On Tuesday 8 October, two days prior to their match against the Mongolia National Team at the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) conducted their first training session with the entire squad.

On the second day of the training camp, the remaining nine players who were yet to join the team on day one, all made their appearance at the training session. YOSHIDA Maya (Southampton FC), TOMIYASU Takehiro (Bologna FC 1909), and MINAMINO Takumi (FC Red Bull Salzburg) were among the nine players, while ASANO Takuma (FK Partizan Belgrade) and KAMADA Daichi (Eintracht Frankfurt) also showed their presence on the field.

The session was opened to the media for the first 15 minutes, where the nine players who joined the team on this day took on a separate menu, as they went through light conditioning drills to work up a sweat. The remaining players conducted possession drills with restricted touches and several other drills, before the session went behind closed doors, as the team went through their tactics for the upcoming match.

For Asano, this was his first return to the national team since he was side-lined due to injury at this year’s AFC Asian Cup in January. The striker mentioned that he was feeling nervous, but also shared his aspiration, “I hope to showcase my strengths and get myself involved in the team’s goals.”

So far, the Mongolia National Team has played two matches at the second round of the Asian qualifiers, as they won against Myanmar 1-0 and lost to Tajikistan 0-1, both at home in September. While Japan also shares the same points with Mongolia, the 2-0 victory over Myanmar is the only match played by Japan thus far, and Japan is currently ranked second place in Group F with their advantage over Mongolia in goal difference.

It is expected that Mongolia will play defensively against Japan, but Asano shared his take for the match, “Within the limited space, my speed and ability to read the opponent’s next move will play a key role. I must use my head in this match.”

After scoring a goal in back to back matches for the SAMURAI BLUE, Minamino has marked a goal and an assist with his club at the UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool last week. Despite the tough schedule ahead of the match against Mongolia, the Japanese midfielder stated, “I have no injuries and I am in great form right now, so I just need to maintain this condition ahead of the match. I hope I can carry the positive momentum and confidence I have gained at my club to help out the national team.”

On this day, the jersey numbers for the upcoming two matches were also announced, as Asano was assigned with number 15 and Kamada with 18. The remaining players carried the same number from last month’s match against Myanmar.

The team will hold an official training session at Saitama Stadium on Wednesday 9, before entering the match on Wednesday 10, with a kick-off time of 19:35.

Players' Comments

DF #3 ANZAI Koki (Portimonense S.C.)
There is a fierce competition within the team, and I must work hard each day to make a case for myself, but I am also having a lot of fun. With the team given such limited time to work on the team tactics, I thought it would be difficult to get everybody on the same page, but the players have actively communicated with each other to share a mutual understanding, so we have no issues on that matter. I am getting great inspiration from this team. I hope to make the most of this opportunity and stay eager to earn results.

DF #5 NAGATOMO Yuto (Galatasaray S.K.)
As we face opponents with different levels and styles at this qualifier, I hope to stay flexible and make the necessary adjustments depending on who I face and who I play with. I am aware that I can give more playing time for the younger players if I step down, but there are merits to playing veteran players as well. I hope to showcase a great fusion with the younger generations, so that people would think that the Japan National Team is better off with Nagatomo in the squad.

DF #16 TOMIYASU Takehiro (Bologna FC 1909)
The atmosphere felt completely different than usual when we faced Myanmar, and that is something we must get used to at this qualifier. In that sense, playing the first match at home makes a huge difference. Our supporters will certainly create a positive atmosphere for us, and we just need to carry that vibe. Regardless of who we face, we need to keep clean sheets in our matches. In order to do so, we must contain our opponent and keep our guards up at all times.

MF #9 MINAMINO Takumi (FC Red Bull Salzburg)
Playing at the Champions League was one of my career goals, so this season has been a very productive season for me thus far, and I am highly motivated right now. (With the absence of Osako) I must understand the characters of the new players and work with them to showcase a good performance. I have played long enough to understand the play styles of our attacking players, so we will do our best to work together for the team’s victory.

MF #21 DOAN Ritsu (PSV Eindhoven)
At my club, we are expected to win matches against lower ranked teams at all times, so I know how difficult that can be. I hope to utilise the experience I gained from my club to help the national team win matches. Ideally, we would like to score multiple goals from the first half, but I know it can’t be that easy at the World Cup qualifiers. We also need to prove that we can showcase a positive performance even without Osako. There will always be competition within the team, so I am looking forward to seeing who is going to step up for this match.

FW #15 ASANO Takuma (FK Partizan Belgrade)
I am getting the impression that this national team is enabling the players to showcase their creativity and the players are given the freedom to make their own decisions in offence. That is why it is not an easy task to earn my spot into this squad, but I will do my best to showcase my full potential. In order to survive at a new team, you must stay keen to earn results. That is something I have learned recently, so I will stay keen to earn results at this national team.

Schedule

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) Squad, Schedule

2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and AFC Asian Cup China PR 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Mongolia National Team
Match Date: Thu. 10 October 2019, 19:35
Match Venue: Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama

Tournament Information

Tajikistan National Team vs SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
Match Date: Tue. 15 October 2019, 17:15 (21:15 Japan time)
Match Venue: Republican Central Stadium, Tajikistan

Tournament Information

OFFICIAL PARTNER

OFFICIAL SUPPLIER

SUPPORTING COMPANY

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•