Seven GAMBA OSAKA youth players are currently on a trip to the Netherlands in preparation for their participation in the "Olympia Future Cup," hosted by AFC Ajax (hereinafter referred to as Ajax), which will be held from April 4th (Sat) to April 6th (Mon).

Training
The players traveled by bus from their hotel to the training facility of Football Club Amsterdam (FC Amsterdam), an amateur club in the Netherlands, for their training session. The training included activation exercises, passing and control drills, and a mini-game using four goals. Furthermore, the GK-led build-up drills involved repeated checks on ball movement and pressing techniques, demonstrating meticulous instruction. Finally, an 8v8 game was played, with detailed instructions given regarding player spacing during defensive situations. All instruction was conducted in English, with a Japanese interpreter assisting. On the pitch, the players actively communicated using English and gestures. Despite the harsh conditions of cold and strong winds, the players adapted to the time difference and completed the approximately two-hour training session.

Johan Cruyff Arena Stadium Tour
A stadium tour was conducted at the Johan Cruyff Arena, the home ground of Ajax. The tour allowed participants to learn about Ajax's history and the club's development, and to see areas that are normally off-limits, such as the locker rooms, the pitchside, and the press conference room. On the pitchside, the players were even able to sit on the bench and experience the atmosphere of the stadium. It was a valuable opportunity for them to experience firsthand the culture of a world-class club.

Player comments
Comments from player Okamoto Uta
"After a long journey yesterday, what I realized upon arriving at the hotel is that it's absolutely essential to be able to speak English. In today's practice, we did passing drills, possession drills, and a match, and I was able to reaffirm how important the quality of each pass, positioning, and action is. Also, I think the atmosphere with the coaches, Head Coach, and teammates is something I can't experience in Japan, so I want to cherish this opportunity and play each play with a sense of tension. The stadium tour was a great experience, allowing me to feel the distance between the pitch and the stands, the size of the stadium, and the history of Ajax firsthand. In this tournament, I will do my best to make full use of my strengths, lead the team, and help us win."

Comments from Shirosaka Koki
"After the first day, what I realized was the language barrier. I can understand what's being said, but I lack the ability to express myself, so communication is extremely difficult. That's why I've become even more determined to study English. In terms of soccer, I'm enjoying it because I can communicate using gestures and body language. However, due to differences in soccer culture, passes weren't always made, so I want to be more assertive and demanding."

Tomorrow we have a physical test and a training match scheduled against Amsterdamsche Football Club U-19.