In the night of 5 February, Japan Futsal National Team arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan by flying by way of Incheon, Korea Republic with the total 9-hour flight to play in the AFC Futsal Championship to be held there. Despite the long trip, the players were apparently relaxed. On 6 February, the squad started the first workout there at 4:30 p.m. local time (8:30 p.m. Japan Time).

Starting with a playful activity using balance balls, each player showed good smiles on his face and enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere throughout the practice. Later on, they engaged in 3-on-2 with the objective of attacking in an outnumbering situation. The session lasted approximately 90 minutes from 4:30 p.m., and was filled with well-maintained concentration. 

The squad are getting ready mentally as well as physically for the first match on 11 February.

Players' Comments

SEKIGUCHI Yushi (ESPOLADA HOKKAIDO)
We safely arrived in Uzbekistan. I am relieved that the temperature here is much higher than they said it would be and actually is comfortable. We have only a few days before the AFC Championship, but we will make sure to do good preparation for the rest of the time to come out for the first match with the best conditioning possible.

HOSHI Shota (BARDRAL URAYASU)
The jet lag is not bad and we are keeping good momentum from the training we did in Japan. The training on the first day here finished well. We have other countries in our group staying at the same hotel, which makes the atmosphere more serious. We will try not to lose our positive easygoingness of this Japan National Team and will try to make each other better. 

TAKITA Manabu (PESCADOLA MACHIDA)
We got to Uzbekistan, and spent the morning actively resting our body including taking a walk to remove fatigue from traveling. It was also a good opportunity to enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of the city. In the afternoon, the workout started and it made me realise we are finally starting the tournament. From now on, we will keep communicating things in more detail and get ready for the tournament well as a group.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*Top five team will earn FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016™ (2016/9/10-10/1) berth

AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016 [Wed. 10 February - Sun. 21 February 2016]

Group Stage 1st Match
Thu. 11 February　Kick Off at 16:30 (20:30 Japan Time)
vs  Qatar Futsal National Team
LIVE: Thu. 11 February 20:20- NHK-BS1
Prerecorded: Fri. 12 February 21:00- CS TV Asahi Ch2

More information