Excitement is building in Jordan as the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 gets closer to the opening day with posters and transport advertisements for the championship all over the town.

With two days to go before the first game against Ghana, the players held a morning practice session in an excellent atmosphere, feeling the right amount of tension. They started the training with four-on-two passing excercises. Then, the team moved onto a three-on-three drills on a half-length pitch and went through set pieces. Coach KUSUNOSE Naoki encouraged the players: ‘let’s focus on the first match’ to finish the morning session. 

In the afternoon, the team held an official training session at Prince Mohammed International Stadium, where Japan will meet Ghana in their first game. Many of the local media came to the press conference before practice. At the presser, coach Kusunose stated: ‘we’d like to express our gratitude for having this wonderful opportunity to play against Ghana in the the World Cup’. NAGANO Fuka also commented: ‘although we won the previous World Cup, we will challenge each game as an underdog’. The team also checked on the changing room, the pitch, and the bench before leaving the stadium.

The World Cup will finally start on 30 September, and four matches, including the one between U-17 Jordan Women and U-17 Spain Women, will be held. Japan will have another training session in preparation for the game against Ghana in two days. 

Coach's and Player's Comments

KUSUNOSE Naoki, Coach (U-17 Japan Women's National Team)
We haven’t got much information about Ghana. However, they have had positive results in championships in the past, taking advantage of their height and physical strength. Japan will work hard and give all we have on the pitch.

Fuseina MUMUNI（U-17 Ghana Women's National Team）
It will be the second U-17 Women’s World Cup for me. I’m truly proud of playing for Ghana. I’ll play hard in order to make this championship the best one of my life, contributing to Ghana as much as possible.

Schedule

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