Nadeshiko Japan started their practice sessions on 30 July on the local ground in preparation for the coming EAFF Women's East Asian Cup, which will be held from 1 August in Wuhan, China. SASAKI Norio, the coach, appeared at a press conference prior to the championship and expressed his targets: “I am aiming to win the championship with the newcomers in our team.”

The team, who arrived in Wuhan in the afternoon the day before, started their first practice session of approximately one-hour on the ground next to the stadium in the late afternoon when the heat had dissipated a little. 

The first 15 minutes were open to the media, and then the players held a closed session, in which they had a practice game, thinking of the speed and the individual strength at an international championship. 

Nadeshiko Japan made significant changes to the team after the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, in which they finished in second place. The new team with many young players as well as ones, who experienced the World Cup, just got together for the training camp in Nagoya on 27 July. 

Sasaki, the coach, showed his satisfaction: “although we only had a day of practice in Japan, the players tried very hard, showing their quality. I saw a good competitive spirit.” He also commented after the practice session: “new young players are as good as the experienced ones, who played in the World Cup in Canada.”

Nadeshiko Japan won two consecutive EAFF Women's East Asian Cups in 2008 and 2010. The team, who aim to win the championship for the first time in two tournaments, will meet Korea DPR on 1 August, Korea Republic on 4 August, and the host country China PR on 8 August. 

With two days before the match against Korea DPR, Sasaki, the coach, noted: “we’ll play hard against the opponent’s powerful strength in both attack and defence not to dishonor our achievement in the World Cup in Canada.”

The coach announced in the conference that he had chosen the midfielder KAWAMURA Yuri (Vegalta Sendai Ladies) as the new captain. He pointed out: “she improved herself as a player significantly through the World Cup and other players trust in her.” 

Kawamura, who was also at the conference, said that it would be the first time that she will be named captain of a team. She commented: “I’m glad to come to take part in this championship. Although there are many new young players in our team, we’d like to win all three matches to win the championship as a united team.”

All the matches will be held at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.

Coach and Players' Comments

SASAKI Norio, Coach (Nadeshiko Japan/Japan Women's National Team)
Wuhan is my lucky location, where I led my team to win the AFC U-19 Women's Championship six years ago. As we couldn’t win the championship in the previous Women's East Asian Cup, this time we are aiming to do so with newcomers of our team.

Although we only had a day of practice in Nagoya, the players tried very hard, showing their quality. I saw a good competitive spirit among the players in preparation for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

I think this team can play as good as the one that played in Canada. It depends how much the players can challenge in this tournament. We were beaten by Korea DPR’s superb performance in the Asian Games last year.

However, in this championship I expect that the players will play hard against the opponent’s powerful strength in both attack and defence not to dishonor our achievement in the FIFA World Cup Canada.

MF #6   KAWAMURA Yuri (Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
I was very surprised to become captain. It’s my first time to be named captain of a team, and I’m eager to build a good team in cooperation with the players, who experienced the World Cup together.

Although there are many young players in our team, they are all good and responsible. So I hope we can play our style harmoniously. We’ll play hard as a united team – Nadeshiko - so that we can win all the three games to win the championship.

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