Ahead of their KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2019 match against the U-22 Japan National Team on Sunday 17 November at EDION Stadium Hiroshima, the U-22 Colombia National Team arrived in Japan on Thursday 14.

Following their long distance travel, the team held a training session in the evening, as the players went through light conditioning drills to loosen up their bodies. The KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2019 match between the U-22 Japan National Team and the U-22 Colombia National Team will kick-off at 12:50 on Sunday 17.

Coach and Players' Comments

ARTURO ERNESTO REYES MONTERO, Coach
The Olympic qualification round is scheduled to take place at Colombia in January. I am honoured for this opportunity to coach the Colombia National Team. Ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, we are very excited for this friendly match against Japan. The U-22 Japan National Team is a very organised team with great dynamism and techniques. Last month’s away victory over the U-22 Brazil National Team really shows their potential as a team. We will prepare ourselves in the best way possible to showcase a spectacular match on Sunday.

JUAN PABLO RAMIREZ VELASQUEZ
I have the impression that the Japan National Team is a team with great speed and power, and they consist with very talented players. We have prepared ourselves for this match and we are looking forward to facing such strong team. We hope to showcase a good performance so that we can enter the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in great shape. Japan is a beautiful country with very organised infrastructure, and the culture is vastly different compared to Colombia. In order for Colombia to become an advanced country, there are many things we can learn from Japan.

ESTEBAN ARMANDO RUIZ MOLINA
I feel very honoured to be able to play against Japan this Sunday. The Japan National Team is a very organised team with high level strategies and teamwork. Their players are fast and talented. They have many qualities we don’t have. We have been preparing for this match, but more than anything, I feel that who every show more intensity and eagerness will win the match. We hope to win this match against a strong opponent and gain momentum ahead of the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.

U-22 Japan National Team vs U-22 Colombia National Team
Match Date: Sun. 17 November 2019 12:50
Match Venue: EDION Stadium Hiroshima, Hiroshima

Match Information