The Japan Futsal National Team will meet the Vietnam Futsal National Team and the Uzbekistan Futsal National Team in an International Friendly Tournament from Friday 22 April. Japan lost to Vietnam in the quarterfinal of the AFC Futsal Championship in Uzbekistan in February. Uzbekistan achieved a second-place finish in the same championship, which was the best ever result for them. The Japan Futsal National Team, who lost in the quarterfinal and could not book a place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia this September, will try to make a fresh start in this tournament.

On Thursday 21 April, just the day before the start of the tournament, Japan held two practice sessions at TEVA OCEAN ARENA in Aichi. In the morning, the players worked on high-pressure exercises, including three six-minute-period practice games. As the players who usually play in the F League, are currently not in season, they are trying to get themselves in good condition through tough training.

There is only limited time to prepare as a new team. So the coach KOGURE Kenichiro, who leads Japan in this tournament, strictly focuses on a simple form of attack – to locate one player up front to receive the ball, while the others move forward. He also emphasised that the players need to stay competitive near the ball and stay vocal on the pitch.

In the afternoon, the team moved to WING ARENA KARIYA, where they will play their matches in the tournament, for a one-hour-and-a-half practice session. The players stayed relaxed and checked the condition of the pitch. They also went through how to defend against Vietnam when they throw everything into attack, and checked set pieces, using analysis from the AFC Futsal Championship.

The coach Kogure appeared at a press conference after an open practice session and noted: ‘this tournament will be a new step for us, showing the strength of Japanese futsal and the national team, our pride, and all the history that we’ve been through. We’re determined to win, so that we can give some strong encouragement to our fans and all the people related to futsal.’

Coach and Players' Comments

KOGURE Kenichiro, Coach
The players have maintained a high level of motivation to join the national team. Despite the short time since we assembled this team, I think we’re getting somewhere. Although there are many new faces in the national team, we held a good meeting on the first day with KITAZAWA Tsuyoshi, the Chairman of the Futsal Committee. I believe have the same mind for these two coming games. So I expect all players will perform with spirit from the opening match.

FP ♯10  NIBUYA Kazuhiro (VASAGEY OITA)
I was assigned captain in front of everyone during today’s afternoon session. I learned that I needed to improve my leadership along with my ability to score for sure when we lost in the AFC Futsal Championship. As I really wanted to lead the team to victories, I’d like to take a big role as a captain. I felt very frustrated with our defeat in the AFC Futsal Championship, and this coming tournament means a lot to us to reduce that feeling. Japanese futsal has to improve step by step from now. So I will play hard to start in a good way.

FP ♯11  SHIMIZU Kazuya (FUGADOR SUMIDA)
I’m physically in good condition, recovering from my injury despite the fact it’s just after the end of the season. I’ve been getting even better through many practice games in this training camp. I believe our biggest mission is to win games and we’ve been practicing well to achieve it. The coach KOGURE used to be a one of the strongest players in Japan. He teaches us how to use our bodies and receive the ball. I’d like to perform 100% in this tournament in order to get wins.

FP ♯3  SATO Toru (SHRIKER OSAKA)
The AFC Futsal Championship ended in a truly frustrating way. Because of that, this tournament means a lot. Our theme here is ‘to restart’. It’s vital to keep winning through this championship in preparation for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Personally, I’ll do everything, so that I can contribute to the team. I felt frustration and helplessness when I wasn’t chosen for the AFC Futsal Championship. I’d like to perform hard in the coming championship using those feelings.

FP #8  KATO Ryuma (BARDRAL URAYASU)
We had the third day of our training camp. We had some high-pressurised training, including practice games, in the morning, and went through set pieces in the afternoon. I believe there has been a good atmosphere around in these three days and we have been communicating well. We’ve been preparing for the coming friendlies, which will start from tomorrow. I’m determined to win two games to start well for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

FP #5  HOSHI Ryuta (NAGOYA OCEANS)
We could finish our last training session prior to the game against Vietnam in a good atmosphere. We held a meeting after the session and shared our opinions about earning victories. I’ll play hardest to start well for the coming 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup!

Schedule

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

International Friendly Tournament  @Aichi/WING ARENA KARIYA

2016 4/22 (Fri.) - 19:00 (estimate time)
Japan Futsal National Team vs Vietnam Futsal National Team

2016 4/23 (Sat.) - 16:00 (estimate time)
Vietnam Futsal National Team vs Uzbekistan Futsal National Team

2016 4/24 (Sun.) -  14:00 (estimate time)
Japan Futsal National Team vs Uzbekistan Futsal National Team

Ticket now on sale ! (Japanese version only)

Fund raising begin to support damaged Kyushu, Kumamoto

To support the damaged areas and people from the earthquakes in Kumamoto, a fund raising will begin from 22nd April at the International Friendly Tournament. All the money raised in it will be donated to the relief fund account of Kumamoto Prefecture.

The Japan Futsal National Team officials will participate in the fund raising as well.

4/22 (Fri.)
Venue: At the entrance gate
Date: 17:00-19:00, after games

4/24 (Sun.)
Venue: At the entrance gate
Date: 12:00-14:00, after games