Joeys edge Japan

[the_gun]

The Joeys (U-15) have recorded an entertaining 3-2 victory over the Japanese U-15 National Team in the first of a two match friendly series in Canberra on Friday. The Joeys attacked in the opening minutes when Josh Da Silva combined with Sam Chapple down the left side of the field to create the first opportunity of the match. Chapple played Da Silva into a perfect position inside the Japanese penalty box and then Da Silva made no mistake shooting low and hard to far post to open the scoring for the Joeys. Japan equalised shortly afterwards following an error by Joeys goalkeeper Lachlan Tibbles. Tibbles conceded a foul just outside the box when he misread a back pass. The resultant free kick was taken quickly by Japan and an unmarked Fumiya Hayakawa was able to tap in with ease. The Joeys took the lead back on the half hour when Da Silva was again involved in the action. After finding himself inside the box again, Da Silva lined up to shoot, but at the last moment played a square ball to Anthony Proia who was on hand to slot home. The Joeys lead was again short lived when Japan equalised seven minutes later from a counter-attack which began from inside their own half. Following some well-played two-touch passing, the Japanese team moved the ball into the Joeys penalty box and then set-up Yumemi Kanda who beat Tibbles with a firm shot along the ground to even the score leading into the half-time break. The second half saw the same quality of entertaining football from both teams, where opportunities were traded between the sides. The winning goal came for the Joeys just after the hour mark when Josh Da Silva scored his second goal of the match. Da Silva met a Sam Chapple cross at the near-post with a sliding attempt that was able to get enough purchase on the ball to send it into the back of the net.

Japan rallied hard for another equaliser, but the Joeys were up to the challenge and also pushed forward to add to their tally. Anthony Proia had an opportunity late in the match to extend the lead only to see his attempt cleared off the line with some scrambling defence. Joeys (U-15) Head Coach Jean Paul de Marigny was very pleased with his team’s first up performance.

"The boys did well on both sides, offensively and defensively.

"Considering we only had two days preparation, four training sessions, the players adapted and tactically adjusted to each other very well.

“There was plenty of good combination play, plenty of opportunities on goal and it was capped off with some very good finishing.

“We are now looking to build on this performance and give all players valuable experience at international level,” concluded de Marigny.

The Joeys will meet Japan in their second friendly match on Sunday 12 April (Kick-off 9am AEST).