U-16 Japan National Team set off in Hiroshima Prefecture for the Balcom BMW CUP International Youth Soccer in Hiroshima 2015 starting on Sunday 9 August. Their training session began in the afternoon.

After stretching and warm-ups, they worked on fundamental passing drills and 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 situations, and played an intra-squad scrimmage at the end in a two-hour session ahead of their opener two days later.

With the squad consisting mostly of players who were called up to the U-16 Japan National Team for the first time, the team will face Hiroshima Prefecture Selection, U-17 Uzbekistan National Team and U-17 Poland National Team.

Looking for the title following their victorious U-16 International Dream Cup 2015 campaign in June, they play against overseas teams. U-16 Japan coach KIMURA Kokichi said in a meeting, "It's important for you to keep your fighting spirit throughout a match, not to give up and not to look down."

Players' Comments

GK #1   OSAKO Keisuke (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth)
In this tournament, we goalkeepers will try to communicate with our teammates, speaking out loud. And as one of the few players who have been called up in the past, I will try to lead the team. Our first opponents Hiroshima Selection have a couple of my regular teammates in my own team. I'm looking forward to playing against them. We will do our utmost in every single match and go for the championship.

DF #2   AOYAMA Yusuke (Nagoya Grampus U18)
Everyone's intensity on the ball was standing out in today's training on the first day. In the matches we play, we will also show off such intensity and work together as one. As our coach said in the meeting, we don't want to lose at any cost on our strength hard-working and individual skills.

Playing against overseas teams is going to be a very good experience. There are a lot of players who I don't really know, but I want to open up to them by communicating with each other as soon as possible.

DF #3   ISHIHARA Hirokazu (Shonan Bellmare Youth)
It's my first time to be called up to the national team, but I'm not really tensed because my teammate SAITO Mitsuki is on the team as well. I think I was able to adapt to the team right away. I'm one school year ahead of others because I was born early in the same year. It's my first national team spell, but I will play hard to lead my teammates.

The tournament has matchups against overseas teams. I will try not to allow the overseas teams to break through my side on one-on-one defence, which is my strength. I will continue to do my best to play for the team.

Schedule

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

Balcom BMW CUP International Youth Soccer in Hiroshima　Match Schedule