The Japan men’s national team, dubbed SAMURAI BLUE, began a training camp in Aichi Prefecture on Monday for the 2014 Kirin Challenge Cup against Honduras (on Friday at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture) and Australia (on Tuesday at Osaka’s Yanmar Stadium).

A total of 21 members, excluding Standard Liege goalkeeper KAWASHIMA Eiji and Borussia Dortmund midfield KAGAWA Shinji, who would arrive later due to their club schedules, assembled and work on a menu that was focusing on their recoveries. In the practice of an hour and a half, the players, including AC Milan forward HONDA Keisuke, went through some mini ball passing game and foot volleyball, in which they were divided into three-a-team groups, in front of large crowds of fans in the stands.After the practice wrapped up, some players like Kashima Antlers midfielder SHIBASAKI Gaku, Nagoya Grampus midfielder TAGUCHI Taishi, Antlers defender SHOJI Gen and Sagan Tosu forward TOYODA Yohei worked on their individual practice to confirm their own moves at their respective positions.

Head coach Javier Aguirre left the team after the team got together because he was to attend a ceremony in Mexico, and until he returns on 13 November, assistant coach Stuart Gelling would temporarily assume the helm.

Aguirre told his players in a meeting before he departed to stick with the disciplines of the team even while he is absent from the team and said to the newcomers that he wanted them to be part of the team as quickly as they could and play boldly.All the 23 men would gather as Kawashima and Kagawa arrive on Tuesday.

Comments

Javier AGUIRRE, Head Coach
We want to put up good results posing two wins this time, and want to complete the buildup of our team for the Asia Cup. I told our players to play boldly and for our new guys I told them to be part of this team as quickly as they could, and stick to the team disciplines. I already have the starting members for the Honduras game in my head, but will make the final decision either on Thursday night or Friday morning.

MF ENDO Yasuhito(Gamba Osaka)
This is my first participation since head coach Aguirre took over, so I would like to absorb as many things as I can in a positive sense, understand the team tactics in the short time and put up my own play. I’m looking forward to playing alongside the new players. As I’d been away from the national team, I reassured that the national team would not be a place to watch from outside. I’m excited to be back on the team and honored. I hope to show what I have and contribute to the team as much as I can.

DF SHOJI Gen(Kashima Antlers)
Coach told us in a meeting, `Those who got here for the first time, welcome,’ and for me personally, it was a pleasure. Since I’m a centre back, I would like to help the team finish without allowing any goals. This is my first time to be here, but I want to put up what I can do while enjoying the moments, not be frightened too much. I think taking part of our offence would be a little difficult, but it’s sometimes important to encourage your team playing physically, and I hope to finish these contests, taking good communication with my teammates.

MF KONNO Yasuyuki(Gamba Osaka)
The national team is a place anyone aims to be at, so I’m pleased to be back here. (As to the team’s previous four games) I was watching them objectively and was cheering them. As long as the image for my play, I would like to judge our coach’s intentions and what he wants us to do during the practices, and try them. I want to do things thinking a lot of things.

FW HONDA Keisuke(AC Milan/Italy)
It’s rare that you don’t have your coach, but it will be only for a few days, and with our coach or not, it won’t change that the two games will still be important. I think that we are going to have to brace up in working in our practices.

JFA-TV

Kirin Challenge Cup 2014

Fri. 14 November 2014     SAMURAI BLUE(Japan National Team) vs Honduras National Team
Toyota Stadium/Aichi Kickoff 19:35(plan)/Open 16:35(plan)
TV Broadcast: National live broadcast on TV ASAHI

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Tue. 18 November 2014    SAMURAI BLUE(Japan National Team) vs Australia National Team
Yanmar Stadium Nagai/Osaka Kickoff 19:20(plan)/Open 16:20(plan)
TV Broadcast: National live broadcast on FUJI TV

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