On Saturday, 9 September, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) defeated the Germany National Team 4-1 in an international friendly match held at Wolfsburg, Germany, marking their second straight win over the European powerhouse following their 2-1 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ group stage.

ITO Junya (Stade de Reims) scored the opening goal for Japan before assisting the goal of UEDA Ayase (Feyenoord). Second half substitutes, KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad), ASANO Takuma (VfL Bochum), and TANAKA Ao (Fortuna Dusseldorf) combined to score two more goals late in the match, with Kubo providing the assist on both occasions.

For this match, Head Coach MORIYASU Hajime started with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with OSAKO Keisuke (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) in goal. The two centre halves, TOMIYASU Takehiro (Arsenal) and ITAKURA Kou (Borussia MG), returned to the lineup since the World Cup, while ITO Hiroki (VfB Stuttgart) and SUGAWARA Yukinari (AZ Alkmaar) started as the two fullbacks. MORITA Hidemasa (Sporting CP) and ENDO Wataru (Liverpool FC) anchored the midfield with Ito, KAMADA Daichi (SS Lazio), and MITOMA Kaoru (Brighton & Hove Albion FC) placed beneath the lone striker Ueda. .....

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