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NEWS
09/09/2012
Young Nadeshiko boss happy with bronze at U-20 Women’s World Cup
Young Nadeshiko Japan coach Yoshida Hiroshi looked happy and relieved after his side won the bronze medal at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria on Saturday in Tokyo.
Tanaka Yoko put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute and substitute forward Nishikawa Asuka made it 2-0 in the 50th minute before 29,427 spectators at the National Stadium.
“I was really happy to see our players fought hard to the very end and won the game in front of a big crowd like this,” said Yoshida. “Our players were encouraged by the cheers from the fans. I am grateful to them for their support.
“Today, we planned to start the game carefully, not give away a goal and then attack in good shape. We actually scored first in the first half and then got an additional goal, which was good.”
The Japan coach admitted that finishing third was not what his side was aiming at in the tournament.
“We were aiming to win the tournament,” he said. “Things might have been different if we hadn’t given away the second goal to Germany [in the semifinals].
“But this has been a tremendous experience for our players to have played six games in the tournament, especially against physically strong sides like Germany in the semifinals and Nigeria in the third-place playoff.
“That has made me think that we need to make some changes to our training to develop our game more.
“Keeping what they experienced in this tournament in their minds, I hope our players will continue working hard every day with their teams. That will help us have more players capable of playing in Europe.”
Nigeria coach Okon Edwin commented, “It was a very exciting game. Japan are the hosts and they were lucky.”
Japan goalkeeper Ikeda Sakiko said, “We were able to play using what we learned from our previous game. The first goal made us more relaxed. When we were under pressure in the second half, everyone played hard physically to hold on.”
Midfielder Tanaka Yoko said, “Our captain Fujita told us at halftime that the second half would be a battle of mentality – which side had the stronger determination. I am glad I was able to score so many goals in this tournament and do something for our team.”
Midfielder Fujita Nozomi said, “We tried to push hard on our opponents early in the game, which helped us score the goals.”
Defender Kinoshita Shiori, who came off the bench in the second half, commented: “I felt relieved as we had a hard time late in the second half. But I still feel it was a shame that we lost to Germany and I won’t forget that for the rest of my life as it made me realize I need to improve my defense against stronger teams. I hope one day I can think that the defeat to Germany was not a waste.”
Shibata Hanae said: “We were aiming to win the tournament, but we lost to Germany and that means that we are still a step behind. It was good that we concluded the tournament with a win. I think I was able to show the good parts of my game in this tournament. I’d like to work hard at my club to improve what is still missing from my game.”
Japan previously reached the quarterfinals in the 2002 and 2008 editions while finishing at the end of the group stage in 2010.
Tanaka Yoko put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute and substitute forward Nishikawa Asuka made it 2-0 in the 50th minute before 29,427 spectators at the National Stadium.
“I was really happy to see our players fought hard to the very end and won the game in front of a big crowd like this,” said Yoshida. “Our players were encouraged by the cheers from the fans. I am grateful to them for their support.
“Today, we planned to start the game carefully, not give away a goal and then attack in good shape. We actually scored first in the first half and then got an additional goal, which was good.”
The Japan coach admitted that finishing third was not what his side was aiming at in the tournament.
“We were aiming to win the tournament,” he said. “Things might have been different if we hadn’t given away the second goal to Germany [in the semifinals].
“But this has been a tremendous experience for our players to have played six games in the tournament, especially against physically strong sides like Germany in the semifinals and Nigeria in the third-place playoff.
“That has made me think that we need to make some changes to our training to develop our game more.
“Keeping what they experienced in this tournament in their minds, I hope our players will continue working hard every day with their teams. That will help us have more players capable of playing in Europe.”
Nigeria coach Okon Edwin commented, “It was a very exciting game. Japan are the hosts and they were lucky.”
Japan goalkeeper Ikeda Sakiko said, “We were able to play using what we learned from our previous game. The first goal made us more relaxed. When we were under pressure in the second half, everyone played hard physically to hold on.”
Midfielder Tanaka Yoko said, “Our captain Fujita told us at halftime that the second half would be a battle of mentality – which side had the stronger determination. I am glad I was able to score so many goals in this tournament and do something for our team.”
Midfielder Fujita Nozomi said, “We tried to push hard on our opponents early in the game, which helped us score the goals.”
Defender Kinoshita Shiori, who came off the bench in the second half, commented: “I felt relieved as we had a hard time late in the second half. But I still feel it was a shame that we lost to Germany and I won’t forget that for the rest of my life as it made me realize I need to improve my defense against stronger teams. I hope one day I can think that the defeat to Germany was not a waste.”
Shibata Hanae said: “We were aiming to win the tournament, but we lost to Germany and that means that we are still a step behind. It was good that we concluded the tournament with a win. I think I was able to show the good parts of my game in this tournament. I’d like to work hard at my club to improve what is still missing from my game.”
Japan previously reached the quarterfinals in the 2002 and 2008 editions while finishing at the end of the group stage in 2010.
