On Sunday 2 July, the championship match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 took place at Pathum Thani Stadium, where the U-17 Japan National Team squared off against the U-17 Korea Republic National Team.

As Head Coach MORIYAMA Yoshiro commented, “Not only were we able to qualify for the World Cup, but we were also able to conserve our energy for this final,” the Japanese side was able to reach the final without a single injury and enter the decisive match in their best condition.

Five changes were made to their starting line-up from the semi-finals, as GOTO Wataru (FC Tokyo U-18) was given the start between the sticks, with KOSUGI Keita (Shonan Bellmare U-18), TSUCHIYA Kaito (Kawasaki Frontale U-18), HONDA Kotaro (Shonan Bellmare U-18), and SHIBATA Shotaro (Kawasaki Frontale U-18) forming the four-man defence line. YADA Ryunosuke (Shimizu S-Pulse Youth) and NAKAJIMA Yotaro (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Youth) were named as central midfielders, with YOSHINAGA Yumeki (Kamimura Gakuen High School) and SATO Ryunosuke (FC Tokyo U-18) positioned in the flanks. It was MICHIWAKI Yutaka (Roasso Kumamoto) and NAWATA Gaku (Kamimura Gakuen High School) who were given the start as the two strikers upfront. .....

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