In the midst of their Europe trip, U-15 Japan National Team had a two-a-day workout, one each in the morning and afternoon.

After warming up, they started the training with 3-on-2 passing drills. Partly thanks to the fact that they already had one training session together on the precious day to get to know each other, the amount of communication among players certainly increased and they were louder in calling for balls. When engaging in the 1-on-1 drill that the U-16 National Team also do and the 4-on-4 including a goalkeeper in a small designated area, enthusiastic instruction from the coaching staff pushed players to throw their body around tenaciously. When Coach MORIYAMA finds slow charge on the ball or ineffective positioning, he did not hesitate to stop plays to make his point understood. 

At the end of the morning session, Moriyama said to players “I expect you to work in every session as hard as you did this morning. If you want to match up well against good teams in the world and want to be a pro, you have to change your mindset that is too soft now, be tougher on yourself, and get yourself better much more. Otherwise you will never succeed. We keep being hard on you, but what coaches can do is only instructing. You are the ones to play on the pitch. So I urge you to think what is necessary for you to get better and act on it.”

In the afternoon, the players first had a meeting with goalkeeper coach TAKAKUWA Daijiro on set-pieces before getting on the pitch. Then coach SAITO Toshihide led the game-style warm-up in a very enjoyable way to kick-off the second session of the day on a positive note. The drills in the afternoon included ball-controlling, passing and set-pieces simulating variety of situations. Again the coaching staff advised in detail how to execute good positioning, check an opposing player and set a wall. The players were working earnestly as well with the next day’s first match to play on their mind. They wrapped up the day’s practice with an intra-squad scrimmage in the end.   

The team meeting held in the evening was consisted of reviewing the video highlights of the Val-de-Marne U-16 International Friendly Tournament in France. The 13th Delle Nazioni Tournament finally kicks off on 24th as Japan take on U-15 Norway National Team.

Players' Comments

DF  ENDO Kaito (Tokyo Verdy Junior Youth)
In today’s training, we got better in terms of our intensity to get the ball. We learned things like putting our body between the opposing player and the ball when there is space between them, and also working collectively to get the ball. For the tournament starting tomorrow, I think we had a good training. I was able to send some good balls during the set-pieces drill, so I want to utilise that in matches, if I get to play. I want to win 1-on-1 battles no matter what. The first match is very important, so we want to work together to win it. 

MF  YAMADA Fuki (Kyoto Sanga F.C.U-15)
Today, I wasn’t able to show what I really can do. It made me realise that I have to show more of the intensity on the ball and the ability to take advantage of my teammates’ strength. There are so many things to learn from advice by coaching staff and teammates’ plays, and this trip has been very eye-opening every day. Finally, the tournament gets started tomorrow. So we will communicate with each other even more, have our bench energize the entire team and finish this tournament in the best possible way. 

MF  ODA Yutaro (Vissel Kobe U-15)
I am very happy to be invited to the national team for the first time. In today’s training, I could show my strength of speedy dribbling, but what I couldn’t do well was positioning and relationship with my teammates when the ball is on the opposite side. I was reminded that I have to make faster transition between offence and defence and get the ball collectively as a team. Compared to the first day, the atmosphere among the team got better including off the pitch. So we want to come out for the match tomorrow with good preparation and perfect conditions. 

Schedule

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