Ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 scheduled to kick-off on Friday 7 June, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) has been holding a training camp in Chiba Prefecture since Wednesday 22 May.

In their fifth and final day of the training camp, the team held a joint training session with the Waseda University Association Football Club for the second straight day. By playing against a men’s university team, the team simulated matches against opponents with greater speed and power. Through the two-day training session, the team was given the opportunity to prepare themselves and learn how to respond in situations where their defensive line is breached by an overwhelming force.

Following a thorough warmup session, Coach TAKAKURA Asako and Assistant Coach OBE Yumi gathered the players of Nadeshiko Japan and the university team to explain the objective of the training session. The players circled the white-board and listened in very closely. During the drill that went over the defensive approach against crosses, the university players had the upper hand in both speed and power, but the players of Nadeshiko Japan made sure to close down the gap and make physical contact to prevent the attackers from taking a free shot. The session concluded with a full field scrimmage that lasted for half an hour, as the Nadeshiko Japan finished their final session of their domestic camp.

The Nadeshiko Japan will now depart Japan on Monday 27 May to make their ways to France. On Sunday 2 June, the team will conduct their final training match before the World Cup, as they face the Spain Women's National Team at Le Touquet. The FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 will kick-off on Friday 7 June.

Players' Comments

GK #18 YAMASHITA Ayaka (Nippon TV Beleza)
The early part of the training camp was mostly focused on our conditions, so the trainings weren’t that tense, but the past two days where we conducted a joint session with the university players were very tense and it allowed us to prepare ourselves for the matches against foreign teams. We have been conceding many goals from crosses, so we must be more patient when defending against the crosses. The players overseas are as fast and strong as these university players, so we were able to conduct a very productive training session. I want them to come with us, because it makes it easier for us to simulate an actual match situation and it allowed our defence and goalkeepers to get prepared mentally.

DF #5 ICHISE Nana (Mynavi Vegalta Sendai Ladies)
The training session against the men’s university team allowed us to gain a great learning experience to deal against opponents with greater speed and power. I personally wanted to work on my one-on-one skills and defensive approach against crosses, so I was able to learn a lot from these sessions. Our ultimate goal is to win the World Cup. If we can start off the tournament by winning our match against Argentina, it would give us a peace of mind, so we will do our best to start off the first match strong.

FW #11 KOBAYASHI Rikako (Nippon TV Beleza)
I have been training under a sperate menu, but my conditions are getting better. I am off to a slow start, so I am getting a bit impatience, but I know what the team is striving for, so I will make the most of this time to improve myself. We are now heading to France, so we must get our minds set for the big tournament. I will stay eager to score goals and I hope to showcase my strengths by creating opportunities and combining with my teammates in our attacks.

Schedule

Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) Squad, Schedule

FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019

Tournament Dates: Fri. 7 June - Sun. 7 July 2019

Group Stage:
Tue. 11 June 2019 01:00 (Japan time)
vs Argentina Women's National Team

Fri. 14 June 2019 22:00 (Japan time)
vs Scotland Women's National Team

Thu. 20 June 2019 04:00 (Japan time)
vs England Women's National Team

Tournament Information