In the bitterly cold weather, the U-15 Japan National squad started their second training camp this year at Banyu Fureai Park in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. The U-15 Japan National Team currently aim to get through the qualifying round of the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship in September, in order to win a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 next year. The hopefuls in western Japan held the training camp last week and 28 players, who are mainly based in eastern Japan, are participating in the camp this time.

The players and staff held a meeting before the training sessions. Kimura Kokichi, the head team director of the younger generation told the players: ‘if I ask you your current aim, you’ll answer it’s to be chosen for the national team and participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017. However, I’d like you to aim to join the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2017, showing off everything you’ve got at this camp.’

During the training session, MORIYAMA Yoshiro, the head coach, directed the players to ‘play tactically, switching on-off’ and to ‘show your ability through being close to the ball’. Then the players mainly did some three-on-two or five-on-three passing training. In the end, they divided into four groups and had three sets of a seven-on-seven practice game with goalkeepers, using a half-length pitch. The players, who played a little awkwardly, were strongly encouraged by the staff and gradually started to play more aggressively in the heated attack and defence

In the meeting after dinner, Yamamoto, the chief doctor, lectured on nutritional guidance and doping. Then Matsuodani, the trainer, spoke about the importance of individual training and how to ensure adequate hydration during the practice session. As today’s notice, Moriyama, the head coach, pointed out that the players should have been more assertive off the pitch and that they need to be more aware of the defence on the pitch. Lastly, the players watched a video of the top international players’ individual performances, just like at the camp in western Japan, so that they could see how to look around as well as remember the importance of positioning and having a wider view. Tomorrow they will have two practice sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. They will show what they learned in the previous training sessions and the meeting.

Comments

GK TAKADA Yuma（Uji FC Junior Youth）
I’m very pleased to understand my strengths and weaknesses by participating in this camp and also glad to play with other high-level players, including other goalkeepers. As I found that I could improve especially my shot-blocking skill, I’d like to focus on that from tomorrow.

GK AOKI Kokoro（JFA Academy Fukushima U15）
During this camp, I’d like to show off my skill as well as find my weaknesses to improve myself even more. After today’s practice session, I think I understood my advantages and weak points clearly. Although handling high balls is my advantage, I don’t feel quite confident to play one-on-one or block shots. As there are many things I can learn from other players, I’d like to practice hard to improve with my teammates.

GK YAMAHO Riku（Consadole Sapporo U-15）
Although I felt very nervous about my first training camp for the national squad, I gradually felt confident by practicing.
In particular, I can see how to use the on-off movement, which I was taught by the staff through one-on-one today, in real matches. As I got closer with my teammates, I’d like to communicate even more and practice hard.

FW IKETAKA Nobuki（SSS Junior Youth）
Although I wasn’t quite confident at first, the more I communicated with the other players, the better I could play. I’d like to play hard and aggressively both in attack and defence. There were many unusual schoolboy errors during the passing in today’s practice session, and lost goal-scoring opportunities. So I’d like to show my skill, staying aware of scoring, and bearing in mind the defence, which I was taught in today’s meeting.

Schedule

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