U-22 Japan National Team short-listed squad started their training camp on 25 October in Saga.

Among 16 J.League Division1 players, two players – the goalkeeper KUSHIBIKI Masatoshi (Shimizu S-Pulse), who will participate in the J.League U-22 Selection, and the defender IWANAMI Takuya (Vissel Kobe), who was injured – could not join the camp, while 14 other players turned out on the pitch.

TEGURAMORI Makoto, the coach, encouraged the players at the beginning of the training: "You’re here not only to play in Rio 2016, but also for playing internationally. Be aware of that. You’ll play for the country after the J.League season is over."

It was a little chilly with temperature under 20 degrees C. Nine players, who had been on the pitch for a long time in J.League matches during the previous weekend, mainly did some running and core training to recover their bodies, and the other five players focused on passing and controlling as well as practicing keeping possession for approximately 90 minutes.

The defender MUROYA Sei (Meiji University), the only university student in the team, as well as 11 J.League Division2 players will join the camp on 26 October, and all 28 players will hold a practice session at Saga Healthy Active Life Promote Center.

Coach and Players' Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Coach
During today’s session, I told the players that I wanted each one of them to attend this camp, thinking of winning at the Olympics. Players stay competitive against each other in good teams.

As I mustered more players this time than usual, I expect they will naturally be competitive in a good way. Although we have to prepare the team for the coming final qualifying round in January, I’d like the players to realise that they are the ones, who will lead Japanese football in the future, and that they can improve each other.

We only have five days here, but we want to make the most of it. Our aim as a team is set high. To achieve it, we must win the AFC U-23 Championship, which is also the final qualifying round. We’d like to prepare the team for that in this camp.

MF  ENDO Wataru (Shonan Bellmare)
At the beginning of the training, the coach Teguramori told us: "Each one of us must be prepared for the final qualifier with a strong spirit." During this training camp, I’d like to stay vocal as the captain by staying on my guard. As we’ll play two training matches, I’d like to get good results as well as a good performance. I have learned how to play in Asia in the Japan National Team. So I’d like to actively share this information with the team.

MF  SEKINE Takahiro (Urawa Reds)
Although it’s been a while since I last joined the national team, I realised again the importance of having a strong desire to play for the country.

The AFC U-19 Championship 2014 showed me the toughness required to play in Asia. To have another opportunity to avenge the defeat, I need to stay in this team. I know this camp is the first and the last chance for me to show off my abilities. I’ll do my best, making frantic effort with strong mind, to stand out from the others. I’d like to display my strength – dribbling to initiate attacks and approaches on goal, while contributing to defence for the team.

DF  NAKANO Yoshihiro (Kawasaki Frontale)
As my club team was doing very well, I could join the camp this time, which made me really pleased. I’m confident about playing aggressively, including dribbling or passing from the wings. Having said that, as many of my teammates haven’t seen my playing style before, I’d like to try my best, so that they get to know my style during these sessions. I was told by others that matches in Asia are very tough. For this reason, I’d like to display my abilities as much as possible from tomorrow and become a potential trump card for my team.

Schedule