and singing the national anthem. We could take the initiative from the beginning of the game, and pressured the opponent. It was meaningful that all the players have been on the pitch. We’d like to prepare well for the coming game against Korea Republic and the one against China PR to earn more points.

FP #8  KAWAMOTO Sae (EhimeFCLadies MIKAN)
My personal aim today was to defend strongly, while the team’s aim was to take the initiative in the game. I could receive the ball in front of the opponent and get myself ready not to miss any mistakes they made. I also moved through judging the situation when the opponent’s goalkeeper handled or kicked the ball.

However, I couldn’t sustain good positioning and the accuracy of kicks was not great. There were other errors – I happened to move in the same way as Noguchi on the wing, and my shot went wide. I played against foreign players for the first time, experiencing their physical strength and speed on the pitch or from the bench. As it’s rare opportunity for me, I’d like to enjoy this atmosphere and continue to win games.

FP #16  MATSUHISA Kanna (Jumonji Junior High School)
I debuted in an international championship today. Compared to an exchange game, the atmosphere was very intense. Personally, I focused on staying unbeaten in 1-on-1 and contributing to attacks. As a team, I aimed to take the initiative in both attack and defence. Japan could pass the ball around to score today. I played at right back and at right midfield.

Despite the number of crosses I sent in, only a few contributed to actual scores. Getting through the opponent with our individual skills would work in the games against Korea Republic or China PR. I’d like to focus even more on the accuracy of trapping and passing as well as keeping good positioning in the coming games from tomorrow. I would also like to wait for an opportunity to initiate an attack whenever possible. I am appreciative of the coach, the staff, the people, who handled our luggage, and all the others for supporting this championship.

FP #3  IMADATE Nodoka (Hokkaido Lira Consadole)
I played today’s game, focusing on looking around, staying calm, and always getting ready for an attack. Even though, when I didn’t feel pressure from the opponent, I made occasional mistakes in passing quickly. I did contribute to attacks, there is still room to improve – not giving up overlapping and raising the quality of crosses. Having said that, I’d like to point out that I could continue overlapping even though I didn’t receive a pass.

Through this international championship, I have experienced the nerves prior to a game and felt the strength of another team’s game and spirit. It’s a precious experience and vital for getting myself to a higher level. I won’t forget this and would like to learn more, while playing as hard as possible from tomorrow. 

Schedule

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