On Thursday 6 April, the third match of the 50th Montaigu Tournament group stage saw the U-16 Japan National Team take on the local U-17 VENDEE Select Team after the Gabon National Team suddenly had to withdraw from the tournament. The match kicked off at 19:00 in front of more than 1,500 spectators, an even larger crowd than Japan's first match against Portugal.

From the early stages of the match, Japan showed great aggression to pressure the ball, which led to the opening goal scored in the fourth minute, when NOMURA Yuto (Nagoya Grampus U-18) won the ball near the opposing penalty area before quickly passing it to KUMASHIRO Keito (Roasso Kumamoto Youth), who calmy slotted the ball into the left corner with his right foot to give Japan the lead.

In the 10th minute, SEKIGUCHI Kota (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth) converted a free kick won just outside the box to make it 2-0, before HAMASAKI Kento (Vissel Kobe U-18) scored the third goal in the 36th minute with the assist coming from Leo William CHRISTOPHERS (Southampton FC U16). .....

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