The Japan Football Association announced the pairing of the KIRIN CUP SOCCER 2016 to be held on Friday 3 June at Toyota Stadium and Tuesday 7 June at Suita City Football Stadium.

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) face Bulgaria in their first match, while Bosnia Herzegovina play against Denmark in the other fixture. Following the results, the final will be played between winners on Tuesday 7. And the third-place match will be held between the teams who lost.

Comments

TASHIMA Kohzo, President of Japan Football Association
The KIRIN CUP SOCCER takes place after five years of interval, and talking about the history of the tournament, it began in 1978 as the Japan Cup. I also played the Japan Cup in 1980. Since then, Kirin Group has supported the tournament for many years.

When I was active as a player, there were really limited opportunities to play against clubs or national teams around the world. This tournament meant a lot for the development of Japan National Team at that time. With the history in mind, we would like to express our gratitude to Kirin Group as well as are confident the tournament taking place after five years with three great teams will help the national team develop.

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
The tournament is going to be very important for us. I would like to thank Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. and Kirin Beverage Co., Ltd. for their support in holding the tournament. I believe we couldn't invite such strong teams without the support.

It's going to be a big test for SAMURAI BLUE. The three invited countries are the ones we may face in the World Cup. They've got experience and are European powerhouses, but we are going to try to win two of them and finish the tournament victoriously. And I hope we can bring our fans happiness. The three teams have a different playing style – the powerful team, skilled team and the team having both. We will analyse them and get well ready for the tournament.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

KIRIN CUP SOCCER 2016

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Bulgaria National Team
2016-6-3 (Fri) - 19:40 (subject to change)
Aichi/Toyota Stadium

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Bosnia Herzegovina National Team or Denmark National Team
2016-6-7 (Tue.) -  19:30 (subject to change)
Osaka/Suita City Football Stadium

Participant
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark

More information