The team won the match 2-0, marking their first victory of this tour.
Qualifying League Group B Match 3 vs Hebei China Fortune
Kick-off: 9:00 AM
First half: 2-0
Second half: 0-0
Total: 2-0
Scorers: Tomoya Nakagawa, Noto Watanabe
<Starting Lineup>
GK: Aoi Terakado FP: Shotaro Taniguchi, Tatsuya Kiuchi, Konoha Ikeizawa, Kenta Nemoto, Yu Funahashi, Kai Ueki, Ayumu Funasaki, Tomoya Nakagawa, Kaiyo Yanagimachi, Noto Watanabe
Substitutes: Towa Takema, Sora Okita, Shoichi Kurimata, Rui Iso Ruri
The match against Hebei China Fortune was also played in very hot weather.
The team started the match well, using the open space in midfield to spread the ball and move it effectively.
In the 22nd minute of the first half, Nakagawa cut into the center and took a strong shot, which the goalkeeper fumbled, resulting in a goal and giving the team the opening score.
Despite creating more chances, a lack of shooting accuracy prevented them from scoring further goals.
In the 44th minute, just before the end of the first half, a combination play from the center broke through the defense, and Watanabe's superb left-footed shot found the back of the net, ending the first half with a two-goal lead.
In the second half, the team dominated possession and pressed for a goal, but couldn't convert their chances, which remains a significant challenge in this tournament.
Ultimately, no goals were scored in the second half. Although they won the match, the players' desire to score was not evident.
Qualifying Group B Standings
1st: Santos 2nd: Nice 3rd: Antlers 4th: Hebei China Fortune
Qualifying Group A Standings
1st: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2nd: VS RCD Espanyol 3rd: Santos Laguna 4th: Shandong Luneng
Qualifying Group C Standings
1st: Boca Juniors 2nd: Desportivo Brasil 3rd: Sporting Clube de Portugal 4th: Shanghai Shenhua
As a result, the team has advanced to the 5th-8th place playoff tournament. In the draw, they will play against Sporting Clube de Portugal (Portugal) tomorrow at 9:00 AM.
In the afternoon, players who had less playing time in the match practiced on the covered artificial turf pitch.
The ranking tournament starts tomorrow. We will fight for a higher position.