It was unique and fun - Sangkaviee

Participant highlight new methodology gathered after being introduced to the Okada Method by a trained Japanese coach

Sangkaviee Paranisivam was one of the lucky few who got to experience new football training ways after she completed a football clinic hosted by Mitsubishi Electric in conjunction with the upcoming ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024.

The 13-year-old got a taste of the Okada Method, designed by the first head coach to take Japan to a World Cup finals, Takeshi Okada, that focuses on strategic movement and mental agility on the field.

Starting from the warm-up session, the girls from Shah Alam Rovers Academy and Aurora Kickers Football Club were constantly asked to strategise and devise plans to make the drills a success.

Moving onto the tactical side, the girls were coached four different ways of passing that involved positioning and calculated thinking to come up with the right decision not only with the one on the ball but also the movement off the ball to support a team mate.

Sangkaviee viewed the session as an eye-opener for her personally, different to what she is accustomed to and at the same time, praised the patience of coach Dobashi from J3 League side FC Imabari.

“It was fun,” said Sangkaviee. “Coach Dobashi taught in a very good way, he was very patient with us, took his time and always with a smile.

“The best was when we played six on six. That is because he wanted us to celebrate as a group as each goal to a point to count, if we didn’t celebrate together then the goal didn’t count. That was unique and fun.”