Thu. 1 October

With one day before the qualifying round of the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 Qualifiers, U-18 Japan National Team held an open practice session at the National Sports Complex Stadium, where they will play the upcoming game. During the session, each player checked the condition of the pitch by using the ball, practiced shots, and played an eleven-a-side game, getting ready for the opening match.

The coaches of four teams – Japan, Laos, Philippines, and Australia – appeared at a press conference in the morning, expressing their aims for the coming matches.

The games will finally start and will decides whether or not Japan can claim the long-awaited Asian title for the first time as well as book a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2017.

Coach and Players' Comments

UCHIYAMA Atsushi, Coach
The qualifying round for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2017 is starting. I believe we prepared ourselves well through the training camp. I’d like to encourage and send the players on to the pitch, so that they can display our attacking style – both creative and aggressive, and sacrifice oneself for team unity.

URATA Itsuki (JEF United Chiba)
The qualifying round will be finally starting. Japan haven’t had an opportunity to participate in the FIFA U-20 World Cup recently. We need to get through this qualifying round to book a place in the World Cup. I’d like to share what we’ve been preparing with my teammates and display it on the pitch. I’d like to enjoy playing our first match completely away, looking for a good result.

TAKAGI Akito (Gamba Osaka Youth)
We held a practice match from 19:00, which is the same time as the first match will kick off, getting ourselves ready for the coming game. There is a good atmosphere around the players as well as the staff, and the team has become better. We’ve been focusing on getting through the qualifying round. I’ll play creatively as well as aggressively to show off the team’s concept on the pitch – keep focused for 90 minutes. We’ll get through the qualifying round.

FUJITANI So (Vissel Kobe U-18)
There is a good atmosphere around after our final adjustments, and I think we can start the qualifying round in good shape. The first match is vital in this qualifying round. I’d like to prepare myself well, so that I can display on the pitch what we’ve been practicing. I also want to enjoy myself, as playing in the Asian qualifying round is a rare opportunity.

Schedule

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