Two outstanding participants in last December’s Under-14 ASEAN Dream Football Tournament 2015 arrived in Japan this week to meet with J.League officials and train with the Yokohama F. Marinos Academy.

The event, founded in 2014, is intended not only to contribute to youth player development but also to provide an opportunity for cultural exchange. The year-end tournament in Bangkok featured 20 clubs including six from the J.League.

Tournament MVP Guntapon Keereeleang of BEC-TERO Sasana and top scorer Mohamad Khussani Adli of Malaysia U14 were selected as ASEAN Dream Players and recognised with this week’s trip to Japan, where they met with J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai.

“The football world is focused on Europe, but Europe football is now turning its focus to Asia,” Murai said. “If Asia’s young talent can succeed internationally, the global focus could shift to us.”

In addition to participating in training sessions, the two players will have the chance to observe top team practice, interact with players, and join in cultural exchanges sponsored by the Yokohama YMCA.

“It’s wonderful to be able to come to Japan,” said Keereeleang. “I hope I can take what I gain from this experience back to Thailand.”