U-22 Philippines National Team held a nine-day training camp at Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika Sports Center in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture from Thursday 6 until Friday 14 July. The camp was held in preparation of the coming AFC U-23 Championship and at the same time, aimed at strengthening the team for the SEA GAMES 2017 in Malaysia this August.

During their stay, the team had three training matches. The results are as follows:

8 July (Sat.)  vs Tokai University　●1-3(0-1)
11 July (Tue.) vs JFA Academy Fukushima　●0-1(0-0)
13 July (Thu.) vs Ryutsu Keizai University　●0-3(0-0)

In the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers following the training camp, U-22 Philippines National Team faced Cambodia, China and Japan, but, unfortunately, could not qualify for the AFC U-23 Championship China 2018.

Coach's and Player's Comments

Marlon Maro, Coach (U-22 Philippines National Team)
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the staff in Japan who supported this training camp with excellent training facilities. I am pleased that we had training matches with quality teams that we cannot face in the Philippines. I believe that the camp provided us a wonderful training ground in preparation for the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers as well as being an excellent learning experience for my players. Our first opponents in the qualifiers will be Japan. We will make the best possible preparations and hope that we will have an excellent match as well. Lastly, I would like to appreciate once again for this wonderful training camp.

Julian Mariano, Captain (U-22 Philippines National Team)
I am pleased that we were able to hold an amazing training camp. We faced three tough quality teams with excellent work-rate and superb team organisation. I felt we need to follow their example. Furthermore, they were exemplary off the pitch as well. It was an excellent cultural experience for the entire team to appreciate the politeness and cleanliness of the Japanese people. As a captain of the team, I would like share these experiences with my teammates as well. Lastly, I hope not only to come back to Japan for football, but also make a personal visit in the future.

Receiving teams of the AFC Member Associations for training camps in Japan

Upon receiving a request for a training camp in Japan, Japan Football Association will make all the arrangements including training matches to support the strengthening of the national teams of the Member Associations.
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