Japan's World Cup Preparation Hits Snag, Team Changes Training Venue Twice

(CNA Mexico City/Monterrey, Mexico, June 5, Combined Foreign Reports) The Japan men's national football team, the Samurai Blue, arrived in Mexico earlier this week to prepare for the upcoming World Cup. However, poor weather and field conditions have forced the team to change its training venue twice, marking a rocky start to their preparations.

The World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19. The opening match will kick off at 1:00 PM local time (3:00 AM Taipei time on June 12) at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.

According to Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi, Japan's Technical Director Masakuni Yamamoto explained the reasons for the venue changes during an interview in Monterrey on the 4th.

The team had originally planned to train at the facilities of local club Tigres UANL. However, due to bad weather, the pitch condition deteriorated. This stadium was about 15 kilometers from the team's hotel.

Consequently, the first training session on the 3rd was moved to a university facility that will later be used by the U-19 Japan national team.

While this new venue was closer to the team's accommodation, about 6.4 kilometers away, the quality of the grass was reportedly poor. Therefore, the training venue for the second day was changed again, this time to the training ground of CF Monterrey.

This venue is approximately 28 kilometers from the team's hotel. Tunisia, who is also in Group F, is also expected to use this facility later.

"The team is taking this calmly," Yamamoto said. "We changed the venue because we are demanding a better environment. It's unavoidable given the bad weather. We will prepare thoroughly at the CF Monterrey training ground."

The Japanese team will then move to the United States, starting their preparations in Nashville, Tennessee, on the 8th. Yamamoto stated that he has been informed that the facilities in Nashville are being well prepared.

Japan, the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden are all in Group F for this World Cup.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's first match is scheduled for the early hours of the 15th Taipei time against the Netherlands in Texas, USA. They will then travel to Monterrey, Mexico, to face Tunisia at noon on the 21st Taipei time, and conclude the group stage against Sweden on the morning of the 26th Taipei time in Texas, USA. (Editor: Yang Weijing) 1150605