By Sahil Kohli
Fukuoka [Japan], July 13 (ANI): Ahead of his aspect’s match in opposition to Japanese soccer membership Avispa Fukuoka, Punjab FC youth group coach Praveen Kumar has mentioned that circumstances in Japan wouldn’t be a serious subject for his or her aspect, pointing to similarities with the climate in India and in addition the additional effort made for acclimatisation.
Punjab FC youth group is in Fukuoka as part of Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) publicity tour to Japan from July 11-23, beneath which they might compete in opposition to youth groups of a few of Japan’s prime golf equipment. It is the third-placed aspect of the RFDL season 2025-26, with top-two groups, Bengaluru FC and FC Goa having additionally earned a spot for the tour.
Speaking concerning the match, scheduled for Tuesday, Praveen Kumar mentioned they had been excited for the match.
‘We are very excited; that’s what we’ve got been making ready for, and I imagine we’re well-prepared. Let us see what we face tomorrow,’ Kumar informed ANI.
On the group’s acclimatisation in Japan after having performed within the UK in the course of the Premier League Next Gen Cup and in India, Praveen Kumar mentioned that gamers arrived a pair days earlier and are acclimatising to circumstances.
Having gone by way of video footage of Japanese groups, he expects a better depth. ‘We arrived right here nearly two days early, so the gamers are at present acclimatising. We even had a coaching session at this time. There shouldn’t be an enormous distinction between India and right here; it’s fairly scorching right here, similar to it was in Punjab, so I don’t assume the temperature can be a serious subject. However, I imagine the depth of the video games can be a lot higher–based on the movies we’ve got seen of Japanese teams–so we’ll see the way it goes tomorrow.’
‘I requested them to remain centered, keep ready and most significantly, benefit from the sport,’ he added.
The tour will see the three Indian golf equipment compete in opposition to main Japanese youth sides Avispa Fukuoka U18, Sagan Tosu U18, Giravanz Kitakyushu U18 and FC Baleine Shimonoseki U21. The matches are designed to reveal India’s most promising younger footballers to high-intensity competitors, totally different enjoying kinds and one among Asia’s most profitable soccer improvement ecosystems.
Over the previous few years, the Indian groups from RFDL have competed in opposition to a few of England’s main youth groups. The Japan tour presents the subsequent step in increasing these world studying alternatives, permitting India’s finest younger expertise to benchmark themselves in opposition to one among Asia’s main soccer nations.
Recognising that participant improvement goes hand in hand with coach improvement, the programme additionally features a devoted three-day coach training module for six coaches from the taking part golf equipment at Avispa Fukuoka. The curriculum will embrace periods on Individual Development Plans, participant development and high-performance environments, alongside interactions with the Football Director of FC Machida Zelvia, whose membership has risen from the J2 League (second tier of Japan soccer) to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite Final in simply three years. (ANI)