On Saturday 16 June, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia continued their final tune-up at their base camp in Kazan ahead of their first fixture against Colombia. It was the second day in a row for them to work on their tactics behind closed doors.

As the early summer trademark of poplar fluffs flew in the wind, the weather finally turned warm and sunny with chilliness no longer felt on the third practice day in Kazan.

The team again started the training session at the same time as the scheduled kick-off time of the Colombia match. The first 15 minutes of the session was opened to the media, and the players were seen walking with rubber tubes as a conditioning drill before engaging into passing drills.

After the doors were closed to the public, they reviewed set-pieces and held scrimmages. The team also watched the live coverage of the group stage match between Iceland and Argentina together after the practice.

OHSHIMA Ryota (Kawasaki Frontale) and SHOJI Gen (Kashima Antlers), who had been working out separately due to back strain and leg stiffness respectively, joined the team practice, while OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City Football Club) was not ready yet and worked out on his own inside the facility.

For two days in a row, the squad held a video session to study the opponents in the morning and go through the plays on the field in the afternoon. Ahead of the upcoming clash against Columbia, the players are building up their imaginations.

MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Reds) says of Colombian forward Falcao, “He is a player who can get his job done in the box. We have to make right decisions regarding where to stop him and where to slow him down.” NAGATOMO Yuto (Galatasaray S.K.) also says “The opponents are very good at defending inside, so we are discussing how we send the ball in at set-pieces. We are being able to have good training on that aspect.”

Meanwhile the long turf is a concern for the players, as they watch the group stage matches on TV. Nagatomo points out, “Passes and dribbles are a little caught up with it. We have to be careful,” and goalkeeper HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka) also adds on the need to pay attention to the unique bounce of the ball, saying “It’s hard to predict how the back-passes will bounce, too.”

Japan making the sixth straight appearance, also sixth overall, are set to face Senegal and Poland in the group stage following Colombia.

After practising one more time on Sunday 17 in Kazan, the squad are scheduled to move to Saransk, where they take on Colombia, and get ready for the match on Tuesday 19.

Players' Comments

GK #12 HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka)
There is only one goalkeeper spot on the squad, and I have been doing my best in training to get that position. But even if I don’t get to play on the pitch, I think I still have a role to play. As a goalkeeper and as a fellow teammate, I want to do what I am supposed to do. We are fighting in this World Cup as representatives of Japan. Supporting my teammates who are on the pitch is essential especially in these national team matches.

FP #5 NAGATOMO Yuto (Galatasaray S.K.)
Colombia have many athletically-gifted players and tall players, so I see it that it won’t be easy. They don’t have any holes we can attack, and they guard you very well. In offence, they build a block and use it effectively to make their move inside. We must discuss how our defenders switches their marksmen and stay focused because the opponents may change their approach during the match. Four years ago, right after the match we lost to Columbia, I was sitting on the pitch. Then a Colombian player came to me to cheer me up. That’s one of the bitter memories I have from that match. I will never want to replay that kind of moment. To create a totally opposite ending, I will pursue for the plays and results that can make it possible.

FP #8 HARAGUCHI Genki (Fortuna Dusseldorf)
I must keep running for the team, outrun the opponents’ full back, and repeat to do so time and time again. Then one of those attempts may work out for us. I think we are facing a battle of that sort. We must avoid having all our attempts to fail in vain. We do not have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, so the efforts made by each and every player needs to be better than those of the opponents. In the matches I’ve watched so far, the pitch condition seems to be giving trouble to the players. In other words, the balls played behind the defenders will slow down more, so I must keep that in mind. Of course, we can’t just look at that space behind defenders all the time. It is important to keep a good balance while changing the pace at times.

FP #15 OSAKO Yuya (Werder Bremen)
I feel that the World Cup has a unique atmosphere, and I have been reminded that it’s a very big tournament. Me personally, it’s the second time and I know how it is like. So, I think that can work as a positive to some extent. It comes down to simply getting prepared for the matches and play with a strong determination.

FP #18 OHSHIMA Ryota (Kawasaki Frontale)
The injury is getting better and today I joined the team for the entire session. I feel like I have missed a lot because I had to rest for a week. The momentum we gain by getting points in the first match will carry over to the matches following it. I want to help my team by keeping a clear vison of the plays which enables the team to operate effectively. At the Olympic games, it was like a festival because the crowed cheered the good plays of both teams playing. If the World Cup goes the same way, I will play with strong attitude and hopefully we can ride on the atmosphere of the stadium.

FP #20 MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Reds)
I think the first match will be a difficult one and we must grind to earn points. But if we can manage to earn the points there, it will have a major impact on the second and third matches. From my experience from other tournaments, I am aware of the importance of the first match. I want to get the most out of ourselves by utilising the time left before the match. As for free-kicks and corner-kicks, the key is how dangerously we can initiate attacks when possessing the ball and whether we can get fouls at crucial locations.