The team, who were on the second day of their stay in Portugal, held two practice sessions – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. In the morning, as the players were still jet lagged, they did some basic light training for approximately one hour.

In the afternoon, they checked the positioning and movement in defence in detail. As all players attack and defend in beach soccer, it is vital to move harmoniously in defence. If you fail to do so, it could let the opponent have a free player, which may lead to a goal. The players checked the positioning details. 

After dinner, the team celebrated the big 50th birthday of TANAKA Yusuke, the athletic trainer (Miyake Sports Massage). Tanaka started to accompany the Beach Soccer Japan National Team in 2007, and this is his sixth World Cup. The players, who were taken care of by him every night, gave a short performance as a gift! All of them stayed very relaxed off the pitch on the second day.

Players' Comments

ODA Hirofumi（TOKYO LEQUIOS BS）
We checked various things in the afternoon practice session in preparation for the first match against Portugal. As we expect to defend more than attack against them, we checked positioning in defence in detail. 

Having said that, it will be the opening and home game for the opponent, and they will be under pressure. So we’d like to defend well, waiting for our opportunities to counter attack. I believe we will get good results, if we play each match in our style as a united team.

MATSUO Naoya（Pracia Yamaguchi）
We stayed vocal to build a consensus among the team in the afternoon practice session, in which we checked the movement of defence in detail. As I felt frustrated, coming in eighth in my first Beach Soccer World Cup - the previous one in Tahiti - I’d like to keep running until the last whistle in order to win the championship. I’ll get myself into good physical condition gradually despite the jet lag, and prepare myself perfectly before the first match. 

Schedule

*Local Time

Japan's Record for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

7 World Cup Appearances: 26 games played for 6-2-18 / 71 goals, 113 goals conceded

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015

Thu. 9 July - Sun. 19 July 2015
Group Stage 1st Match
Thu. 9 July - 22:30 (Japan Time)
Portugal Beach Soccer National Team  vs.  Japan Beach Soccer National Team

More information