On Tuesday 20 September, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) entered the second day of their training camp in Dusseldorf, Germany, ahead of the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2022 matches against the USA National Team (23 September) and Ecuador National Team (27 September). With NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo), SOMA Yuki (Nagoya Grampus), and GONDA Shuichi (Shimizu S-Pulse) joining the team, the team held their first training session with all 30 players.

At the training session held in the afternoon, the three players who arrived in Dusseldorf last night due to the weekend's league matches, were in good spirits. Gonda, together with the other three goalkeepers, worked out using the ball, while Nagatomo and Soma went through a light training menu.

Meanwhile, the players who have been participating in the training since first day of camp, went through their warmup routine before engaging in passing and possession drills. When the team moved on to more intense drills, FURUHASHI Kyogo (Celtic FC), ITO Junya (Stade de Reims), and DOAN Ritsu (SC Freiburg), were directed to wrap up the session due to their condition, as they had played in a match at their clubs over the weekend.

The remaining players worked on their build-up plays, crosses, and shooting from various situations, before playing a half-court scrimmage with nine aside plus a neutral player. The players showed great intensity while making conscious efforts to stay on the same page with each other and to finish their plays with a shot.

After the team worked out for nearly an hour and a half, MINAMINO Takumi (AS Monaco), KAMADA Daichi (Eintracht Frankfurt), HARAGUCHI Genki (1.FC Union Berlin), MACHINO Shuto (Shonan Bellmare), and UEDA Ayase (Cercle Brugge KSV) were seen working on their shots, while MITOMA Kaoru (Brighton & Hove Albion FC) and YAMANE Miki (Kawasaki Frontale) played one-on-one against each other. Elsewhere, YOSHIDA Maya (FC Schalke 04) and MAEDA Daizen (Celtic FC) took a light jog, while SAKAI Hiroki (Urawa Red Diamonds) and KAWASHIMA Eiji (RC Strasbourg) spent their time stretching their body.

The team will continue with their trainings ahead of their matches against the USA on Friday 23 and Ecuador on Tuesday 27. Both matches will be held at Dusseldorf Arena.

Date: Fri. 23 September 2022 *14:25 (21:25 Japan time)
Fixture: SAMURAI BLUE vs USA National Team
Venue: Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany
Match Information

Date: Tue. 27 September 2022 *13:55 (20:55 Japan time)
Fixture: SAMURAI BLUE vs Ecuador National Team
Venue: Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany
Match Information

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