With their second match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia against Senegal approaching in three days, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) worked out behind closed doors on Thursday 21 June at their base camp in Kazan. The day included a scrimmage match against the U-19 Japan National Team who are also touring in Russia as SAMURAI BLUE’s training partners.

The first 15 minutes of the session was opened to the media as the three goalkeepers were seen training on their own while the ten field players who started in the 2-1 victory against Colombia worked on their conditioning by taking a slow jog.

The nine reserve players including the ones who came in as substitutes, along with ABE Hiroki (Kashima Antlers) from the U-19 squad, warmed up by stretching at the centre of the pitch. The session was then closed to the public as the group went through more practical drills with the U-19 players.

HONDA Keisuke (CF Pachuca), who worked out separately inside the facility on the previous day, showed up on the field, but still chose not to join the rest of the team as a precautionary measure, due to a right thigh strain.

After the practice, Coach NISHINO Akira appeared in front of the media and shared that the team went over the Colombia match in the morning, followed by a film session of the Senegal team to help his players visualise how the next opponents play.

The coach described their African opponents as, “They are very well organised and plays solid defence, which is a unique attribute among African teams in recent years. They are capable of displaying a collective defence, which is underlined by their fundamental power, speed and explosiveness.” Facing such team, the coach analysed what his side must do, “We will need to send the ball up aggressively, and we must always keep in mind to move the ball quickly.”

This day’s practice welcomed the Honorary Patron of the JFA, Princess Hisako Takamado of the Japanese Imperial Family, who attended the Colombia match in Saransk. The princess made a visit to encourage the SAMURAI BLUE, as the players, coaching staffs, and the players of the U-19 Japan National Team were seen interacting and taking photos with the princess before the practice session.

In addition, the Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency, SUZUKI Daichi, came to congratulate their victory over Colombia and showed support for the next challenge by presenting the messages written by the Japan Sports Agency officers.

Commissioner Suzuki says, “Japan is a special country that can bring out greater strength when we come together as one. I would like to count on that factor. By watching your matches, we hope for the younger generations to dream of becoming a football player and provide them with motivations to do their best in their lives. I hope this tournament will be a legendary event that give us that kind of inspiration.”

The JFA President TASHIMA adds, “Our players are calm. They are not caught up in the moment and they are not afraid. We have some players who regularly play in Europe and others who have already experienced the World Cup once or twice. Experiences like those are working well for us now.”

After going through one more practice session on Friday 22 in Kazan, the team will move to Ekaterinburg, their second match site. An official practice session is scheduled on Saturday 23 at the match stadium.

Players' Comments

FP #3 SHOJI Gen (Kashima Antlers)
To me, the Colombia match is a thing in the past. I have reset my mind for the Senegal match and watched their films. The analytical battle has already begun in this limited amount of time. The films made me realise that Senegal are a very good team. Their athleticism is at a very high level. They are tall and quick. Even though their opponents may have seemed to pass them by, they can still reach from unexpected angles because their legs are so long. When we defend them, we have to make sure to put our body on them. We also need to be careful of the second balls and the line control. Poland scored off a set-piece, so we have a chance to score, too. After Coach Nishino took over, we have been conceding goals from set-pieces and deflected balls, so, we have to be extra careful.

FP #9 OKAZAKI Shinji (Leicester City Football Club)
There are sacrifices we have to make to earn a win. As a team, we are focusing on what sort of things can lead us to a victory and what makes the probability of winning higher, rather than what we want to do as a team. For the past four years, our national team have made sure of that and discussed what we should do even in our friendly matches. We want to display what we must do in order for us to win through. I am here with the determination to do what I am supposed to do when necessary, so whatever happens, I won’t be deterred. Even if I come off the bench, I am trained to organise what is expected from me.

FP #17 HASEBE Makoto (Eintracht Frankfurt)
It means a lot for us to win one. As a team we have gained the momentum toward the second match and it makes us feel a lot better about the process. But the players are not overwhelmed. We acknowledge the fact we were facing a team with one less player. We also know Senegal are a very good team. We will have to find the right balance between being confident and humble as well as keeping our heads cool when we need to ahead of our next match. Senegal were already a team with great potential, and now they have discipline, too. It will be a very difficult match. Their physicality and athleticism including speed are one of the best in the world. They use variety of tactics, too. We have to make sure to cope with them. I just want to execute what we are supposed to do.