Nadeshiko Japan, who will fly for the FIFA Women's World Cup on Sunday 31 May, restarted their training in Chiba on Saturday 30 May.

In the afternoon, the players attended the Nadeshiko Japan Supporting event in Tokyo. The coaching staff of SAMURAI BLUE (the Japan National Team), including Vahid Halilhodzic, head coach, visited the late afternoon training session. They greeted with SASAKI Norio, head coach of Nadeshiko Japan.

The players started with some light exercises and passing training to warm up, followed by a practice session with the local boys'high school football club. They focused on practicing how to strike goals while defending solidly against the opponent, who were physically stronger and swifter. They held a two-hour training session, including two 15-minute intra-squad games.

MIYAMA Aya commented: "I understand we can compete using swift switches between attacking and defending against an opponent that has physical advantages. However, we tended to select overly fussy playing styles. I learned what to choose in that kind of circumstance." The players shared how to play against physically stronger and faster opponents.

After dinner, Vahid Halilhodzic joined them once more to encourage the team. He noted: "you earned an excellent result four years ago. I know it's extremely difficult to achieve the same goal. I do wish you all the best in becoming back-to-back champions in the world again."

Nadeshiko Japan will hold the last training session in Japan on Monday 1 June.

Players' Comments

MF #8   MIYAMA Aya (Okayama Yunogo Belle)
I feel we have achieved a different level compared to the one four years ago before the Germany championship. We did spend four years building up the team before as well. We knew just what we had to do, even though at some part we weren't sure. This time, although we do feel we just have to play as hard as possible again, we understand our playing style even more, not to mention having more technical skills and experiences through these four years.
DAINI Kuniya the Japan Football Association (JFA) President told us not to feel too much pressure and to show our playing style. There are some teams, who are already in Canada. I think I will feel that it's actually happening when I finally arrive in Canada.

DF #3   IWASHIMIZU Azusa (Nippon TV Beleza)
All we have to do is exactly the same as four years ago. Having said that, as we'll draw a greater deal of attention this time, we can be more focused for Canada. Having a level of competition in the squad to make the starting team is a good thing, if there are more opportunities for us to be on the pitch.
It was good that we didn't concede any goals in the last two ‘warm-up'games. However, we found some issues to be discussed – how to control the defensive line and when the goalkeeper should go forward. Whichever goalkeeper of ours is on the pitch, I'd like to use her strength well enough. We need to share each goalkeeper's speed and range of defence.

MF #13   UTSUGI Rumi (Montpellier HSC/France)
When I'm on the pitch, I'd like to contribute to scoring. I'd like to go forward by taking some risks. Ogimi scored in the match against Italy, but we have Ando and Sugasawa, who have a slightly different playing style. As we have always been using the same sort of pattern to strike goals, I'd like to make a change. All the players are in good condition. So anyone can be on the pitch. I think we have solid strength no matter who is on the pitch.

DF #4   KUMAGAI Saki (Olympique Lyonnais/France)
In the championship in Germany, we were improving through the intra-squad games there. Winning the opening match is essential. I'd like to improve as an individual player, not to mention as a team, through good games again. Although we haven't been together through the whole four years, I'd like to start better than four years ago. It's up to the head coach's decision whether or not to try a new defensive system in the World Cup. It's good to have more options, anyway.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015

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