On 16 February, Japan Women’s National Team short-listed squad had a closed-door session in Okinawa to check their set plays ahead of the Olympic qualifying round.

With a cold wind following on from the previous day, the players started their training with a meeting, then they had a passing exercise and group sessions with the squad divided into offence and defence. The team’s Coach SASAKI Norio raised his voice frequently and let them try various offensive plays. In the afternoon, the team had closed door sessions inviting high school boys to check ball possession and set plays. They finished with a game using a full size of the pitch.

“We all have to pay good attention to movements towards the goal.” As forward OHNO Shinobu says, making effective offence is one of Nadeshiko Japan’s challenges. While the team is increasing the number of offence variety, competition amongst offence players to be selected for the final qualifier is getting more intensive. “It is important to think that I will take the position, I should never lose this competition,” says Ohno one of the eldest players, along with FUKUMOTO Miho.

In the afternoon of 17 February, they have another practical game-training inviting university boys.

Players' Comments

FW  ARIMACHI Saori (Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
At the beginning of the camp I couldn’t show my play well, but now I can do it more gradually. I pay attention to make a variety of defensive plays such as moving into the space behind the opponent or how I go ahead to the goal. It is also important to have a good combination with the others, and I will show my advantages catching up with the other players.

FW  SUGASAWA Yuika (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies)
I think I can move more in practice games than at the last month’s camp. My advantages are strength in intensive physical plays and scoring as a forward player. I will have to stick with these strengths. While we have had a lot of practice games in the training, I think I have shown my advantages. Now I want to have more plays which assists us scoring goals.

Schedule

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

Asian Qualifiers Final Round (Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016)

More information