I hope my players respond- Sasaki Norio

Japan coach Sasaki Norio is hoping that his players can respond well when the Japan women’s national team play Nigeria in Game 1 of a two-game friendly series on Sunday in Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture.

“It is going to be a battle between our collective football and the Nigerians’ individual game,” said Sasaki.

The Nadeshiko players had a tune-up session at the venue – Nagasaki Prefectural Sports and Recreational Park Track and Field Stadium in Isahaya.

“I want our players to respond well to something they cannot feel from games against Asians and Europeans,” Sasaki stated.

This will be the Nadeshiko’s first meeting with an African side since they played South Africa in last year’s London Olympics.

For Sunday’s game, Japan features INAC Kobe midfielder Sawa Homare, who has played 188 times for her country, as well as six new call-ups, including 17-year-old Miyake Shiori of JFA Academy.

With the exception of Miyama Aya of Okayama Yunogo Belle, Kawasumi Nahomi of INAC and Ohgimi Yuki of Chelsea, the squad will be completely changed for Thursday’s Game in Chiba as Sasaki attempts to add depth to his squad.

Ohgimi has scored 46 goals, two shy of Japan’s second-highest mark set by Nagamine Kaori.

“The Africans have strong physical ability,” said Ohgimi. “I hope we can overcome that with the good parts of the Japanese game, but I want to compete with them equally on a physical level as well.”

Nigeria are currently 32nd in the FIFA women’s world rankings, while Japan are No. 3.
Nigeria’s squad includes some of the players from the 2012 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup, where the Africans lost to Japan.

Sasaki said, “I want to see our players play well and win the game before moving on to the second game in Chiba.”

The game in Isahaya is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.

Game 2 will be played at Fukuda Denshi Arena in Chiba on Thursday night.