Riffa: Koki Ogawa and Iwasaki Yuto have been the main headliners for Japan at the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016. Taking the championship by storm, the trio have produced six of Japan’s 13 goals since their opener against Yemen just over two weeks ago.
On the opposite end of the pitch, however, stands an unsung hero in Ryosuke Kojima. The reliable custodian, alongside his rock-solid quartet, has been the bedrock to his side’s indestructible defence. After last night’s final, the young Samurai Blue have now gone 840 minutes without conceding a single goal – a perfect record dating back from October 2015 in their AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016 qualifiers.
“My aim for every match is to keep a clean sheet, so I must admit I am pleased but I must give credit to my teammates as well. They defended as a unit from the attack to the midfielders, everyone played their part.”
The teenager was instrumental yet again as Japan earned their first-ever AFC U-19 Championship in their history after defeating Saudi Arabia 5-3 on penalties at Bahrain National Stadium.
The teenager was quick to pay tribute to his opponent who he described as the young Samurai Blue’s biggest challenge to date. “Saudi Arabia were easily the toughest opponents we have faced so far,” the 18-year-old told the-AFC.com, before pausing for a moment to absorb the moment. “Their strikers were threatening our goal and perhaps, looking back, I was most anxious playing against them."
Kojima, who considers Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon as the world’s best goalkeeper, added that he draws inspiration from the Japan’s senior side and has set his sights on emulating his countrymen.
“Representing Japan always gives me great joy. I look to them for inspiration. Of course, it would be a fantastic feeling if my fellow teammates were part of the same team.”
Showing signs of great maturity, he added: “For now, our main focus is the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017. But we know success at the world stage won’t come easy so we must continue to work hard and build on this success.”
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com