TOKYO (AFP, REUTERS) - Japan dropped former Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa from the Samurai Blue's bid to reclaim the Asian Cup, opting instead for a squad filled with young Europe-based talents.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu on Wednesday (Dec 12) selected several players with only a handful of caps for Asia's showcase football tournament in the United Arab Emirates starting in January.
The likes of Ritsu Doan of Groningen, Shoya Nakajima of Portimonense and Takumi Minamino of Salzburg will lead Japan's bid for a record-extending fifth title.
But there was no place for midfielder Kagawa, 29, now struggling for playing time at Borussia Dortmund.
Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki was also omitted but Southampton centre-back Maya Yoshida has been picked.
Kagawa has long been among the leading stars of Blue Samurai and at his German outfit, but the attacking player has found himself unable to get regular first-team football under Dortmund coach Lucien Favre.
He told the Japanese media last month that he wished to move to Spain to take on a new challenge.
Moriyasu suggested he had been tempted to turn to veterans like Kagawa, but said he needed to pick players in their best form.
"Of course, I wanted help from experienced players, those who went to the Russian World Cup and those who have led Japan for years," he told a press conference.
"Many of the players whom we selected at this time have only limited experiences. I have chosen them with hopes that they would take the ownership of the team and build the national team themselves and fight for the title," he said.
The 32-year-old Okazaki is Japan's third-highest scorer but has failed to find the net for either club or country in a year .
However, the young squad will be supported by Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako and Galatasaray defender Yuto Nagatomo, both veterans of past World Cups.
Japan won the Asian Cup in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011, but failed in the last edition, won by Australia in 2015.
"Japan's national team did not win the title last time. We will reclaim the Asian Cup and bring back the title," Moriyasu said.
The Asian Cup, which has been expanded to include 24 teams, will be held from Jan 5 to Feb 1. Japan, who have been drawn in Group F, kick off their campaign against Turkmenistan on Jan 9. Oman and Uzbekistan are the other teams in the group.
May 19, 2019 · Vincent Kompany left a victorious Manchester City dressing room at Wembley for the fifth and final time knowing that his secret would be out soon enough. "Family commitments," was the line
Vincent Kompany - Wikipedia
India vs Australia: Tim Paine's 'new Aussie team' proves capability to produce results after victory in second Test Australia's 146-run victory was the first since the ball-tampering saga that rocked the nation.
Australia sense victory in second Test after brutal day in
Lions must want the ball: Yoshida, Football News & Top
Gymkhana FC's president Patrick Francis has lashed out against the decision of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) to expel his club from the National Football League (NFL) for its failure to send down the full set of 11 players at the start of three matches this year.
At This Hour With Kate Bolduan - archive.org
"We achieved our objective by winning the group, even on a night where everything seemed to go wrong," Allegri told Rai Sport. "We missed so many opportunities and gifted a penalty, so at the end of the day it was only right that we lost. "[Dybala's disallowed goal] was offside.
When Everything Seems To Be Going Wrong | Psychology Today
Football 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup — Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty as they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian
'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup
Saswa eyes SPL title glory It has been 15 years since Home United last won Singapore football's professional league title, but the new man at the helm is relishing the challenge of ending the long drought.
Latest SASWADIMATA DASUKI | The Straits Times
Queensway Seccondary School: Success through Diligence. ST Young Athlete of the Year: Passion and determination drive footballer Putri Nur Syaliza and ACS paddlers. One of our girls is excelling in the Girls Football scene and has been nominated for the ST Young Athlete of the Year award!
Home | ST Young Athlete
Sure, there have been times when Camille Giardina questioned her decision to play women's college basketball at the Division II level rather than Division I. But not anymore. "My decision has
EU trio tries to quicken drive to more integrated capital
LONDON (DPA) - Pep Guardiola expects Kevin De Bruyne to miss this week's Manchester derby after the midfielder limped off with an injury on Saturday (April 20).. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Guardiola expects De Bruyne to miss derby after
Cornellà de Llobregat: Espanyol's Wu Lei became the first Chinese player to score in La Liga on Saturday as his goal helped his team to a 3-1 win over Real Valladolid. Wu Lei, who was named the Chinese Super League's player of the year in November, joined Espanyol in January and was making his
Wu Lei: How Espanyol forward is helping La Liga's attempt to
6 Tips for Hammering and Forming Metal from Master Metalsmith Bill Fretz October 10, 2011 | Comment on this Article When I saw master metalsmith and toolmaker Bill Fretz 's first DVD about hammering and forming metal jewelry, I was amazed at how effortless and easy he made it look to create bangles using only brass tubing, hammers, and stakes.
Holding Out for the Best Framing Hammer | Pro Tool Reviews
Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle (Reuters) - Crystal Palace all but banished any lingering relegation fears as captain Luka Milivojevic fired home a late penalty to secure a 1-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
Milivojevic penalty seals Palace win at Newcastle | Reuters.com
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen