Beach Soccer Japan National Team    Asian Beach Games　Semi-final
Thu.20 November 2014   Kickoff 13:30    Playing time: 12min x 3 periods
Saphan Hin Sports Center(Phuket/Thailand)

Beach Soccer Japan National Team　7-2(1st1-1, 2nd2-1, 3rd4-0)   Beach Soccer Vietnam National Team

Scores
7min MOREIRA Ozu（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）
12min Goal Against（Beach Soccer Vietnam National Team）
21min AKAGUMA Takuya（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）
24min Goal Against（Beach Soccer Vietnam National Team）
24min TOMA Masahito（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）
26min OBA Takaaki（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）
27min MOREIRA Ozu（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）
31min GOTO Takasuke（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）
34min GOTO Takasuke（Beach Soccer Japan National Team）

Starters
GK： TERUKINA Shingo
FP： TOMA Masahito、 MOREIRA Ozu、GOTO Takasuke、MATSUO Naoya

Substitutes
GK：SUGITA Tetsuji
FP： ODA Hirofumi、TAKIGUCHI Takashi、AKAGUMA Takuya、OBA Takaaki

Match Report

The Beach Soccer Japan National Team played the Asian Beach Games semi-final against the Vietnam national team for a place in the final for the first time.

The players held a meeting after breakfast to share analysis of the Vietnamese team and then got ready for the match.
The semi-final kicked off at 13:30, which was the latest start for Japan so far. Marcelo told the players before the game: ‘stay calm and let’s show Japan’s beach soccer.’ Japan sustained possession and took the initiative from the beginning. Nothing happened for a while, but in the 7th minute of the first period, Moreira Ozu struck an opener off a free kick, which Japan earned from the opponent’s mistake. In the last 11 seconds, when everyone expected the match would go into the second period with a one-goal lead for Japan, Vietnam scored, levelling the match.
The situation stayed the same for a while in the second period. Although Akaguma Takuya headed in a shot to build a one-goal lead, Vietnam equalised the match once again in the last 30 seconds of the second period. Japan failed to build up their positive momentum again.

In the third period, Japan refreshed their game and showed the most excellent passing ever, pressing Vietnam. After Ooba Takaaki and Moreira struck goals building up Japan’s leads, Goto Takasuke consecutively scored from passes strung together between every Japan’s player at the end of the match. Japan won a sweeping victory 7-2 and advanced to the final.
In the other semi-final held after Japan’s game, Iran won on penalty kicks to the UAE, against whom Japan lost in the group stage. Iran will play in the final.
Knowing the opponent will be Iran in the final, in the evening meeting Marcelo noted: ‘Iran will be definitely the strongest team so far. Having said that, if you play Japan’s beach soccer, you can beat whoever the opponent is.’ The players shared tactics with the head coach ahead of tomorrow’s match.

The final for Japan’s first gold medal will kick-off at 14:45 on Friday 21 November.

Comments

Marcelo MENDES Head Coach
Although the score might indicate that today’s victory was easy, it was actually a tough game. We’ll play against Iran in the final. They are very powerful and have a good record. Unlike Japan, who face the final of the Asian Beach Games for the first time, Iran have experienced winning this championship. So they must be under pressure. However, despite the condition of the opponent, all we need is to show Japan’s beach soccer. Whatever it takes, we’d like to win the final and win the championship tomorrow, thinking of our teammates, who can’t be here today, for the Japan’s beach soccer, and for team JAPAN, who are in Phuket.

TAKIGUCHI Takashi (NO SOCKS YOKOHAMA)
Just like yesterday, it wasn’t an easy match at all, even though it might have seemed to be if you look at the score. However, we never gave up, playing as a team and got a good result in the end. I’d like to win the championship at any cost, otherwise coming this far doesn’t mean much.

SUGITA Tetsuji (SHONAN SPREAD1545)
I came off the bench in the last three minutes with a five-goal difference in the match against Vietnam. I’m very pleased we didn’t concede a goal until the last whistle of the third period, because in some games in this championship a team scored four goals in the three minutes of extra time. One more win to go before winning the championship. We couldn’t come this far without many supporters. I’ll play with my appreciation for them.

Schedule