With one day before the quarterfinal of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 against U-20 Brazil, the U-20 Japan Women's National Team held a one-hour-and-a-half practice session, focusing on shooting and playing mini games, on Wednesday 23 November.

Coach TAKAKURA Asako and her squad member, SUGITA Hina, met with the press after the session. Coach Takakura expressed her aim prior to the game: ‘the players have improved through the games so far and they are now playing with composure. I’d like them to face tomorrow’s game in their best condition, without feeling nervous.

The most recent match between Brazil and Japan was the quarterfinal of the 2012 Olympics in London, in which Nadeshiko Japan beat the Brazil Women’s National Team 2-0. Coach Takakura herself played against the Brazil Women’s National Team in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991 and 1995 as well as in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. When asked, she described the opponents back then as ‘an aggressive team with a fighting spirit’.

The quarterfinal of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016 between U-20 Japan and U-20 Brazil will kick off at 19:30 (18:30 Japan Time) on Thursday 24 November.

Players' Comments

MF ＃7 SUGITA Hina (INAC KOBE LEONESSA)
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s game. We have shown both our strengths and weaknesses in the past matches, and we have been improving on our problems through our training. We’d like to display our strengths on the pitch.

DF ＃5 NORIMATSU Ruka (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
There is a good and focused atmosphere in preparation for the quarterfinal. Since all we need is to display what we have been preparing, I feel confident, rather than nervous. Through the matches, we have fixed many of our problems and started to perform better both in attack and defence. So I’d like to showcase a stronger Japan. Personally, I’m determined to stay unbeaten in one-on-ones, while showcasing the Japanese playing style as a team in order to win the game.

Schedule

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