The Girls goalkeeper selection camp kicked off on 8 July at Osaka Prefecture's J-GREEN Sakai. The Japan Football Association assembled girls who would like to be a Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) goalkeeper in the future on their website “JFA.jp.” A total of about 70 girls applied and the federation selected 16 elementary school and 12 junior high school students for the camp.

Despite the weather with a little rain, the selected players, who came from around the nation - Hokkaido to Okinawa – came out onto the pitch showing a lot of energy and began their camp.

The players started with warming up, mixing up with their own introduction, and then moved to the physical evaluation and were divided into the groups of the elementary school students and junior high school students to play a game.

At a meeting held at night, YAMAGO Nozomi, a former Nadeshiko Japan player who's at the camp as a coach, gave a lecture which included her own experience as a player to the participants.

They will begin more legitimate goalkeeper’s training from the 9th.

Assistant Coachs’ Comment

NAGAI Kyosuke (JFA National Training Centre Coach) 
A combined number of 28 players between elementary and junior high school students from across the nation came here at Sakai National Training Centre. Because it was the first day, we started the activity with moderately good tension. At the opening meeting, we talked that the players should have awareness on and off the pitch and actively challenge so many things. In the training, we did physical evaluation and played a game. They showed that they tried to get involved with their teammates, and they could communicate with each other regardless of their ages and school grades. Also, the players played in the games with high motivation and showed some great tries at times.

At the meeting after the dinner time, the players introduced themselves and coach Yamago gave a lecture on goalkeeping. We only have three days, but the first day gave us an impression that we would have a valuable camp here.

Players' Comments

ISHINABE Yui (Shutoku Junior and Senior High School Womens Football Club)
We had physical tests on the first day. I didn't have the power on my kicking and throwing. So by the camp is over, I would like to have more distance on the ball. Also, I played goalkeeper, forward and defender at the game. When I played as a forward, I tried to make some challenges in receiving goal kicks, but I couldn't move well and make some nice fakes and got the ball robbed by the opponents. As a defender, I couldn't stop myself before opponents, so I want to run watching the opponents so I can stop myself properly. When I played as a goalkeeper, I was able to put up my own game, so it was good. Yet I still feel like I can do better, so I want to do my best in the renaming two days by playing more patiently.

ISHIKAWA Mahiro (Sfida Setagaya FC Youth)
At the physical tests we did first, I got to realise my strengths and weaknesses. I want to develop the strengths and overcome the weaknesses when I go back to my team. At the games, I could communicate with my teammates and play collectively, showing my strengths. When I played as a goalkeeper, I could communicate well and we could hold our opponent to zero goals. We are going to get to work on more legitimate goalkeeper’s trainings, so I would like to focus and get the skills as much as I can. Also, I want to get closer to my teammates more, so I can make my time more valuable. 

TAMURA Asami (Chiba Chuo FC U12 Girls)
Today, we mainly had physical tests, which included a 40-meter dash and overthrowing. I did fine with the 40-meter dash and kicking with my left leg, but didn’t do well in overthrowing and jumping side to side, so I want to work on those even after the camp. Also, I introduced myself at the night meeting. We have two more days, but I want to memorize all the other players. We will get into the goalkeeper’s training, so I want to put up my best.

YAMAUCHI Natsumi (INAC TAMAGAWA Junior)
The reason why I came to this camp was that I wanted to realise the level of the goalkeepers of the country, while I also wanted to develop myself as I get taught by the JFA coaches. Also, I wanted to exchange with the goalkeepers that came from around the country. During the camp, I want to do things actively, and act right both on and off the pitch. While so many others didn’t get selected for this camp, I am here, so I want to act with the right attitude. I will do my best in the entire three days.

Schedule

*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.