Mitoma will get a call after coach of Brighton, he said, that it's very likely that he is fit to the friendlys and that he expected him to leave for those period.
You are aware that the games are not in Japan? And doubt the JFA and Moriyasu expect the players to fly to Japan first for a 2 day camp or something, just to fly back to Scotland/England? Ok, you never know... but then the problem wouldn't be Mitoma flying to Japan but the whole planning.
Mitoma doenst need to travel for this so thats why he is being selected. I would believe. Its " homeground" .
Biggest surprise, or disappointment, is Morita not called up. Basically means he's out. Missing the games last year ok, he was injured on and off, now seems fit, still not called, so Moriyasu plans without him.
Moriyasu said that there is a lot of competition in midfield as a reason for why Morita was left out. But I think it's a bit strange, Morita should be a solid option for the squad with experience.
I was thinking about that. Moriyasu has Sanfrecce bias and has admired Osako for a long time. I think it's fine for Osako to be second choice. I have no problem either with Hayakawa being in the squad because he deserves it but I think Kokubo should've been given more of a chance. Osako and Hayakawa are not big physically so I'm not sure how they would deal with set pieces.
What a garbage....no Kokubo is insane, same for Morita. He is in the Champions League quarter finals and plays for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Out with Machino, he didn't deserve a place at the moment and Morita in. But apart from that really good choices. Maybe I miss Shunsuke Mito, he should get a call in front of Keito Nakamura but okay.
Osako and Hayakawa have had more experience with penalty shootouts in the J1 100 Year Vision league. This may come in handy for a knockout game. Another question is who the captain will be for these friendlies. Endo, Itakura and Kubo are all out so I would choose Doan to be captain.
That's important, the penalties taken against Croatia last time were beyond awful and all looked more or less the same.
It's in these pressure situations that Japan struggle because of the lack of mental strength and confidence. I would back Zion Suzuki in a penalty shootout over Shuichi Gonda, who didn't look like saving any penalties against Croatia. Hopefully this squad have better penalty takers. If it comes to it I would choose these 5 as Japan's best penalty takers: Ueda, Doan, Kubo, Kamada, Tomiyasu. But it depends on how a knockout gamer goes
Gonda had a great World Cup but he's no longer an option this time around. It can't be worse than the likes of Yoshida and Minamino taking penalties.
I was never a big fan of Shuichi Gonda. Around 2018 - 2022 I much preferred Kosuke Nakamura but I was gutted to see him suffer 2 concussions and injuries. I thought he was very talented but things never went his way. He's now with Cerezo Osaka
Tomoya Ando has withdrawn because of a pain complaint and has been replaced by Daiki Hashioka (which is worrying). I was hoping for Ando to start both games so that is going to hurt us in defence. Tomiyasu is going to have a fitness check first before joining the squad.
Tomiyasu may drop out of the squad. That would leave Watanabe, Taniguchi, Seko, Hashioka, Ito and Suzuki as centre backs. 5 good players all out and we're down to some of our weaker options. Imo Suzuki - Watanabe - Ito would be the best back 3 combo but lacking height and physically. Perhaps Moriyssu could consider a back 4 to compensate for the lack of quality CB options?
It will yes. And Tomiyasu has dropped out of the squad. I trust Ito, Suzuki, Watanabe and Taniguchi. Seko seems to have done decently for Le Havre but for Japan he's been unconvincing. I don't trust Hashioka, the past couple of years his career has stagnated
I feel to be honest that Suzuki is the safest card here. Although he has the leasta amount of matches for the NT. Been solid for almost the whole season. Even in the CL. Watanabe in Gent was amazing, but in Feyenoord not the same. This will be tough. Will he go for 90 minutes for Ito?