SAMURAI BLUE, who lost their first match against Korea DPR 2-1, and drew the following match with Korea Republic 1-1 in the EAFF East Asian Cup 2015, will meet the host country China PR for the last match on 9 August.

The players held a training session on the ground next to the pitch from 17:30 the day before the match. SAMURAI BLUE, who have been focusing on recovering and adjusting their condition in the two days following the game against Korea Republic, spent plenty of their time on tactical training for approximately 90 minutes.

The team will finally meet China PR tomorrow. The stadium will be filled with local fans and playing in that atmosphere will give the players an excellent experience. The match will kick off at 20:10 on 9 August (21:10 Japan Time) with Japan wanting to claim their first victory in this championship.

Coach and Players' Comments

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
There will be many games ahead of us in the future. We started tactical training in preparation for tomorrow’s match. I have to pass the players a lot of information during a 10 or 15-minute training session, which is very difficult.

Above all, the tactical training takes time. I’ve made some change to the team for each game, and I’ll probably do so for the next one. We’ll have another meeting at the hotel.

I believe the players have physically recovered better compared to the previous two matches. They have adjusted themselves well to the environment and focused on their physical recovery. So we’d like to try hard to win the game. I selected the players for this championship, who play domestically in Japan, hoping that they will continue playing for the national team.

Although we have many talented players in the team, who play in Japan, I expect I will select some more young and inexperienced players to add to the team. I brought some to this championship, who may bring us good opportunities in the future.

I know our supporters in Japan hope that we’ll win against our neighbour and rival country. Although we may have disappointed them with our results so far, it’s not our best, for sure. We’re still trying to find out which players are the best for team SAMURAI BLUE. I do hope that the supporters understand our current difficult circumstances. Everything is my responsibility as a coach.

I do understand the direction and the purpose of SAMURAI BLUE and how to lead Japanese football in the future. Many new things in various aspects are required now. However, I can’t change everything we need in just several practice sessions.

The players are doing what they can do as much as possible. I myself want my team to win the game. I think the players have been preparing themselves fantastically well for the game and the atmosphere is great. 

DF #22   YONEKURA Koki (Gamba Osaka)
Although I am playing for the national team for the first time since I joined the U-20 Japan national team training camp, there are many players around my age and I feel comfortable in the team.

I started to understand the coach’s method through each training session. I have to try as hard as possible, as I’m selected to play for the country. I’d like to display my strength, so that I won’t feel frustrated later.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

EAFF East Asian Cup 2015

Sun. 2 August - Sun. 9 August
China/Wuhan
More information