Nadeshiko Japan, who are competing in their EAFF Women's East Asian Cup, had practice in Wuhan, China on 6 August two days prior to their final match against host nation China PR.

In the heat and humidity remaining due to a thunderstorm until the early morning from midnight, the players loosened their body with a running workout and dribbling drills in a small area before working on a 5v5 small-sided game and shooting drills through cross balls from sides. After that, they went through their tactics in a session with closed doors to press corps.

Japan lost their hope for the championship after falling to Korea DPR 4-2 on 1st and Korea Republic 2-1 on 4th, but Japan coach SASAKI Norio disclosed his plan to send his best squad for a win.

Midfielder KAWAMURA Yuri (Vegalta Sendai Ladies) says, "There is a big difference between a win and a loss when going home. We will take advantage of what we learned from the past two losses for our third match."

Japan have a record of 12 wins, 16 losses and 7 ties against China PR. The match is going to be their first matchup since they faced each other in the group stage of last year's Asian Games. Japan have not lost to China PR in the latest five matches with four wins and one tie.

China PR lost all the two matches in this tournament as they fell to Korea Republic 1-0 on 1st and Korea DPR 3-2 on 4th. But it is expected that they are likely to come out with a must-win attitude to avoid the bottom place, making use of their home advantage. China PR reached the last 8 in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 lately and displayed a great game against champions the USA despite a 1-0 loss.

"China finished 1-0 against the USA, so they should have got confidence," is forward SUGASAWA Yuika (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies) wary of the Chines side. But she added, "We also have a couple of players who experienced the World Cup where they finished runners-up. We will go out for the match with confidence. It's important to go toward goal first."

The contest between Japan and China PR will kick off at 8:10 p.m. (9:10 Japan time) on Saturday 8 at Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.

Players’ Comments

DF #3   KITAHARA Kana (Albirex Niigata Ladies)
It's important to play our game, but we really want three points as well. We lost the first and second matches that we shouldn't have lost, so then we can't lose all the matches. To go next in a good mood, we want to stick to the win or loss outcome. China PR's defence is also solid and have good strikers. In the first and second matches, we allowed only one or two players to break through our defence, so we want to halt the opposing strikers at any cost and look for goals.

MF #8   NAOMOTO Hikaru (Urawa Reds Ladies)
Compared to the last time when I was first called up, I have some part where I've done well like getting involved in our attacking aggressively. But I still feel I have a lot to improve. If I can play the next match, I will try to take an aggressive challenge on defence like winning the ball and do some good job in front of goal by going up at the right timing after sending the ball wide open. I will try to show off my trait more. China PR have quality up front and attacking midfielders. So I will try to cope with their attacks, cooperating with our defensive line.

MF #6   KAWAMURA Yuri (Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
I need to score when we need to and show my motivation to win at the part where we need to commit ourselves at the end. I will enjoy the match and fight when we need to. There is a big difference between a win and a loss when going home. We will take advantage of what we learned from the past two losses for our third match.

MF #12   MASUYA Rika (INAC Kobe)
I will get involved in a goal by challenging aggressively, use the change of pace effectively, and try to be careful of the fact that you get in trouble once you give away the ball. I'm doing well so far without any tense. We want to stick to the win or loss outcome to move forward in a good mood, and I will take a good challenge and showcase myself so that I can settle in the national team.

MF #16   YOKOYAMA Kumi (AC Nagano Parceiro)
Our coach told us to take individual challenges and take more shots aggressively. I will be grateful if I can play even midway through the match, and I think I need to live up to coach's expectation for the team to win.

Schedule