The Japan U-18 side beat their Czech Republic counterparts 3-1 in their opening group match at the Valentin Granatkin Memorial international youth tournament in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Saturday.
　Nakano Masaomi of the Tokyo Verdy youth team put Japan ahead in the 19th minute, but that was cancelled out in the 56th minute by Martin Toml.
　Watanabe Ryoma put Japan in front again in the 67th minute and the Maebashi Ikuei High School player found the target again in the 71st minute for Uchiyama Atsushi’s side.
　After Greece’s 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan later in the day, Japan took the lead in Group C.
　“It is valuable for us to win our first match and collect three points in the tournament, which features strong teams,” said Japan coach Uchiyama. “We had a short preparation time ahead of this tournament but our players came together well and produced today’s result, which I am proud of.”
　Japan will play Greece on Monday and Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
　In the 16-team tournament, the classification matches will be held Thursday through Sunday.