After a meeting under the eaves, the players began their warm-up. Today's morning practice included drills using the ball. After stretching, they practiced passing and shooting at mini-goals. Three or four players would execute one-touch passes in sequence, with finishers taking turns shooting at the goal. Coach Yanagisawa frequently gave instructions on passing accuracy and awareness of the offside line, and the training gradually increased in speed and intensity.
While the first four days focused on physical training, tactical drills were next on the agenda. Head Coach Oiwa continuously gave precise and clear instructions. Players repeatedly engaged in intense matchups to refine their understanding. Uchida and Ogasawara loudly motivated the team, creating a tension on the pitch reminiscent of a real match.
Furthermore, training was conducted for each position. Head Coach Oiwa gathered the players for a final review, bringing the morning practice to a close. After intense and dense training, the players cooled down with satisfied expressions.
After lunch and a short break, the players arrived at the stadium shortly after 3 PM. Miyazaki, which had been blessed with blue skies since noon, saw rising temperatures. Under the mild weather, a rainbow was even visible on the irrigated pitch.
The players warmed up by performing sprints with gradually increasing distances. Three or four players lined up side-by-side and started at the signal. Pedro Junior displayed his characteristic speed, while new signing Inukai also repeatedly performed energetic dashes.
The next drill was dribbling and shooting after a race. Players chased a rolling ball, and the first to reach it dribbled towards the mini-goal. While it had recreational elements, all the players were competitive. Shoji and Leo Silva's fierce tussle, and Kanamori's sharp breakthrough, were particularly striking.
Next, a 4-on-4 mini-game was held. This, too, was filled with intense battles, just like a real match. Ogasawara embodied persistence with a spirited slide tackle, while Abe and Doi bravely broke through with sharp dribbles. Both the morning and afternoon sessions provided dense and rigorous training.
Yamamoto:
"I'll do my best this year, so please support us."
Anzai:
"I'll get myself in shape to fight through the season and win titles, so please support us."
Player interviews can be viewed on Antlers Mobile.