First up was warming up. They got their bodies moving with a tag-like passing game, preparing for training while having fun. After that, they completed a drill where they ran a set distance, then slowed down and stopped. The intervals between sprints were short, and as the repetitions increased, the players looked increasingly fatigued. Ueda and Shoji were diligently engaged in the training.
The next menu item was possession training. They connected passes while counting the number of exchanges, and when they reached a predetermined number, they earned a shooting chance, aiming for a goal from a cross. Kanazaki and Kawamata, who rushed into the goal area, looked frustrated after their shots were blocked. Goalkeeper coach Sato praised them.
The final part of the morning practice was a drill where players sprinted up the wing after a pass exchange, delivered a cross, and aimed for a shot from in front of the goal. Rookie Yamaguchi once again showcased his characteristic shooting sense, repeatedly scoring spectacular goals with fierce topspin.
Furthermore, Kento Misao, eager to "get involved in scoring this season," unleashed a powerful mid-range shot, while Ueda surged into the goal area and scored with a thunderous jumping volley. It was a thoroughly engaging training session. Uchida also delivered precise crosses, and when they didn't connect with a player in front of the goal, he could be seen shouting in frustration.
The afternoon practice began at 3:30 PM. The players arrived at the stadium with calm expressions and started their warm-up. They played 'birdcage,' gradually increasing their pass speed and picking up the pace. Afterwards, they trained in pairs, focusing on heading and long kicks.
With the final camp match against Tokushima scheduled for tomorrow, we then moved on to set-piece practice. Under the keen gaze of Coach Oiwa, an intense battle unfolded in front of the goal. Pre-season practice matches are crucial opportunities for both the team and individual players. Tension filled the pitch, and loud instructions echoed.
Finally, there was a recreational game. This time, it was played on half a court with four goals set up. There was one ball, and players attacked two goals. Various plays were seen, such as attempting pass exchanges in a narrow area or making large cross-field switches to the opposite goal. Shoji, who played as a forward, was marked by Oda and Abe, while Nagaki and Uchida chased the ball with smiles, allowing them to exercise while relaxed.
The camp is now down to its last two days. Tomorrow morning, designated members will train, and at 2 PM, we will have a practice match against Tokushima. This final external match of the camp will be an opportunity to assess the current state of both the team and individual players.
Suzuki
"I'll do my best to start strong this year and definitely get over last year's frustration, so please cheer us on!"
Abe
"The team is in the middle of preparing well for the season, so I'm going to work hard to get my body in shape and my condition right during this camp, and achieve good results in the season. Your support would be greatly appreciated!"