Looking to the 2014 FIFA World Cup starting on 12th day of this month, the Japan National Team started their final series of practices in the afternoon on 8 June local time, one day after their arrival in Brazil, at a stadium in Sorocaba, a city to the northwest of Sao Paulo.

Being totally different from the strong sunshine and high humidity experienced in Clearwater, Florida, United States where they had another warm-up camp until the day before, the weather in the Brazilian city is dry and crisp with 25 to 28 degrees of temperature and low humidity. The players did stretching and light running to loosen their bodies before moving on to 11-on-11 formation drills to make sure offensive flows and finally on to small-sided matches and shooting drills.

MF Endo Yasuhito said “We will do the best preparation possible in the next few days, and get ready for the first match.”

The 90-minute practice was open to public as well as media. There were approximately 5,400 fans consisting children from Japanese schools in Sao Paulo and in Sorocaba and Japanese expatriates working for local Japanese companies, all cheering for the players from the stand.

Before the practice, the children from Japanese schools in Sao Paulo got on the pitch and took advantage of the rare opportunity to take photos with the players and ask for autographs.

“The players seem to be getting good preparation going and I see a good mood among them. We still have five more days, so I think it will get even better.” Daini Kuniya, president of the Japan Football Association, commented with high expectation.

Starting from 9 June, the team will have practices in Itu City, where the base camp will be set up for them. Japan will play against Côte d'Ivoire on 14 in Recife, Greece on 19 in Natal and Colombia on 24 in Cuiaba.

コメント

MF ENDO Yasuhito（GAMBA OSAKA）
This is the place I have so much memory from the time I studied, practiced football and had practice matches when I was in high school. I am happy to be here for our first day in Brazil, out of all these cities in such a big country like Brazil. Back then I practiced with pro players for the first time in my life and learned so much including how tough professional football was and how dedicated those players were to football. That experience has meant so much in my career. Now we are getting closer to the World Cup. We had good training in the United States, so if we keep this appropriate amount of tension and motivation, we will be well-prepared.

FW OKAZAKI Shinji（1. FSV Mainz 05／Germany）
(Speaking of the injury suffered in the match against Zambia) I don’t have any pain any more. When I head, I try to avoid heading with the same place, so it’s ok. The hotel is a very good facility. I am looking forward to playing three matches here, but I don’t want this place to be the only place we stay in. Our conditioning is getting better and better. It’s not too hot here. I think it was better to experience the heat in the United States before this.

GK NISHIKAWA Shusaku（Urawa Reds）
We have all worked for this World Cup. So if we come together as one team, we will have a good result. The hotel is beautiful, and Nishi (who is the team chef traveling with the team) cooks for us here, so it’s all good. From tomorrow, we will work on the pitch just in front of here, so I think we will be well-prepared.

JFA-TV

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