Nadeshiko Japan, who defeated Jordan in their second match in the group stage at the 17th Asian Games, held a practice in Incheon in the afternoon of 20th September to prepare for their Chinese Taipei match, which the Japanese ladies would play with three-day’s rest.
On the previous day, they players went through light recovery menus and then headed to "multi support house,’’ run by the Japan Sports Council, to have care on their bodies with things like the contrast bath. On Saturday, they practiced for about an hour and a half, beginning with practical menus as 6-on-6, which included a goalkeeper and free man, and then with shooting from build-ups, corner kicks and free kicks. NAOMOTO Hikaru, who had gone through different practice menus because of injuries, returned on the squad, showing some energetic attitudes.

Comments

KITAHARA Kana (Albirex Niigata Ladies）
Because Japan had longer minutes to possess the ball against Jordan in our second match, we entered it being aware of the risk management, but after all I think that we could have moved the ball even easier. We need to score a lot of goals in our next match against Chinese Taipei. I think that once our rear players are settled, that gives our front players a sense of security, so we want to move the ball with composure. This is my first Asian Games, but I got to share a room with an athlete from another sport, and I’ve been inspired to have know that everybody’s working hard. We certainly look for the championship and individually, I want to make as much development as possible, sticking with the best result I could have. Capitalizing on my height in taking feeds and at set plays, I want to take advantage of the chance that I’ve been given to play and come up with positive results.

KIRA Chinatsu (Urawa Reds Ladies）
As to the Jordan game, when I take it positively, the goal differences was important and it was good that I was involved in many of our scoring plays. But at the same time I am frustrated that I ended up having just two goals while there were many opportunities. I want to get involved in many scoring plays creating shooting chances in front of the goal with a mind-set to score 12 goals again in the Chinese Taipei game as well.
This is my second time to be on the national team, first time since May’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and I’ve observing how other teammates are moving and been playing being conscious about where I could have space.

Match Schedule