The U-23 Japan National Team Squad started their three-day training camp at the Shimizu National Training Center in Shizuoka on Monday 11 April.

The camp started on Monday, and all the 23 players, who belong to the J1 and J2 Leagues, joined the camp on the same day. A meeting prior to the first practice session was held, which was unusual for this team. The coach TEGURAMORI Makoto encouraged the players passionately: "people said your generation never won a game. However, we claimed the title of Asian champions, because we worked hard for it. If we become determined now, I believe we can get medals and also play well in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. I want you to believe so." The atmosphere of the team sharpened after the coach’s message.

A welcome ceremony was hosted by Shizuoka city prior to the training session. Local specialties were provided, when the mayor TANABE Nobuhiro gave the players an encouraging message: "although it’s only a three-day training camp, I hope it’ll be a good preparation for overcoming obstacles before summer."

It was warm with the temperature at 22.8 degrees. The ten players, who had been on the pitch for a long time in the match the day before, focused on recovering by jogging and stretching, while the other 13 players practiced passing and controlling, keeping possession, and some formations with shooting. They practiced hard for 75 minutes on the first day.

The players will hold a recovery training session in the morning and a usual practice in the afternoon on Tuesday 12 April.

Coach and Players' Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Coach
In the meeting prior to today’s practice session, I explained to the players about their mission and our determination to develop Japanese football internationally. Not only those players selected for the national team, but all of the U-23 generation has to think about Japan’s future. With that determination, I hope this short training camp will give them an opportunity to improve their awareness and aim for that higher level.

I also told them that they should be competitive among themselves in order to raise the standard of this generation. I want the players who have newly joined, to feel the responsibility of playing internationally. It may matter to the players whether or not they were selected for championships in the past. However, a player at this age can improve hugely in one or two months. I found they had grown even bigger when I saw them today. I enjoy seeing that kind of thing. 

As they are here to play for the U-23 Japan National Team short-listed squad, I need all of them to have the determination to play internationally. They are not the youth generation anymore. With the right spirit and awareness, they can be play for Japan in the future. What is essential is how serious they can be. Players with determination will make Japanese football even better.

GK  NIEKAWA Ayumi (Sagan Tosu)
I joined this team again after the tour in Portugal in March. As there are many new faces this time, I’d like to communicate with others as much as possible within the three days we have, so that we can get a good result against Shimizu S-Pulse on the last day of the camp. Some of my club team’s supporters came to see today’s practice session, as we are based in Shizuoka as well. I can play with a stronger spirit in front of our supporters. So I’ll try my best to perform well.

DF  OGAWA Ryoya (F.C. Tokyo)
I’m very happy to join the U-23 Japan National Squad for the first time. As I think I had performed well enough at my club to be selected to come here, I’d like to show my abilities as much as possible to become a regular in the team. In a practice game, I’d like to create numerous goal-scoring opportunities from the wings, which is my strength. Despite the short duration, I’d like to make this training camp a productive one. 

MF  NOTSUDA Gakuto (Albirex Niigata)
I’m very pleased that I was called for a U-23 Japan National Team’s activity for the first time after a while. I’m honestly glad that I have another opportunity here, and very eager to display my ability. My strength is to play aggressively. As this team has many good players up front, I’d like to focus on displaying my shooting skills. I’ll perform well in the practice game on the last day.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

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