U-13 Japan Selection squad took part in the AFC U-14 Festival in China for eight days from 7 to 14 September. Ten national teams from the East Asian countries joined the festival at China Football Centre in the suburbs of Beijing. The football centre has five natural turf pitches and one artificial turf pitch as well as an accommodation facility where the participating players can stay.

Eighteen players from all over the country assembled for Japan’s selection squad to have a trip of eight days and seven nights, playing against Macau, Mongolia, Korea Republic and Hong Kong, whose players were a year older than them.

The Japanese players were apparently uncomfortable with the pitch different from usual in the early stage but gradually got used to the unfamiliar conditions. The communication between players was also increasing as the time went on. The lobby of their facility had a space for players and staff from the participating countries to interact with each other.

The event site also had a large room for the large number of participants to have meals at the same time. The Japanese players were also able to exchange friendship with overseas players. While all the 10 participating countries gathered in the opening ceremony, the players showed smiles during the photo session.

They lived a football-centred life throughout the days during the period under passionate instructions by their coaches. At the time when the team parted, the players promised to improve themselves before wrapping up the trip of the elite programme.

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEUCHI Yutaka, Coach
This age group is divided into late and early developers in most cases, and I felt every player needs to improve his speed. The quicker they were in decision-making, the easier it was to win against opponents who got towering ability and speed. By moving at the right time, even a 150-cm player can run past a 180-cm-class player. It was great that we were able to check out our initial objectives, "What kind of play can work well against players who are a year older than us?" and "Who played well?"

It was the second elite program U-13 gathering in this year. I selected players who have recently showed rapid growth in addition to the players selected for the NTC U-13 in May. The main purpose of this trip was to improve the defence. In any case, this age group needs to improve fundamentals necessary for football while capitalising on their own trait. During the trip, I helped them be independent in their daily life part as well.

It's a good side that there are now more players who are more focused. I hope they will further improve themselves by taking advantage of the experience they got during this trip. We plan to play against U-13 Korea Republic with players who were selected for the NTC U-13 inter-regional tournament in November.

SASAKI Masato (Kashiwa Reysol U-15)
I have a big dream. That is to become a Japanese international and play in the world stage. I'm very pleased to join this trip as my first step, and I recognised the great responsibility to protect the goal of this country. Once getting onto the pitch, I made some mistakes on my strengths like kicking and build-up plays because of slow decision-making. That's what I need to improve.

But I was able to do the other parts like quickly shifting between offence and defence, coaching aloud aggressively, playing without fear and taking care of space behind the defensive line. I want to take advantage of those things for the next one. I'm happy to find out what I've got and my weak mentality. And I won't forget this experience, taking every challenge in my daily training to achieve my dream for my future.

UEDA Keita (Yokohama F・Marinos Junior Youth)
I joined the AFC U-14 Festival as the captain of U-13 Japan Selection squad . Before the festival, I was looking forward to seeing how well I could play. Top-level players from all over the country gathered for the team, and I was happy to play against overseas teams.

On the other hand, the pressure as the Japanese representative was very heavy. But I came out with a brief that I could make it if I played as usual. I played as a centre back and defensive midfielder. At the centre back position, I tried to cover space after our side was broken through, take a close look at the balance between challenging and covering, win towering battles and win battles on the ball.

The play I paid the closest attention to was to "protect our goal." I felt down because I made lots of mistakes. But in return, I was able to play with humility and kept playing with just being myself. I won't forget to play humbly and will keep making efforts after getting back to my team, with the learnings from our coaches to be selected to the national team.

Schedule

AFC U-14 Festival
The 10 teams of the China PR, Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic, Guam, Hong Kong, Japan, DPR Korea, Macao, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands are planning to participate.