On Sunday 12 March, the quarterfinals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 took place at Lokomotiv Stadium, where the U-20 Japan National Team faced the U-20 Jordan National Team.
With the top four finishers of the tournament being granted a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, the quarterfinals served as the decisive round for the eight teams. Ahead of the big match, Head Coach TOGASHI Koichi commented, “We need overcome the pressure in order to win. These players are under 20 years old and are still developing as players. I want them to give it their all and not be afraid to make mistakes.”
In this crucial match, Japan started KIMURA Ryoya (Nihon University) in goal with TANAKA Hayato (Kashiwa Reysol), KIKUCHI Shuta (Shimizu S-Pulse), YASHIKI Yusei (Oita Trinita), and TAKAHASHI Cendagorta Niko (FC Barcelona) forming the defence line. YAMANE Riku (Yokohama F. Marinos) and SANO Kodai (Fagiano Okayama) were paired as the defensive midfielders with MATSUKI Kuryu (FC Tokyo) playing the number 10 role. SAKAMOTO Isa (Fagiano Okayama) started as the centre forward with KODA Hidemasa (Nagoya Grampus) and KITANO Sota (Cerezo Osaka) placed in the flanks. .....
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