Fri. 27 May

The U-16 Japan National Team started their tour in India and Vietnam. “00 Japan”, the U-16 Japan National Team aim to book a place in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup by winning matches in the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship this September in India.

The day before the tour, on 26 May, the match schedule was fixed ahead of the coming championship. Japan will play against the U-16 Australia National Team, the U-16 Vietnam National Team, and the U-16 Kyrgyz Republic National Team in Group B.

The team held a training camp in host site of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, Goa, where they will play practice matches against the U-16 India National Team and the U-18 Goa selection. They will use the same stadium, training pitch, and hotel for the championship, so that they can get used to the environment beforehand. 

“00 Japan” gathered at a hotel near Haneda Airport in the evening. During the opening meeting, the coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro told the players: ‘I expect that you will get used to the environment in Goa quickly so you can have a clear image of playing there. The environment may not be the best. However, I hope you will learn as much as possible on this tour. I believer you can get through the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, if each of you stays in high spirits, and displays your strengths.’ At the end, he showed a video of the championship two years ago, in which the team was defeated, in order to motivate the players.   

Sat. 28 May

“00 Japan” prepared themselves for a long journey to India on the morning of departure by running in a park near the hotel and exercising, which was called ‘moving preparation’. They arrived at the hotel in Goa, India, on the morning on 29 May, after 24 hours’ journey with two transits. 

Sun. 29 May

The team“00 Japan” held a training session in the late afternoon. It was very hot and sticky with a temperature of 34 degrees and humidity of 75%. The players sweated a lot even after a little jogging. They focused on recovering from the long journey and getting used to the Indian climate. 

The players started with some running to go through the condition of the turf, and moved on to ‘movement preparation’, followed by some pace running to measure their heart rate. They also checked their body temperature, so that the medical staff could manage the players’ condition perfectly.

The team practiced ball techniques as well as controlling and passing. Then they finished with practice matches divided into four teams, in which the positioning, including goalkeepers and forwards, were randomly assigned. Each group performed excitingly to compete with one another. The first day training ended with in a fantastically good atmosphere. 

The team will have two training sessions – one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon, in the coming two days. 

* "00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

GK #23  KOKUBO Leobrian (Kashiwa Reysol U-18)
I’m pleased to join the national team again after the China tour. Although the long journey was really tough, I’d like to get used to the Indian environment as soon as possible. I’ll eat properly, taking care of myself, so that I can display 100% performance despite the high temperature and humidity. As now we know our opponents for the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016, which is drawing nearer, I’d like to improve the unity of the team even more. 

DF #3  KIKUCHI Kenta (JFA Academy Fukushima U18)
I’m really glad that I can join the U-16 Japan National Team for the first time in a while. It’s a great opportunity to practice in Goa, the site of the coming AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. So I’d like to spend each day productively. I’m gradually recovering from the long journey yesterday. I want to get used to all the new things, including the climate of Goa, the hotel, meals, the condition of the pitches, and the opponent’s playing style.

MF #21  MATSUMOTO Nagi (Cerezo Osaka U-15)
I’m pleased that I was called up for the U-16 Japan National Team for the first time. I’d like to learn from my teammates and the staff how to play as well as how to prepare and spend time on and off the pitch. During this tour, I’ll show as much as possible what I leaned on the U-15 Japan National Team European tour, including strength near the ball, in 1-on-1, and in positioning.

It was my first training session today and it was really hard. The accuracy of passing and control after receiving the ball can be improved. So I’d like to work on those. I’ll practice hard tomorrow by communicating well with others. 

Schedule

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