With two days until their quarter-final game in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan, the U-17 Japan Women’s National Team held a training session in the afternoon of 11 October (Tuesday) on natural grass.

Their practice session started with passing and controlling drills, then moved on to 9-on-9 possession exercises, and wrapped it up with an intrasquad game. While coach Kusunose encouraged the players to work harder, each member of the team communicated with one another, at times demanding more, and practiced diligently towards the quarter-final against England.

After practice, KANEKATSU Rio attended an official press conference in Amman for the England game. She was asked “since Japan had won the previous championship (FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014), do you feel any pressure?” She replied expressing her strong determination to win the title, “we turn pressure into positive energy. We are looking forward to the England content in the quarterfinals”.

The knock-out stage of the tournament has finally begun. On the 12 October, Mexico will take on Venezuela, while Germany will square off against Spain. The following day on the 13th will see the match between North Korea and Ghana and the contest between Japan and England.

Coach and Players' Comments

KUSUNOSE Naoki, Coach
You can't afford to end the match in a draw in the knockout stage, so we need to make the best preparation possible and post a win against a potent England squad. My impression of the English team is that they possess both height and speed when they go for the ball in the air, in addition to having a relentless determination towards winning. They got through a tough Group C which means that they are highly competitive team. Furthermore, we need to be fully aware of their physicality, as Japanese players commonly do not claim the ‘power’ advantage.

This could be our final game of the tournament. However, if we were to advance to the final, we could have three more games. We hope we can give as many players as possible the opportunity to play in this world-class tournament. We will make the best preparation possible for the quarter-final.

DF #6 KANEKATSU Rio (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Youth)
It is every team member’s dream to play in the world stage as this tournament. We have some pressure, but regardless of who gets the chance to play in the quarter-final, we will play in the style of Nadeshiko (Japan’s Women National Team), showcasing to the world what we are capable of accomplishing as a team.

You cannot afford to lose from this point on. Whoever you take on, you have to defeat them. In order to be the world champions, we are going to make best preparation possible and turn pressure into positive energy for the upcoming games.

DF #5 USHIJIMA Riko (Hinomoto Gakuen Senior High School)
It's been more than 20 days since we assembled, starting with the pre-tournament domestic training camp. We have gotten used to the living in Jordan. We are spending fruitful days here.

As we have clinched the quarterfinal berth, we want to prepare ourselves for the England game with a fresh mind-set. In order to play as long as possible with my cherished teammates and also the staff members, the next game will really be a crucial one. Both as a team and as an individual player, we will give everything we have and prepare for the match. Lastly, we will enjoy the remainder of the tournament and, at the same time, do our best so we can bring the championship back to Japan.

MF #13 KARAHASHI Mayu (ALBIREX NIIGATA LADIES U-18)
We practiced focusing on our defence today. I believe our defensive line will be the key to winning the match, in addition to claiming the second balls in the middle of the field and returning back swiftly to pressure the opponents in possession of the ball to help out the defenders. We only have one more day before the England match in quarter-finals. While enjoying football together with my teammates, I will keep working hard in the training tomorrow.

Schedule

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