On Monday 30 July, one day after their 1-2 loss to the Brazil Women’s National Team, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) held a training session in the morning.

The players who played the day before focused on recovering from the match while the reserve players conducted their usual training routine.

10 players including the two goalkeepers were seen at the session as the players went through drills of passing, ball control, and one-on-ones without taking much breaks. The team concluded the session with a four vs four mini-game with the two goalkeepers playing in goal. During this game, the players were demanded to showcase quick transitions between offence and defence, giving them the opportunity to gain an intense work load.

The team went through the video tapes of their match against Brazil before supper, as they reorganised what they’ve worked on thus far and what they must improve following the two matches. After mapping out where the team stands at the moment, Coach TAKAKURA Asako gave a pep-talk to her players ahead of their match against Australia, “Our strengths is in our ability to work hard together. However, you must not be hesitant to showcase your individual ability. I want you to look into your heart and improve one step at a time.”

Players' Comments

GK #1 IKEDA Sakiko (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
Our current situation where we have lost two matches in two attempts, is something we cannot accept as a team striving to win the World Cup. However, we must embrace this result and work hard to improve ourselves both as a team and individual. We have one more match against our Asian qualifier rival, Australia. We know they are a very strong team, but we will enter the match with the strong intention to win. All we have to do is prepare better than our opponent and give everything we’ve got to contribute for the team victory. In the match against Brazil, I couldn’t stop the goal scoring opportunities. It’s disappointing because if I can make those big saves, the team gains more momentum. But with that being said, I am in good condition right now, so I will do my best to sustain my good form. We have very limited time ahead of the World Cup, and I must utilise the remaining time effectively. I will do my best to contribute for the team which will ultimately help me through the individual battle to earn a spot in the starting line-up. Keeping a clean sheet and winning the match is the best way I can make a case of myself, so I will continue to put my emphasis on that aspect. We don’t want to disappoint our fans in Japan anymore, so we will give everything we’ve got to win against Australia and go home on a high note.

MF #24 MIURA Narumi (Nippon TV Beleza)
Our result of two loses in two matches in this tournament is very disappointing and gives us a sense that we are way behind the world standards. However, there are some aspects that we are doing well, so we must take the positive out of this current situation. We will be facing an Australian side who are faster and better than the Brazil side. I personally have only played against them in the under-age category, but I feel that we must heighten the quality of our decision makings in the next match. I would like to play in the match and feel in first-hand what I can do and what I must improve. After playing in the first two matches, I felt the distance between our three lines and lacked stableness in our build-ups, so we must make the adjustments in our positionings and add more accuracy in our plays. With the World Cup fast approaching, the next match will be a very important match for us. We will fight as a team and I hope to display my individual strengths in this match.

FW #20 YOKOYAMA Kumi (AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies)
​We have put ourselves in a tough spot with the two loses, but this is where we stand at this moment, and we must do whatever we can to improve ourselves ahead of the World Cup. Although we have won against Australia at the Asia Cup, but they are a very strong team. I think they will come out with to seek for revenge from the match at the Asia Cup. We must not be rattled by their intensity and do our best to earn a win before we go back to Japan. This tournament gives us an important opportunity to face the world’s best teams. I think the next year will go by so fast. We will prepare ourselves well both as a team and as an individual.

Schedule

*Local Time, Japan time indicated within the parentheses
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

2018 Tournament of Nations

Tournament Dates: Thu. 26 July - Thu. 2 August 2018
Live broadcasting scheduled on NHK BS1
Information on live broadcast(Japanese website)
Tournament Information