U-22 Japan National Team short-listed squad attended the fourth day of their training camp on Wednesday 28 October in Saga. All 28 young SAMURAI held a high-level training session.

The players practiced passing and controlling, and did an 8-on-8 with a free player to keep possession as well as to check set pieces and formations. Then they moved onto practicing attack and defence from crosses in front of the goal. Although it was only one day after the game against Fukuoka University, they played fiercely near the ball. The players finished the final session in this camp with an eight-a-side mini game.

In the afternoon, the team paid a visit to Saga Prefectural Hospital Koseikan at the request of the coach TEGURAMORI Makoto with Sagan Tosu’s support. The team were divided into two groups to visit the children's ward and the palliative care unit. The players enjoyed themselves with the patients in the hospital, presenting signed football shirts or taking photos together.

ENDO Wataru, the captain, commented: "we must encourage and impress children across the country, who struggle with illness, including the ones I met today, by playing harder and getting good results."

The team are to play a practice gams against Sagan Tosu on Thursday 29 October to finish this training camp. With under two and a half months to go before the final qualifier next January, this match will be essential for the team to improve their tactics, as well as for individuals to show off their abilities.

Coach and Players' Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Coach
As for the visit to the hospital, I wanted the players to mature as a people who can care for other, as well as play football well, in order to represent the national team. It’s my belief that to play for the country, one has to become a hope or a motivation in life of people.

I hope the players realised this too. Saga Prefectural Hospital Koseikan is in its 181st year, and Western medicine was apparently introduced into Japan from there. Visiting meant a lot, when we think of becoming a team, which will earn its place in Japanese football history – it’s all connected by "history". I hope the players thought about "how to live", before thinking of "how to play football", maturing their humanity.

MF  OSHIMA Ryota (Kawasaki Frontale)
I watched yesterday’s game from the bench. We couldn’t score through our opportunities, which is our issue to be fixed. Having said that, I think we did well in terms of playing against taller opponents, while keeping a clean sheet. I’d like to play without making any careless mistakes. As we have swift players up front, I’d like to coordinate with them tactically whenever I can.

I strongly feel that we must improve ourselves every single day to win through the final qualifier. By visiting Koseikan I was really encouraged, because people cheered us as a team that aims to earn a place in the Olympics. I feel a responsibility to bring good results back to them via newspapers and TV.

FW  ASANO Takuma (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Yesterday’s game against Fukuoka University was tough, as the opponent had many tall players. I stayed on the bench, thinking how I’d play on the pitch. I’d like to focus on coordination with my teammates, when I get through to the space behind the defenders in the match against Sagan Tosu.

As I expect many powerful opponents in the final qualifying round, I’d like to show off my strength – swift play - thinking of set pieces. I’d like to prepare myself well to face tomorrow’s game, and display my ability to score goals if I have opportunities. I hope I can make a change to the match by striking goals.

Schedule