On 21 July, Nadeshiko Japan coach SASAKI Norio announced the 23 players for the coming EAFF Women's East Asian Cup 2015, which will be held from 1 August in Wuhan, China. He made significant changes to the team from the one in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015, in which they finished in second place. 17 players were replaced, including four new faces.

The 17 new players include the forward TANAKA Mina (Nippon TV Beleza), who is the second best goal scorer in the Plenus Nadeshiko League, the midfielder NAOMOTO Hikaru (Urawa Reds Ladies), who has played for the U-17 and U-20 national teams, and the defensive midfielders KYOKAWA Mai (INAC Kobe) and MASUYA Rika (INAC Kobe).

There are 16 players, who have played for the national team less than ten times, excluding the 20-year old defender MURAMATSU Tomoko (Nippon TV Beleza), the midfielder SHIBATA Hanae (Urawa Reds Ladies), and the goalkeepers TAKENAKA Rei (Vegalta Sendai Ladies) and YAMASHITA Ayaka (Nippon TV Beleza), who are all newcomers, as well as the forward TAKASE Megumi (INAC Kobe), who has 56 caps for the national team. However, most of the players have played in the previous AFC Asian Cup or the Asian Games. Japan coach Sasaki commented: “experiences in the Asian championships can be their strength.”

Sasaki, the coach, also noted, expressing his new ambitions: ”it’s a good and new challenge even though the environment and the schedule until the championship is very tough. I want the players to try and earn a place in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. I believe I chose the players who can do so. If they become more confident by getting good results in the coming championship, we will have strength in depth for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.”

Japan, who aim to win the championship for the first time in two tournaments, will meet Korea DPR on 1 August, Korea Republic on 4 August, and China PR on 8 August in eight days.

Sasaki, the coach, commented: “it depends how much we can build the team within the limited time.” He expected that six players, including the goalkeeper YAMANE Erina (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies), the forward SUGASAWA Yuika (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies) and the midfielder KAWAMURA Yuri (Vegalta Sendai Ladies), who all have experienced the World Cup, will lead Nadeshiko Japan by telling others the tatics of the team.

Nadeshiko Japan won the championship in the EAFF Women's East Asian Cup in 2008 just after the coach Sasaki took up his position. Although the team became back-to-back champions in 2010, they ended in second place after Korea DPR in 2013.

Japan coach Sasaki commented about their opponents: “it’s vital how well we play in the opening game, which will affect the following matches. In the final of the Asian Games in October 2014, we lost to Korea DPR, who play aggressively in both attack and defence. Both Korea Republic and China PR, who have experienced the World Cup, are building their teams.” He also noted: “I know it’s not an easy task, but it’s a good challenge for the future. We’ll fight, thinking of winning the championship.”

The team will get together on 27 July in order to hold a domestic training camp, before leaving for Wuhan in China, where the championship will be held.

Coach’s Comment

SASAKI Norio, Coach (Nadeshiko Japan/Japan Women's National Team)
I want the players in the coming championship to try and earn a place in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as Nadeshiko Japan, and I believe I chose the players who can do so. If they become more confident through the championship by getting good results, we will have strength in depth for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in order to earn an Olympic berth in the qualifying round.

It’s vital that we refresh from the atmosphere of finishing in second place in the FIFA Women's World Cup, and face the next stage. Although it’s tough, it's good timing to do so, and we’d like to challenge new things with spirit.

Although we haven’t got much preparation time and we’re under the pressure as the national team, it depends how much we can build the team within the limited time through meeting the opponents, against whom we may play in the qualifying round for the Olympics. I hope the players, who have experience in the World Cup in Canada, will lead the team, and the new faces will play harmoniously. It’s vital.

Wuhan is located inland, and it’s very hot. It will be an excellent opportunity and experience for the players to build the team in that hard environment. Having said that, as the national team “experience” is not enough. We will play to win the championship.

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