The final test match for the AFC U23 Asian Cup, which will determine the ticket to the Paris Olympics. Four players from Tokyo, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Kuryu MATSUKI, and Ryotaro ARAKI, were selected to play against the U-23 Mali national team and the U-23 Ukraine national team, both of which have already secured their spot in the main tournament. On March 22, NOZAWA and BANGNAGANDE were in the starting eleven for the Mali match, and on March 25, MATSUKI and ARAKI were in the starting eleven for the Ukraine match.
The U-23 Japan national team, led by coach Go OIWA, faced their first match against an African team, the U-23 Mali national team. The match against an opponent with speed, power, agility, and organizational strength was a challenging one, as they took an early lead with a set piece but ultimately lost with 3 goals due to some coordination mistakes. For Japan, it was a match that provided both challenges and rewards.
Active attacking participation and physicality that doesn't lose out
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Left back Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who started in the starting lineup, showed an aggressive play by dribbling up to the penalty area and receiving a foul in the 9th minute. He also tightened the team by giving instructions from behind such as "Switch on!" and "There's an open mark!" and controlled the final line from the left back position. In the 12th minute of the second half, he earned a corner kick with a powerful, non-spinning long shot from about 40 meters. He played on the pitch until the 19th minute of the second half.
"I felt that Pim was strong in terms of physicality, power, and speed, but personally, I felt that I could do better in terms of one-on-one and physical battles. (I was able to show my strengths in attack) As a full-back, it's not good to concede three goals. As a team and as an individual, we need to make corrections. I feel that there is a great responsibility for the players who play in the game, and I have felt this through my experience with the national team. When playing in a game, everyone needs to act as a leader, and even if they are not directly involved, I take responsibility for the goals conceded."
Strong teams feel a great sense of responsibility from each individual, and we need to become players and teams like that. I also think that we need to proactively communicate. I want to strive for a higher level on my own, whether it's in Tokyo or on the national team. As a given, I want to become a formidable player on the attacking side, while also prioritizing defense.
Experienced goalkeeper for the Japan national team
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
For Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who was entrusted with the goalkeeper position in this match, it was his first official match on the pitch since the final match of last season. Despite being selected for the Japan national team in the New Year's match and the AFC Asian Cup in January, he has been warming the bench in Tokyo due to the lingering effects of an injury, making this his first return to action in about three and a half months.
In the 5th minute of the first half, the opponent player broke through and faced a 1-on-1 situation, but calmly waited and limited the course until the last moment. In the 14th minute of the first half, they also responded to the opponent's cut-in and mid-range shot.
However, in the 34th minute of the first half, they conceded an equalizer after losing the ball due to a build-up error. In the 8th minute of the second half, they were unable to save a powerful, spinning shot from a blind spot, allowing the opponent to take the lead. In the end, they were also broken down on the right side and conceded another goal.
"We recognized this match as a game to build momentum towards the final qualifiers for the Asia Cup. (In my first official game back) I made a mistake, and I do think it was due to not having enough game experience, but I don't want to use that as an excuse. Personally, I was in a good condition, so it was rare for me to make such a mistake, but it was a play that should never happen in a national team game. As a goalkeeper, I made a series of mistakes that should not have happened, but I believe I can fix them quickly. We have the final qualifiers coming up soon, so I want to raise my image for that."
The game ended in a disappointing result, but the goalkeeper who experienced playing for the Japan national team led the team with loud coaching from the back, which echoed throughout the stadium multiple times in this long-awaited game.
The match against the U-23 Ukraine national team, which took place in 2 days, saw Japan's lifeline, the press from the front line, function effectively against an opponent who came up with an organized build-up. Each player showed good play in receiving the ball between the lines, which also helped to smoothly flow the attack. Japan took the lead in the 3rd minute of the second half from a set piece, and added a goal in the 31st minute by aggressively pressing and winning the ball in a high position. Although the type of opponent was different from the Mali match, the team overcame the challenges seen in the first match and achieved victory by demonstrating their strengths as a team.
Tokyo's captain who exudes a strong presence on both offense and defense
Kuryu MATSUKI
Kuryu MATSUKI, who started alongside Ryotaro ARAKI as an inside half in the 4-3-3 formation, showed his presence throughout the game with his athleticism and ball retrieval skills. Not only did he contribute to a seamless transition from defense to attack with his aggressive pressing, but in the 33rd minute of the first half, he attempted a direct volley with his left foot from a corner kick. Although it unfortunately hit the crossbar, he showed his presence on both ends of the field.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Araki tried to run through the space while pointing, and received a pinpoint feed with his left foot. Although it didn't lead to a scoring opportunity, it showed the great potential of the "Blue and Red Hotline".
"I think we were able to be very fluid in our attacks, and all that's left is to finish. I think we were able to smoothly execute until the finish, and we were able to create many chances. I think it's a very positive thing that we were able to score from set pieces, which is our strength. In the future, I want to score more within the flow of the game, and I want to show that in Asia. (Regarding my partnership with Araki) It's very easy for me when Taro-kun is there. We are always able to see each other and play off of each other, and even when we return to Tokyo, we can continue to improve that combination. I want to continue to polish that and raise my own level as well."
Creates scoring opportunities as the center of attack
Ryotaro ARAKI
And the player who shone the most in this match was Ryotaro ARAKI, who was called up to the Japan national team for the first time in two years since March 2022. With 4 goals in 4 league matches in Tokyo, he took the field with the special feeling of "representing Japan" and from the start, the ball was drawn to "Araki's team", getting involved in numerous chances.
In the early stages of the game, he dribbled past the opposing defender in the penalty area and shot to the right. In the 12th minute of the first half, he entered the near pocket on the left side in combination with Joel Chima Fujita (Sint-Truiden). In the 14th minute of the first half, he received a pass and skillfully dribbled vertically with his feet before unleashing a shot with his right foot. In the 22nd minute of the first half, he created a scoring opportunity by drawing in the press from the front line. And just 2 minutes into the second half, he brought the ball in from the left side and took a powerful shot with his right foot, leading to a corner kick and Eiichiro Sato's (Werder Bremen) opening goal.
On the pitch of Kitakyushu Stadium, despite being a long time since his last national team appearance, Araki was still the focal point of the attack, just like he was in Tokyo.
Game captain Fujita, who entered the anchor, also said, "(Araki) has a really high level of skill in receiving the ball with accuracy and creating space. There were many scenes where the ball naturally went in or passed after being taken away, and we showed smooth cooperation right away, which quickly put us in the running for regular positions."
Personally, although I couldn't achieve the result of scoring, it was a big gain for the team. Araki himself also calmly talked about the sense of accomplishment in a calm tone, saying, "I think I was able to show what I have in both offense and defense. I think I was able to play my own game and do what I can do."
"We were able to move the ball very well and advance while taking advantage of the opponent's gaps. The relationship in the midfield between Joel Chima Fujita and Matsuki is really good. The corner kick that led to the opening goal was just as planned. Since the league game, I have had a good sense of ball touch, so I was actively aiming for a shot. I am ready to go to the AFC U23 Asian Cup and I want to improve my performance when I am chosen. I will do my best in the short time after returning to Tokyo."
Representative week for four different players. Each of them has taken on the challenge and made a new vow for the future. In early April, the members of the AFC U23 Asian Cup will be announced, and the Daiwa Japan team will travel to Qatar, the battlefield for the first match on April 16. With the determination and improvement gained from this activity, the young representatives from Tokyo will once again wear the blue and red uniform and step onto the J-League pitch.
text by Aoyama Tomio
photo by Arai Kenichi
