The U-22 Singapore National Team held their training camp at Tokinosumika Sports Center in Gotemba, Shizuoka from Thursday 7 to Monday 18 March. The camp was held in preparation for the AFC U-23 Championship Thailand 2020 Qualifiers, scheduled to take place from Friday 22 March. With the qualifiers taking place at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, another purpose for this training match was to allow the players to adjust to the weather. During their stay, the team played training matches against Kokushikan University and Tokai University. The players were also seen enjoying their time off the pitch, as they spent their free time shopping at the Gotemba Outlet Mall. The U-22 Singapore National Team concluded their training camp on Monday 18 March and made their way to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Schedule in Japan

Comments

Fandi AHMAD, Head Coach
This training camp has given us a wonderful experience. The weather in Tokinosumika was very cold, but it gave us the opportunity to adjust ourselves for the weather in Mongolia. The training matches were played with great intensity. The university teams we played were very strong teams, and it allowed us to effectively prepare ourselves ahead of the tournament in Mongolia. We were very satisfied with the facilities here, as there were both artificial turf and natural turf fields, and the pitch conditions were maintained at the finest level. For this training camp, we utilised the artificial turf to simulate the match venue at the upcoming tournament, but it’s so wonderful that this facility will allow you to make the choice depending on the conditions of the match venues. The meals were served just as we requested, as their flexible response to serve us Halal allowed us to spend our time very comfortably. The staffs at the facility has supported us greatly and we are grateful for their warm hospitality. Our players were able to focus on their trainings under this wonderful environment.

Subramani SHUNMUGHAM, Coach
This training camp has given us a precious experience ahead of the AFC tournament. The facilities were excellent here. The access to the training field from our accommodation was great. The transportation was smooth, and it was so convenient to spend less time to get around. By spending time together at the dorm, I feel like our players were able to strengthen their bond. I was impressed by the wonderful hospitality provided at the facility and the accommodation. I think it really helped our players spend a great time here.

Joshua Bernard PEREIRA, Captain
One of the main purposes of this training camp was to get used to the cold weather. With the temperature being so different from Singapore, the players had a tough time adjusting to it for the first two days, but we gradually got used to the cold weather. The facility was fantastic. There were many fields available and while many other teams utilised the facility, we are thankful to be given the opportunity to train twice a day. In Singapore, we weren’t able to get together and train as a team in a regular basis, so this has allowed us to really prepare ourselves as a team ahead of the AFC tournament. The teams we faced in our training matches were at a higher level than us, but we managed to compete until the end, and I felt like we had the chance of winning the matches. The Japanese players are capable of understanding sophisticated strategies, physically strong, and consists great techniques at the individual level. The level of football in Japan is much higher than Singapore, and I felt that we have lots to learn from Japan.

Accepting teams from the AFC Member Associations to hold training camps in Japan

Upon receiving requests to hold training camps in Japan, JFA will make all arrangements including training-matches in efforts to support the strengthening of the national teams of the Member Associations.
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