International Friendlies  First Match vs U-14 Korea National Team

2016-10-28(Fri.) 15:00　Playing Time 80min.（40min.✕2）
Paju NFTC（Korea/Paju）

U-14 Japan Selection Squad　1-1（1-0, 0-1）U-14 Korea National Team

Scores
38'　SHIROMIZU Kota（U-14 Japan Selection Squad）
45'　goal against（U-14 Korea National Team）

1st Game
GK：SUZUKI Zion
DF：SHIMOKAWA Taiyo, SAKO Maaya, SUZUKI Kaito, SHIROMIZU Kota
MF：BABA Tomoki, UEDA Keita, SUMI Kohshiro, TOYOFUKU Naoto, NISHIKAWA Jun
FW：ISHIBASHI Shota

2nd Game
GK：SASAKI Masato
DF：SHIMOKAWA Taiyo, SUZUKI Kaito, HANDA Riku, SHIROMIZU Kota
MF：BABA Tomoki, UEDA Keita, SUMI Kohshiro, KONDO Kuraba, ODA So
FW：YAMATO Ren

Substitutions
HT　SUZUKI Zion → SASAKI Masato
HT　SAKO Maaya → HANDA Riku
HT　TOYOFUKU Naoto → KONDO Kuraba
HT　NISHIKAWA Jun→ ODA So
HT　ISHIBASHI Shota → YAMATO Ren
50'　BABA Tomoki → FUJIWARA Yudai
59'　SUMI Kohshiro → TOYAMA Shoji
69'　KONDO Kuraba → GUSHI Kanta

International Friendlies  Second Match vs U-14 Korea National Team

2016-10-30(Sun.) 15:00 Playing Time 80min.（40min.✕2）
Paju NFTC（Korea/Paju）

U-14 Japan Selection Squad　1-0（1-0, 0-0）U-14 Korea National Team

Scores
37'　NISHIKAWA Jun（U-14 Japan Selection Squad）

1st Game
GK：SASAKI Masato
DF：SUMI Kohshiro, SUZUKI Kaito, HANDA Riku, GUSHI Kanta
MF：KONDO Kuraba, TOYOFUKU Naoto, UEDA Keita, NISHIKAWA Jun, YAMATO Ren
FW：IKEHATA Kyota

2nd Game
GK：SUZUKI Zion
DF：SHIMOKAWA Taiyo, SAKO Maaya, HANDA Riku, SHIROMIZU Kota
MF：ISHIBASHI Shota, BABA Tomoki, UEDA Keita, TOYOFUKU Naoto, NISHIKAWA Jun
FW：IKEHATA Kyota

Substitutions
9'　SUMI Kohshiro → SHIMOKAWA Taiyo
HT　SASAKI Masato → SUZUKI Zion
HT　GUSHI Kanta → SHIROMIZU Kota
HT　SUZUKI Kaito → SAKO Maaya
HT　YAMATO Ren → BABA Tomoki
HT　KONDO Kuraba → ISHIBASHI Shota
54'　NISHIKAWA Jun → TOYAMA Shoji
54'　TOYOFUKU Naoto → ODA So
65'　IKEHATA Kyota → FUJIWARA Yudai

The JFA Elite Programme U-14’s trip to Korea Republic was held from Wednesday 26 to Monday 31 October. The team played two friendlies against U-14 Korean Republic on Friday 28 and Sunday 30 October; they drew the first 1-1 but won the second 1-0.

Coach's and Players' Comments

IKEUCHI Yutaka, coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach)
It was our fourth training camp this year and we went to Paju, Korea. We started our activities as the U-13 team. I selected players from nine regions, who have shown progress after the AFC U-14 Festival in September. I also bear in mind that we’ll assemble a new U-15 national team next year. We focused on the two friendly matches against U-14 Korea Republic in order to learn what needs to be done as well as our achievements during this camp.

When we played against the same Korean Republic national team in the AFC U-14 Festival, we suffered a big defeat 5-0, conceding many through set pieces. We let the opponent show off their physical strength. We learned from our loss and prepared ourselves for the friendlies this time. I saw improvements in defence against set pieces and in one-on-ones. I’d also like to point out that the players displayed techniques on the move in attacks, passing the ball swiftly to avoid the opponent’s pressure. I am now certain that our playing style is working. Having said that, there is still room to improve – we must play more strongly near the ball and raise the quality of our performances. Through serious friendlies, we learned tasks and achievements of each player. The players also had a productive time going to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with Korean players off the pitch.

FP ＃10 SHIROMIZU Kota (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Junior Youth)
It the third time I had played against Korea Republic in the Elite Programme. In the two previous games, we couldn’t do much and suffered big defeats. So I was determined to get revenge this time. We could strike the opener in the first half of the first match, using the movements we had been learning in the Elite Programme. However, we lost our concentration momentarily in the second half, which led us to concede a goal from a free kick. We couldn’t do much afterwards, just like before, until the final whistle. I learned our weakness the hard way. Then we went through details in the practice sessions and meetings before the next game.

In the second match, we focused more on details and managed to win the game. Even though it’s difficult in Japan to experience the strong pressure and speed we saw with Korea Republic, I won’t blame the environment, but will keep practicing hard. I’d like to learn from this experience, so that I can aim to become a national team player.

FP ＃19 SAKO Maaya (Tokyo Verdy Junior Youth)
What I have learned during this Elite Programme is ‘the importance of experiencing the top international level.’ Although I have been working on initiating movements and speed in passing, the coaches of the Elite Programme required much more. I learned I needed to increase the level of my usual training. In the match against Korea Republic, I believed we had improved to perform more steadily against the opponent, displaying some superior skills, compared to the one in December last year. We need to improve the quality of judging and forecasting in order to overwhelm the opponent.

I’d like to bring what I learned and felt through this experience back to my team, so that I can strengthen the team and individuals even more. I would also like to participate in age-categorised national team’s activities, practicing hard with spirit, in order to play for Japan in the future.

FP ＃4 TOYOFUKU Naoto (Ehime FC U-15)
It was a good opportunity to see how much I have improved within a short period since the previous Elite Programme, as well as getting revenge against Korea Republic. Personally, I focused on what I learned last time, including strong change in passing, which foot to use, the timing of moves, how to avoid the bigger opponent, and many more. We always face opponents in games and our positioning changes by centimetres depending on where the opponent is. The teammates’ positioning also has an effect. Having said that, moving around without thinking doesn’t work. A moment of play, the timing to initiate, and a single pass will let us get through the opponent. What we need to make it happen is to work on the details of passing in usual practice sessions and to decrease mistakes. Since there is still plenty room for me to improve, I can start changing by thinking differently. I need to improve the quality of my daily practices.

I couldn’t finish with shots in the games this time. When my team intercepted to counter attack, I was too far from the goal to lend support. I learned the importance of having a good relationship with my teammates and the difficulty as well as joy of playing tactfully against the opponent. Thinking about the situation of the opponent is the first step to playing tactfully. I’ll practice hard to make my dream come true and play for the national team, so that I can tell the world that physical strength is not everything and that I can beat bigger players.

Schedule

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