After finishing all the activities, the participating players of the JFA Elite Programme Women’s U-13 Korea Republic Trip left Mokpo National Football Centre at 16:30 on Friday 18. Despite the very early departure even before the sun rose, all the Korean players and the team staff gathered to see the Japanese team off to the airport. In the short six-day stay, the young women from both countries became good friends, which made it difficult to say good-bye. At the same time, however, they promised to each other that they would meet again at the AFC Girls Regional Championship next year and the next available Japan-Korea Republic friendship programme.

This year’s Elite Programme Women’s U-13 activities were all over with the closure of this trip. The Elite Programme Women’s U-14 will then start in March with a training camp.

Coach's and Players' Comments

NISHIMURA Yosuke (JFA National Training Centre Coach, Hokushinetsu/Medical Corporation Amemiya-Hospital)
On the pitch, we reviewed the themes of the second Elite Programme activity, which were “deepening understanding of football”, “acquiring techniques applicable in matches” and “getting involved effectively both in offence and defence”. And also we tried to have them be aware of “taking initiative both in offence and defence”. We were able to schedule three matches during this trip, and our basic schedule was having training in mornings and matches in afternoons. We reviewed our themes, judged how we play, both positive and negative results, in matches, then worked on the negative results again in the following training. As we played matches, the quality of our plays started showing progress, which resulted in the three straight wins and three straight clean sheets.  

Off the pitch, we continued conveying the important messages just as we did in the previous camp. They were “having your own opinion and communicating it”, “building up and caring your body as an athlete”, “realising the importance of proper diet” and “recognising responsibility as a Japanese international”. We also attempted to instil a particular mindset, which is to carry the Japanese style of behaviours even when touring overseas and actually do it every day without being told to do it.

Our players actively tried to communicate with their teammates and also with Korean players. Speaking of the meals, the menu and flavours were different from the ones they are used to in Japan. But they realised the importance of taking in enough nutrition, so the amount and the quality of their eating habits improved every day. Everyone was in a good condition and kept working hard until the last day, which I say was a great achievement.

In the course of playing against those Korean players of the same generation, the difference in physical strength, mental strength and the level of body contacts was obvious. While there are variety of players and teams even in this Asia, the keys for us Japanese to take initiative against any kind of opponents are full executions of fundamentals, high football IQ, predictions, preparations off the pitch and effective involvement at both ends of the pitch. And we need to improve our level in those key aspects even with this U-13 generation.

This trip has been a very valuable experience for these players in terms of facing what is going on in the world. I expect them to take back this experience, achievement and homework back to their everyday life and keep developing them. I would like to convey my deep appreciation to the Korea Republic Football Association and all other people involved in this programme.

MINOWA Chisato (NIPPON TV MENINA)
I played football outside of Japan for the first time. Staying in a different environment from what I have in Japan, there were some things I couldn’t get used to, but it was a very good experience. Off the pitch, I interacted with Korean players a lot. We couldn’t speak the same language, but we were able to talk by using gestures and English. I also could learn about Korean culture and foods.

This time, I took the defender position which I normally don’t do very often. I usually play more offensive roles, so this time I found many things I still lacked. More than anything, I was able to find out how good players in other countries are by actually playing against them. I thought they were better than Japanese players in many areas like being vocal, quickness and physicality, but even so, we were able to beat them and that was good.

KUSAKARI Mirai (OKAYAMA YUNOGO BELLE U-15/U-18)
This time I joined an international trip for the first time. I promised to them that I would let our team win with a clean sheet if I got the chance to play.” At first I thought it would be difficult, but I told myself that nobody would know if I didn’t try. Then I got off, believing in myself.

In training, passing speed and quality of our control were not so good, but I could play calmly once the match started. I tried to make my coaching easier to be heard even with noise from our opponents. The characteristic of the Korea Republic team was having their forwards put pressure on our ball when we passed it backwards.

Playing against foreign players this time turned out to be a valuable experience. I want to take back what I found here to my club, correct them and become a better player. I am glad that I was able to keep my word.

OBA Yuzuki (Amagasaki Ladies U-15/JFA Academy Sakai)
In the match against Korea Republic, we paid attention to our collective defensive approach and we were able to convert it to our offence just as we did in training. Also we could figure out clearly which plays can work against real opponents and which plays can’t. Even after I go back to my club, I will remember what I learned here regarding the plays that didn’t work, passing speed, physicality and ball control and keep working on them.

Off the pitch, we interacted with Korean players and they were very nice to me. I also jad a very fun time. I want to take advantage of this experience and work hard to get selected again.

SHIKAI Yukina (Cerezo Osaka Sakai Girls)
I learned a lot from the practices with the teammates from all over the country and also from the matches against Korea. On the first day, we tried to collectively rob the ball and we were able to execute that in the match of that afternoon. It was very good. But we couldn’t connect it to the offence right after the defence, and we ended up doing the same thing over again.

The next day focused on possession, and we won the match of that afternoon against Korea Republic 2-0. But the first three minutes were dominated by the opponents and we couldn’t even go into their end. But in the second match against them, we were able to do coaching and utilise different areas of the pitch, which we hadn’t been able to do, and that all helped us win it 4-0. I think we were able to show what we practised.

Every Korean player was kind, funny and fun to hang out with in the cultural exchange activities and joint practice. I will keep working hard to take advantage of what I experienced here.

Schedule

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