The U-15 Japan Women’s Selection Team finished their four-day training camp. Under clear skies, the team worked on ‘set pieces’, the subject of a lecture the night before. They were divided into two groups to practice set pieces and play a 30-minute game to finish the last session.

The coaching staff told the players at the closing meeting ‘to make efforts’ and ‘to stay aware of what they had learned in the four lectures’.

Coach's and Players' Comments

KATO Kenji (JFA National Training Centre Coach/JFA Academy SAKAI)
During today’s session on set pieces, the players couldn’t attack as they planned due to a lack of kicking technique, and they gave the ball away to the opponents from throw-ins. In terms of defence, they spent too much time in preparing a wall and also allowed the opponents to get a second opportunity to attack because of insufficient clearing. I could see the huge gap between the actual play and the one that they intended to play. This is a task that we need to work on now.

The players attended lectures on four themes as well as practice sessions and had a training match during this short camp. They also analysed their game, which enriched this training. The team showed an excellent attitude, an enthusiasm to improve, and a strong ability to understand, which enabled them to perform what they were being asked. Overall, they demonstrated quality as a team. We clarified the current level of the team and our aims in the first meeting, so they had a clear understanding of what they needed to do to achieve those goals. When we held a defence-focused training session after the meeting, I could see every player understood my message.

In the practice game against Hinomoto Gakuen High School, the team stayed patient even during tough stretches, showcasing their strong determination to take back the initiative of the match. In order to get to the stage where we’re aiming at, we have to become even more competitive and start winning matches. It’s vital that the players establish a basic daily routine as athletes, performing their best in football. I expect them to play in the U-16 Japan Women’s National Team on the pitch next year.

WATANABE Rin (ALL SOUTH ISHIYAMA SC/JFA Academy SAKAI)
It has been a very productive four days. I have been trying to always think of taking shots while playing. Although I couldn’t display much of my style in the practice game against the national-level high-school team, I believe I showcased my stamina. During the training camp, I learned a lot through the four lectures. I’d like to improve my daily routine and become a better football player.

TOMIOKA Chihiro (JFA Academy FUKUSHIMA)
I attended this training camp as a pre-activity in preparation for the AFC U-16 Women's Championship, while keeping my aim at the international-level competition. There was a good atmosphere around the team from the beginning of the camp and we encouraged each other to improve. In the practice game against Hinomoto Gakuen High School, we attacked aggressively against a stronger team and managed to threaten the opponents and score a goal. In terms of defence, although we conceded three goals, I continued to physically pressurise the opponents with the ball by not letting them move freely. As we found achievements and tasks as a team as well as individuals through this training camp, I’d like to keep making an effort back in my club and raise the level of my performance.

KITAMURA Miu (JEF UNITED ICHIHARA CHIBA LADIES U-15)
We focused on ‘attack and defence in front of the goal’ and ‘possession’ this time. I struggled to score a goal due to the poor quality of my first touches in front of the goal. Having said that, when I managed to control the ball better, the next movement could be done much more easily and I was able to score from mid-range. During the possession training, I learned the importance of details, including which direction to face and how to make the first touch. Although I played the practice game, thinking of what I learned, the timing of defence was not great, and we let the opponents find the space between our defenders easily. I’ll practice hard back in my club by learning from this experience.

MURAOKA Yuri (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies Junior Youth)
During this four-day practice, I have been working on building the awareness for goals, intercepting the ball, and putting the right amount of pressure when I am the ‘first defender’. In terms of attack, although I managed to stay aware of taking shots, the accuracy near the goal was not good enough. As for defence, I aimed at intercepting, but I couldn’t always stay strong on the ball when I was the first defender. However, I was able to steal the ball by making accurate predictions of the opposing players. In general, although I believe I did well in transitions, I made small mistakes and gave the ball away to the other team. I’d like to learn from this training camp for the future.

Schedule

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