“Own goal defense bad through the match”

The Finnish women’s national football team faced Japan in a match preparing for the European Championships. Japan, which won the 2011 World Cup gold and the 2015 World Cup silver, is looking to rise back to the absolute top. Japan is currently ranked 13th in Fifa and 29th in Finland.

Head coach of Finland Anna Signeul said before the match that Japan is preparing Finland well for the opening match of the European Championships, where Helmarit will face Spain in the star category.

Before the match, Signeul described Japan as a fast, well-fed team with a ball-like game reminiscent of Spain.

– The Japan match prepares us for how fast the game is. We want to see the team work together and the distances stay good, Signeul anticipates.

Sports Expert Jonne Kunnas hoped that in addition to close defense, the Helmars would see a clear plan for how the team would attack when they got the ball. At the European Championships, it is expected that Finland will have to defend a lot and from below. Counterattacks play a big role if Finland intends to destabilize the top countries.

The first half looked good, even though Japan moved Natalia Kuikan with their own goal to take the lead in the 13th minute of play. Five minutes later Adelina Engman soloed from the counterattack of a great hit.

Watch the Japan 1-0 lead and Engman 1-1 in the videos below.

In the first period, the Finnish ball game and their counterattacks started perfectly. Among other things Eveliina Summanen and Ria Öling were visible midfields.

Even at the end of the first half, Finland had a severe storm with Japan’s goal, but the break was even. In any case, the dangerous goals in the first 45 minutes were in Finland’s favor.

In the second half, Finland’s defense broke down for the worse. The defenses were not defended at all. Helmarit often cleared the first ball, but did not have time to get it together if the ball was left for Japan.

Defending was Finland’s strength in the European Championship qualifiers that brought the venue. However, the same problems were already visible in February, when Finland lost 0–5 to France and 0–3 to the Netherlands in a high-level national team tournament.

Sports Expert Maija Saari saw that Japan managed to play with their strengths in the second half with short pass combinations. And when Finland’s feet were left in the booth, the movement was not enough to defend.

Expert Jonne Kunnas summed up that Japan clearly raised its level in the second period, but Finland was unable to respond.

– Defending one’s own goal and defending the box was poor and difficult throughout the match. On the other hand, Finland was no longer able to produce its rapid attacks, partly because the distances from Japan were close to each other, making the counterpressure better.

Just a couple of minutes into the game Jun Endon. Already in the first half, Japan’s most prominent player, Endo, kept the ball in the net, 2-1 for Japan.

Before the hour is over, Japan runs 3 to 1 corner kick. The last ball touched the goal line defender Hana Takahashi.

In the 4–1 hit in the 74th minute, the defense of the Finnish box was back in the wind. Japan’s free kick ended in a front post from Finland’s failed breakout Riko Uegi with this force the ball into the goal ceiling.

5-1 The final score is fired from the penalty spot Yui Hasegawawhen Olga Ahtinen had knocked him down.

Watch Japan’s second half hits in the videos below.

After the match, the head coach of Finland, Anna Signeul, did not leave to interview for defensive defects.

– We got off to a good start. After that, we gave them Ball Control, especially in the second episode. Some things work well, but we were tired and they are good at ball control. We were passive and we learned from this match that we need to be more aggressive.

Signeul thought it was a good idea to have a match against the ball-safe team. The players of Helmare now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle.

– We gave them a chance to score goals and that affects their mood. At the beginning of the second half there was a good feeling, but they immediately managed to score a goal. Yes, we get out of here. Good thing so many got to play. Great evening and it’s a pity that the fans didn’t see any more Finnish goals.

Captain of the Finnish team Tinja-Riikka Korpela had to dig the ball from his goal five times.

– At least we learned what it’s like to play in such heat, it can be in England in July. We were clearly tired, but the same is for the opponent, we can’t blame it.

– Far too many misfeeds came, easy mistakes. The world-class team will punish them.

Japan scored almost all of their goals from the pits and concentrations, except for the last penalty kick.

– Special situation paints, first of all, they need to be treated better. Boxing must be raised to the same level as it used to be, Korpela said.

On Saturday, July 2, Finland will face the Netherlands at the European Championships. The match starts at 19.30, will show the match on their channels from 19.30.

The European Championships start on 6.7. in the match between England and Austria. Helmarit will play the opening match of the European Championships against Spain on July 8. at 7 p.m.

The matches of the European Championships will be shown on ‘s channels. All about the European Championships on Sport’s competition website.