On Thursday 15 June, the U-19 Japan National Team played the U-21 Mediterranean Selection Team in the 9th/10th place play-off match in the 49th Maurice Revello Tournament.

Prior to this match, Head Coach JO Kazunori encouraged the players to finish the tour on a high note after they missed out on making the semi-finals and reminded them of the team concept.

Numerous French nationals made up the Mediterranean Selection team, drawing a large number of home supporters to the stadium. “I want you to go out on the pitch with confidence in everything we have built up leading up to this point,” Coach Jo told the players after they had just finished their warm-ups, and continue to mention, “No matter who you are up against or how old they are, as long as you are wearing the Japan National Team's emblem, you must demonstrate your commitment to winning the game in front of you.” Team captain DIOUF Emmanuel Rintaro (Ryutsu Keizai University) also added, “Let’s finish off this tour with a win!”

For this match, Japan changed their system from a four-back formation to a three-back formation, which allowed their wingers to create opportunities from the flanks in the early minutes. The opening goal was scored in the fourth minute by ISHII Hisatsugu (Shonan Bellmare U-18), who made a well-timed run to exploit the space behind the opposing defence line to take on the goalkeeper one-on-one.

Following this goal, it was the Mediterranean Selection team who dictated the pace, but the Japanese defence displayed a tenacious effort, including a string of magnificent saves made by Diouf, to keep the opposing offence at bay. Gradually gaining momentum from their defence, Japan doubled their lead during additional time of the first half, when Ishii responded to a pass of KOIKE Naoya (Hosei University) to bag his second goal of the match.

Despite entering the second half with a two goal lead, the Japanese side continued to show their aggression in pursuit for another goal. Second half substitute, YUKUTOMO Toki (Ehime FC) showcased a brilliant individual effort to control the ball and enter the opposing penalty area, but his shot took a deflection off a defender.

While Japan struggled to convert their opportunities, the Mediterranean Selection team capitalised on a mistake made by Japan in the 57th minute to cut the deficit in half. Gaining momentum from this goal, the Mediterranean Selection team scored a well-taken shot from distance to equalise the match in the 66th minute.

After conceding the equaliser, the Japanese players were seen huddling up at the centre of the pitch to go over their tactics, while the bench enthusiastically cheered on to lift their spirits. Japan regained the lead just one minute later, in the 67th, when Yukutomo converted a play following a free kick.

With time running out, the Mediterranean Selection team made their final surge, even pushing up their goalkeeper for their corner kicks, while Japan anticipated for their chances to counter. Overwhelmed by the momentum carried by the opponents, Japan conceded a free kick near the box, which the Mediterranean Selection team successfully converted to send the match into a penalty shootout.

While the Mediterranean Selection team converted all seven spot kicks, Japan failed to convert their seventh and lost the match. As a result, Japan finished 10th in the 49th Maurice Revello Tournament, a tournament in which Japan challenged with their U-19 squad, while other countries entered their Olympic squads.

“I want the players to accept this loss and try to make the most of the experiences they have gained in France to become better players, and eventually become players for the Olympic team and the SAMURAI BLUE,” said coach Jo, as the team concluded their tour in France.

The 49th Maurice Revello Tournament

Tournament dates: Mon. 5 – Sun. 18 June 2023
Tournament information

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