On Saturday 10 November, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) held an official training session at the match venue Bird Stadium in Tottori, one day ahead of their international friendly match against the Norway Women's National Team.

The session was open to the media for the first 15 minutes as the players were seen working out with a relaxed atmosphere. The remaining portion of the session was closed to the media where the team went through their tactics for the match against Norway.

Following the training session, Governor of Tottori Prefecture HIRAI Shinji paid a visit as he gave words of encouragements, “We hope to see a great performance tomorrow. Please leave a great memory here in Tottori.” The Governor presented Japanese pears to the team which is a speciality of the area. Governor Hirai concluded his visit by leaving a message, “We will be praying for a good match tomorrow.” With the Governor making humorous jokes, the players and staffs of Nadeshiko Japan were able to relax and enjoy the moment.

Ahead of the training session, Coach Coach TAKAKURA Asako held an official press-conference at the match venue.

The coach started by stating, “We are honoured to welcome a team like Norway who has a rich football history,” welcoming the team who is ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings (as of 28 September 2018). She continued by showing her aspiration for the match, “(Following the AFC Asia Cup and the Asian Games) We would like to see how our players have developed and how the team implements those changes.”

The international friendly match against the Norway Women’s National Team will kick off at 14:00 on Sunday 11 November at Bird Stadium, Tottori.

Coaches and Players’ Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
We entered Tottori on the 6th and started our training camp. With many new players joining the team, we conducted the camp with great intensity and a positive vibe. I want my players to strive for higher levels as a part of a team who is aiming towards the World Cup. I want them to win the match with a solid performance.

DF #22 SHIMIZU Risa (Nippon TV Beleza)
We had lots of players joining the training camp, so there were plenty of competitions among the team, which gives us a sense of responsibility in our performance. It gave me the opportunity to look back at my plays as I watched how my pears played. In that sense, this was a very productive camp. With many of us already played with each other in the Asian competitions, we were able to communicate well as a team. Norway has many players with great speed and techniques, so once I enter the match I will focus not to back down when facing them one-on-one and get myself involved in our team’s offence.

FW #8 IWABUCHI Mana (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
We trained against bigger and faster opponents during this training camp. In our match tomorrow, each one of us will play with strong intention and leave a positive result. I will like to showcase a performance that can lift up the level of the surrounding players, just like how the older players have done to me when I was young. We have gained great confidence by winning two Asian titles, but I was not fully satisfied with my own performance, and I think many of the players feel the same way. We only have half a year until the FIFA Women’s World Cup, so we will take this upcoming match seriously.

Martin SJOGREN, Coach (Norway Women’s National Team)
Ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we our happy to be given this opportunity to face the Japanese team who has won the World title. This match will serve as a very important match in our preparation for the Women’s World Cup. Japan has heightened the overall level of women’s football at the Women’s World Cup in 2011. I have been keeping a close look at their results in the following tournaments, but they have been constantly playing a style of football that requires great skills. We will be presented with a great challenge tomorrow, but we will give our best to showcase a great match.

Schedule

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

International Friendly Match

Sun. 11 November 2018 14:00 Kick-off
Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) vs Norway Women's National Team
Bird Stadium, Tottori

Tournament Information