Bahrain: Japan were crowned champions of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Championship held in Bahrain for the first time ever after defeating Saudi Arabia by a penalty shootout.
The full-time and extra-time of the match saw Saudi Arabia fail to convert their efforts on goal as Japan’s defense stood strong.
The match was held at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa and witnessed the Saudis fill their stands in support to their team.
Saudi Arabia head coach Saad Al Shehri fielded Amin Al Bukhari in goal, with Fahad Al Harbi, Mohammed Al Zubaidi, Anas Zabbani and Abdulla Al Amri in defense.
The midfield was led by team captain Sami Al Naji alongside Abdulla Magrashi and Auman Al Khulaif, while Rakan Al Anaze, Abdulrahman Al Yami and Ali Al Asmari played as the striking force.
On the other side, Japan’s head-coach Uchiyama Atsushi depended on Kojima Ryosuke in goal, with Fujitani So, Nakayama Yuta, Tomiyasu Takehiro and Funaki Kakeru in defence. Miyoshi Koji, Sakai Daisuke, Doan Ritsu and Ichimaru Mizuki occupied the midfield, while Yuto Iwasaki and Ogawa Koki played as the strikers for the Asian champions.
Prior to the game, Japan had finished as runners-up six times, in 1973, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2006, while Saudi Arabia had been crowned champions twice, in 1986 and 1992.
Saudi Arabia were the more dangerous team on the field during the match with their attacking force.
Their coach Al Shehri’s tactics consisted of playing a forward pressing game, with his three strikers constantly moving up the Japanese lines to minimise their numbers in attack.
The tactic was proved successful in terms of attacking, as most counter attacks would see Saudi Arabia break through and get into dangerous positions although their finishing touch would always let them down.
The first chance of the game saw Saudi Arabia’s Al Yami picked up a perfect cross into the penalty box but his shot missed the target going over the bar in the 38th minute.
Al Yami was once again on the spotlight in the 69th minute when he easily dribbled past Japan’s goalkeeper Ryosuke but slid to the ground before being able to put it into the empty goal.
Danger
Both teams did not show any sign of real danger during the rest of the game as Saudi Arabia pressured up but Japan stood strong in defence.
The teams went into a penalty shootout to determine the winner of the tournament.
Japan scored their first four shots from the spot through Daisuke, Ritsu, Keita and Yuta.
Saudi Arabia only managed to convert three of their shots through Nasser Al Dawsari, Naif Kireiri and Al Yami. However, their fourth attempt saw Magrashi miss the target by miles.
Japan’s Koki converted their fifth shot to guarantee his team’s win after 120 minutes of play.
The final match was under the patronage of His Majesty the King representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Asian Football Confederation President and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports General Secretary Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa honoured the finalists.
Bahrain Football Association president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain Youth and Sport Affairs Minister Hisham Al Jowder and Saudi Arabia Football Federation President Ahmed Eid were among other high-ranking sports officials attending the final.
Individual trophies were also presented afterwards as Japan’s Sakai won the tournament’s best player, Saudi Arabia’s Sami Al Naji claimed the top scorer trophy, while Japan won the fair play team award.
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