Teguramori Makoto, head coach of U-23 Japan National Team, announced his squad on Tuesday 3 March for the AFC U-23 Championship 2016 Qualifiers in Malaysia, also acting as the Rio De Janeiro Olympic Asian Qualification Round 1 scheduled in late March. “We will make it through the qualifiers with fighting spirit as a representative of Japan,” Japan boss said.

The 23-man squad consists of players from January’s AFC Asian Cup such as defender UEDA Naomichi (Kashima Antlers), midfielder OHSHIMA Ryota (Kawasaki Frontale) and midfielder NOTSUDA Gakuto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) as well as new additions, KUBO Yuya (BSC Young Boys/Switzerland) and MINAMINO Takumi (FC Saltzburg/Austria).

Head Coach Teguramori said “I believe I selected players who are capable to break through opponents who stay back. I know the lack of finishing touch is Japan’s weakness. But we will demonstrate football that can make a breakthrough and get a goal against opponents who stay back and then get through the qualifiers.”

Due to their club matters, Kubo and Minamino are restricted to play two matches out of three qualifying matches and the first two matches respectively. The U-22 boss hopes for new chemistry through the new additions who play in Europe. “Even with conditions, I want all the players who play in Japan to look at the world by working together with the two guys,” said Teguramori.

On being asked about his motivation for the first round, “That’s all depending on how seriously we can tackle what we aim at like our objective and development of Japanese football. It’s important for the future Japanese football to show our strong mind that we are here to play as a representative of Japan against any opponents. I want the players to give full play to all that mindset,” added Japan boss.

Ahead of the qualifiers starting on 27th of this month, the squad announced today will have a friendly against Myanmar U-22 on Wednesday 11 March at Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba.

Teguramori, saying “I feel a fate in playing a match in Chiba,” used to be the head coach of devastated Vegalta Sendai four years ago when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. He has a special feeling on Chiba, which offered his team a practice site without compensation, and would like to offer his personal thanks for the support during that spell.

The team will depart to Malaysia on Monday 16 March after the Myanmar match and have a training camp just before the tournament staring on Saturday 27. Japan face Macau on 27 March, Vietnam on 29 March and Malaysia on 31 March in Group I.

Teguramori said “We’ve got to approach with the mindset that we never let them do what they want to.”

In the qualifiers, 43 teams are divided into 10 groups, and 10 top-placed teams in each group and five top second-placed teams among groups will advance to the AFC U-23 Championships 2016 next January. The championship finals also act as the Olympic Asian Final Qualifiers and the top three teams will make a berth for the 31st Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro in August, 2016.

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Head Coach of U-22 Japan Nationa Team

The qualifiers for the Rio De Janeiro Olympics are finally about to begin. The Japan national team was eliminated at the early stage at the AFC Asian Cup in January, and last year the national team in the younger category missed the FIFA World Cup. We want to take a spearheading role to come back and recover the losses. Our national team will prove Japan get better through the disappointing experience. I know the lack of finishing touch is Japan’s weakness. But we will demonstrate football that can make a breakthrough and get a goal against opponents who stay back and then get through the qualifiers. The Myanmar match on 11 March is the first display in the country, so I want my players to convey their aspiration that we will develop the future Japanese football. We also want to show our will to support the recovery of Tohoku and deliver courage and power to people who still have hard time, so I want people to feel U-22 team’s energy. I greatly appreciate to J.League clubs and overseas clubs for their cooperation and understanding on call-up of players.

Schedule

Local time

International Friendly Match U-22 Japan National Team  vs  Myanmmar U-22 National Team

Wed. 11 March 2015    Kickoff  19：10 (subject to change)
Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba      Tickets on sale!

More information