On Wednesday 16 November, the fourth day of the trip, cultural exchange activities were held between the players of Japan and Korea Republic.

In the morning, they worked out together on the pitch. Twenty players each from the two countries were mixed and separated into eight teams, who played against each other in foot volleyball and 5v5 small-sided games. Although they had an obvious language barrier, the players somehow communicated with each other and overcame the obstacles to become good teammates.

The afternoon was spent for visiting a museum in Mokpo City and shopping at a mall. Korean players actively took the tour guide role and helped Japanese players enjoy the valuable time on a foreign land.

Thursday 17 will be the last day to spend in Mokpo. The squad will play the second match against Korea Republic.

Goalkeeper Coach's Comment

IJIMA Masaki (JFA National Training Centre Coach/Tokai University Kumamoto FC)
In the joint training today, we mixed the players of two countries and formed groups to play small-sided matches and foot volleyball. Despite the language barrier, they called each other by names, used non-verbal things like facial expressions and gestures and actively enjoyed communicating with each other. The training became very enthusiastic.

In the afternoon, we sightsaw different places including the Mokpo Natural History Museum in Mokpo. Here again, both countries’ players blended, and their communication skills improved through learning the Korean history and cultures together. They were able to have fun in actively participating in the programme. I think they were able to realise the importance of communicating with and understanding each other. I hope they will utilise this experience for their future lives on and off the pitch.

Players' Comments

ETO Riona (FC Ladies Kitasorachi)
This morning we worked out together with the Korea Republic players. It was difficult to communicate with them, but it was also a lot of fun, and I felt gestures and some English words can convey the messages that we want to send. In the afternoon, we went to the national history museum and a shopping mall together. The Korean players were very fun to hang out with. In tomorrow’s match, they will be our opponents, but I want to win very much.

AMANO Suzu (INAC KOBE LEONESSA U-15)
In the joint training with the Korea Republic players, we couldn’t communicate well with our language. So we tried to connect the English words that we know and use gestures to communicate with each other. As we played with them on the same team and played football together, we started understanding each other and gradually we became friends. At the museum we went to together, we walked around with Korean players and enjoyed talking. They taught me many Korean words. It was something I can’t normally experience, and I learned a lot from it. Tomorrow, it will be the second match against Korea Republic. We switch our mindset, get ourselves into the football mode, and work hard in order to go back home with another win.

HATTORI Momoka (JFA Academy Fukushima)
Today, we got to interact a lot with Korean players, and it was a lot of fun. In the morning, we made up teams together with them and played a lot together in foot volleyball and small-sided games. We also had some awards for winners, so we got to play to win. My team didn’t do well in foot volleyball, but won all the matches in small-sided games. In this joint training, we could build good teamwork with Korean players, giving me a precious learning experience. In the afternoon, while we toured the national museum together, I learned few Korean expressions, at the same time teaching them how to say them in Japanese. At a shopping mall, I wasn’t sure whether I can communicate well and buy the things I want, but the Korean players helped me. Frankly speaking, I think I learned a lot from them. This exchange has been a wonderful experience and gave me precious memories also.

ISHIKAWA Kurara (JFA Academy Fukushima)
Today we did many things together with Korean players. There are a few things I learned throughout this morning and afternoon. First of all, communicating with Korean players. We Japanese cannot speak Korean and they can’t speak Japanese. Few words we could speak were easy words like “good morning” and “hello” in both languages. When we added some English words and gestures, we could communicate better. I was surprised that we could communicate with people from a different country if we put a little effort to it. Also I felt that even if we are from different countries and use different languages, feelings and emotions such as funny and sad are the same. Tomorrow, we will do our best in the workout in the morning, and also do our best in the match later. Yesterday, we were able to win it 2-0. I will work hard to help my team maintain the clean sheet again. Tomorrow we will go all out for a win. And then we want to finish it up with smiles.

Schedule

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