After winning their match against the Thailand Women's National Team 2-0 in their first match of the Asian Games, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) conducted a conditioning session on Friday 17 August, to prepare themselves for their next match against the Vietnam Women's National Team.

The players who started in the match against Thailand remained at the athletes’ village to conduct a light recovery session at the gym, as they were seen working out utilising the treadmills and stationary bicycles, while spending plenty of time on stretching and ice-baths to recover their body.

On the other side, players who didn’t play and players with limited playing time was joined by goalkeeper IKEDA Sakiko, to conduct a training session on the field. Six field players and two goalkeepers were seen training with great intensity despite the hot weather. The coaches conducted drills that involved the players competing with each other to build a positive atmosphere among the team. Players were seen making emotional gestures as they scored or conceded goals during their drills but kept a high concentration level as they anticipated to earn playing time on the field in their next match against Vietnam.

During the video session before supper, the team went over the match against Thailand and reflected on what they have been working on. The team analysed each aspect in detail, as they went through what they have been doing right and what they must improve on. In order to keep the players on the same page, they mapped out where they stand at the current moment, while making it clear where the team needs to be at.

The Nadeshiko Japan’s second match of the Asian Games will take place on Tuesday 21 August at 17:00 Japan time.

Players’ Comments

MF #15 SAKAGUCHI Moeno(Albirex Niigata Ladies)
In order to start off the tournament in the right direction, the first match is an important match. Despite the difficulties, we are definitely glad that we managed to win against Thailand. The win gave us a sense of relief, but everyone is focused to prepare for the next match. After playing as a fullback during our USA tour, I continued to play in that same position, but there were many challenges I had to overcome, such as the weather, pitch condition, and the difference I faced when dealing with Asian players compared to Western players. Even under such circumstance, I was able to make the necessary adjustments in each of the halves, and I would like to utilise what I have learnt in our next match.

FW #11 TANAKA Mina(Nippon TV Beleza)
In our match against Thailand, rather than receiving the ball in the centre to initiate our chances, I focused on creating spaces by making my runs towards the flanks. Midway into the first half, spaces were being created in the midfield, and I was thinking that if our side midfielders such as NAKAJIMA and HASEGAWA can utilise that space to receive the ball, it would allow us forwards, IWABUCHI and I to play further up the field. So, I feel like there were more effective ways to utilise the space. I personally had numerous chances to score a goal, and I could have made the match so much easier, if I had converted those opportunities, so I will feed off of this match and prepare ahead of our next match.

Schedule

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

The 18th Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Palembang

Tournament Dates:Sat. 18 August - Sun. 2 September 2018

【Women's】Group Stage
1st Match Thu. 16 August 20:30 [Japan Time] vs Thailand
2nd Match Tue. 21 August 17:00 [Japan Time] vs Vietnam

Tournament Information