On Thursday 30 March, TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team), at the press conference held at the JFA House announced 23 members to participate in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2017 — Kumamoto Earthquake Charity Match‘ Ganbarubai Kumamoto' — scheduled on Sunday 9 April.

Including two international debutants of the Algarve Cup 2017 HASEGAWA Yui and MOMIKI Yuka both of whom play for NIPPON TV BELEZA, TAKAKURA Asako invited four new players for this international friendly, namely ISHII Saki (BUNNYS KYOTO SC), SUMIDA Rin (NIPPON TV BELEZA), OYA Ayumi (Ehime FC Ladies), and UENO Mami (Ehime FC Ladies). According to the Nadeshiko manager, Ishii is a player with pace and she can play every position in the backline, while Sumida ‘has wonderful individual skills and the ability to control midfield’. Moreover the coach adds, Oya can create chances on her own, and praises her by saying ‘she possesses skills rare for a woman player’. Top-scorer of U-20 FIFA World Cup Ueno is also expected to bring additional attacking arsenal to the team.

Nadeshiko Japan competed in their first tournament FPF Algarve Cup in Porutgal under coach Takakura earlier this month and finished sixth with two wins and two losses. With limited time between this international competition and the Kirin Challenge Cup, Nadeshiko manager comments, “I expect more from my team as this is our fifth international match” and she further adds, “The team could not coordinate well in defence and the pace at which we pressure our opponents was not quick enough. Addressing and improving those issues found during the cup, we are looking to attack aggressively and threaten the opponents’ goal more. By playing courageously, hopefully we can show the best of Nadeshiko Japan in Kumamoto.”

Nadeshiko Japan will start their training camp from Monday 3 April in preparation for the Kirin Challenge Cup, where they will face Costa Rica on Sunday 9 April at Kumamoto Prefecture Athletics Stadium.

Coach's Comment

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team)
We are very pleased to play an international friendly match in Kumamoto and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff members in Kumamoto for hosting this wonderful event.

In the Algrave Cup early this month, we were seeking for various possibilities of the national team, and worked on different combination of players and shifted their positions accordingly. It was regrettable that the result did not follow and our performance was below my expectation. I believe my players are feeling the same disappointed when they returned to Japan. However, if we continue to work hard and with match experiences, I am confident that by raising our level of concentration we will find our own winning ways. Ahead of the game, I am instructing my players ‘not to fear about making mistakes, but instead play with courage’. I am also expecting each player to showcase her own individuality and play to the best of her ability as well as a game with many courageous plays.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.