NASHVILLE –
Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the nationwide crew’s World Cup squad on account of harm and introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer, dealing a serious blow forward of Japan’s Group F opener towards the Netherlands on June 14th (June fifteenth Japan time), because the crew continued preparations close to Nashville, Tennessee, on June eleventh.
As a alternative, Shuto Machino of Borussia Monchengladbach has been referred to as as much as the squad.
Ko Itakura of Ajax has been appointed as Japan’s new captain for the event.
The lack of Endo removes one among Japan’s most skilled gamers simply days earlier than the crew’s opening match. A key determine in midfield and captain of each the nationwide crew and Liverpool, Endo had been anticipated to play a central position as Japan seeks to advance from a difficult Group F.
Japan will now flip to new captain Ko Itakura to guide a squad that blends established European-based gamers with rising expertise. The Netherlands are extensively thought to be the group’s strongest facet, making the opening match notably essential for Japan’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
The Samurai Blue have constructed a status for sturdy performances at latest World Cups, reaching the spherical of 16 in each 2018 and 2022. A optimistic consequence towards the Dutch would offer an early increase and cut back strain forward of the crew’s remaining group matches.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu’s facet has proven stable kind throughout qualifying and enters the event with ambitions of surpassing its earlier World Cup greatest. However, the sudden departure of Endo provides an sudden problem as Japan prepares for one of many greatest matches of its marketing campaign.
See additionally: Players to Watch When Japan Faces the Netherlands
Source: Kyodo