The Japan Women's National Team short-listed squad started their first training camp of 2017 on Friday 20 January in Tokyo. Coach TAKAKURA Asako expressed her aim to ‘improve individual strengths’ in preparation for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. One of the main themes of this camp is to ‘strengthen the physical aspect’ of their game. On the first day, the players mainly focused on conditioning by going through ball coordination and agility circuits, followed by drills using the ball. They worked on passing and controlling exercises and then practiced keeping possession in four-on-two small-sided games to finish the two-hour session.

Players' Comments

DF KUMAGAI Saki (Olympique Lyonnais/France)
Since we have plenty of activities together as the national team this year, I’d like to improve the team by making the most out of each tour and match. While pursuing good results is important, I believe the main task for us is developing a potent team. We have new faces, who have experienced the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Regardless of their age, if each player showcases ‘her strengths’, it’ll be positive for the team. I hope we face new challenges at the same time create an environment where internal competition will bring the best out of each other. Personally, I’d like to have a positive influence on the team by sharing my experience of playing abroad.

MF NAOMOTO Hikaru (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
Since I had to spend most of my time recovering from injuries last year, my aim is to avoid those injuries and play in the best condition possible this season. In my club team, I often tried to build up plays by using square passes rather than getting directly involved in scoring. So I want to focus more on creating chances and actually scoring from them. I’d like to improve even more, so that I’ll get invited for every national team meeting this year.

FW YOKOYAMA Kumi (AC NAGANO PARCEIRO LADIES)
I came to the camp thinking one of my goals of this year is to make the best preparation possible for every activity I get involved with. As a national team player, I would like to improve myself significantly. I’m also hoping to help foster women’s football across Nagano, where I play back at my club.

Schedule

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