Japan U-15 National Team’s shortlisted squad had their last day of the West Japan camp. They worked on how to receive the ball in the vital area on the pitch, when to get into such area, and how to outsmart opposing defenders. The players spent most of the time learning such strategies by thinking about how they can create one-on-one situations against defenders in their favour. Under instructions from their head coach Yoshiro Moriyama and U-18’s head coach Atsushi Uchiyama, the players gradually but apparently improved their playing judgement in each situation.

Finally, the squad had an intra-squad between the players who played the Gamba Osaka Youth match in the first half and the players who played the Cerezo Osaka U-18 match in the first half.

Both teams showed aggressive performance in spite of their fatigue from yesterday’s match. They also showed their enthusiasm to win the match as a goalkeeper even went up for the last corner kick in the closing minutes. In the meeting at the end, Moriyama urged the players to play with what they learned in mind at their own team and keep up the efforts. He wrapped up the four-day camp with former Italian international Roberto Baggio’s quote―”You have no right to talk about tomorrow if you don’t do it now.”

The East Japan camp of U-15 shortlisted squad will be held this weekend in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa.

Coach and Players’ Comments

SAITO Toshihide, Coach
Because we played in a tournament during the U-17’s Belarus trip with head coach Moriyama and other U-15’s staff members, the players understood coach Moriyama’s style of football beforehand and were able to come into the camp smoothly. The players called up this time were all great with unique characteristics and made us consider calling them up again. I hope they will brush it up even after going back to their own team. During the camp, I closely talked with U-15 team staff about how to coach and what kind of plays we expect from the players. I will try to grow along with other staff members and players in the East Japan camp, the upcoming international tournaments and oversea trips.

MF  AWANO Kento (Vegalta Sendai Junior Youth)
In yesterday’s match, I accelerated at the right time so that my speed came through against opponents who were better than us. I will capitalise on it as my strength in the future matches. In the intra-squad match today, my body was heavy and wasn’t really fit, but I tried coaching my teammates and worked hard mainly on defence, keeping my brain in balance. My next objective is to improve balancing ability and positioning ability to be good enough against opponents who put intense pressure or who are physically strong.

GK  FUJIMOTO Mizuki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C Junior Youth)
In yesterday’s match, we weren’t able to show what we learned in our training such as coping with long balls and connecting the ball during build-up. Compared to other players, I strongly felt I’m not good enough at catching the ball and playing on one-on-one situations. Back in my own team, I will repeatedly practice what I learned in this camp and pick up more skills to get confident even when playing against good teams.

DF  KAWAI Tetta (Gamba Osaka Junior Youth)
In yesterday’s match and today’s intra-squad match, I was able to show my tenacious defence using my strength, physical intensity. Especially, I was successful in coping with cross balls just as I practiced. I found it was important to keep the right distance to an opponent and at the same time take the right position where I can intercept the ball as soon as a cross ball came in, so I will try to improve how to call out and what timing to move. After going back to my own team, I will work hard to improve individual skills.

MF  SUZUKI Toichi (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I wasn’t able to play my game as opponents overwhelmed my physical ability in the practice match yesterday. But when I got a pass at the proper timing, I made it to send a through ball and play well with my teammates just as we practiced. I will develop dribbling accuracy and try to train my techniques to have broader vision even against strong opponents. Head coach Moriyama’s words, “Learn as you enjoy it” stand out in my memory.

Schedule

※The schedule is subject to change due to condition of the team, the weather, etc.