Just after touching down in Qatar, U-23 Japan National Team held two-a-day training on 4 January.

The 23-man squad, except ENDO Wataru suffering from flu, appeared on the pitch. "You often get in unexpected trouble during a big tournament or in your life. Your recovering ability is important, which is how you can cover up the accident as a team. When something bad happens in your life, you've got to turn it to an opportunity. It's important the squad available keep in best shape," said coach TEGURAMORI Makoto before the training session.

In the moderate climate with 19 degrees and 42% humidity, the players had an aerobic run and a pace running before working on passing and controlling drills in groups of six or seven and a line-passing game. At the end, they finished the practice with a small-sided game placing goals in four different places.

Twenty of the squad assembled in the afternoon as midfielder IDEGUCHI Yosuke and forward ASANO Takuma left in addition to Endo to keep in form, considering their busy year-end and New Year schedule for the Emperor's Cup.

Going through intense training including 2-on-2 drills and shooting drills, the players attempted to improve their condition in stages for their opening match. On the same day, Technical Director SHIMODA Masahiro told the squad they would have a friendly against U-23 Syria National Team on 6 January.

There are nine days until the AFC U-23 Championship (Rio de Janeiro Olympic Final Qualifiers.) The motivation of the team is apparent to get even higher. On the morning of 5th, the players will have weight training at hotel before going to the pitch in the afternoon.

Players' Comments

DF  YAMANAKA Ryosuke (Kashiwa Reysol)
I'm getting a vibe that the final qualifying round is finally starting off. I wasn't able to take part in the Ishigaki Island camp, but my teammates are the guys I've played with for a long time. I'm getting excited for the opening match. In terms of defence, I've practised well, and on the offensive side I want to make a difference with final passes and assists as well as finishing accuracy.

Especially when the opponents pack the defence, just using central attacks makes it tough for us. If we send crosses from the players on the sides including me, I think it automatically can give us goals. Our first opponents DPR Korea are physically strong and very tough to play against, and have got tall players up front. I will try not to lose physical battles and focus on challenging and covering. Concentrating on winning the ticket to the Olympics, we will take care of every single match. All the teams are tough, but if we can bring out our best, we can get through. I will believe that and keep up my work.

MF  TOYOKAWA Yuta (Fagiano Okayama)
I was at the Ishigaki Island camp with a vision to be selected for the rest of the two spots for the final qualifying round. I appreciate my coach evaluating me highly enough. Qatar wasn't as hot as I thought. It was not too hot when we had today's training held in the same time frame as the actual match. It was just the right temperature. If I have a chance to play as a wide midfielder, I want to give the team a bit of a lift in some way.

An intense competition for the position within the team is waiting for me, but I will battle it out for the team whether I play from the start or come out from the bench. Some players are good at dribbling and passing, and my strengths are going toward goal, finding space behind defenders and making free runs that opponents don't like. I will try to show such plays. The opening match is very important. We will win at any cost and get momentum from then on. To achieve that, we will get in shape as a team and play our style of football, not playing to the opponents’ style.

FW  SUZUKI Musashi (Albirex Niigata)
I thought Qatar would be a bit hotter, but it is colder than expected. I've got fatigue from the Ishigaki Island camp and the long trip. After refreshing, I think my condition is getting better. The Ishigaki Island camp helped me grow in terms of how to move for a shot and how to send an opposing defender the wrong way with a prep action and run in space behind him. I will be aware of them in the upcoming matches as well.

DPR Korea are tough for us because they are strong when they go forward and have got power. And they kick in long balls. But if we can dodge the pressure to us, we may be able to create chances. We can't lose the first match, so we want to dominate the match by making good judgement between fighting on the ball when needed and dodging them when needed. We want to battle like mad.

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