The trial period is part of the strong ties between Ajax, adidas and the Japan Football Association. During their stay at de Toekomst, the Japanese players took part in all Ajax U19 training sessions. They also underwent physical and cognitive tests. In addition, they played a friendly match with Ajax U19 against their peers from De Graafschap.
On one of the final days of the training period, the four players had the opportunity to meet the Japanese Ajax players Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ko Itakura. The youngsters also witnessed Tomiyasu making his Ajax debut against Excelsior last Sunday with their own eyes.
Coach Japanese national team
The Japanese boys also met the head coach of the Japanese national team Hajime Moriyasu before Ajax - Olympiacos. Moriyasu spoke with the boys and is glad that they got the experience at Ajax. Moriyasu’s main purpose for the visit was seeing Itakura and talking to Tomiyasu regarding his recovery and readiness for the World Cup in 2026.
The four young Japanese footballers were part of the Japanese youth national team that competed at the U17 World Cup in December, where Japan reached the quarter-finals.
Throughout the training period, Ajax did everything possible to make the players feel like professional Ajax players. On Saturday 7 February, the quartet will fly back to Japan.
