Led by the Official JFA Licensed Coaches, Head Coach NAKAMURA Atsushi and Goal Keeper Coach HANITA Atsushi, the U-18 Bhutan National Team held their training camp at J-Village in Fukushima and Seisa University Hakone Campus in Kanagawa for 11 days from Saturday 15 to Tuesday 25 September.

It was the first time for J-Village to accept a foreign team since they reopened in July 2018.

A total of nine training-matches were conducted during their stay.
The results of the training-matches were as follow:

Also, during their stay, the players were given the opportunity to enjoy their time in Japan off the pitch by visiting the beach, aquarium, shopping sites in Ueno, ride the JR Yamanote line, and observe a J. League match between Kawasaki Frontale and Nagoya Grampus.

Coach and Player’s Comments

NAKAMURA Atsushi, Coach
I would like to first of all thank everyone for accepting the U-18 Bhutan National Team to conduct their training camp at the J-Village and the Seisa University Hakone Campus. In behalf of the team and staffs, I would like to express our sincere gratitude towards the JFA, Mr. ONO and Mr. UEDA from the J-Village, Seisa University President Miyazawa, every staffs that supported our camp, and all the teams who helped us conduct the training-matches. The purpose of this camp was to strengthen the team ahead of the SAFF U-19 Championship 2019, but the team was actually given a reality check by facing teams that consisted with techniques, physical strengths, tactics, and mental toughness that we’ve never seen in Bhutan before. The players are now fully aware of what they must work on, and in a sense “the frog in the well” was given the opportunity to learn about the “great ocean.” I can see the difference in the players’ eyes. This camp has given them an experience something I couldn’t have taught them elsewise. Also, in this tour to Japan, we have brought five of our players who are eligible to participate in the SAFF U-15 Championship, which will take place in Nepal this year at the end of October. I believe this camp will allow them to do well in that tournament. We will enter next year’s tournament with an improved version of this team.

Tenzin Norbu, Captain
This camp was the best camp I have experienced in my life. To be honest, I was looking forward for this camp for the past two years. Everybody at the J-Village has welcomed us with warm hospitality from the very first day and we were emotionally moved by their gesture. We have learnt many things from the Japanese players, both on and off the pitch. They have shown us how football is supposed to be played like. I am very saddened that the tour is now coming to an end, but I can proudly say that this was the best tour ever. The JFA has supported us greatly and we are truly thankful for it. The tour has made us realise that we must study and work much harder.

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.
For more information