The day was the third day since Japan Beach Soccer National Team began training for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 in the host city Espinho. Just as the previous day, it was another twice-a-day sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The squad have got used to the local time zone and weather, as they took on two 90-minute sessions.

In the morning the field players on the team went through their attacking patterns and set pieces while the goalkeepers separately trained on their own. The deep sand in Espinho can be a disadvantage for the goalies as their foot go deeper into the sands before making a dive and they cannot go as far as they usually do on other pitches. The two goalkeepers on the squad received advice in various aspects from goalkeeper coach NAKAGAWA Masahiko, former J-League player.

The intra-squad game was added in the afternoon. Head coach Marcelo MENDES occasionally stopped plays to give detailed directions to the players on each move and positioning.

After the training they bathed in water of the Atlantic Ocean, where the water temperature was still somewhat low, in order to relieve them of fatigue from the long trip, time difference and practice every day after arriving. The preparation still continues tomorrow for the first match in the World Cup.

Players' Comments

GINOZA Tomoya (Tokyo Lequios BS)
In the scrimmage in the afternoon, we all were so into it overall. We could execute the tactics we had been working on in the match-like settings. We kept talking to each other during the scrimmage and also after that we still discussed details in groups by the positions. Our communications among the entire team has been outstanding. We still have five more days before the first match. We want to keep preparing ourselves like this.

HARAGUCHI Shotaro (Tokyo Lequios BS)
This was the practice day three in Portugal. We have got used to the sand and weather here, and I think we are getting ready for the World Cup both mentally and physically. We communicate well with each other during practices, so we want to carry this over to the first match. This World Cup is the first time for me, but I want to stay confident and stay thankful to all the people who have supported us and been cheering for us.

Schedule

*Local Time

Japan's Record for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

7 World Cup Appearances: 26 games played for 6-2-18 / 71 goals, 113 goals conceded

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015

Thu. 9 July - Sun. 19 July 2015
Group Stage 1st Match
Thu. 9 July - 22:30 (Japan Time)
Portugal Beach Soccer National Team  vs.  Japan Beach Soccer National Team

More information