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'Okada Method' Inspires Young Thai Football Talents
Mitsubishi Electric introduces Thai children to Japanese-style football training, guided by the methods of the coach who led Japan to its first World Cup finals
Mitsubishi Electric, title partner of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024, hosted a football clinic at Polo Football Park to help develop the skills of Thai youth and train local coaches. The event focused on passing knowledge back to academies, allowing the coaches to continue training the next generation of players.
Dobashi Isao, the head of youth coaching from FC Imabari, a J3 League team in Japan, led the clinic. He introduced participants to the "Okada Method," a football training philosophy developed by Takashi Okada, the legendary former coach of Japan’s national team. Okada famously guided the Samurai Blue to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 1998. Young players from Port FC and Ratchaburi Soccer School attended the clinic, gaining insights from this celebrated methodology that emphasizes strategic movement and mental agility on the field.
One of the participants, Suriya Musikachai from Ratchaburi Soccer School, expressed his excitement about the experience: “I feel really happy today. We were inspired by so many respected figures, including national coaches like Masatada Ishii and Thai football icons such as Jaroensak Wonggorn. The clinic taught us a lot about passing, finding space, and improving our overall approach to the game. The 4-on-2 session was especially fun since it mirrored the drills we do during practice."
The event drew key figures from Thai football, including Masatada Ishii, head coach of the Thai national team, Worrawoot Srimaka, a former star striker for the Thai national team, and Jaroensak Wonggorn, a current Thai national player. They were present to offer encouragement and inspire the young participants.
Coach Worrawoot Srimaka praised the initiative: "This is a great project. Having Japanese coaches, who have such a deep understanding of football, teaching Thai children is incredibly valuable. I believe this should happen more often. A clinic like this can help elevate the standard of football in Southeast Asia, where the sport is already the most popular. Mitsubishi Electric's involvement will certainly bring more excitement and recognition to the game."
He added, "Although the clinic was short, the concepts and attitudes taught by the instructors were invaluable. It's these ideas that will help our youth grow."
Charoensak Wongkorn also highlighted the significance of the event: "I have to thank Coach Dobashi Isao for his commitment to Thai youth. Japan is a recognized leader in Asian football, and having a coach of this caliber share his knowledge is a huge opportunity for our young players. The Japanese style, which emphasizes playing the ball on the ground and teamwork, can inspire a new way of thinking for our children. It's now up to them to take these lessons forward."
The football clinic is part of the broader Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024, which kicks off on December 8, 2024, and runs through January 5, 2025. As Southeast Asia's most anticipated football tournament approaches, this event underscores the growing partnership between Japanese and Thai football communities in developing future talent.
This collaboration highlights the power of international exchange in enhancing the skills and perspectives of young players, with the hope of raising the region’s football standards in the years to come.
