Asian Games finally sets to start!: Japan U-21 national team report (9/13)

Sun, 14 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0900

Ahead of an opening game of Asian Games tomorrow, Japan U-21 national team did a training for their last check on 13th around Incheon, South Korea.

Today's training started at noon in the strong sunshine and warm to bring out a slight sweat and players checked their positioning and set plays such as CK and FK, moving a ball. As Japan tied Kuwait, the opening game's opponent, at 0-0 in a match of a group stage of AFC U-22 Championship, the team must make a game in a careful manner.

An opening soccer game tomorrow will be the first one among all games of other sports in this competition. As a victory of the game will give burst momentum to Japanese Asian Games delegation, today's training attracted great coverage by medias as well as a lot of attention.

In the morning, Makoto TEGURAMORI, the head coach of Japan U-21 national team happened to meet Toshiya MIURA, the head coach of Vietnam U-21 team participating this competition as well, wishing to fight well with each other.
In addition to MIURA, other Japanese head coaches including Masahiko OKIYAMA of Jordan national team and Masayuki NAGIRA of Chinese Taipei women national team has taken part in this competition. Let's watch closely games by those countries.

Comments

TEGURAMORI Makoto, Head Coach
I am getting excited to face an opening games. We still feel restless as we have just entered into athlete's village in the previous day, however, I would like to make good use of remaining time to increase team's concentration for an opening game with Kuwait, believing my players understand my intention. I am looking forward to having tomorrow and it would be important for us to gain momentum with a first victory. Plus, as our opening game is also the one for Japanese delegation as well, I told my players that we need to do a important job to boost morale of the delegation. I really want a victory in an opening game to catch the momentum for Japan.

OHSHIMA Ryota（Kawasaki Frontale）
(As a captain) The competition finally sets to kick off. I don't mean to feel so nervous, but I said to my teammates that let's play with strong motivation for a victory. I myself believe I could not play well, unless I always enjoy playing. I will keep this mind, doing basic plays such as moving forward on an appropriate manner as well as smooth switching of offence and defence.

SUZUKI Musashi（Albirex Niigata）
I look forward to tomorrow's game as I prepared and practiced a lot. I will try to play in my own way as always, making a contribution to team's victory. ( In tomorrow's game,) I hope everyone to focus on my play to run into the open space behind the opponent as well as dribbling in a free space.

Foot ball Men, TV broadcasting schedule

19:00-21:30 on Sun, Sep. 14th, Group stage 1st game against Kuwait, TBS affiliation
19:50-22:00 on Wed, Sep. 17th, Group stage 2nd game against Iraq, NHK BS1 (Live)
※As broadcasting schedule is subjected to change without notification, please reconfirm the latest TV program listing.

17th Asian Games （2014/Incheon）Groups

A Group | Korea Republic、Malaysia、Soudi Arabia、Laos
B Group | Uzbekistan、HonKong、Bangladesh、Afghanistan
C Group | Oman、Palestine、 Singapore、Tajikistan
D Group | Japan、Kuwait、Iraq、Nepal
E Group | Thailand、Maldives、Timor-Leste 、Indonesia
F Group | Korea DPR、China PR、Pakistan
G Group | UAE、India、Jordan
H Group | Iran、Vietnam、Kyrgyzstan