On Thursday 25 November, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) played an international friendly match against the Iceland Women's National Team at Almere, Netherlands, where they lost 0-2 in the first match led by coach IKEDA Futoshi.

After arriving in the Netherlands on Monday 22 November, the team held three training sessions before facing the Iceland Women's National Team. Under the new regime of coach Ikeda, the team welcomed new players who were making their first trip overseas, as the team strived to build on the training camp held in October. With their eyes set on the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022™ to be held in January 2022, the team prepared for this friendly match by analysing their opponent and incorporating them into their game plan.

Japan has won all three of their previous meetings against Iceland, but this match against a powerful and speedy opponent will be a valuable test for them to find where they currently stand as a team. The team entered the match with the intention to contain the opponent’s strong points, while demonstrating their concept of “winning the ball” in both offence and defence. .....

＞＞READ MORE "JAPAN FA"