SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) began their practice to tune up for their games against Iraq (6 October, Saitama) and Australia (11 October, Melbourne) in the Final Asian Qualifiers of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on 2 October in Saitama Prefecture.

Eleven players from the J.League including midfielder KASHIWAGI Yosuke (Urawa Reds Diamonds) and KIYOTAKE Hiroshima (Sevilla FC/Spain), who did not play for his club this past weekend, joined the first day of the training camp.

After suffering a defeat against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first game of the final qualifiers which began in September, Japan won the away game against Thailand. Japan’s current record is one win and one loss, sitting in third place in Group B.

“We shall be fully aware of the importance of the coming two games and make the best preparation possible. Despite our loss against the UAE, we shall not be pessimistic, but confident. We will be competing as a united team”. Coach Vahid HALILHODZIC commented before practice.

TEGURAMORI Makoto, who led the U-23 Japan squad in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, rejoined the national team as their assistant coach. The camp was filled with amicable atmosphere as the new coach received a warm welcome from the players and the staff members.

Mainly focusing on the recovery, the players worked on stretching, running and passing for a little more than an hour. Forward SAITO Manabu (Yokohama F・Marinos), who replaced the injured forward, MUTO Yoshinori (1.FSV Mainz 05/Germany), also participated in the training today. 

Missing the two national team matches due to injury, defender MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Red Diamonds) commented, “the final qualifiers are never easy. We need to play as a united team”, while newly-added midfielder NAGAKI Ryota (Kashima Antlers) expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “I am going to be proactive, and I want the team members to understand what I am capable of doing on the pitch.” 

Meanwhile, midfielder KAGAWA Shinji (Borussia Dortmund/Germany) and forwards, HONDA Keisuke (AC Milan/Italy) and HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin/Germany), will join the team on 3 October due to match schedule with their respective clubs.

Players' Comments

DF MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Having been away from the national team, I have had time to look at myself and the team from outside. Realising what I have to do, this time I need to step up for the team. One of the most important things during this camp is creating a positive atmosphere, and I believe I am capable of doing so by communicating with my teammates with positive, forward-looking attitude. There is a difference in the severity of conditioning especially amongst the members who play for the foreign clubs. We, the players of the domestic teams, have the responsibility of keeping better physical condition and need to practice with confidence. We will work hard and show our pride as the player of the Japanese club team.

MF KIYOTAKE Hiroshi (Sevilla FC/Spain)
This is my first time in five years since I started to play for the club teams in Europe that I was not even selected as a substitute member in the weekend match. However, I was able to join the camp from the starting day, and my conditioning should be better than other members who are playing for their foreign clubs. The lack of match sharpness from not playing a single match will not be an issue, and I want to give all I have for the upcoming matches. We should not overlook our performance, but more importantly we should focus on the result. These are crucial matches, and we would like to get 6 points from winning them. We all want to go to the World Cup, including the people in Japan. So reminding us of those who support us, we would like to face the coming matches.

MF NAGAKI Ryota (Kashima Antlers)
I am frankly pleased that I have been called up. I've always played aiming at making the national team. Being a member of this squad is like ‘dream come true’. However, I shall not be content with it and keep working hard so that I will be invited on a regular basis. I want to contribute to the team by showcasing my strength, which is the ability to steal the ball in the middle of the field, and give a positive impression to the coaching staff. I will focus my efforts on achieving that goal.

MF SAITO Manabu (Yokohama F・Marinos)
These two games will be important for Japan. I want to help the team by working hard during practices. Whether you play for the foreign or domestic clubs is not significant; each one of us should focus on understanding each other’s strength. When all of us share the same vision and bring the best of each other, wonderful things will happen to the team.

The national team are excellent at transition from defence to offence, especially their swiftness comes when robbing the ball in the attacking third. That is exactly where I can showcase my strength, and I want to contribute to the team by doing so.

Ever since I missed the past opportunities to play for the national team—World Cup in Brazil and London Olympics, going to Russia as the member of Samurai Blue became my next goal. Partaking in the final qualifiers and displaying my real strength can have a significant impact on my career as a football player. I look forward to the challenge, while helping out the team.

DF MARUYAMA Yuichi (F.C. Tokyo)
I have been preparing myself for the upcoming games, so I am currently in form. Maintaining this condition and practicing together with my teammates, I need to put up high-level performances with anybody on the team.

Since we lost only one match so far, all we need is to focus on winning the upcoming games. The most important thing is the result and we need to make the best possible preparation as a team. I will work hard and contribute to the victory of the team.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

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

ASIAN QUALIFIERS - ROAD TO RUSSIA

2016-10-6 (Thu.) - 19:35 (estimate time)
Saitama Stadium 2002
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Iraq National Team
More information

2016-10-11 (Tue.) - 20:00 (estimate time) (Japan Time 18:00) 
Docklands Stadium (Melbourne, Australia)
Australia National Team vs SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
More information