Ahead of the JFA Vermont Cup 28th U-12 Japan Futsal Championship, which opens on Friday 17 August, we have conducted an interview with HARAGUCHI Genki (Hannover 96/Germany), who has excelled at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia as a member of the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team). We asked on topics such as his training methods back when he was in primary school.

――When you were in primary school, the J. League already existed, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Japan-Korea took place one year before you played at the Vermont Cup. Were there any players you looked up to or influenced by?

HARAGUCHI: Of course, there were many. Back in the days, we didn’t have YouTube or anything of that sort, so we didn’t have many sources to watch football played overseas. But occasionally my parents would buy me video tapes at the football shop, or record news programmes that featured football news and watched it in the morning. I was intrigued by many forward players, but I can’t recall a specific player. By the time I was in primary school, I was so passionate in football played overseas. Before that, I only knew the Urawa Reds, so I would imitate how FUKUDA (Masahiro) and (Guido) BUCHWALD played football. So, in pre-school I would watch the Urawa Reds’ players, while I got older and nurtured an expert eye, I started watching football played overseas. (while laughing)

――Which league did you used to follow?

HARAGUCHI: I watched the videos of the UEFA Champions League the most. There was a video called the “Succession of #7” that featured Manchester United, and I liked that one too.

――How did you practice when you were young?

HARAGUCHI: I practiced even when my club team did not have any training session, so I was kicking the ball every day. I wasn’t interested in other ways to spend my time, so I would go out and kick the ball around even if I was by myself. There weren’t any other kids in my neighbourhood who liked playing football like me, so a big theme for me was how to enjoy myself being all alone. (while laughing) I think that I had a rich imagination back then, so I it allowed me to think of various situations to conduct my practice.

――So, you would visualise your opponents and teammates in your head while you practiced?

HARAGUCHI: Yes. I was usually playing alone, so I didn’t have much opportunities to play against someone else. Our pet dog used to play football with me, but dogs are not human. I’d make the dog practice with me, but once the dog gets bored of it, I would end up playing alone after all. (while laughing)

――You would work on individual skills such as dribbling?

HARAGUCHI: Yes. I used to practice everywhere. If I had a ball and a little bit of space, then I would be kicking the ball. I was that kind of a child.

――Watching some of your old tapes from back then, the way you pace yourself while dribbling is similar to how you dribble now.

HARAGUCHI: That's true, I haven’t changed. (while laughing) The way I cut in from the left side and the habits are still present. The things I nurtured back then has built who I am now. That is why I don’t want the players of this tournament to take their daily practice sessions and tournaments for granted. I hope they will use each of these precious moments to improve their skills. Striving for victory is important but developing as an individual is also important. Please cherish this moment and give your best to achieve your goals.

JFA Vermont Cup 28th U-12 Japan Futsal Championship

Tournament dates: Fri. 17 - Sun. 19 August 2018
Tournament venue: Komazawa Gymnasium and Indoor Ball Sports Field at Komazawa Olympic Park Sports Ground, Tokyo
Tournament Information