🏏 Thu, 5 Sep 2024 19:35 JST
Japan
vs
China
3-4-2-1 vs 4-4-2
Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- The 2026 World Cup Asian final qualifying round finally gets underway. Japan host China at Saitama Stadium. Moriyasu's side begins its road to the North American World Cup here, and will want to gain momentum with a win in the opener.
- Japan name Takefusa Kubo in the starting lineup, forming a pair of shadow strikers with Takumi Minamino. With Ayase Ueda as the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 system, they set up in an attacking formation. Kubo has been a key player at Real Sociedad and is expected to keep growing as a central figure for the national team.
- Wataru Endo wears the captain's armband and controls the game in a double pivot with Ko Watanabe. Endo has maintained steady performances since moving to Liverpool and reigns as the team's emotional pillar.
- Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan are deployed at full-back. Mitoma has been cutting through Premier League defences at Brighton, while Doan makes the Bundesliga his main stage at Freiburg. Attacks from both flanks will threaten China's defence.
- China have struggled in recent years and trail Japan significantly in the FIFA rankings. Still, knowing the difficulty of an away atmosphere, Japan cannot afford to be complacent and must open with a solid victory.
- Young keeper Zion Suzuki starts in goal. The 22-year-old, who just moved from Urawa Reds to Serie A side Parma this summer, is establishing himself as Japan's first-choice goalkeeper and is expected to play with stability in World Cup qualifying too.
- On the bench are talents such as Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Koki Ogawa and Daizen Maeda, who could be introduced early depending on how the match flows. With this squad depth, Japan are well prepared to navigate the final round.