Tue. 8 September
At the beginning of the morning session on the third day, MORIYAMA Yoshiro, the coach, encouraged the players: “let’s focus on each play to build up the team in the limited time we have.”

All the players finally got together, and they focused on sprinting with full strength in the warm-up. They mainly worked on defence, including doing 2-on-2, 4-on-4 with the goalkeepers, and 7-on-7.

The players worked hard to respond to requests from the staff about the timing for stealing the ball from the opponent or how to coordinate with their teammates to intercept. As they competed to score in the each exercise, there were some cheers for good performance, which built up a great atmosphere. 

In the afternoon, they practiced attacking. The players started with passing the ball in 4-on-2, followed by 4-on-3, 5-on-4, and 8-on-7 with the goalkeepers to see how to get through the defenders when having a numerical advantage. They simulated when the opponent tracks back to the goal.

The staff numerous times stopped the play when there were any problem to explain the details until the players understood fully. All the players stayed highly motivated, and held a 10-on-10 intrasquad game in the end, including two goalkeepers, to finish the session.

In the evening, they made pizzas, which was hosted by the hotel, which was a team building exercise. Then in the meeting, they checked the pitches, the hotel, and the medical precautions in Mongolia.

The team will play practice matches against AC Nagano Parceiro U-18 and Ichiritsu Nagano High School.

* ”00 JAPAN” is the nickname of the U-15 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments 

MF   KATSURA Rikuto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Junior Youth)
We’ve been having a productive training for three days. Especially during today’s 10-on-10 intrasquad game, we competed closely 1-on-1 in a good atmosphere, which was excellent. So far on this tour, I learned the timing for focusing on defence and the way to continuously go for the space behind the defenders. 

I’d like to put into practice aggressively what I learned against the opponent in this upcoming and rare opportunity. I’ll stay unbeaten in tomorrow’s 1-on-1, winning two games before leaving for Mongolia. I’ll make sure that we get through to the final qualifying round with pride as the national team. 

DF   KOBAYASHI Yuki (Vissel Kobe U-15)
As we learned how to intercept the ball from inside positioning during the previous camp in Chiba, we’ve been trying that as a team in this week. I think we’re nearly there with the right timing for interceptions, and we’ll keep focusing on that.

In today’s session, I found the way we pass the ball up front is our new problem to be address. I’d like to win the two practice matches tomorrow by communicating well with my teammates and sharing any judgement, thinking of the two coming games in the real championship. I’ll keep a clean sheet, while working as a united team to win two games in the championship.

MF   HIGASHI Shunki (F.C. Zebra)
As I was chosen for the national team for the first time for the Chiba training camp, I came under pressure with my slow decision-making and in some plays. Having said that, I was able to play more calmly in dribbling and passing on this tour.

My issue is how to get nearer to the opponent during 1-on-1. In the morning session, my partner got through or passed the ball easily because I gave him too much distance. After being advised by the staff, I could get nearer and steal the ball more often in the afternoon. I could pass the ball more strongly and more speedily whenever my teammates needed. I’ll play hard both in attack and defence tomorrow to contribute to the team’s victory.

Schedule

Note: The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.