The U-17 Japan National Team met up in Niigata on Tuesday 12 July to prepare for the 20th International Youth Soccer in Niigata.

The coach YAMAGUCHI Motohiro organised a meeting as soon as the team arrived at the hotel at noon and shared the future visions for the team and the meaning of playing for the U-17 Japan National Team. He explained to the players the importance of this International Youth Soccer in Niigata.

The team held their first training session at Ijimino Park from 4:00 in the afternoon. 

None of the players intended their first training to be light. In the warm-up, they focused on the quality of passing and controlling the ball, while Yamaguchi instructed them to envision about the up-coming matches and their opponents constantly.

Then, they practiced maintaining possession followed by a practice game.

Yamaguchi decided the number of players to go on to the pitch. They will try to intercept the ball and score goals. They demonstrated their determination and competitiveness especially in one-on-ones during the session.

Gradually more players were added and they played a nine-a-side game. The training ended with a dynamic finishing drills amongst four players without defenders.

They finished their two-hour practice session, displaying their enthusiasm for the coming match this weekend.

Players' Comments

HORI Kenta (Yokohama F・Marinos Youth)
Although we started the first training session in a tense atmosphere, it was gradually lifted as the practice went on. My strength is maintaining possession of the ball and taking a shot. I would like to contribute the victory of the team by displaying my skills. I expect foreign players to be very skillful in keeping possession and aggressive inside the box. In the remaining three days of training, I need to stay focused and prepare myself for the match.

IRUMAGAWA Keita (Ventforet Kofu U-18)
Since it was my first time to join the national team, I was unsure of what to expect when I arrived to Niigata. However, I gradually got used to the environment and started to demonstrate my strengths – dribbling and playing at top speed. I feel I have fitted well into the team. I’d like to adjust myself to the team more during the remaining sessions, so that we can face the coming match in the best condition possible. I’m determined to win the championship again to become back-to-back champions.

NAKAJIMA Motohiko (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
After practicing together for the first time, I started to understand each player’s talents and strengths. Personally, I’d like to achieve good results as a forward, including scoring and assisting. I want to demonstrate my strengths so that I can join the upper-level squads, such as the U-19 Japan National Team. As a team, we’ll practice harder to become more united in order to win two consecutive championships.

Schedule

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