On Saturday, 9 September, the U-22 Japan National Team played their second group stage match of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Qualifiers against the U-22 Palestine National Team at Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium in Bahrain.

Palestine had won their first match 1-0 against the hosts Bahrain, making this a pivotal match for Japan, who had also won their first match by defeating Pakistan 6-0.

Considering the heat and the condition of the players, Head Coach OIWA Go made the decision to rotate the entire starting line-up from the first match, with the exception of goalkeeper SUZUKI Zion (Sint-Truidense VV). KIMURA Seiji (FC Tokyo), HATA Taiga (Shonan Bellmare), NAKANO Shinya (Gamba Osaka), and TAKAI Kota (Kawasaki Frontale) formed the defence line, while KAWASAKI Sota (Kyoto Sanga FC), YAMAMOTO Rihito (Sint-Truidense VV), and SUZUKI Yuito (Brondby IF) were positioned in midfield. HIRAKAWA Yu (FC Machida Zelvia) and ODA Yutaro (Heart of Midlothian FC) were placed in the flanks, with FUJIO Shota (FC Machida Zelvia) playing as the central striker. .....

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