U16 Men’s Football Head Coach: – Result of Tenacious Effort; Provided More Detailed Requirements During Halftime Break

On August 16, in the 2024 “Peace Cup” International Invitation Tournament, China’s U16 men’s football team made its debut with a 4-0 victory over Vietnam’s U16 men’s football team. After the match, Japanese head coach Kenichi Uemura attended the press conference.

【Match Summary】

Kenichi Uemura: Today’s opponent had high individual skills and level, making it an exciting match. Our players fought tenaciously until the end to achieve the 4-0 result. The weather was quite hot during the game, and there were instances of cramps and suspected injuries among many players. We need better player reserves for the next match. In the next two days, we will do our best to adjust to optimal condition to perform well in the upcoming match. Our next opponent is Japan, who are currently one of the higher-level teams in Asia. Playing against such a team will better test our preparation and its effectiveness this phase. To play the next match well, we will fully prepare over the next two days.

【Better Performance in the Second Half】

Kenichi Uemura: Although we analyzed the opponent before the match, there were some unfamiliarities and adjustments needed in the first half. During halftime, I re-analyzed the situation with the players and provided more detailed requirements. In the second half, the players executed the tactical deployment and requirements at halftime very well. However, the players’ performance on the field still had a significant impact. Since taking charge, I have consistently emphasized transitions between offense and defense, including both from defense to offense and vice versa. The players clearly executed these points better in the second half, which is why we performed smoothly then. On top of understanding the coach’s tactics, the players demonstrated a fighting spirit, maintaining a good attitude from the first minute to the last. This is another reason for our decisive victory.

【Team’s Physical Condition】

Kenichi Uemura: There are mainly two reasons: one is the hot weather, and the other is that our players’ physical fitness needs improvement, which is something we need to address. There were multiple instances of suspected cramps during the match, which also relates to the demands placed by the coaching staff during preparation. My requirement is for continuous pressure on the opponents in the frontcourt, which consumes a lot of energy from the players. Of course, this cannot be used as an objective reason or excuse; it is related to the coaching staff’s requirements but also means we must set higher physical standards for the players. As a coach, my goal is to dominate the game, meaning I want proactive, aggressive play rather than passive defense. The players followed the coaching instructions well, which is why several players experienced suspected cramps on the field.

On August 18 at 19:35, China’s U16 team will face Japan’s U16 men’s football team in their second match of the Peace Cup.