U-18 Japan National Team short-listed squad and U-17 Japan National Team began their training camp on Tuesday 14 July in Shibata, Niigata ahead of the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 Qualifiers in October and the International Youth Soccer in Niigata 2015 starting on 18 July respectively.

This camp was held to provide opportunities where the players can deepen player-to-player communication and share the national team concept by letting the both teams stay at the same hotel and spend the time off the pitch together such as meetings and meals. 

The U-17s had their training first on the day and U-18s followed. Both teams watched the other team's training to deepen shared understanding how they play a game as a team.

The U-18s have training until 16th and play a training match against College of Upward Players in Soccer on the final day. The U-17 side continue training for the opening match against Mexico on 18th, Niigata Selection on 19th and Serbia on 20th.

Coach and Players' Comments

UCHIYAMA Atsushi, Coach
I'm so glad the national teams in two different categories can have their activity at the same time. By working together, the players can enhance team-concept sharing so that the national team activity can have more consistency. The U-17 players also can get inspired by U-18's performance.

Then, their competitiveness and team level gets stronger, which leads to the national team development. We will try to make this activity productive, and put up a good result and play our game at the U-18's qualifiers in October and U-17's international youth soccer tournament.

OKANO Jun (JEF United Chiba U-18/U-18 Japan National Team Short-Listed Squad)
I'm so happy to get called up to the national team camp. Because I was disappointed at leaving the team last time due to injury, I try to be aware of what is required this time and showcase myself. Still, accuracy of my move and judgement are not good enough, so I will improve it and make efforts to take advantage of my trait.

IWATA Tomoki (Oita Trinita U-18/U-18 Japan National Team Short-Listed Squad)
In the morning, we had a fitness test in the strong sunshine and hot temperature, and I was wondering if I could show what I could do. But I was in better shape than I thought and finished with a good record. 

In the measurement, it was good I could find what I'm lacking. I had a bit of fatigue from the morning session, but was able to get focused and play my game in the afternoon training with the ball. I think I still have capacity to show off more of what I have, so I hope to showcase myself as working well together with my teammates for next two days.

URATA Itsuki (JEF United Chiba/U-18 Japan National Team Short-Listed Squad)
This camp is held for a short period of time, three nights and four days. But we will work on our issues as a team. I feel it's important to share our understanding by communicating with each other. I found my strengths and weaknesses in the physical test today, so I hope to take advantage of that for my individual improvement.

YAMAGUCHI Rui (FC Lorient/U-17 Japan National Team)
On the first day of our training, I tried to get various information such as getting to know my teammates well and understanding what to be aware of when playing, what I want to do and what my teammates want me to do. In this tournament, each one of players make a good preparation for the team to play 100% and get together to go for the championship.

YASUI Takuya (Vissel Kobe U-18/U-17 Japan National Team)
I'm very happy to be selected to the Japan national team after a long absence. I'm enjoying playing football with my teammates. We will have three matches in this tournament, so I will try to be aggressive and go for a goal. I will bring out my strength as much as possible and try to get involved in team's goals, and work hard with my teammates to grab the title.