Sun. 27 September

After wrapping up their training camp in Shizuoka Prefecture, U-18 Japan National Team flew from Chubu International Airport to Laos, the host of the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 Qualifiers. As it was past 8 p.m. when the squad arrived at their hotel, they did not have a team practice session on the first day. The Japanese youngsters worked on stretching in a limited area in the hotel before resting their body in their room.

Mon. 28 September

On the second day, they had two-a-day training in the morning and afternoon. Laos is now in a transition period from the rainy season to the dry season. The morning training session was held in the heat with 35 degrees. To prepare for the heat and remove their fatigue, the players finished the morning session only with running and a 4-on-2 passing drill.

As the temperature fell to below 30 degrees in the afternoon, the second session took place in a cooler environment. Even though the heat and fatigue forced them to be less active than usual, the players tried to keep their brain functioning while playing in a string of drills such as passing and controlling in a four man team, an 11-on-11 game with goalkeepers and a 7-on-7-on-7 passing game with a neutral player.

As 28 September was goalkeeper coach HAMANO Yukiya's 43rd birthday, they had a surprise birthday party after training and dinner. During the party, some players showed a celebration trick to please coach Hamano. There was full of laughter from all the players and staff, and the time went on in a comfortable atmosphere.

The team will have two-a-day training in the morning and afternoon again on 29th to get prepared for their opening match against Laos.

Players' Comments

GK #1   KOJIMA Ryosuke (Waseda University)
Today's training was the first one since we got to Laos. In the morning, our training was centred on running to get used to the heat. And in the afternoon, we used the ball working on a possession drill with communicating each other. The training will continue tomorrow and afterwards. In a limited time until the qualifiers, we will make a good preparation for the match and play in a good mood as a team and an individual.

DF #12   IWATA Tomoki (Oita Trinita U-18)
We worked up a good sweat with a light workout in the morning and afternoon on the first day in Laos. Our body was stiff after a long trip, but it loosened in today's workout. It's hot and humid in Laos. We will drink enough water and keep in form without injury until the match. The opening match is important, so we will raise the quality of our training to get ready for the opener in good form.

DF #22   TOMIYASU Takehiro (Avispa Fukuoka U-18)
We arrived in Laos last night and had our first training session today. We had a running workout to get used to the heat in the morning and a possession drill to train our ball possession skill in the afternoon. Ahead of the opening match, we worked on the training to get used to the climate in Laos. To play the opening match in perfect form both physically and mentally, we will get well prepared. And first we will stick to the result and get through the qualifiers in the end.

Schedule

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