On Saturday 8 April, the U-16 Japan National Team faced the host nation, U-16 France National Team, in the semi-finals of the 50th Montaigu Tournament in front of a crowd of over 6,000 people at the tournament's main stadium, Montaigu.
The Japanese team kept the ball moving in their own half to set up chances to send a vertical pass, but the French defence displayed excellent organisation to close up the passing lanes, denying their opponents any opportunities. But, as the game went on, Japan began to penetrate the spaces in the flanks, completing more plays with a shot. France, on the other hand, took advantage of the errant passes made by Japan to launch sharp counterattacks that threatened the Japanese goal, but neither side was able to find the back of the net, as the first half ended scoreless. .....
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