On Thursday 30 August, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) held a training session one day ahead of the final at the 18th Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Palembang. The players were seen conducting a thorough warmup in the first 15 minutes where the session was open to the media. The team then went on to go through their tactics as the session went behind closed doors. The session concluded as the team went over their set-plays ahead of the big match.

Since arriving to Palembang, Indonesia on the 13th of August, this training session marked the final session for this tournament after spending 17 days at their camp site. The players conducted their daily routines under a different environment and the team didn’t see any players getting injured or sick during the duration. As Coach TAKAKURA Asako mentioned, “We are finally here where we can almost grasp the gold medal,” the team has strived to earn the title as well as the gold medal and will not settle for the second-place spot.

An official press-conference was held in the afternoon as Coach Takakura along with HASEGAWA Yui took the podium. While Coach Takakura spoke, “China PR has shown great improvements since the Asia Cup,” Hasegawa followed by sharing her aspiration, “We hope to showcase our best football and dominate the opponents regardless of who we play.”

The Nadeshiko Japan’s search for the gold medal as well as their second Asian title following the AFC Women's Asian Cup will conclude when they face the China PR Women’s National Team on Friday 31 August at 20:30 Japan time.

Coach and Players’ Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
I am very proud of my players for making it all the way to the final in this wonderful tournament. China PR has welcomed a new coach and they will certainly be a different team since we faced them at the Asia Cup in April. They are a strong team and we have analysed their matches, but first and foremost, we must focus to showcase our best football and take home the gold medal.

DF #6 ARIYOSHI Saori (Nippon TV Beleza)
China PR has made changes to their coach and players, turning the team into an aggressive squad and I am getting the impression that they have become a much better team. They utilise their flank players effectively to deliver crosses toward their two forwards. The team also features players with great headers, and their number 10 was the top scorer at the AFC Women’s Asia Cup. With just two-days rest ahead of the match and while the weather has certainly not cooperated with us, it will be a tough match, but as Coach Takakura has mentioned, we must give a total team effort in the match, regardless of who plays on the pitch.

MF #14 HASEGAWA Yui (Nippon TV Beleza)
After watching their match against Korea DPR, I am getting the impression that China PR has improved dramatically since the Asia Cup in April. They displayed an organised defence while their midfielders are very solid. The attacking players have great speed and they are capable of making moves upfront or to send quality crosses. There is no doubt that it will be a tough match, but we will focus on showcasing our best football and dominate the opponents to win the match.

FW #8 IWABUCHI Mana (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
We have come all the way to the final and no one seems to be nervous at this point. We have been talking to each other that we might as well win the title, now that we made it this far. I am determined to win the match tomorrow. China PR has great speed going down the line and their forwards are both powerful and skilful, making them a tough opponent to face. But we just have to give our very best against them. At this point we just have to perform our best football, regardless of who we face. We will fight as a team with all 18 players and score as many goals as possible.

Schedule

*Local Time, Japan time indicated within the parentheses
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

The 18th Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Palembang

Tournament Dates:Sat. 18 August - Sun. 2 September 2018

【Women's】Final
Fri. 31 August 20:30 [Japan time] vs China PR
Live broadcasting on NHK BS1

Tournament Information