U-22 Japan National Team held the third day of their training camp in Kyoto on Saturday 25 August.

The midfielder HARAKAWA Riki (Kyoto Sanga F.C.), who was dropping behind due to his bad physical condition, joined the team on that day. As the forward KOYAMATSU Tomoya (Nagoya Grampus) had to leave the team because of his injury, 24 players in total, the same number as the day before, attended the morning session.

They started with passing and controlling, and checking formations, followed by a 10-on-10 mini game to finish the last session of the camp.

In the afternoon, the players sat cross-legged to meditate for 15 minutes at Taizo-in, Myoshin-ji Temple in Kyoto, which was an idea of the coach TEGURAMORI Makoto. Then they listened to a lecture from MATSUYAMA Daikou, the deputy abbot, to learn about the importance of “spirit” from “good spirit, technique and physical strength”, attitude and breathing.

On Wednesday 26 August, the team played a practice match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. to finish off their camp. With four and a half months to go before the coming final qualifying round, the game was important for the team to improve the quality of tactics, as well as for the player to show off their skills to stay in the team.

Players' Comments

MF   NAKAJIMA Shoya (F.C. Tokyo)
I think the main goal of this camp is to play in a coordinated way with new players to achieve the kind of football that the coach wants as much as possible. The players communicate well each other, and there is a good atmosphere in practice sessions.

Although it’s not easy to win games in Asia, I’m sure we can get through to the final qualifying round, if we can improve ourselves enough. First of all, I’ll try my best to be selected for the team. I’ll enjoy football in tomorrow’s match, scoring or assisting as an attacker to show off my ability.

MF   HARAKAWA Riki (Kyoto Sanga F.C.)
I was late to join the team, but my condition is fine now. Although I feel weird that I’ll play against my club team at my home stadium, I’d like to focus on my game, working on my task – moving forward from the defensive midfielder position.

We have four and a half months to go before the final qualifying round. As we need to be mentally and physically tougher to play in Asia, which will be different from our usual matches, I’ll try my best to improve myself.

GK   NAKAMURA Kosuke (Avispa Fukuoka)
Although I’m glad I was selected after the first qualifying round in March, I know I haven’t done anything yet. I hadn’t been able to play for three months due to injury. However, I’ve played as I wanted in my club team.

Also I have been working out and started to see the difference in my body. I’d like to fulfill my role as a goalkeeper – preventing the opponent from scoring – in the game against Kyoto Sanga F.C.

GK   NIEKAWA Ayumi (Jubilo Iwata)
There is a good atmosphere and spirit around the team during the practice sessions. It’s the same goalkeeper unit as the first qualifying round back in March, and we’re competing in a good way. As I think inspiring each other is an excellent thing, I’d like to learn a lot from others.

I’ll try my best in tomorrow’s game to get a good result. I know we need to achieve good results in the coming final qualifying round in January, so that we can book a place in the Olympic Games.

FW   KANAMORI Takeshi (Avispa Fukuoka)
I appreciated that I could play for the national team, which was for the first time after a while, in the match against Costa Rica on 1 July. I started the match, thinking: “I have to get a good result. I’ll do something special.”

Then I struck a goal. That was my first step back to the competition. As many players were selected for this camp, and the competition will be even more severe, which is good for improving the team. I’d like to try hard every day not to be beaten.

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