98JAPAN were inspired by the ‘adventure project’ on the first and second days of the camp, on 18 and 19 August.
The effect of the project is difficult to see, but we expect that it will be on display on the pitch in the final qualifying round.
On the third day of the camp, on 20 August, the players started with some aerobic training in the morning, in order to gradually get used to the environment at a height of 1300 m above sea level.
Some players, who have been constantly playing in official games before the camp including the qualifying round of the National Sports Festival, had a good rest over the previous two days which were not physically demanding.

They held a practical training session in the afternoon. The players felt ‘this is it. Now it starts’, when they heard Yoshitake, the head coach, yell directions at them on the pitch.

They will hold two training sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, on 21 August.

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

Comments

YOSHITAKE Hirofumi, Head Coach
We mainly did some agility workouts and core training in the morning. Following the previous training sessions - which were about uniting our minds - the players formed a line and kept pace and rhythm together in order to be united as a team in physical training, rather than just working out. Probably thanks to the ‘project adventure’, I saw the players act as a team more than usual, working things out and communicating with each other. We went up to the top of a 300-meter slope in the morning, which brought me a sense of achievement with an amazing view.
We held practice matches in the afternoon session. We aimed at remembering the rhythm, the tempo, the distance sense, as well as the role of each player in 98JAPAN. We focused on fixing our attacking issues that we can cooperate each other in attack. Although it wasn’t a passing grade yet, I saw the players working with a goal in mind.

SUGA Daiki（Consadole Sapporo U-18）
In today’s training game, I couldn’t see the opponent properly or decide how to play next. I think I did well at the agility workout. I’d like to do better in both sessions from tomorrow.

NISHIMOTO Takanobu（Kashima Antlers Youth）
I was thinking and checking my movement during today’s session. In Sugadaira, at a height of 1300 m above sea level, I became short of breath or got tired more easily than usual. So I’d like to get used to this environment as soon as possible, and get myself ready physically and mentally for the final qualifying round in Bangkok.

ONOZAWA Toshiki（Cerezo Osaka U-18）
Although I got short of breath earlier than usual due to the higher altitude, I tried the agility workout at full stretch, thinking of each step. I’d like to get myself ready as I imagine I can during this training camp, and get myself in the best condition to play in the final qualifying round in Bangkok.

Future Schedule