On 7 December, coach MORIYASU Hajime of the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) announced the squad for their match against the Uzbekistan National Team in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2022, scheduled to be played at Saitama Stadium 2002 on 21 January 2022. The 22-man roster featured MUTO Yoshinori (Vissel Kobe), who will make his return to the national team for the first time in nearly three years, and four first time call-ups including ARAKI Ryotaro (Kashima Antlers), as coach Moriyasu shared his aspiration to “build positive momentum” ahead of the remaining fixtures of the AFC Asian Qualifiers (Road to Qatar).

For the SAMURAI BLUE, who are scheduled to face China PR on Thursday 27 January and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 1 February in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ AFC Asian Qualifiers, this match against Uzbekistan will provide the players with a precious opportunity to brush up their condition and game intuition following the off season.

With the match being scheduled to take place outside of the FIFA International match Calendar, the squad consisted only those who play in the J.League, including familiar faces such as OSAKO Yuya (Vissel Kobe), NAGATOMO Yuto (FC Tokyo), SAKAI Hiroki (Urawa Red Diamonds), and GONDA Shuichi (Shimizu S-Pulse). In addition, the squad was announced early to allow the players to prepare themselves, as the match is scheduled to take place after the league’s off season. .....

＞＞READ MORE "JAPAN FA"