The U-18 Japan National Team, who will play the first match in the SBS CUP International Youth Soccer on 13 August, held practice sessions in the morning and in the afternoon on 12 August, in preparation for the coming game.

In the afternoon session, just like the day before, the players together went through the build-up, the start of the attack and the finish, followed by an 8-on-8 mini game with one free player and a goalkeeper on each side. Then they checked some set pieces and practiced penalty kicks to finish the session.

All the staff, as well as the coaches and some players of the participating teams, attended the welcome lunch party on the same day. The captains of each team expressed their enthusiasm at the end of the party. The SBS CUP International Youth Soccer will finally start on 13 August.

Players' Comments 

SAKAI Daisuke (Oita Trinita)
The championship will start tomorrow. Although it’s essential for me to improve myself through the tournament, I’d like to focus on playing harmoniously as a united team to perform well and get a good result from the games.

MACHIDA Koki (Kashima Antlers Youth)
In today’s session, we practiced build-up and set pieces, and shared how to finish our attacks in front of the goal, in preparation for tomorrow’s game against the Spain national team. I expect our first match will be a tough one. However, I’d like to play as a united team to get a good result, and show how well we can perform. I’d also like to stay aggressive in both attack and defence for 90 minutes.

KOJIMA Ryosuke (Waseda University)
It’s been three days since we started, and the combination in both attack and defence as a team has improved. Personally, I learned how to cooperate with my teammates in the build-up and risk management. 

Tomorrow we’ll meet a good opponent, the Spain national team. I’d like to win our first match, so that we can build up positive momentum for us. All of us, including the players who are starting the game, and the ones who stay on the bench, will play together, contributing to the team for our victory.

Schedule

SBS CUP International Youth Soccer 2015 Participating Teams

U-18 Croatia National Team, U-18 Spain National Team, U-18 Japan National Team, U-18 Shizuoka Selection Team