With one day to go before the ‘SURUGA bank Championship 2016 IBARAKI’ on Wednesday 10 August at Kashima Soccer Stadium in Ibaraki, both Kashima Antlers (Japan/ winner of 2015 J.League YAMAZAKI NABISCO CUP) and Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia/COPA SUDAMERICANA 2015 champions) attended official practice sessions. The teams each held a one-hour session at the stadium, which was closed apart from the first 15 minutes, to go carry out detailed training.

Independiente Santa Fe, who aim to win the championship on their debut, arrived in Japan on Saturday 6 August to adjust to the conditions in back-to-back training sessions. The coach GUSTAVO COSTAS noted: ‘we’ll be careful of the opponent’s quick movements.’ In a press conference prior to the game, both teams expressed their enthusiasm for earning the title. The game will kick off at 19:00 on Wednesday 10 August.

Coach and Players' Comments

ISHII Masatada, Coach (Kashima Antlers)
Independiente Santa Fe defend solidly, while moving lengthways swiftly. We’d like to stick to our playing style – stealing the ball and sustaining possession in order to get through the opponent in various ways. As South American teams tend to have excellent technique and play cleverly, we’d like to observe them from the beginning of the game, so that we can finish the match within 90 minutes. We’ll focus on getting a good result. 

DF #22  NISHI Daigo (Kashima Antlers)
South American teams can play differently between the first and the second half. They can also score a goal from one opportunity, even though they haven’t got the initiative. It’s a good chance for us to show off our refreshed style against an opponent, who can use their bodies in a different way or can dribble excellently. As Kashima Antlers won’t participate in the ACL this year, the SURUGA bank Championship is a crucial tournament. So I’d like to show what we can do as individuals and as a team.

GUSTAVO COSTAS, Coach (Independiente Santa Fe)
Kashima Antlers play with speed and aggressiveness. Despite the speed difference between South American and Japanese teams, we’d like to stay cautious about the opponent’s quick movements. We’re in good condition and we’re ready. The strength of Independiente Santa Fe is that we play as a united team. The bond of solidarity and teamwork is our forte. 

GK #1  ROBINSON ZAPATA (Independiente Santa Fe)
I came here not only to participate in the championship, but also to become a star player. I’d like to earn the title to bring back to Colombia. Kashima Antlers took part in this championship twice in the past, and won it twice. They pass the ball quickly without touching it too often, initiating attack smoothly from defence. We must steal the ball.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

SURUGA bank Championship 2016 IBARAKI
J.LEAGUE YAMAZAKI NABISCO CUP / COPA SUDAMERICANA Championship Final

Kashima Antlers (Japan/Winner of 2015 J.LEAGUE YAMAZAKI NABISCO CUP)
vs  Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia / Winner of COPA SUDAMERICANA 2015)
Wed. 10 August 2016  kick off  19:00/open 16:00 (subject to change)
Ibaraki/Kashima Soccer Stadium

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