The JFA Premier Cup 2015 will start on Sunday 3 May. We interviewed some players and the then head coach of Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Junior Youth, who won the previous tournament and participated in the Manchester United Premier Cup World Finals 2014.

Interview assisted by Sanfrecce Hiroshima F.C

Interview with the players

OKANO Shuta, Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth
KAWAI Ayumu, Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth

--Tell me about the Cup World Finals last year:
OKANO - It was a great experience for me to play against world-class teams in an excellent environment. The international players there played very strongly close the ball and the kept accuracy in controlling or passing the ball under pressure. Having said that, I acquired some confidence in our solid defence.
KAWAI - Although it took a while for me to get used to the diet, the climate and the language in England, I did enjoy myself once I got the hang of it. I was astonished by the size of the players around the world ? they were almost full adult size, not to mention their speed and the level of their technical skills. I think we did very well in terms of playing as a united team and showing our stamina.

--What impressed you most during the championship?
OKANO - We couldn’t get to first base at the consolation final against Sport Club International on the final day. I still vividly remember that I was shocked at the gap both in terms of technical and physical aspects.
KAWAI - Off the pitch, I was pleased that I got closer to players from all over the world through some games and table tennis.

--In terms of the practice or playing the game in Japan, did anything change after the championship?
OKANO - I felt frustrated during the championship, but I did learn our current position in the world. As we must improve a lot more, I started to feel ‘we can’t be satisfied easily in order to play internationally.’
KAWAI - Even when I contributed to the team’s victory, now I tend to think whether it was enough to beat the kind of players I played against in Manchester. Maybe it’s a slight overstatement, I started to think internationally.

Interview - SAWADA Kentaro, the head coach of Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC Youth

--As a head coach, you won the championship JFA Premier Cup for the first time and experienced the World Final:
SAWADA - Frankly, I just enjoyed myself. It was great experience to play against various countries and regions. Every single match was very interesting.

--What was most interesting?
SAWADA - Every team was determined to win the game. Tigres FC from Mexico in the first match of the group stage played with maturity, just like adults. After striking the opener, they defended solidly. They only tried to counter-attack with two forwards. I was surprised at the fact that the junior high school students played in such an adult way.

--Your team won the game against Manchester United 4-0 on the second day of the championship.
SAWADA - We could show ‘Hiroshima’ playing-style. We held a meeting before the match on the second day, as we played two matches and lost two the day before. The players lost their confidence and weren’t sure what to do. I told them not to think ‘we aren’t good enough against international teams and that just show what we’ve been practicing. The players got their nerve back. There are many opponents, whom you meet for the first time in an international championship. The players need to have mental toughness in order to show their ability in the world.

--Did you notice any change in the players’ attitude after the tour?
SAWADA - I think players understood that the international football, which they always watch on TV, is not in a separate world from Japanese football, but one of the goals we’re aiming at. Whenever I remind them about the players, against whom they played in the World Final, they tend to try hard, being inspired.

JFA Premier Cup 2015

Sun. 3 May to Tue. 5 May
J-GREEN Sakai (Sakai, Osaka)

The Cup information (Japanese version only)