On Sunday 6 November, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) started their preparation camp in Ibaraki Prefecture for the Kirin Challenge Cup 2016 against Oman (on 11 Nov. in Kashima) and the fifth match of the FIFA Wold Cup 2018’s Asian final qualifiers against Saudi Arabia (on 15 Nov. in Saitama).

The first practice started in the chilly and windy early evening with 12 out of the 25 selected players, with mostly those who play domestically. At the beginning, coach Vahid HALILHODZIC said to the players: ‘this team have to come together as one for the important Saudi Arabia match’.

Midfielder KOBAYASHI Yuki (Sport Club Heerenveen/Netherlands) who came back to Japan in the morning of the same day, midfielder HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin/Germany), who joined the squad directly from the airport, and defender SAKAI Hiroki (Olympique de Marseille/France) worked out separately, mainly engaging in running drills throughout the session, while the rest of the players on the pitch played five-a-side intrasquad scrimmage with four small-sized goals together with goalkeepers NISHIKAWA Shusaku (Urawa Red Diamonds) and HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka). The training finished after about an hour in a relaxed atmosphere.

Twenty-year old midfielder IDEGUCHI Yosuke (Gamba Osaka) who is making a debut on the top-flight national team said after his first-ever practice, “I was nervous but I think I have been playing in an enjoyable atmosphere. But from now on, it’s time to get serious. I need to showcase my strength and secure a position on the team.”

Meanwhile, Kobayashi, who went over to the Netherlands after participating in the Kirin Cup this June, will play for the national team as one of the overseas players. With several months of the experience in the Netherlands’ league under his belt, he analyses himself and says the number of sprints he makes, awareness for covering his teammates and aerial battles have been improving. “I have neither scored goals nor made assists (for my club), but I got invited to this team. I suppose they valued what I improved in other areas of my game”, added the motivated young midfielder.

Others playing abroad are scheduled to return to Japan and join the team either on Monday 7 or Tuesday 8 due to their own club’s match schedule.

Players' Comments

MF IDEGUCHI Yosuke (Gamba Osaka)
Some of the players I know very well started to appear in the national team, so I was thinking to myself, “why not me?” I was very happy to know that I got invited this time. Offence had been the issue in the past, but I believe I improved enough and now I feel confident in playing matches. I think that is partly the reason why I was called up this time. But getting on the team is only a start, so here awaits another battle. And when I actually get the chance to play, I want to perform to the best of my abilities. So, I need to be prepared at all times. I want to attain positive results and meet my coach’s expectation.

DF UEDA Naomichi (Kashima Antlers)
This match against Oman will be held at Kashima Stadium and I think many Kashima fans will be there. I want to make sure that I get on the pitch as a Japanese international in front of those fans. More and more players of the Rio Olympics squad are making the national team, so I want to follow that trend and continue getting invited to the team. Also, I am aware of that generation of players including myself have to keep improving and work even harder. From this point on, I shouldn’t be satisfied by simply getting called up to the squad. I need to strive for the chance to play in actual games and move forward as a footballer.

DF MAKINO Tomoaki (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Many of the guys on the defensive end including myself have got (yellow) cards, so it will require total team effort. We have to maintain the quality of plays no matter who gets to play, and, at the same time, we need to showcase what each of us can uniquely do, not just substituting for somebody else’s ability. We need to execute the game plan to get three points in order to get closer to qualifying for the World Cup. For that, first of all, we can’t afford to concede goals. We certainly need to put forth high-quality defence. We also have a friendly this time, so it will give a chance to the players who haven’t played much to display their skills. It is also very important in getting ourselves motivated further for the next match.

MF KOBAYASHI Yuki (Sport Club Heerenveen/Netherlands)
While I was not on the national squad, I was paying close attention to their matches because if I get the chance to play for the team, I need to get in with the same enthusiasm and mindset that they have. I know it’s difficult to snatch a position from either Kagawa or Kiyotake, but it’s a task that I am willing to take. I want to work hard in order to catch up with them and eventually surpass them.

Honda, Kagawa, Kiyotake, and even I are all part of the team, and we need every one of us to win games. I don’t need to shy away from anything and I will play as normally I do. I will make the necessary adjustments to the way in which the team play, while displaying my unique characteristics.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*Open to the media beginning 15min.
*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2016

2016-11-11 (Fri.) - 19:20 (estimate time)
Kashima Soccer Stadium
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Oman National Team
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ASIAN QUALIFIERS - ROAD TO RUSSIA

2016-11-15 (Tue.) - 19:35 (estimate time)
Saitama Stadium 2002
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) vs Saudi Arabia National Team
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