Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) had the third day of their training camp on Wednesday 25 February in preparation for the Algarve Cup. The players again held two practice sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. In the morning, they divided into their positions to practice shots, and then played a 9-on-9 practice game and one with the goalkeeper. The players tried out in some positions during the practice. In the game, OHNO Shinobu struck a goal from a combination with KAWASUMI Nahomi and TAKASE Megumi.

In the afternoon, the players mainly had practice matches with the local college boys just like the day before. Sasaki, the head coach, encouraged the players: ‘play with double the power of the opponent to throw them away, never letting them turn.’ So the players used all their power and bodies against the college students. The practice sessions were trial and error, and finding ways to manage their various challenges. The players checked each other’s positioning and timing during these two days. The team will leave for Portugal on Thursday 26 February to participate in the Algarve Cup.

Players' Comments

MF 9   KAWASUMI Nahomi(INAC Kobe)
As I haven’t won the championship at the Algarve Cup yet, I’d like to aim for that. It is the last training camp before the World Cup and I’d like to stand out as an individual player. After we played a lot against the countries in Asia last year, it’ll be a good opportunity to meet many other countries at the Algarve Cup. I want to be ready for any nation. Over the past four years, I learned a lot through playing abroad and participating in the World Cup and the Olympics. I’d like to show off what I learned, including playing against an opponent tactically as well. Although all the opponents see us in a different way now, we’d like to play our style to relive what we achieved at the previous World Cup. I’d like to raise the trophy high up in the air in the gold ticker-tape.

DF 5   SAMESHIMA Aya(INAC Kobe)
We found many areas to be fixed in defence through the practice against the speedy college students. I’d like to gradually improve the timing for withdrawing the defensive line and the positioning for playing against the international teams. I aim to win the championship at the Algarve Cup. Personally, I haven’t played international games for nearly two years, apart from the ones on the Canada tour in October. I’d like to focus on my game to see how much I can contribute currently and what I need to improve more. I’d like to find areas and improve them during the Algarve Cup and the matches in the league, so that we can get a good result.

DF 20   KAWAMURA Yuri(Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
As a team, we aim to win the Algarve Cup. Personally, I’d like to improve myself as much as possible through playing against international players. I played as a full back or a defensive midfielder during the camp. In defence, I’d like to show my advantage - playing strongly against the opponent. In attack, I want to improve my passing speed and quality of my decision-making.

DF 19   ARIYOSHI Saori(Nippon TV Beleza)
Although I can hardly say I’ve done everything I was required to do during the domestic camp, I’d like to focus on the rest at the on-site training session to stay on the pitch as long as possible. When I played as a side half, I kept thinking about what I would need if I were at full back. I think it can be our advantage to look for space behind the opponent from the full back.

DF 2   KINGA Yukari(INAC Kobe)
I think we shared details of the positioning during this short term. Although our aim at the Algarve Cup is to get the best result, I don’t think it’s quite enough. As it’s our much-awaited opportunity to play against strong countries, we’d like to seek both good performances and results - for example, I’d like to see how we can control the game to hit our target or which tactic to use to win the game. I’ll try many plays, including short passes and combinations, which are our particular advantage, as well as getting through with a few players using individual skills.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*Local Time