Punjab FC Youth Team Prepares for Match in Japan Against Avispa Fukuoka

Preparation for the Match

Ahead of their upcoming match against Avispa Fukuoka, the youth team coach of Punjab FC, Praveen Kumar, expressed confidence that the weather conditions in Japan would not pose significant challenges. He noted that the climate is somewhat similar to that of India, and the team has made extra efforts to acclimatize.

The Punjab FC youth squad is currently in Fukuoka as part of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) exposure tour, which runs from July 11 to July 23. During this period, they will compete against youth teams from some of Japan's premier clubs. Punjab FC secured third place in the RFDL season 2025-26, with Bengaluru FC and FC Goa also qualifying for this tour.

Match Preparations and Expectations

Discussing the match scheduled for Tuesday, Kumar shared his excitement, stating, "We are very excited; this is what we have been preparing for, and I believe we are well-prepared. Let's see what challenges we face tomorrow."

Regarding the team's acclimatization after competing in the UK during the Premier League Next Gen Cup and in India, Kumar mentioned that the players arrived a couple of days early to adjust to the local conditions. He noted, "We arrived here almost two days early, so the players are currently acclimatizing. We even had a training session today. The weather is quite hot here, similar to Punjab, so I don't foresee temperature being a major issue. However, I anticipate that the intensity of the games will be significantly higher based on the footage we've reviewed of Japanese teams."

He added, "I advised them to stay focused, be prepared, and most importantly, enjoy the game."

RFDL Japan Tour: A Learning Experience

This tour will feature three Indian clubs competing against top Japanese youth teams, including Avispa Fukuoka U18, Sagan Tosu U18, Giravanz Kitakyushu U18, and FC Baleine Shimonoseki U21. These matches aim to expose India's most talented young footballers to high-intensity competition, diverse playing styles, and one of Asia's most effective football development systems.

In recent years, RFDL Indian teams have faced some of England's leading youth squads. The Japan tour marks a significant step in broadening these global learning experiences, enabling India's best young talents to measure themselves against one of Asia's football powerhouses.

Coach Development Programme

Understanding that player development is closely linked to coach development, the program also features a specialized three-day coach education module for six coaches from the participating clubs at Avispa Fukuoka. The curriculum will cover topics such as Individual Development Plans, player progression, and high-performance environments, along with interactions with the Football Director of FC Machida Zelvia, a club that has advanced from the J2 League to the AFC Champions League Elite Final in just three years.