Japan U-17 Wins 1-0 Over Poland U-17 Thanks To Rento Takaoka's Goal

Rento Takaoka, the winner of Japan U-17. (photo: screenshot)

JAKARTA - The U-17 Japanese national team won a narrow 1-0 match against Poland in the inaugural match of Group D of the U-17 World Cup. The only goal was scored by substitute Rento Takaoka in the 76th minute.

The match which took place at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, Saturday, November 11, was fierce with opportunities from both teams. In the first half, no goals were created, and the match was tight.

In the second half, Poland took the initiative to attack, but Japan also threatened. The match was temporarily suspended due to heavy rains, but then resumed after conditions allowed.

The decisive goal was then born in the 76th minute through Rento Takaoka's individual action. Receiving the ball in front of the penalty box, Takaoka made several moves before releasing a left foot kick that resulted in a goal.

With this victory, Japan temporarily topped the Group D standings with three points, while Poland was at the bottom of the standings without points. The next match in Group D will bring Argentina together against Senegal.

List of line-ups:

Japan: Wataru Goto, Haruto Matsumoto, Keita Kosugi, Kaito Tsuchiya, Kataro Honda, Yataro Nakajima, Yumeki Yoshinaga, Gaku Nawata, Humare Tokuda, Shuto Nagano, Alen Inoue. (Coach: Yoshiro Moriyama)

Poland: Michal Matys; Dominik Szala, Jakub Krzyzanowski, Igor Orlikowski, Maksymilian Sznaucher, Karol Borys, Krzystof Kolanko, Szymon Lyshzko, Marcel Regula, Daniel Mikolanewski, Mike Huras. (Coach: Marcin Wlodarski)

Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho