In the morning of Sunday 2 June, SAMURAI BLUE took off for Austria where they go through a training camp prior to the start of the World Cup.

The squad first landed in Munich, Germany, taking the ground route to Austria afterward. The team’s supporting company, Japan Airlines, provided the charter flight as well as the take-off ceremony at the airport joined by many attendees.

The air travel of over eleven hours was eased with warm on-flight hospitality and the SAMURAI-BLUE-themed cabin decoration.

The bus ride from Munich was about two hours long to Austria where the players were welcomed by the local Austrians wearing traditional costumes, before checking into the hotel.

Before dinner they worked out lightly to loosen their body stiffened after the long travel. More intense practice sessions are scheduled to start on Sunday 3.

Coach and players comments

NISHINO Akira, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
As one united team of the players and team staff, we will do our very best to meet the expectation from everyone. This airplane carries the souls and passion of people here together with us. I would like to thank everybody involved.

#17 HASEBE Makoto(Eintracht Frankfurt)
We the national team will carry the enthusiastic support by all the people in Japan in our heart and play in the Cup as one united team. We will play as hard and determined as we possibly can.

Schedule

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

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Tournament Dates: 14 June - 15 July 2018

Group stage
1st Match Tue. 19 June Kickoff at 15:00 vs Colombia National Team (Mordovia Arena)
(21:00 Japan time)
2nd Match Sun. 24 June Kickoff at 20:00 vs Senegal National Team (Ekaterinburg Arena)
(Mon. 25 June, 0:00 Japan time)
3rd Match Thu. 28 June Kickoff at 17:00 vs Poland National Team (Volgograd Arena)
(23:00 Japan time)

For more information