2024-03-28 18:00:00
On the 28th, the Japan Football Association (JFA) announced the members of the Japan Women’s National Team (Nadeshiko Japan) who will travel to the United States in April. Japan will play once morest the United States on the 6th, and then face Brazil or Canada in the final or third-place match on the 9th. Director Futoshi Ikeda attended the press conference and answered questions.
●Director Futoshi Ikeda
“Last month, Nadeshiko Japan won the Asian final qualifying round once morest DPR Korea (North Korea) and was able to earn a spot in the Paris Olympics. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the staff who supported us, the supporters who came to the National Stadium, and everyone who cheered us on TV even though there were many uncertainties. I would like to express my gratitude. Thank you very much. There are less than four months left for the Paris Olympics. With such a short preparation period, I will make meaningful use of this trip to the United States (She Believes Cup) and the activities that started at the end of May. I want to prepare well for the Olympics.Also, following last year’s World Cup, we have been working on growing our team and building a team during the second and final Asian qualifying rounds, and then the Olympics. I would like to monitor and encourage the growth of each player through their activities one by one.”
─Injured midfielder Hinata Miyazawa has returned to the squad, but was he called up with the expectation that he would be able to play in some games?
“As for Miyazawa, our medical team, coaching staff, and her team were in constant communication and contact. We were also aware of the status of her rehabilitation from her injury, and she was able to return to training with her team. She was called up as there was information that she was in good condition and might play.It remains to be seen how she will play in terms of her condition and fighting style.In the limited activities leading up to the Olympics, she will also be playing on the pitch. That’s true, but I thought it was necessary to build up my skills off the pitch as well, so I included him in this lineup.”
─GK Shuu Oba and DF Toya Moriya have also returned to the squad, but there are no questions regarding their call-up.
“Oba is a goalkeeper, but while Yamashita (), Hirao (), and Tanaka () have accumulated various things from the Women’s World Cup, we are aiming to further increase the number of players we share and expand the layer of keepers. We have called them up this time.It may be different if we are in an environment where we can call up four goalkeepers, but we are thinking regarding deepening our goalkeeping depth.Moriya is also playing well in his team. There are also expectations that she will be of great help to Nadeshiko in terms of what she can do in our position and her ability to move up and down, and that she will bring her daily growth to our team. I called a meeting.”
─The SheBelieves Cup is in the same situation as the Olympics, with only two days left, but what the team would like to confirm is
“As for the schedule, I think the fact that the Olympics will be held on two days, and the two days will involve moving venues, will be confirmed at this SheBelieves Cup.Also, I don’t think the situation will be exactly the same. However, it is a good simulation for the staff and players to be able to experience the flow of traveling, training, analyzing the next opponent, and heading into the match in a short period of time.The second match’s opponent will be Brazil. It will depend on the situation in the first match, whether it will be Canada or Canada, but we played once morest Brazil (in the same Olympic GL group) three times last year, so I think we will try various things. In the Believes Cup, we have to increase the number of things we can do in preparation for the Olympics and at the same time confirm the build-up part.We have to compete with a limited number of people, and there is also a purpose to judge.”
─Oba is the only member of this team who has never competed, but are you planning to actively use him as you look ahead to the Paris Olympics?
“I’m always thinking regarding giving the girls various experiences, not only with her, but also with the games, and with the combination of players.I also have the position of goalkeeper, so I’m thinking regarding the relationship with the FP. I hope they can gain experience through this activity, not just the games, how to build things up, how to use them, and how to cultivate those combinations in training.”
─The pairing for the Paris Olympics has been decided, how do you feel regarding it?
“Speaking regarding the result of the draw, there are 12 countries participating in the Olympics, so I know it will be a tough battle no matter which team we win once morest. I had a good idea that Pot 1 would be either France or Spain, and I knew that Pot 3 would be either Brazil or Colombia, so it wasn’t a big surprise, but it was Spain. We often competed from the under category, so I always feel like we have a connection.After the Women’s World Cup, I think each country has evolved their teams and changed coaches, so we have also been involved in the competition, including the base teams that have been there. I would like to increase the amount of things I can do during this tour, and during that time, I will be able to see how we will compete and how our players will respond to changes both on and off the pitch. I think so.”
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