Sat. 17 September

‘00 Japan’, the U-16 Japan National Team, won a sweeping victory 7-0 against Vietnam U-16 in the first group stage game of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016. The following morning, the players were divided into two groups for the training session – those who had been on the pitch more than 45 minutes in the match and the rest of the others.

The players in the former group focused on recovering from the previous match, while the latter group had a game-format training in preparation for the coming match against the Kyrgyz Republic U-16 in two days. Even the players, who haven’t had the opportunities to get game time yet, stayed focused to get themselves in good condition, in order for them to play whenever required. 

Sun. 18 September

The team held a one-hour-and-a-half training session, focusing on a practice game, in preparation for the second group stage game the following day. Coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro occasionally stopped the practice to make detailed corrections or to go through set pieces. During the meeting at the hotel, the coach told the players: ‘‘don’t let your guard down (even after a victory)”, and he expects them not to be satisfied with their first big victory and stay focused to face the rest of the championship.

The opponents, the U-16 Kyrgyz Republic national team, beat Australia 1-0 in the first match. If Japan win their second game tomorrow against Kyrgyz Republic, who also have earned one win so far, the team will be in a strong position to get through the group stage.

Players' Comments

DF＃19  KIKUCHI Kenta (JFA Academy Fukushima U18)
Despite the short time, I was pleased to play in the first match of the group league against Vietnam U-16. We performed well as a team, keeping a clean sheet until the final whistle. There is a good atmosphere around the team, on and off the pitch, and we communicate with each other very well. I’d like to prepare thoroughly for each coming game in order to contribute to the team.

DF＃21  SAKUTA Ryutaro (Vissel Kobe U-18)
Since I wasn’t in the team for the previous Indian tour, I was nervous, not knowing what kind of place India would be. However, I got used to this environment after spending a week here.

As all of us stay highly motivated, I’d like to maintain this good atmosphere to advance to the final and win the championship. In order to achieve that goal, I’ll perform my best when given the chance to play in games and contribute to the team’s victory. 

MF＃22  TANIMOTO Shunsuke (Cerezo Osaka U-18)
Although I didn’t have an opportunity to play in the first match, I think the team performed well, defending aggressively to put pressure on the opponents. I was chosen for ‘00 Japan’ for the Kagoshima training camp, just before this championship. Despite my short experience in this team, I’ve been practicing in high spirits since the beginning of this tour. If I have a chance to be on the pitch, I’m determined to play hard, get good results, and contribute to the team. I’d like to play in the World Cup as well.

Schedule

*Local Time
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.
*If India, the hosting country of 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, advances to the semifinals, the playoff matches will be held on 29 September and 2 October deciding the fifth place among the four losing teams in the quarterfinals.

AFC U-16 Championship India 2016

2016-9-15(Thu.)～2016-10-2(Sun.)
TV Broadcasting (Japanese version only)
More Information