With one more day until their game against Spain in the semifinals of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Japan tuned up for the final time from 16:00 at AL Salt, a natural turf field, on 16 October. “We have up to two games with these members. I want you all to have the best performance,” coach KUSUNOSE told the players before the practice. After they jogged in a half field, they warmed up with ice breaks in football volley and had passing practice with two-player groups. After that, their offensive players checked on how they would get the opponents off balance while the defensive players confirmed their defensive line. And then they worked on set plays and penalty kicks to wrap it up. Following the practice session, the players freely trained on things like their shots and passing.

Japan will take on Spain at King Abdullah II International Stadium in Amman, which will kick off at 19:00 (1:00 Japan time) on 17 October, with the ticket to the championship game at stake. Before the game, another semifinal match between Venezuela and DPR Korea will be played on the same venue from 16:00.

Players' Comments

DF #19  TOMITA Miyu (Okayama Sakuyo High School)
We are finally taking on Spain with the championship game berth at stake. In order to have the momentum toward the championship, we want to believe in ourselves and believe in our teammates, and try to grab the victory as we give everything we have. To give smiles to those who cheer us and support us, we want to exhibit what we have gotten through our trainings and games and keep pushing until the very end.

MF #17  KANNO Oto (NIPPON TV MENINA)
I think we will have different nervousness in tomorrow's game from other games in the group stage and quarterfinals. We are taking on Spain and they have high individual skills, and we think that they are going in the game with some momentum as they beat Germany in their quarterfinal game. But we believe that if we play our football and exchange passes, we will be in top in the end. We are not going to play in their pace but play in our Japanese ways. Individually, I have really not contributed to the team yet, so I will try to contribute to the team both offensively and defensively for the win.

Schedule

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