On Thursday 29 June, the U-17 Japan National Team faced the U-17 IR Iran National Team in the semi-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 at Thammasat Stadium.

After the team clinched the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ with their advancement to the semi-finals, Head Coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro gave the team a rest day on Tuesday in order to reset their minds towards achieving their goal of winning the Asian title.

With the team entering the semi-finals with just two days rest following the quarterfinals, the coach made five changes to their starting line-up. GOTO Wataru (FC Tokyo U-18) was given the start in goal, with MATSUMOTO Haruto (Kashima Antlers Youth), KOSUGI Keita (Shonan Bellmare U-18), NAGANO Shuto (FC Tokyo U-18), and TSUCHIYA Kaito (Kawasaki Frontale U-18) forming the defence line. YADA Ryunosuke (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth) and YAMAMOTO Joi (Tokyo Verdy Youth) were placed in the heart of the midfield, with MOCHIZUKI Kohei (Yokohama F. Marinos Youth) and KAWAMURA Gakuto (Tokyo Verdy Youth) in the flanks. SATO Ryunosuke (FC Tokyo U-18) and MICHIWAKI Yutaka (Roasso Kumamoto) were named as the two strikers up top. .....

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