"00JAPAN" started their training camp in Fujieda city, Shizuoka, as the first activity of this year. "00JAPAN", the U-16 Japan National Team aim to book a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 by winning matches in the AFC U-16 Championship 2016 this September in India.

The players focus on getting in better conditions and raising the level of the team during this camp in preparation for the coming tour abroad from the end of February. The team will play four consecutive games against strong teams from across the country – Fujieda Higashi High School, Shizuoka Gakuen High School, Shimizu S-Pulse Youth, and Toko Gakuen High School.

"00JAPAN", who gathered in the morning of Thursday 11 February in Fujieda city, Shizuoka, held an opening meeting before the afternoon training session. The coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro encouraged the players: "All of you must have been inspired by the U-23 Japan National Team’s achievement in the AFC U-23 Championship 2016 in Qatar. I will not call up again any player that does not push themselves during this camp. I want you to show off your strengths, as well as displaying how you’ve been improving in your tasks everyday."

Two conditioning coaches, OGAI Tomohiro and CHUMAN Kentaro led the session. The players checked their physical condition by using heart rate monitors to take their pulse. Then they moved onto practicing passing and 3-on-2, followed by 4-on-4 with 3 free players. They focused on the accuracy of passing, how to receive, and switching between attack and defence.

The staff also became very enthusiastic, and stopped the players’ movements occasionally but repeatedly to coach them until they understood fully. Then the team did some 6-on-6, 11-a-side, and intra-squad games. Although some players had not been able to practice enough recently because of transferring club teams or studying for the entrance examination, all of them stayed highly motivated, showing off fast and aggressive plays.

In the end, they did some exercises to strengthen their muscles, which was also part of the programme to boost stamina. The players stayed vocal, and there was a good atmosphere at the end of the training session.

In the evening, the doctor IKEGAWA Naoshi gave a lecture about meals and how to take on fluid, and the goalkeeping coach SATO Yohei shared the U-23 Japan National Team’s achievement in the AFC U-23 Championship 2016 in Qatar. All the players stared intensely at the video of the U-23 Japan National Team’s match. The team will hold two practice sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

"00 JAPAN" is the nickname of the U-16 Japan National Team that consists of members who were born after 2000.

Players' Comments

GK  TAKADA Yuma (Higashiyama High School)
I learned how to engage with plays throughout a match on tours of the national team in the past. I’m practicing everyday, so that I can perform solid defence, and coach the defensive line as a goalkeeper. As my task is to build up attacks for the front line, I’d like to focus on the quality of each play, thinking of where to pass the ball with the first touch and what to predict before receiving the ball. I’d like to improve my problem areas during this tour.

Although I tried hard to work on my tasks in today’s session, I couldn’t be satisfied with the result. I’d like to refresh my mind and stay positive, simplifying what to do in preparation for tomorrow’s session.

MF  AWANO Kento (Vegalta Sendai Junior Youth)
As we’ll have opportunities to play against strong teams during this tour, I’d like to see whether my plays work and what could be my areas for improvement. All of the players, who came to join this team, have their own strengths. So I’d like to stay keen to learn good plays from others. Since I didn’t focus enough on the space behind me during today’s session, I’d like to look around, preparing to judge appropriately whenever needed in tomorrow’s practice.

MF  NARUSE Shunpei (Nagoya Grampus U15)
While watching a match video of the AFC U-23 Championship 2016 in Qatar, I was impressed by the high standard of Asian teams and the fast plays near the ball when changing between attack and defence. I’d like to learn to perform at my maximum ability in front of the goal both in attack and defence, and stay undefeated in 1-on-1 against any opponent. There has been a good atmosphere around the team from the first day. I’d like to communicate more with my teammates, preparing for the match the day after tomorrow, so that I can show my abilities.

FW  MIKUNI Kenedei ebusu (Aomori Yamada Junior High School)
Due to the snow, often I couldn’t play on turf back in my club team. Having said that, I have been doing what I could, including muscle training and running. I’d like to showcase my strengths during this tour. As I couldn’t keep possession under fast-paced pressure in today’s session, I’d like to learn from this experience. I was advised by the staff how to and when to receive crosses from the sides. So I’ll try and follow them from tomorrow. I’d like to play without fear of making mistakes.

Schedule

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