SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) short-listed squad started the first activity under the direction of the team’s Coach Vahid HALILHODZIC on 7 March. This training camp is not only for the 2 matches against Afghanistan and Syria which are the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers 2nd Round at the end of this month, but also for the Final Qualifier; it aims to instill his strategy into the team, as well as to improve the team’s standard through communicating well with the players.

For this training camp, 26 players were selected, but goalkeeper ROKUTAN Yuji (Vegalta Sendai) could not join due to injury. For today KANAZAKI Mu (Kashima Antlers) and YONEMOTO Takuji (F.C. Tokyo) had different sessions from the other 23 players since they are not in an adequate condition after having J. League matches over the previous weekend.

For the first day, the players had a fitness test, and then they worked on absorbing the coach’s defense strategy into their play. Halilhodzic’s coaching became passionate and the sessions went on very vigorously. 

The training is taking place in a limited time; it will be until 9 March. This training report will be continued tomorrow.

Players' Comments

SHIOTANI Tsukasa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
There are differences in strategy between my club team and this team, but I want to understand what the Coach wants us to do even in this short time. I will play with responsibility both for J. League as a player of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and for the AFC Champions League as a squad player.

SAITO Manabu (Yokohama F・Marinos)
Compared to the last time I was selected, both players and approaches are different so I am approaching this opportunity with a fresh feeling. I want to work on the training with good understanding. As a player from Yokohama F・Marinos which is a team with a prestigious history, I feel I have an extra responsibility because I’m the first player to be called up for some time. I am trying to absorb as much as possible for these 3 days to be selected continuously, and I will contribute to my club team maximising what I learn from this squad team. 

Schedule

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

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Qualifiers Round 2 AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Afghanistan National Team
2016-3-24 (Thu.) - 19:30
Saitama/Saitama Stadium 2002
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SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Syria National Team
2016-3-29 (Tue.) - 19:30
Saitama/Saitama Stadium 2002
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