Two days before their KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2019 match against the Venezuela National Team, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) held a training session at J-Green Sakai on Sunday 17 November.

Following their match against the Kyrgyz Republic National Team in Bishkek, NAGAI Kensuke (F.C. Tokyo), SHIBASAKI Gaku (Deportivo de La Coruna), HARAGUCHI Genki (Hannover 96), and UEDA Naomichi (Cercle Brugge K.S.V.) did not show up to the training session held on the day before, but on this day, all 23 players on the roster participated in the training session. During the first 15 minutes where the session was open to the media, the players were seen going through their warmup routines to loosen up their bodies. Coach MORIYASU Hajime was also present on the field, after making his return from the U-22 Japan National Team match played in Hiroshima. The majority of the session was closed to the media, as the team went through their team concepts and tactics in the two hour session.

The SAMURAI BLUE will be facing Venezuela, who is currently ranked 26th in the FIFA ranking (Japan is ranked 28th). During this summer’s CONMEBOL Copa America 2019, the team posted a record of one win and two draws at the group stage, including a draw against Brazil. Despite losing to Argentina at the quarterfinals, Venezuela showed a strong performance at the tournament. The team is currently working towards the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, which will start in March. Japan and Venezuela have faced each other four times in the past, where Japan holds a record of one win and three draws. In their last encounter, the two have drawn 1-1 at the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2018 played in Oita, and the current Japanese roster includes seven player who from that match including NAKAJIMA Shoya (FC Porto) and Shibasaki.

The Venezuelan roster also includes many of the player who played in last year’s match in Oita, including Tomas RINCON, who scored the late equaliser. Haraguchi recalled their last match against Venezuela and mentioned, “They were a very good team.” The Japanese midfielder continued to mention, “There will be opportunities for players who normally doesn’t get playing time, and we may also see new formations. In order to strengthen the team’s overall level, this will be an important match. We must not take for granted of this match.”

With this being his first call-up to the SAMURAI BLUE, SHINDO Ryosuke (Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo) shared his aspiration ahead of the match, “At the international stage, 23 is not necessarily a young age. I must showcase a performance that gives other players a sense of urgency.”

On this day, coach TAKAKURA Asako and assistant coach OBE Yumi of the Nadeshiko Japan brought their players from the Nadeshiko Challenge, who just started their three day training camp at J-Green Sakai, to watch the SAMURAI BLUE’s training session.

The SAMURAI BLUE will face the Venezuela National Team at Panasonic Stadium Suita, Osaka, on Tuesday 19 November, at 19:25.

Players' Comments

GK #23 NAKAMURA Kosuke (Kashiwa Reysol)
I am honoured to be here. I have always wanted to make my return to the national team, and it provided me with the motivation I need to become a better player. I will continue to work hard to reach higher levels.

DF #3 MIURA Genta (Gamba Osaka)
Our intelligence is being tested at the training sessions, and I must make many adjustments to play for this team, which gives me great inspiration. My strong point lies on my ability to send long balls and I have been working to improve the quality of my deliveries since the Asian Cup, so I hope I can showcase my abilities in this match. I will do my best to display my usual performance. With this match being held at my club’s home stadium, I feel very comfortable about this match.

MF #6 OHSHIMA Ryota (Kawasaki Frontale)
I will try to understand the team’s concepts and give my best efforts to fulfil my role. It gives me great inspiration to play with new members and players I normally don’t play with. I hope to utilise this experience to improve myself as a football player. I believe that my performance at my club has gotten me to this team, so I will play with confidence.

MF #8 HARAGUCHI Genki (Hannover 96)
With this being a friendly match, there will be many aspects we must try in this match. This is not going to be an easy match, but we must prove that we can still win with this squad. There are many new players, so we must actively communicate with each other and showcase a good performance in the next 90 minutes. As much as I want to help the team win, I also want to showcase a performance that can earn myself the starting position in this team, so I hope I can score gaols in this match.

MF #13 HASHIMOTO Kento (F.C. Tokyo)
In our match against Kyrgyz Republic, we struggled to send the ball to our attackers, so it was necessary for us to push forward and carry the ball upfront. Despite playing on difficult pitch condition, it was great to see us earn the victory in that match. I wasn’t able to enter that match in full fitness, and it made me realise the importance to maintain our conditions as a member of the national team. This squad consists with many players from the J.League, so I am aware of how they play. As a defensive midfielder, I will do my best to utilise my teammates effectively.

FW #18 ONAIWU Ado (Oita Trinita)
When playing in a scrimmage during our training session, it made me realise the level of this team, and it was so much higher than I initially thought. The fundamental skills of stopping and kicking the ball is at a high level, and the quality of the passes are at a different level than I am used to. I must understand the team’s concepts and think of ways to utilise my strengths to help the team win the match.

Schedule

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

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Venezuela National Team
Match Date: Tue. 19 November 2019 19:25
Match Venue: Panasonic Stadium Suita, Osaka

Match Information

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