Japan, who participated in the Tokyo Paralympics and Goalball Men for the first time, lost to China, which ranked 3rd in the world ranking, 4-7 in the quarterfinals of the first round of the final tournament, and did not advance to the semifinals.

Goalball is a goal ball in which visually impaired players alternately roll a ball with a bell toward the opponent's goal with three people in one team to compete for points.



Japan, which made its first appearance in the 10th place in the world ranking, advanced to the final tournament with 3 wins and 1 loss in the qualifying league, along with Brazil, and 1st place due to the difference in goals and goals.



On the 31st, in the quarterfinals of the first round of the final tournament held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, we played against China, which is the third largest in the world.



From the start of the match, China made an aggressive attack with a fast ball, and Japan prevented the goal with a desperate defense, such as showing a fine play in which Yuto Sano pinched it with his foot.



However, in the 3rd minute of the start, the Chinese ball aimed at the end of the goal was decided and allowed the first goal, but after that, it suffered from various attacks by China, and in the first half it turned back in the form of chasing 0-4 and 4 points.



In the second half, Japan scored the first goal with a high-bound ball by Koji Miyajiki, who participated in the middle of the game in the 2nd minute. I took the pace, such as preventing it.



Japan scored 4 points in the second half alone, but allowed China 3 points and lost 4-7.



The first Japanese men's Paralympics were eliminated in the quarterfinals and did not win the medals they were aiming for.

Captain Yuta Kawashima "I couldn't win because of lack of power"

Yuta Kawashima, the Japanese captain who participated in the second half, said, "China has matched both high bound balls and low grounders, and even if you throw a regrettable ball that seems to score points, it will be corrected and protected during the game. Even if I went up to 1st place in the qualifying, I couldn't see the medal unless I won here. It was my lack of power that I couldn't win. "



He added, "I am really happy to have held the tournament under these circumstances, and I have to thank him. I want to become stronger as a team and return to this stage again."

Kazuya Kaneko "Now, only the word" I'm sorry "comes out."

Kazuya Kaneko, who started in the starting lineup, said, "I couldn't complete my job of scoring points and making the team easier. China's defense is still strong, and I have to improve the quality of the bound ball and the accuracy of control. I felt I couldn't cross the wall, "he said with tears.



On top of that, "I want to say" Thank you "to the people who have supported me so far, but now I can only say" I'm sorry ". I have betrayed my support, but I will not waste this result. I want to do my best as a team for the next time. "