The Japan women's national team – Nadeshiko Japan – , who finished their three group stage games and qualified through the round in the first place due to the goal differentials, will face Hong Kong China, who were third in Group C, in the semifinals of the knockout stage on 23rd September.

Since they would play the semifinal match with three day's rest, Nadeshiko went through light training menus focusing on recoveries on the day, one day after their Chinese Taipei game. It was the birthday for KAWASUMI Nahomi. After a photo session, the players tried to `celebrate' Kawasumi with water shower, but she anticipated it and dodged away. Later, they congratulated Kawasumi with a cake after the lunch.

On 24th, OSAFUNE and TAKASE, who'd gone through different practice menus due to injuries, reunited with the main squad. Because head coach SASAKI Norio said that ``our young players have not mastered the linkage and flows between themselves enough,'' the team focused on practical and defensive menus in the practice. After the dinner time, the team held another video meeting, which they had one on the previous day. Nadeshiko Japan have exchanged heated discussions both on and off the pitch in order to deepen their mutual understandings.

Comments

SASAKI Norio, Head Coach
We'll face Hong Kong China, but considering the way to the championship game, it's a tough opponent. While we are expected to possess the ball longer, it is going to be difficult to keep attacking on the ball hard. It's very important to take moments defensively. In our training today, our players positively worked on it, but there were some moments that they didn't do well on it and our young players haven't mastered the linkage and flows between themselves enough. We need to improve as a team by compiling trainings and watching a lot of videos, and it will be important for us to brace ourselves.

HAZA Hisui（Nittaidai）
Since I've joined the national team and found my own issues, I feel I still have a long way to go. There are ways that you are supposed to do at the national team, such as positioning, and the opponents are different from your domestic opponents. Our experienced veterans give us advices, so I want to boldly challenge so I can overcome my problems. In order to showcase myself, I need to participate in our attacks more and put up consistent defence. I want to be a player who doesn't get beaten in one-on-one situations and gets to be used as a center back as well. I would like to have better preparation so I will be able to do what I can do 100 percent once I get to play in a game.

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