JFA Elite Programme U-14 Japan Women's Selection squad started training in Osaka. Holding six times of training in two years, this is the last round of activity for Junior High School Grade two students. The players picked up from 9 National Training Centre in Japan gathered in Osaka. They will complete two years of their Elite programme activities after having good communication in exchange programs with U-14 Korea Republic Women’s team on and off the pitch.

On the first day Friday 14th, coach YODOKAWA told and reminded the players of the promise he shared in the first training in May last year.  They are to ”Watch, feel and take action,” “Take action proactively not fearing mistake." Twenty players including six first-comers had a good and positive communication in the following training. At the night meeting, they delivered “Two-minute self-introduction speech” which was an assignment given to them earlier. It gave them chance to know each other featuring ideas of attracting attention, giving quiz on their family members and a reason for start playing football. They will take on the first game against Korea Republic on Saturday 15th.

Assistant Coach's and Players' Comments

KANO Michihisa, Assistant Coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach/SAGAWA SHIGA FC)
At the opening meeting, I told and reminded them the themes I mentioned at the start of U-13 camp. They are to “Watch, feel and take action” “Challenge aggressively not fearing mistake.” Based on these themes, I gave additional advises to U-14 players to develop and keep new promises, “Notice”, “Be responsible for manners and conduct on and off the pitch.”  In addition to that, I told them the goal is to change everyday life fundamentally to raise your motivation by trying to play with these words in their mind, “one more effort for go and play in the world.”

I mentioned four specific points for actual activities. They are; 1) Skills, technique for keeping alternative in the high-pressured situation (make it habit for pre-play preparation for better judgement), 2) Personal tactics of always getting involved in offence and defense (Fast judgement of play, fast decision depending on the situation), 3) Switching offence and defence (especially sense of feeling to identify pinch and chance), 4) Staying power, amount of running and physical strength in game (hard work with high quality).

Given the first day of the training camp, the players didn’t look relaxed and flexible in the beginning but they became proactive by calling each other as they work on training programs. The focused theme was on raising control skill and quality of “Kick hard, hit.” They worked on practice sessions of pass & control in four players per group, ball possession in 4-on-2, followed by 9-on-9 + GK. At the night meeting, they watched the video featuring themes explained in the introduction and shared the ideas and deepen the images among players. 

With the training program starting tomorrow, and two practice games against Osaka Gakugei Senior High School and Korea Republic, I hope the participants get stimulation out of them, aggressively tackle the programs and they get much confident at the end on and off the pitch.

NOGUCHI Akari (JEF UNITED ICHIHARA CHIBA LADIES U-15)
This is third time for me to take part in the Elite Programme. I had two-hour training today. I want to take action and bring about something out of this programme. Particularly I want to increase the play taking advantage of my strong points and keep involved in offence and defence. I want to make most of the practice game against Korea Republic; this will be very important and precious experience for me. Off the pitch, I want to talk to many players and get to know each other and I want to make six days of productive time.

TAKESHITA Kanasa (INAC KOBE LEONESSA U-15)
I want to have a good communication with a lot of people and challenge aggressively. I am determined to do my best and overcome my weak points at least some. I am going to focus on every single play, learn as much as I can and bring back what I learned and contribute to the club. In order to achieve this, I will stay focused all through the training.  I want try to give high quality of coaching to others and prepare well.  As I do not have many opportunities to talk to Korea Republic players, I want to introduce good things of Japan as much as I can and hopefully they like about Japan by the end. But most of all we are going to get together and make sure not to lose in the game.

HORI Azusa (Tokachi FC Nadeshiko)
I am very nervous today because this is first time for me to participate in the Elite Programme. I had two-hour training in the afternoon today but I could not play the way I want it.  I was just surprised to see other players’ high skill, speed, and firm body.  I am very excited as we are going to play against Korea Republic. I will do my best not to lose to them, making sure I will never slow down the approaching speed and never get behind in fighting spirit. 

TABATA Haruna (Viento FC Toyono/JFA Academy Sakai)
This is my sixth time taking part in the Elite Programme. After the meeting today, we all prepared the training gear together and went to the practice. I looked forward to meeting friends I’ve never met before. In the practice, I had a good communication with these new comers and really enjoyed doing practice. My goal this time is to know what is competitive and what is not when playing game against Korea Republic. I want leverage this opportunity as it is rare occasion to play game against Korea Republic. I really want to win the game against Korea Republic but I want to talk to Korea Republic players off the pitch as well.

Schedule

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