Mon. 26 September

By winning the quarterfinal against U-16 UAE 1-0 the day before, ‘00 Japan’, the U-16 Japan National Team, booked a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. The team held a practice session in the morning, basking in the warm glow of their victory.

After several days of rain in Goa, the warmth of the blazing sun returned. The players, who had been on the pitch in the match the day before, focused on recovering, while the rest of the players mainly worked in interpersonal practices.

Regrettably, KOBAYASHI Yuki (Vissel Kobe U-18) and SEHATA Gijo (JFA Academy Fukushima U18) had to leave the team to go back to Japan due to injury.

Tue. 27 September

‘00 Japan’ have played the three group stage games and the quarterfinal with a two-day break between each; but there will be three days before the semi-final. The team has one extra day to prepare. The players attended a productive hour-and-a-half practice session under the glare of the sun.

‘00 Japan’ will meet U-16 Iraq, who beat U-16 Uzbekistan in the quarterfinal the day before. As the Iraqi team of this generation won the AFC U-14 Championship two years ago, it could be said that Japan will be challenging the putative champions to gain a spot in the final.

TASHIMA Kohzo, the President of the JFA, gave some encouragement to the team before to the practice session.

Wed. 28 September

With one day to go before the semi-final against U-16 Iraq, the team held their training session in the afternoon. As it was their fifth training session in preparation for the coming match, ‘00 Japan’ did as they normally do, mainly practicing in a game format.

Although ‘00 Japan’ have already achieved one of their goals – to book a place in the World Cup - the team aim to accomplish another by becoming the Asian champions. The coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro told the players; ‘let’s play and win each match one by one.

Players' Comments

FW #11 MIYASHIRO Taisei (Kawasaki Frontale U-18)
I’m really glad that we achieved our first aim – to book a place in the World Cup. I believe all of us earned this victory together by working hard. In order to accomplish our other aim of becoming the Asian champions, and to prepare for the World Cup next year, I’m determined to reach the final. Since I missed a penalty kick in the quarterfinal against U-16 UAE and the team struggled to add to the score sheet, I’d like to convert our limited scoring opportunities in the next game, and, as a forward, contribute to Japan.

MF #22 TANIMOTO Shunsuke (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
I stayed on the bench in the quarterfinal against U-16 UAE. I believe our team played aggressively against an opponent that was physically stronger. It was brilliant that we won the game and gained a spot in the World Cup. Although I haven’t had that much game time in the previous four matched, I keep preparing myself for my opportunity to come since I’m one of the 23 players in the squad. Our aim now is to become the Asian champions. I’d like to get through to the final alongside my teammates.

DF #16 KEMMOTSU Takumu (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth)
Each player performed at full stretch for the team, which allowed us to win a place in the World Cup. Not only the players on the pitch, but also those on the bench played as a united team. As we’ve come this far, I’d like to finish this championship with the title. So I’d like to focus on each coming game, so that we’ll win the championship. We always stay motivated and in high spirits both on and off the pitch, which is our team’s strength. I believe we’ll be champions.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*If India, the hosting country of 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, advances to the semifinals, the playoff matches will be held on 29 September and 2 October deciding the fifth place among the four losing teams in the quarterfinals.

AFC U-16 Championship India 2016

2016-9-15(Thu.)～2016-10-2(Sun.)
TV Broadcasting (Japanese version only)
More Information