The U-20 Japan Women’s National Team short-listed squad, who will compete in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in Papua New Guinea in November, started their training camp in Kochi Prefecture on Sunday 17 April.

This is the first team activity for them since another train camp completed in Kagoshima in February. Coach TAKAKURA Asako says of the purposes of the camp, “we will make sure that the team tactics will be completely understood and raise the overall level of the team. Also I want to find new talents as well.”

The day one, Sunday 17, saw twelve players who just finished matches, including Nadeshiko League contests, with their respective club on the previous day. With the warm sunshine of Kochi located in the southern part of the country, they spent around 90 minutes for recovery exercises.

The next day is scheduled for two-a-day workout with all the 23 players in place after the rest of the team play their club match on Sunday 17 and arrive the national team squad right after that.

Coach and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach
We have only limited occasions to gather all the players like this before the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in November. But we want to review the assignments given to the players in the February camp and also make sure that the tactics of the team are completely understood by the players. (Speaking of the fact that Kochi is famous for Japan’s historic Ishin movement) I want this team to show the new generation of Japan’s women’s football. As many people made a visit to watch our practice today, we want to send local kids the message through our plays that if you dream big and believe in yourself, there will be a way.  

MF  HASEGAWA Yui (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
There are many players whom I play against in the Nadeshiko League, so it’s rather easy to understand their plays and characteristics. The strength of this team is that we can play the same style of football no matter who is on the pitch. So there is a sense that we all are building this team up together. I want to keep focusing on shooting drills that I have been working on recently, and at the same time, I want to become able to stay ready to defend even when we are attacking.

FW  SONODA Mizuki (Musashigaoka College)
On this team, I think every one of my teammates is better than I am. So I will try everything I can to keep up with them and I want to showcase what I can do. In order to be able to show my plays as a winger when it’s counted most, I want to get better in all aspects of my game. 

MF  HAYASHI Honoka (CEREZO OSAKA SAKAI LADIES)
At the last training camp in Kagoshima, there were mistakes in many plays, so I want to raise the accuracy in everything such as passes, dribbles and positioning. First I want to communicate well with my teammates and play aggressively. 

Schedule

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