Friday 30 September will see the start of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016, which will decide the best U-17 women’s squad. The U-17 Japan Women’s National Team aim to become back-to-back champions after winning the 2014 title in Costa Rica. Coach KUSUNOSE Naoki gave a two-part interview. This article is the latter part of his interview, sharing his views for the championship and expectations for the players.

――What is the key to winning throughout the championship?

Kusunose: Our first game against Ghana is vital. The pitch was just laid with artificial turf, which makes the ball stop easily. Something unexpected might happen. I think we need to strike the opener early in the game and possibly add some insurance to snatch a win. Having said that, the opponents could score first. So we have to prepare ourselves in every respect, including mental. By performing well in our first game, I believe we can build up momentum to play smoothly in the championship, trying out new players in the team from the second match on. 

――Japan will meet the USA in the third group stage game, and potentially DPR Korea in the quarterfinals.

Kusunose: We know it won’t be easy. If we’re not ready to beat tough opponents, we cannot say: ‘we aim to become back-to-back champions.’ If we feel relieved to avoid difficult opponents, we won’t be able to genuinely earn that title. We need to beat them in order to qualify to be the winners of the championship.

――What is essential to win in international football?

Kusunose: It will be difficult to play head-on with our power and speed. Japan must get the upper hand with quality and rhythm in passing and attacks coordinated by several players. For example, in last year’s game against DPR Korea in the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, there were many situations in which ‘if we could have sent in a pass, then we could have created a scoring opportunity.’

As Japan is moving in the right direction, all we need is to pursue our vision without fear. If we manage to do so, I’m sure we can get through the opponents’ defenders. Although scoring is a different matter, changing the strength of passes and sending balls up the pitch can be done if players have the courage. I believe that is a vital line for Japan.

――What is your ‘theme’ in this championship?

Kusunose: Challenge! I mean ‘to try things out’ rather than ‘to struggle’. If I say ‘challenge’, it sounds like the players have to achieve something magnificent, but that’s not what I mean. So I prefer to say ‘try it out'.

For example, when a player in the midfield wants to move the ball from the backline, I want her think about how she can use the first touch to initiate an attack, rather than passing it backward to avoid mistakes. It can be something very small. If the players can add one little something to try out, I believe they can create opportunities. I hope these incremental experiences of success will breed them confidence. 

――I can see you’re careful with the words you use.

Kusunose: I believe it’s very important. Having said that, as there is a huge age gap between the players and myself, they don’t often get my jokes! They are very bright. Even when my explanation is not thorough, they understand from a few words. It’s very helpful.

By the way, as the players are still high-school students, we had a half-an-hour to one-hour study session everyday at the training camp. They had to sit and open their textbooks to study during that time. I was very impressed how they switched their minds off very quickly. You wouldn’t believe that they were talking about football only a minute before! They devote themselves to everything. I can be almost certain that no other country would study that much during a training camp! To be honest, this kind of rapid mental switch may help the players stay calm in games. 

――What do you expect from the players during the championship?

Kusunose: The Japanese strength is to pass the ball around to find opportunities and to play tactically. We won’t move forward in haste even if we want to score, but we’ll pass the ball around. If the opponents intercept the ball, we will work hard as a team on stealing it back. Although there may be ups and downs in these down-to-earth efforts, we’d like to stay aware of when to attack in order to win close matches.

――The U-17 Japan Women’s National Team aim to become back-to-back champions.

Kusunose: I believe Japan has a chance of winning the title. I don’t think teams from other countries would be surprised even if we win it. I think Japan’s level is that high. Since other teams are thinking that we are one of the favorites, it would be a pity if we did not win this one. If we ‘keep the faith and fly the flag’, we can win the championship. 

Schedule

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