The 47-year-old former Urawa Red Diamonds coach took charge of the Young Nadeshiko in 2017 and led his side to a 1-0 victory over world U-20 title holders DPR Korea, to claim Japan’s fifth AFC U-19 Women’s Championship title last year.
Japan are grouped with United States, Paraguay and Spain in Group C, and will begin their campaign against the Americans on August 6.
While Ikeda admitted Japan are in a tough group, he is confident of his team meeting their target of making the final in France.
The Japanese players, said Ikeda, are determined to make the grade for the senior team and will use the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as a stepping stone to prove their capabilities.
“Experiencing the game at the world stage will help the players development.
“I hope that throughout the tournament the squad and the players, individually, become stronger technically and mentally.”
In the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea, the Young Nadeshiko suffered a 2-1 defeat to France in the semi-finals but overcame the United States to claim third place.
Despite the bronze achievement, Asato Miyagawa has bittersweet memories.
“I participated in the last edition, and played in a regrettable defeat, so I don’t want to feel like that again,” said Miyagawa, who will be playing in her final U-20 tournament.
“I have never won the U-20 World Cup, so I definitely want to return to Japan with the trophy.
“I couldn’t win the last time. There was a physical difference with players from the other teams, but I think the most important thing is one’s desire to win, and the ability to be tenacious in front of the goal.”
Ikeda’s charges have been training in England since June, and will go up against the Netherlands’ U-20 side in a final warm up match before setting off for France.
Goalkeepers
21ãFUKUTA Mai (NITTAIDAI FIELDS YOKOHAMA)
1ãSUZUKI Aguri (Mynavi VEGALTA SENDAI LADIES)
18ãSTAMBAUGH Hannah (INAC KOBE LEONESSA)
Ddfenders
13ãMIYAGAWA Asato (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
4ãMINAMI Moeka (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
2ãONO Nana (Kanagawa University)
3ãTAKAHIRA Miyu (Mynavi VEGALTA SENDAI LADIES)
17ãKITAMURA Nanami (CEREZO OSAKA SAKAI LADIES)
5ãUSHIJIMA Riko (INAC KOBE LEONESSA)
6ãTAKAHASHI Hana (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies)
Midfielders
12ãIMAI Yurina (NITTAIDAI FIELDS YOKOHAMA)
7ãHAYASHI Honoka (CEREZO OSAKA SAKAI LADIES)
8ãFUKUTA Yui (INAC KOBE LEONESSA)
15ãSATO Mizuka (JEF UNITED ICHIHARA CHIBA LADIES)
10ãNAGANO Fuka (Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels/Korea Republic)
9ãMIYAZAWA Hinata (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
20ãENDO Jun (JFA Academy Fukushima)
Forwards
14ãMURAOKA Mami (Orca Kamogawa FC)
19ãUEKI Riko (NIPPON TV BELEZA)
16ãSUZUKI Haruhi (AC NAGANO PARCEIRO LADIES)
11ãTAKARADA Saori (CEREZO OSAKA SAKAI LADIES)
Photos: Japan Football Association, FIFA via Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com