The activity of the Elite Programme U-14 this time saw the squad participate in the AFC U-14 Regional Festival of Football, a competition among ten East Asian nations. The festival took place at Beijing National Stadium, situated in the suburbs of Beijing, China. The football centre has a facility that accommodates participants from the ten countries as well as five natural turf pitches and one artificial pitch.

During the eight-day trip, the squad played matches against Northern Mariana Islands, Korea Republic, Mongolia and Guam's national U-14 teams and a friendly against China as well as had practice sessions and meetings every day. Young Japanese footballers exchanged friendship with the overseas players off the pitch. All the 10 participating countries gathered at the closing ceremony, where the players representing their country interacted with each other and showed smiles during a photo session. The players promised to each other before going home that each one of them would develop himself until the day they would meet again.

Match Results

Wed. 7 September
U-14 Japan National Team 17-0（6-0, 11-0）U-14 Northern Mariana Islands National Team
U-14 Japan National Team 0-5（0-3, 0-2）U-14 Korea Republic National Team
Thu. 8 September Friendly Match
U-14 Japan National Team 3-0（1-0, 2-0）U-14 China PR National Team
Fri. 9 September
U-14 Japan National Team 14-0（6-0, 8-0）U-14 Mongolia National Team
Sat.. 10 September
U-14 Japan National Team 11-0（4-0, 7-0）U-14 Guam National Team　

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEUCHI Yutaka, Coach
This is the fifth time for their age group to work together after we started with the U-13 team, and nine out of eighteen players were first-timers to join the team. So it took a bit of time until everyone fitted to the team and they got active. The festival was organised as playing on a 90m×60m sized pitch, employing an 11-a-side game and requiring us to play every player on the squad in each match. In the early stage of the festival against Korea Republic match, we were completely dominated by their pressure in the first half. The players felt disappointed, but there was a bit of improvement in the second half. In the following China match and matches later on and also in training, many of the players saw an improvement in their play while observing opponents and moving.

There were a lot of plays that lacked dynamism and speed when robbing the ball on defence, but they've learned to be able to play defence with prediction in stages by focusing on their defending position. We will have a U-14 Japan-Korea Republic match next month again. I'm already looking forward to the match. Interactions with other Asian players of similar age, and activities and experiences in a different environment must give a big impact on their future activities. I would like to express my appreciation to people who helped send the players.

SUMI Kohshiro (Tokyo Musashino City Football Club U-15)
It's my first time taking part in the elite programme. Before coming here, I had a hunger to "play my game and showcase myself." But I was awakened by the word from coach Ikeuchi at a meeting, "Unless doing ordinary things naturally, you can't capitalise on your strength." Then, I started always focusing on intensity of passes, positioning, plays while moving and shifts between offence and defence.

What I remember most is the match against Korea Republic. We worked together to win it but lost in the end. I was disappointed. I had never experienced such a performance by Korean players with a strong winning attitude, and it was a very good experience. During this tournament, I found three goals to pursue: to beat Korea Republic, to help Japan become a great team, and to be the world champions. Keeping those in mind, I will try to work hard in daily training and matches to be called up again.

TOYOFUKU Naoto (Ehime FC U-15)
In this camp, I've got a lot to learn. In the Korea Republic match, we were overwhelmed by their strong pressure and I couldn't do anything. It's an advantage for me to experience the pressure at this point. Stay involved with the ball all the time. Play while moving. Have an intention for the first touch. I felt I needed to improve the quality of fundamentals. Otherwise, I can't play internationally. Not resting my head at all times, I felt I've got to keep thinking more and more while playing.

The pressure from the Korea Republic was the world standard. It's hard to play in such pressure daily in Japan, but I don't want to blame the environment. I will change my attitude and keep up my work in training. And I want to learn enough ability to even enjoy the pressure when we have a chance to play against Korea Republic again. I have more and more to do. The trip reminded me of that. Not wasting this precious experience, I want to grow more and come back to the Elite Programme.

UEDA Keita (Yokohama F・Marinos Junior Youth)
I took part in the Elite Programme with a strong determination. When we lost to Korea Republic in the AFC Festival last year and the Elite Programme in December, 2015, I blamed myself a lot. So I had been always thinking about Korea Republic even before the time I was called up for this festival.

Battles on the ball, mental strength, hard-working, moves to stay involved with the ball and what I can do during a difficult time, I had been always thinking about all those things. But once going out to play against them, it ended up in a big 5-0 loss. I strongly felt I was too easy on myself. I know that's the opponents that we should go beyond, but we can't win. I couldn't score. That made me really disappointed and annoyed. But I will try to gradually close a gap to be called up to the squad playing against Korea Republic next time and to play against the world top teams and then definitely get a dominant win. I am determined to get results.

Schedule

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