Japan Women's National Team short-listed squad, who are in Ishigaki Island of Okinawa Prefecture holding a training camp, had a training session from 11 a.m. on 23 January. They watched the AFC U-23 Championship Qatar 2016 (Rio de Janeiro Olympics Asian Qualifiers Final Round) game between Japan and Iran in their own hotel room on the previous day. The ladies went about the training, having been inspired by the U-23 Japan National team, who posted a 3-0 extra minute win.

Due to the nationwide cold wave, a stormy weather hit Ishigaki Island as well. They held a warm-up at an indoor facility, and then got out to the field. The offensive corps went through shooting and attacking, while the defensive players 6-on-3 and 6-on-4 drills against local boys high school players. The cones were mowed down and the players' bodies were moved because of the heavy rain storm. Yet coach SASAKI was coaching loudly raising his voice toward the defensive players.

The day was forward OHNO Shinobu's 32nd birthday. She normally is the type of a player who make merry when other players have their birthdays, but she said it was the first time for her to be celebrated her own birthday during any national team activity. “Her plays at the 2002 FIFA Women's U-19 Championship were really impressive and it led her to making the national team. I remember that I and other players like MIYAMA were saying that she would have a bright future. She didn't show that character that she has today, though,” said UEDA Eiji, JFA Women's Committee Vice Chairman (development) who served as the coach when Ohno was selected on the national squad for the first time in 2003.

Ohno looks free but delicate, and she talks to younger players unaffectedly. Along with FUKUMOTO and KINGA, both of whom competed in the FIFA Women's U-19 Championship as well, Ohno is one of the significant players who sustain the team with her rich experience.....

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