The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2016 will kick off on Sunday 13 November. The U-20 Japan Women’s National Team have arrived in the host country, Papua New Guinea, on Wednesday 9 November after holding their last training camp in Australia.

After arrival, the team were warmly welcomed by grade school and junior high-school students in traditional clothes at the airport. Even after getting on the bus, they were cheered by the local people including children waiving their hands and the Japanese people raising the national flag. 

The team went straight from the airport to the training site and started their first training session in Papua New Guinea. They began their practice with ‘ice-breaking’ and running exercises focusing on conditioning. Then, they worked on 4-on-2 and 6-on-3 possession drills and wrapped up their one-hour work-out session.

Coach's and Players Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach
When we arrived in Australia, the players were nervous in the beginning, but we still had a fruitful camp, working mainly on offensive build-ups and defensive tactics, while getting mentally ready for the World Cup. We were impressed by the warmth of the local people and smiles that we saw today, and we felt again that we are supported by so many different people. This will certainly motivate us as we prepare for the upcoming matches. I also feel that the World Cup is finally starting. We will aim for the summit as challengers.

MF ＃6 SUMIDA Rin (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
I am getting ‘pumped-up’ for the World Cup after receiving such a wonderful welcome by the local people today. We are getting in better form after holding a training camp in Australia. I cannot wait to see how well I can compete against the top-quality opponents. I will be mentally prepared to face the upcoming challenges.

MF ＃2 MIZUTANI Yuki (University of Tsukuba)
We are here with even stronger determination than our previous visit to Papua New Guinea, where we had our training camp in May. This time, I was called-up to the national squad since one of the members was unable to participate in the World Cup due to injury. So I want to play thinking of those who were not selected (or sidelined).

I am looking to become an impact player who can score as well as make critical passes and decide the result of the match. Hopefully, I can demonstrate those in the World Cup matches.

Schedule

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