Junior Youth U-14 Thailand Expedition Staff Report①

GAMBA OSAKA Junior Youth (20 players and 3 staff members) is currently on an overseas tour to Thailand.


Here is a report from local junior youth coach Morimoto!

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GAMBA OSAKA Junior Youth will be participating in the U-14 ASEAN Dream Football Tournament in Thailand from July 21st to 27th.
This is an international tournament that began in 2014, and this year, J.League Academy, Shiga Prefecture Selection, Thai League Academy, and strong clubs in Thailand,
A total of 16 teams, including Malaysian clubs, will participate. The tournament will be divided into four groups and play in a league format, followed by a ranking tournament.

Initially, the flight I was scheduled to board was canceled due to bad weather, and the departure time and other details were changed at short notice.
We gathered at Kansai International Airport at 14:30 and boarded the flight departing for Thailand at 17:35 Japan time.

After a flight of approximately six hours, we arrived safely in Thailand at 9:30 p.m. local time.

The players' enthusiasm and goals for this expedition, both on and off the pitch.

Asao Ousuke
On this trip to Thailand, I want to test how well I can perform against foreign players.
I also want to play while facing up to my own challenges.
I won this tournament last year, so I'll do my best to win it again.
Off the pitch, I'm looking forward to experiencing the local food and culture.
I also want to have fun communicating with people from other countries.

Azuma Issei Eric
On this trip to Thailand, I will return to Japan having grown as a person both on and off the pitch.
On the pitch, we will use the challenges we have taken on in practice to show the difference in our judgment and technique to players overseas who are not as physically fit.
Both as a team and as individuals, we will limit the number of goals we concede and win the championship for the second year in a row.
Off the pitch, I would like to learn about and incorporate local culture and food into my life.
When sightseeing, I would like to have fun communicating with my team members and the local people.
I want to take on new challenges both on and off the pitch.

Inoue Kaito
During our trip to Thailand, I would like to think about how we can win against more skilled opponents and coach my teammates so that we can defend against the opponents' attacks.
On the other hand, there will be food such as Thai food which is not commonly eaten in Japan, so I will be careful not to lose weight when I return from the trip.
I will try to keep a close eye on my team's luggage and my own.
I hope that this trip to Thailand will help me improve my performance more than I was before I left.

Sano Ousei
On the pitch, I want to make the most of my abilities and find out what will and won't work overseas.
As a team, we aim to win.
Off the pitch, you often can't do things that are common in Japan, such as not being able to drink water, but I would like to learn more about the environment in Thailand.
I would like to express my gratitude to my parents who paid for the trip and to the team members who made the plans, and I would like to enjoy myself to the fullest and grow as a person.

Official tournament Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/JINTANU14ASEANDREAMFOOTBALL

Official Tournament Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jintanu14adft?igsh=eXF6YXlqNGxpcnkx