The U-17 Japan National Team arrived in Plzeň, Czech Republic, to compete in the 23rd International Youth Tournament of Václav Ježek 2016. The team arrived at a hotel in the city after a travel of about 20 hours, including transit. The time difference with Plzeň is seven hours. The temperature is 26 degrees (Celsius) and it’s a little dry, but it’s comfortable weather.

The team had training on the same day. They went through running, stretching, core training and worked on simple drills using the ball. They wrapped it up after about an hour.

Coach and Players' Comments

YAMAGUCHI Motohiro, Coach
I would like our players to come in this tournament with the confidence and pride of Japan. If you can’t maximize your ability because this is your first time in Europe or you are having hard time adjusting to the time gap, you wouldn’t be able to come through at competitions of higher levels going forward. They have to set their mind-set high on a daily basis so they can maximize their potential no matter what situations they are in. We eye the championship as one of our goals this time.

HORI Kenta (Yokohama F・Marinos Youth)
I felt that I performed well at the Niigata international youth championship. I was able to build up my confidence being called up this time. It’s my first time to be on a European trip, but I would like to have a good experience. I will do my best so that I can contribute to our team’s victory and bring the championship home in the end.

YAMADA Kota (Hokuetsu High School)
It’s an honour to have been called up for the national team for the first time. Even during practice, I felt that it was a different atmosphere (than I am used to). In addition, each player has excellent individual skills at the national level. As our coach says, ‘maximizing my ability no matter what circumstances I’ll be in’ will be one of my primary focus. I think that our first game will be important, so I want to have the best possible preparation for the match.

Schedule

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

[23rd International Youth Tournament of Václav Ježek 2016]
GroupA: Czech Republic, Ukraine, Japan, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
GroupB: Slovakia, USA, Hungary, Russia