The players held a team-building session in the morning on the second day of the camp.
Under the mentorship of Murai Shinji, who is a lecturer at Tamagawa University, they gathered at the meeting room and held a friendly discussion. After drawing a hand on a piece of paper, the players filled in ‘vital things for them’ in the drawn hand. Then they passionately exchanged opinions among the players and staff about what each player wrote down. Many men, many minds - the ‘vital thing’ written down by each player was completely different, with some including ‘spirit’, ‘mind’, ‘bond’, ‘result’ and ‘gratefulness’. The players also reacted in different ways to Mr. Murai’s questions.

They moved on to the pitch after the indoor session. The players worked in pairs or in groups to solve physical tasks one after another.

The two-day ‘project adventure’ has finished and the players will start to use the ball in their training tomorrow. They will put the experience of these two days to good use, in order to improve both individual players as well as the team.

*98JAPAN = the U-16 Japan National Team, that aims at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Head Coach and Players Comments

YOSHITAKE Hirofumi,Head Coach
The 23 players had problem solving sessions in groups to reach a mature relationship between themselves in preparation for the final qualifying round. By looking at the process that goes from feeling something, generating an action, to realising what’s happening, the players got to know their teammates. While concentrating on this process, they aimed at improving the relationship among them. Although the instructor Murai complimented: ‘it’s the national team’s level, as is to be expected’, I myself expected slightly higher-quality actions when they looked in more detail.
It wasn’t a passing grade. Yet, the players seemed to enjoy themselves and I must give a good account of those who gradually became more vocal. I expect that the players will appreciate our beliefs in the following training sessions.

ISHIKAWA Hiroto（Sagan Tosu U-18）
It was my first experience of the ‘project adventure’ and I realised that I could learn about the importance of teammates and considering my teammates by cooperating together or exchanging ideas during down time. I’d like to consciously put this experience to use in the following training sessions or games.

MORIOKA Riku（Jubilo Iwata U-18）
I realised what I really need and what is important for me through the ‘project adventure’ session. I will aim at putting what I learned into action and expressing it physically on the pitch.

WATANABE Kouta（Tokyo Verdy Youth）
I could communicate a lot with my teammates - 98JAPAN - through the ‘project adventure’. I think I learned what cooperating as a team actually means. As we’ll start the training session with the ball tomorrow, I’d like to remember what I learned in these two days and have good practice sessions. 

Future Schedule