Training Match vs Edogawa University Men’s Football Club
2016-9-6(Tue.) 16:00　Playing Time 70min.（35min.×2）
Frontier Soccer Field

Japan Women’s National Team short-listed squad 0-4（0-3, 0-1）Edogawa University Men’s Football Club

Scores
17'　Goal against
22'　Goal against
29'　Goal against
51'　Goal against

1st Game
GK: YAMANE Erina 
DF: SAMESHIMA Aya, MURAMATSU Tomoko, KAWAMURA Yuri, 、ARIYOSHI Saori
MF: SUGITA Ami, KAMIONOBE Megumi, SAKAGUCHI Mizuho, NAKAJIMA Emi
FW: MASUYA Rika, CHIBA Sonoko 

2nd Game
GK: YAMASHITA Ayaka
DF: SAMESHIMA Aya, MURAMATSU Tomoko, KAWAMURA Yuri, KYOKAWA Mai
MF: SASAKI Mayu, KAMIONOBE Megumi, NAKASATO Yu, NAKAJIMA Emi
FW: MASUYA Rika, CHIBA Sonoko 

Substitutions
45'　NAKAJIMA Emi → ITO Miki
58'　KAMIONOBE Megumi → SUGITA Ami
68'　SAMESHIMA Aya → NAKAJIMA Emi

Match Report

Tuesday 6 September saw a training match of two 35-minute games between the Japan Women's National Team short-listed squad and Edogawa University Men’s Football Club. In the 5th minute, Japan earned a corner kick. Although the midfielder SUGITA Ami received a short pass and sent a cross from the left, the team could not take a shot. After that, there were stretches where the opponents pressed Japan from free kicks and corners, but Japan defended solidly.

After 17 minutes, however, the opponent intercepted near the centre circle and dribbled up to strike the opener. Although the opponent fired a powerful shot at the front of the penalty area in the 19th minute, goalkeeper YAMANE Erina reacted well to save it.

After denying the opponents' scoring opportunity, NAKAJIMA Emi in the right passed the ball to MASUYA Rika, who sent it to SAKAGUCHI Mizuho. Through a well-constructed combination play, they found Nakajima, who, in turn, took a shot. Despite the fact the opponent’s goalkeeper caught the shot, it was an excellent attack from Japan.

Immediately after that, Japan gave away a corner kick. The opponent headed home with a cross from the left, stretching their lead to two goals. Japan conceded another before the end of the first game and lost 3-0.

Japan made some changes to the team for the second game – SASAKI Mayu, NAKASATO Yu, and KYOKAWA Mai substituted Sugita, Sakaguchi, and ARIYOSHI Saori. Japan gradually found their rhythm in attack. On the opening minutes of the second game, Masuya, who received a through ball from KAMIONOBE Megumi, fired a shot from the right side of the penalty area. Nakajima also took a shot from the same spot in the 44th minute, only for it to be saved once again by the goalkeeper. Japan started to sustain possession better.

After 46 minutes, Nakasato stole the ball near the centre circle and dribbled through the centre. Masuya received a pass and fired a shot, but was caught directly in front of the goalkeeper. Although Japan played tenaciously against the university men, who were physically stronger, they conceded another goal. Overall score of the training match was 0-4. 

Coach and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach
We struggled to cope against the opponents’ build-ups for a while. It was difficult to break loose of the university students, who were physically stronger and coordinated well up front. But gradually, we got used to them. Then, we could occasionally counteract to their power, delaying the timing of their plays, and found our rhythm to prevent them from intercepting. We even took shots in the manner we wanted for a few times.

Switching positioning was too slow both in offence and defence, which became our problem to be fixed. You cannot avoid mistakes in football. Having said that, we’d like to reduce those in passing and decision making at centre as much as possible. Having issues to be addressed means that we can still improve ourselves. We’ll stay positive and work on our problems.

GK YAMASHITA Ayaka (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
I was determined to keep a clean sheet in the second half. We couldn’t react well enough to the opponents’ speed and counter-attacks and control the defensive line, which led us to concede goals. I think we need to focus more on sustaining possession, especially if the opponents are taller than us. Personally, I’d like to work on passing and initiating attacks back at my club.

DF SASAKI Mayu (VEGALTA SENDAI LADIES)
As I came off the bench in the second half, I wish I could run more than others and play with the ball. I should have played much calmer and handled the ball better. I believe I have to perform better back at my club, so that I can join the national team again.

MF MASUYA Rika (INAC KOBE LEONESSA)
I understand I have to initiate attacks nearer to the opponents’ area. Although we took shots as we wanted to, we couldn’t find the back of the net, which is an area we need to improve. 

Schedule

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