Pre-Season Schedule

Thought there was going to be a weekend news update? Well, it's been quiet for the Squirrels since the announcement that Kota Ueda had joined the club from Jubilo Iwata, so instead we will look ahead at what is known about the Squirrels' schedule between now and the beginning of March.

In fact, Tuesday 18th January marks a key day in Ardija's preparations for their seventh J1 campaign, with the press introduction to Ueda and the other players signed over the winter, plus the annual pre-season prayer ceremony at Hikawa shrine in Omiya Park. The evening then sees president Shigeru Suzuki's promised Supporters' Meeting, at which senior club staff will give presentations and participate in a Question and Answer session with an audience of fans. So what's to follow? Here's a quick rundown:

Sun 23 Jan Fan Festival at NACK5 Stadium.

Wed 26 Jan - Sat 05 Feb Main pre-season training camp on Guam; Consadole Sapporo, Montedio Yamagata and Kashiwa Reysol are possible opponents for friendly games and typically some K-League clubs are on the island at the same time too. Former Ardija defender Takuro Nishimura, incidentally, is on a trial with Consadole and will reportedly travel with them for their camp.

Tue 08 Feb - Fri 18 Feb Second pre-season training camp in Miyazaki.
It's expected that lots of teams will be down Kyushu way at the same time, including Kawasaki Frontale and Kashima Antlers.

Sun 20 Feb Saitama City Cup. Prestige friendly, rumoured this year to be against local rivals Urawa Reds.

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