BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
Panaji
On the eve of their Group B clash against Vietnam, Japan coach Moriyama Yoshiro denied that his team were "favourites" to win the crown in the AFC U-16 Championships. He acknowledged that his team was placed a tough group, and that they will take one game at a time.
Nicknamed “00 JAPAN”, the U-16 Japan National Team which consists of members born after 2000 have a proud gaffer in Moriyama. “I think it is a tough group. I have told my players to respect their opponents while playing in the right spirit and take one game at a time,” he stated at the official pre-tournament press conference on Thursday.
"While we aim to reach the World Cup to be held in October next year in India, our main goal in the U-16 tournament is to win the quarterfinals," he stated in Bambolim on Thursday.
Incidentally, the four semi-finalists among the 16 participating teams would earn a direct berth to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. Japan takes on Vietnam in their first Group B Match at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Friday.
On being asked on how he views their first round opponent, the Japan gaffer stated that Vietnam cannot be termed a light opposition. “In recent years, the team has been improving a lot. My impression of the team is that they have a good technique, have the speed and are definitely good opponents. We will try and win the game.” His counterpart, Vietnam U-16 Head Coach Dinh The Nam while acknowledging Japan as a formidable opposition stated that while they will try and get the best result from their match, he is well aware that Japan are one of the teams to beat in the age-group tournament.
With regards to injury worries, the “00 JAPAN” gaffer admitted that while a few of his players have niggles, everyone would be ready for their first match on Friday.
They have taken this competition very seriously that they were in Goa for a short camp earlier in May. In fact, it is known that the India U-16 coach Nicolai Adam had expressed his interest in having a highly competitive Japan U-16 side participate in the inaugural AIFF U-16 Youth Cup held in May this year at Tilak Maidan, Vasco. But that this did not happen, as his email invite to Japan team did not reach the right person.
Moriyama in reply to a question asked by The Goan, made it evident that the side had a training camp earlier in the year in Goa. “We had a training camp in Goa long ago. When we were here we did not get a chance to play at the stadium. But when we stayed at a hotel, our players got to know how it is like to be here in Goa and realize the environment. I would not say it is an advantage compared to other overseas teams, but we have definitely achieved the experience of being here earlier and knowing what to expect and we have prepared a lot accordingly for this tournament,” Moriyamo divulged. He further went on to reveal that when they were here last, some of their players had lost weight due to the difficult environment they encountered but this time, till now all of them are alright. If this were to be an advantage to their side, Moriyama agreed.
Also known as the Samurai Blue, the young Japan outfit are an in-form side which topped Group K with record clean-sheets by walloping Mongolia 17-0 and making short-work of Hong Kong 7-0 to take part in the AFC U-16, Championship for the 13th time, a feat only bettered by 14-time qualifiers China who missed out on a flight to India for the aforesaid tourney this time. One of the most consistent sides in the competition, Japan were the semi-finalists on four occasions “ finishing fourth in 1996 and third in 2000 while reaching the semi-finals in four consecutive tournaments from 2006 to 2012. Their unenviable run ended last edition when they went down fighting to Korea Republic 0-2 in the quarterfinals of the Thailand edition in 2014.
On who they would deem a favourite at the tournament, the Samurai Blue gaffer stated that he thinks that all the teams in fray have a chance to win the tournament.
Quizzed on who are the dangerous players in their side, Moriyama revealed that on basis of a recent AFF tournament and some friendly games, he reels out jersey numbers of his players to watch out for “ No. 10, 7 and 5.
Making a fair assessment why Japan is touted as a big team in age-group Asian football, Australia U-16 Coach Antony Vidmar had this to say. “I think we can definitely agree that Japan is the leader in youth development in Asia. I think over the years, the quality of the players coming through is fantastic.” Admitting they are a role model in youth football, Vidmar further said: “As a country, Australia would like to strive and challenge their selves to get to that level. I do not think it is fair to single out any individual player. But as I said, Japan has shown the way in youth football “ the way it is played, even in humility in games whether they win or lose, I think it is always a pleasure to watch Japan. For Australia, it a little bit of rivalry in all national teams against Japan.” Looking at the particular opposition in their last Group Stage match, The Australia U-16 Coach while signing off said that he hoped that when they play Japan in their third game (September 22, 4 pm, GMC Stadium, Bambolim), it becomes a fantastic game.
Suimaliev Samat, Kyrgyzstan U-16 Coach whose team are debuting at the AFC U-16 Championship made a thought-provoking remark that while he does not know much about the other teams in their group, he is aware that Japan U-16 is a very strong side and have had a good preparation entering the tournament.
