Following the International Friendly Match against U-23 Mexico National Team on 26 March, U-23 Japan National Team had this day’s training session in two groups.

With Urawa Reds midfielders ENDO Wataru, SEKINE Takahiro and Gamba Osaka midfielder IDEGUCHI Yosuke having left for Japan little earlier than others in the morning of the day, out of the rest of 19 players, 11 players who played more than 45 minutes on the previous day worked out at hotel. First, they walked in the pool and took an ice bath and a Jacuzzi bath alternately. Then after that, they were back to the pool to walk again. The players finished the one hour recovery exercise with deliberate stretching intended to remove fatigue.

The rest of eight players trained on the pitch. It took place at a stadium in Obidos, a village surrounded by castle walls and famous for a sightseeing destination. As the expected rain held out with a temperature of 18 degrees, the players worked out energetically in the morning. Divided into two goalkeepers and six field players, the players worked on 4-on-2 possession drills and combination drills in a group of two. The session ended with a 2-on-2 game-style workout with goalkeepers. This group also worked up sweat for about an hour.

Coach and Players' Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Coach
My players can now fight on the ball without my pep talk. That's biggest growth the team made. I told the player who did not experience January's AFC U-23 Championship (about the importance of intensity on the ball). And they are giving it a try. They've got to do it if they want to be an international player. And they didn't hesitate to work on practice like today. That means they still have room for growth. They've brought out their potential with no doubt in this camp as well. The next opponents are also the ones we need to get energy against. They could be stronger than U-23 Mexico National Team.

MF #19  KAMADA Daichi (Sagan Tosu)
The team have been working in a good mood. Watching the yesterday's match, I think Japan can go neck and neck against overseas teams, and all Japanese players were very skilled. I didn't do much and had no satisfaction, but it's good that I found what to improve. Our coach also told me to work with an eye for the world stage. I will try out aggressively and find out what to work on in the rest of the activity. And after going back to my club, I will try to improve it.

FW #11  KANAMORI Takeshi (Avispa Fukuoka)
We got lots of trouble getting to Portugal, but it reminds me I need to appreciate the opportunity where I can play football. Mexico are the defending Olympic champions and very strong, but we were able to play our style of football and showed tenacity to defend until the end. That gives me confidence. It was a good simulation for the finals.

It's important to show my strength at any position in the national team. Unless I play my role at the position I'm given, I can't survive in the team. I'm working every day with a determination to get a medal in the Olympics. I want to thank for the chance I was given once again. And it's not to showcase myself, but rather I want to do what I'm supposed to do with this team to get the medal. It will end up with the result I'm selected to the team, I hope. I will try to put things in place to play in the finals.

MF #8  KOIZUMI Kei (Albirex Niigata)
I'm surprised and happy to be called up this time. In this camp, I will not only show my strength of an aggressive attitude on the pitch but try to communicate with my teammates off the pitch because it's my first activity with the national team. Coach Teguramori told me to be a player who can help my team win after going back. I want to always think about how we can win the match. I got a lot of inspiration and my world broadened during the camp.

I was simply happy to play the Mexico match with the HINOMARU (national flag) for the first time. There were good and bad sides, but I'm glad to win as a team. I will try to spend the remaining two days without any waste and play the match after a good preparation. Playing against an overseas club is an experience you don’t have so often, so I'm sure I can get something out of it. It's not just me playing, but I will go for it with a determination to win it. And I hope to absorb a lot of things by communicating with various players.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.