U-18 Japan Futsal National team started their training at Kashima Sports Center in Kashima, Ibaraki on 21 September.

The team is focusing on the coming AFC U-20 Futsal Championship, which will be held in 2017. Although all the players are from the same generation, the U-18, their background varies – some are current F League players, while others are university or high school students.

KOMORI Takahiro, the coach, told the players in the initial meeting prior to the training: “welcome to the training camp for the U-18 Japan Futsal National team. I was looking forward to starting our practice with you, and I am so glad to see you all today.”

He encouraged them: “I want all of you to focus strongly on the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship in 2017. There is no doubt that you are talented players. So I expect you to display individual strengths and skills as much as possible to grab the opportunity during this limited three-day camp.”

The coach also told the players: “There will be another camp in December. However, I’m intending to build a team to win the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship based on this camp in September. So attend the practice sessions bearing it in mind.”

The players started by passing the ball around, which is one of the standard practices in the national team, on the first day of their camp. Although there was something of a tense atmosphere while the players were passing the ball to each other for the first time, they started to communicate more to get to know one another, as the various training exercises continued. Their plays also gradually sped up.

As many players play for their high school football teams, the coach himself showed the actual movements, which are important in matches, to let them learn the difference between football and futsal through the training – including how to receive the ball in the physically limited futsal pitch for the next move. Although the session lasted only approximately two hours, the players stayed concentrated and played aggressively. They will hold two practice sessions tomorrow – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

* At the beginning of the training session, all the players and the staff commemorated Dettmar CRAMER, dubbed “the father of Japanese soccer”, who passed away on 19 September, with moment’s silence.

Players' Comments

UEMATSU Koto (P.S.T.C. LONDRINA)
Although we were all a little nervous at the beginning, as it was the first training camp for the U-18 Japan Futsal National team, soon after we got more relaxed. We held a high-level training session. All the players are talented, and I learned a lot from them. I’d like to keep this good atmosphere as a team until the end of the camp.

YONEDA Yoshitaka (TAMA University Futsal Club)
I was nervous to meet new teammates in the first training camp for the U-18 Japan Futsal National team. Having said that, we got to know each other through the training. As the standard level here is so high, I’d like to display my skill enough to compete well, while enjoying myself.

SUGAYA Kazutoshi (Okayama Sakuyo High School)
I was nervous at the beginning, as it was the first training camp for the national team. However, I became more relaxed through communicating with other players and played very well. As the level of each individual is so high and it’s a rare occasion for me to play in this environment, I’ll try my hardest to improve myself within remaining two days.

Schedule

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