The coaches enjoyed passing the ball around while waiting for the players to arrive.
Nishi was again leading the running today.
Shibasaki sprinted with speed.
Coach Yanagisawa clapped his hands and encouraged the players.
After warming up, the players played "Torikago" (keep-away), where they passed the ball around to prevent the "oni" (demon) from getting it. With a limit on the number of touches, the players had fun counting how many passes they connected.
Afterward, the team split into two groups for training. One group continued "Torikago," while the other practiced set pieces. Head coach Cerezo gave detailed instructions, and the players confirmed their movements.
Umebachi makes a cross-field pass.
The group that continued "Torikago" also played footvolley. In a 15-point match with four players per team, Ogasawara and Motoyama were laughing and shouting as they chased the ball. The four youth players also participated and enjoyed the match with their senior teammates. Although it was a recreational menu, Coach Oiwa called out "Focus!" to tighten the atmosphere.
Afterward, the group that had been practicing set pieces did abdominal and other strength training. The players who had been playing footvolley then completed the same set-piece practice. Since the training was divided into two groups, the finish times were staggered, but all players left the ground around 11:30 AM.
Today, Yutaka Akita visited to cover the practice and chatted with Shoji and Ueda, who inherited his number 3 jersey, and Coach Yanagisawa, who built a golden era together.
The afternoon practice, the last training session at the camp, began just after 3:30 PM. Shibasaki, Toyokawa, Sugimoto, and goalkeepers Sato and Koizumi arrived at the ground before the other players and practiced set pieces.
Sugimoto kicks a long pass.
Shibasaki practices free kicks. Koizumi played as goalkeeper.
The other players arrived at the ground after 4 PM. After warming up, they joined the five players who had started practice earlier.
After reviewing set pieces, the players participated in a half-court game. Shibasaki, Shoji, and Ueda also played, completing their first practical training session since joining the camp.
Ogasawara challenges Sugimoto and passes the ball.
After the half-court game, the players cooled down with a run, concluding their final training session at the camp. The training consisted of 11 days of intense two-a-day practices, but with good weather, they were able to have fulfilling sessions. Tomorrow is the match against Fukuoka in the Sky PerfecTV! New Year Cup. After the second external match of the new season, a win would secure the championship, and the team will return to Kashima.
Umebachi: "The training menu has been very tough, the hardest I've ever experienced. The purpose of the camp is to build a body that can compete for a full year. I'm tired, but I believe I'll be in good condition later, so I'll keep working hard."
Ueda: "This year, I'm aiming for a starting spot on opening day. There's also the ACL, and the schedule might be tough, but I want to maintain my condition and consistently play in matches."
Shoji: "Kashima's number 3 is a great number. I'm a different type of player than those who wore it before, so I want to create a new image for the number 3. I want to be the most memorable number 3."
■Movie report available here (YouTube)
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