Japan Futsal National Team, which will participate in the AFC Futsal Championship, had a light morning session for one hour with running and stretching in the park near to their hotel, to recover from tiredness from the training match they had on the previous day.

The weather in Uzbekistan was not warm like the day before and the average temperature was around 2℃ and it changed a lot over the day. The players have to be extra careful about their physical conditioning during this weather. From 4:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. Japan time), they had official training session for 45 minutes at the Uzbekistan Stadium, the venue of the championship.

The players started the training from passing practice, and then checked their set plays. Feeling the atmosphere of the match venue, the players seemed to be concentrated on the training. From the 10th, the matches of Group A and B will kick-off. The team’s aim is to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in September. On the 11th, Japan is playing against Qatar in their first match of the group league.

Players' Comments

#2  TANAKA Toshinori (FUCHU ATHLETIC F.C.)
I have become familiar with the environment here in Uzbekistan. On the 8th we had a training match against Chinese Taipei and today we have just had the official training sessions. The only thing left is the first match and we are getting more excited now. The first match is very important. For this one, we will get ready well and head to the match against Qatar, trusting my teammates.

#10  NIBUYA Kazuhiro (VASAGEY OITA)
We had an official training today. It is a wonderful venue and I’m looking forward to playing there. I have got used to the life in Uzbekistan gradually. The temperature changes a lot and I have never experienced these ups and downs before, but I want to enjoy everything including this. With a good level of tension, I want to concentrate on the training sessions, and I want to start the first match in good condition.

#13  WATANABE Tomoaki (DALIAN YUANCHAO/China)
Since we have had training at the match venue today, I’m feeling excited for the up-coming match. Both team’s motivation and condition have been better and better, so I want to get ready very well tomorrow for the first match; I want to kick-off the match in top-gear.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*Top five team will earn FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016™ (2016/9/10-10/1) berth

AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan 2016 [Wed. 10 February - Sun. 21 February 2016]

Group Stage 1st Match
Thu. 11 February　Kick Off at 16:30 (20:30 Japan Time)
vs  Qatar Futsal National Team
LIVE: Thu. 11 February 20:20- NHK-BS1
Prerecorded: Fri. 12 February 21:00- CS TV Asahi Ch2

More information