It has been fine weather for the first four days of Nadeshiko Japan’s training camp f in Kagawa and they held 2.5-hour practice session in the afternoon on Thursday 21 May.

After having some rest in the morning, the players did some light passing and heading practice. Then they had a training match against a local university men’s football club team in order to check their tactics. SASAKI Norio, head coach, instructed the players with gestures to ‘limit the passing length to let the opponent make some mistakes’ or to ‘bear in mind the distance from your teammates.’ The players also carefully checked combinations with the players around whenever the play stopped.

They finished their practice session with the training match against the local university team. The players tried out the tactics and the combinations, which they practiced earlier, getting ready for the friendly against the New Zealand women's national football team in the ‘MS&AD NADESHIKO CUP 2015’ in three days and the coming games in the ‘FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015’. Towards the end, IWABUCHI Mana, who received a pass from SUGASAWA Yuika, struck a goal, showing off the team’s combination play.

Players’ Comments

DF #12   KAMIONOBE Megumi (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
There is a good atmosphere around the team in this camp. As we played against a male team today, we can imagine bigger and stronger players from other countries, which was very productive. Without intercepting passes or detailed control of the defensive line, the match will be tough. So I’d like to improve our quality through more communication.

I played against AS Elfen Saitama FC in the league last week and met Sarah Gregorius (#10) from New Zealand. She has a unique playing rhythm and technique. Even though I pressed her strongly, she stayed very stable, which can be a menace for us. As I was chosen to play in the World Cup, I’d like to be on the pitch to contribute to the team’s victory.

DF #5   SAMESHIMA Aya (INAC Kobe)
I think the standard level of the national team’s skills and tactics in every country is increasing and I expect our team will have been researched thoroughly before the coming World Cup. We’re currently checking our various defensive movements again. As I’m sure there’ll be more issues to be fixed, I’d like to fix them before the World Cup. We’ll continue to handle any new problems as well, so that we can improve ourselves even more.

Each player of Nadeshiko Japan has improved herself in the past four years. Having said that, in the Algarve Cup we sometimes didn’t do well in covering each other and weren’t close enough to our teammates. I’d like to communicate more with the players near my position in order to coordinate better.

FW #16   IWABUCHI Mana (FC Bayern Munich/Germany)
Personally, I think there's been good practice everyday here. Four years have passed since the previous World Cup and I feel more eager to be on the pitch. I practice doing everything I can. All I need to start the coming match is to continue to play well as much as I can.

I’m 22 years old now, but I have seen much younger players are on the pitch abroad, realising our generation is no longer young. Although I have experienced the previous World Cup, I sill struggle to get through the regular players. As I got big confidence by playing internationally, I’d like to show it on the pitch. I’d like to impact the match whenever I’m on the pitch in any way I can, including scoring, assisting and defending.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

MS&AD NADESHIKO CUP 2015

Nadeshiko Japan(Japan Women's National Team) vs. New Zealand Women's National Team
Sun. 24 May 19:10 Kick Off (Estimated Time)
Kagawa / Kagawa Pref. Marugame Stadium
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)

KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2015

Nadeshiko Japan(Japan Women's National Team) vs. Italy Women’s National Football Team
Thu. 28 May 19:20 Kick Off (Estimated Time)
Nagano / MINAMI NAGANO SPORTSPARK
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)

FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015

Information