Japan National Team short-listed squad started their training camp on 7 March. The third and last day of the camp saw a training session in the morning.

The coach HALILHODZIC led the team in mastering attacking tactics just like yesterday’s afternoon session. He adjusted build-ups and getting through the opponent to finish with taking shots, and improved the quality of the playing speed on the pitch.

The team practiced in a mini game format to finish the training. 

The coach Halilhodzic encouraged the participating players: “I’d like them to remember my messages during this camp back at their clubs.”

The players will go back to their respective club teams to play in the J.League and the AFC Champions League, and focus on improving themselves. Much progress is expected when the players get together again at the end of March to participate in the Asian Qualifiers Second Round for the FIFA World Cup.

Coach and Players' Comments

Vahid HALILHODZIC, Coach
We had a very productive time together. We held four training sessions to practice attack and defence. To join SAMURAI BLUE, a player must fulfil my requests in both aspects. The players trained hard and we also held meetings with videos. On the last day, they put in some excellent and quick plays. They could play with one or two touches and they could also sprint numerous times. By continuously playing in the same way, we can create goal-scoring opportunities. 

We also did various test. I cannot say every player had brilliant results, and some players need to train themselves much more. I talked to each to give my opinion, which I believe all of them received properly. I told them if they really wanted to play for SAMURAI BLUE, the players had to show that they were worthy of playing for the national team, rather than just saying they wanted to. So I made it clear that only those that showed their worthiness could play in SAMURAI BLUE. The atmosphere, as a team and individually, was excellent. I am grateful to all the staff from the J. League and J Club, who understood and supported us in holding this camp, not to mention the players. 

MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Reds)
I came here as a representative of the J. League, thinking of the theme that the coach mentioned prior to this camp – to raise the level of the domestic players. Although we only had a limited time during the camp, we had an intense and productive time. It was a very precious three-day camp for me to improve myself as well as the J. League in the future. In terms of combinations, we, including the newcomers and the regulars in SAMURAI BLUE, understood clearly what the coach wanted to achieve. Even though we had to play in a different way from our club teams, every one of us was stimulated by the high-level plays in the national team. As the coach gave us individual messages, I’d like to work on what he told me. I have to improve myself to show off my changes back in my club team and in the national team to surprise people. I hope I can put pressure on the players, who are based abroad.

KOBAYASHI Yu (Kawasaki Frontale)
As I have picked up injuries whenever I was called for the national team, I aimed to join this camp without injuries. It was the first time that I had been called up by the coach Vahid HALILHODZIC. I focused on what the coach wanted me to achieve. Although there was limited time, I understood what to do and how to play as the Japan National Team, because the coach showed his intentions clearly during practice sessions and meetings. There are not many differences in what I need to do between the national team and my club team – running toward the space behind the opponent’s defenders, which is my strength. Just like I was told by the coach, I need to increase the number of diagonal sprints in my club team and improve the physical aspect of my game. 

Schedule

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

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers Round 2 AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Afghanistan National Team
2016-3-24 (Thu.) - 19:30
Saitama/Saitama Stadium 2002
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SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Syria National Team
2016-3-29 (Tue.) - 19:30
Saitama/Saitama Stadium 2002
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