Young talents of Japan national football team who will be successful in the Tokyo Olympics

On February 1, 2019, the final of the Asian Cup soccer tournament was held in UAE (Qatar vs Japan). However, the performance of the Japan’s national team was the worst, low-keyed (控えめの、低調な). The result was a crushing defeat (惨敗) in 1-3. Why did this kind of thing happen? 

There are many, many reasons for it (tactics, lack of coordination (連携不足), lack of preparation, condition, and so on). But the biggest reason was a mental weakness, including the lack of slyness.

With this in mind (これを踏まえて), we really want young talents to do their best in near the future.

After graduation from a high school, he was very active immediately at Kashima Antlers in J1 League. He is a splendid (華麗な、素晴らしい) dribbler like Shinji Kagawa. He shed (流す) tears of regret after the game against R. Madrid  (FIFA Club World Cup in 2018). That was impressive.

◉ Date of birth : 28 January, 1999

◉ Current team : Kashima Antlers 

◉ Height :  171cm

◉ Playing position :   MF, FW (second top)

Tatsuya Ito  is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for  Hamburger SV. He was nominated for Bundesliga’s rookie of the year award 2018. He is a super high speed dribbler.

◉ Date of birth : 26 June, 1997

◉ Current team : Hamburger SV 

◉ Height :  166cm (163cm?)

◉ Playing position :  FW 

He is good at attacking the back of the person at high speed and pressing from a front.

◉ Date of birth : 11 June, 1998

◉ Current team : Consadole Sapporo

◉ Height :  171cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW 

Ayase Ueda is a star soccer player in the University of Japan. He is a fine striker and has some talents such as physical strength, speed and hard work. He has confidence in aerial battles.

◉ Date of birth : 28 August, 1998

◉ Current team : Student of Hosei University

◉ Height :  182cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW 

Keita Endo is a dribbler who runs well. He might be a player who is a typical winger type.

◉ Date of birth : 22 November, 1997

◉ Current team : Yokohama F Marinos

◉ Height :  175cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF, FW

Koki Ogawa is an ace striker and a post player of Japan national team in each generation. He is good at a header, using the big size of his body. And also he has a good reputation (評判、名声) for the abundance (多数の) of the goal pattern. Let’s expect him who revived (復活した) from a serious injury.

◉ Date of birth : 8 August, 1997

◉ Current team : Jubilo Iwata

◉ Height :  186cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW

He can play wherever except goalkeeper (as an utility player). He is expected to play as an Aggressive Mid Fielder recently.

◉ Date of birth : 23 November, 1999

◉ Current team : Urawa Red Diamonds

◉ Height :  175cm 

◉ playing position  : DF, MF, FW

Yuki Kakita is a  player of Japan national team in each generation. He is good at aerial battles and is  also works hard for defense.

◉ Date of birth : 14 July, 1997

◉ Current team : Zweigen Kanazawa

◉ Height :  187cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW

Takefusa Kubo  plays as an attacking midfielder for FC Tokyo.  Based on his performances, he is also nicknamed the “Japanese Messi”. He had been invited to join FC Barcelona’s youth Academy. He will play for FC Barcelona from summer of 2019.

◉ Date of birth : 4 June, 2001

◉ Current team : FC Tokyo

◉ Height :  173cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF, FW

After winning the 2016 National Championship with Aomori Yamada High School, Yuta Goke joined J1 League club Vissel Kobe for 2018 season. He has all-round potential abilities hidden. 

◉ Date of birth : 10 June, 1999

◉ Current team : Vissel Kobe

◉ Height :  185cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF

Kyosuke Tagawa was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup even though he was just eighteen. He progressed through the youth ranks of Sagan Tosu, and made his debut for J1 League in 2017.

◉ Date of birth : 11 February, 1999

◉ Current team : FC Tokyo

◉ Height :  181cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW

Ritsu Dōan’s good point is strength of the physical and technique of the dribble. His play style is compared to Maradona and he is named “Mara-Doan”.

◉ Date of birth : 16 June, 1998

◉ Current team : FC Groningen

◉ Height :  172cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF

Takuhiro Nakai joined a substructure of Real Madrid and attracted even more attention. He is called one of the most talented players in Japan.

◉ Date of birth : 24 October, 2003

◉ Current team : Real Madrid Cadete A

◉ Height :  176cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF

Keito Nakamura has represented Japan at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 level playing in both the AFC Under-16 Championship in 2016, and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in which he netted 4 times in 4 games.

◉ Date of birth : 28 July, 2000

◉ Current team : Gamba Osaka

◉ Height :  180cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW

Daizen Maeda’s good point is speed. He is reputed to be a Japanese Mohamed Sarah.

◉ Date of birth : 20 October, 1997

◉ Current team : Matsumoto Yamaga

◉ Height :  173cm 

◉ Playing position :  FW

Kaoru Mitoma’s got 2 scores from a team of J1 League in his high school days. His play style is like Andres Iniesta.

◉ Date of birth : 20 May, 1997

◉ Current team : Tsukuba University 

◉ Height :  178cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF

Koji Miyoshi was elected Japan U-17 national team for 2013 U-17 World Cup and Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. He has high ability to make chances.

◉ Date of birth : 26 March, 1997

◉ Current team : Yokohama F Marinos

◉ Height :  168cm 

◉ Playing position :  MF

Mizuki Ichimaru was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 3 matches as defensive midfielder. He is expected to be a successor of Yasuhito Endo (a former Japanese national team player).

◉ Date of birth : 8 May, 1997

◉ Current team : Gamba Osaka

◉ Height :  174cm 

After growing through Jubilo Iwata youth ranks, Hiroki Ito was promoted to the top team in 2018. He plays for Nagoya Grampus on loan from Jubilo Iwata.

◉ Date of birth : 12 May, 1999

◉ Current team : Nagoya Grampus

◉ Height :  188cm 

Yuta Kamiya is good at dribbling and superior in  individual activities.

◉ Date of birth : 24 April, 1997

◉ Current team : Ehime FC

◉ Height :  176cm 

In 2018, Hayao Kawabe came back to Sanfrecce Hiroshima after a three-years loan to Jubilo Iwata. It is further hoped that he will have a good showing at the World Cup 2022.

◉ Date of birth : 8 September, 1995

◉ Current team : Sanfrecce Hiroshima

◉ Height :  178cm 

Daisuke Sakai was elected Japan U-17 national team for 2013 U-17 World Cup and Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. He can play wherever except goalkeeper (as an utility player).

◉ Date of birth : 18 January, 1997

◉ Current team : Oita Trinita

◉ Height :  167cm 

Teruki Hara has represented Japan at various levels and was elected Japan for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played all 4 matches as defensive midfielder.

◉ Date of birth : 30 July, 1998

◉ Current team : Sagan tosu

◉ Height :  180cm 

Taiki Hirato joined J1 League club Kashima Antlers in 2016. We are hopeful about his future as a Defensive Mid Fielder of Japan national team.

◉ Date of birth : 18 April, 1997

◉ Current team : Kashima Antlers

◉ Height :  177cm 

After graduating from Higashi Fukuoka High School, Yuya Fukuda joined Gamba Osaka in 2018. He is also expected as a Defensive Mid Fielder of Japan national team in near the future.

◉ Date of birth : 4 April, 1999

◉ Current team : Gamba Osaka

◉ Height :  176cm 

Ko Itakura joined J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale in 2015. In 2019 he joined Premier League club Manchester City and was immediately loaned to Eredivisie club Groningen, until the summer of 2020.

◉ Date of birth : 27 January, 1997

◉ Current team : FC Groningen (loan)

◉ Height :  186cm 

Kosuke Ide’s parents are Japanese, but he was born and raised in the United States. He reported that he has signed a pro contract with CD Leganés (in 2019) after a trial period, having spent the better part of the last two years in the German lower leagues. A Japanese-American dual national, he will start with the U-23 team.

◉ Date of birth : 13 February, 1998

◉ Current team : CD Leganes

◉ Height :  172cm 

He is superior in physical ability. He is expected to do well 

as a Center Back of Japan national team in near the future.

◉ Date of birth : 13 December, 1997

◉ Current team : Jubilo Iwata

◉ Height :  184cm 

He made his debut for Nagoya Grampus, the opening day of the 2018 season. He has high soccer IQ and can play all defensive positions.

◉ Date of birth : 28 June, 2000

◉ Current team : Nagoya Grampus

◉ Height :  179cm 

In 2017, Daiki Sugioka was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 2 matches as left side back. He’d be a successor of Yuto Nagatomo.

◉ Date of birth : 8 September, 1998

◉ Current team : Shonan Bellmare

◉ Height :  182cm 

In 2017, Yugo Tatsuta made his professional debut in J League club against Kashiwa Reysol. He can play as both   the center back and the side back.

◉ Date of birth : 21 June, 1998

◉ Current team : Shimizu S-Pulse

◉ Height :  191cm 

In 2017, Takehiro Tomiyasu was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played full time in all 4 matches as center back. In 2018, he received his first international call-up from the Japan national football team. And he was re-called to the Japanese squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. 

◉ Date of birth : 5 November, 1998

◉ Current team : Sint – truiden (the Belgian Pro League)

◉ Height :  188cm 

In 2017, Yuta Nakayama was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup.  At this tournament, he played full time in all 4 matches as center back. He is expected as a successor of Makoto Hasebe.

◉ Date of birth : 16 February, 1997

◉ Current team : PEC Zwolle (Dutch football club)

◉ Height :  181cm 

He can play as side back, center back and wing back. He is expected as a successor of Hiroki Sakai.

◉ Date of birth : 17 May, 1999

◉ Current team : Urawa Red Diamonds

◉ Height :  183cm 

In 2017, Ryo Hatsuse was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 2 matches as right side back. He was called up to the senior Japan team as part of their squad at the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.

◉ Date of birth : 10 July, 1997

◉ Current team : Vissel Kobe

◉ Height :  175cm 

In 2017, So Fujitani was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 2 matches as right side back.

◉ Date of birth : 28 October, 1997

◉ Current team : Vissel Kobe

◉ Height :  178cm 

In May 2017, Funaki was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 2 matches as left side back.

◉ Date of birth : 13 April, 1998

◉ Current team : Cerezo Osaka

◉ Height :  177cm 

Koki Machida joined J1 League club; Kashima Antlers in 2016.
He is expected as a successor of Gen Shoji (as a CB).

◉ Date of birth : 25 August, 1997

◉ Current team : Kashima Antlers

◉ Height : 190cm

His aim is to be a GK like Manuel Neuer. He has good reflexes (反射神経).

◉ Date of birth : 28 July, 1999

◉ Current team : Sanfrecce Hiroshima

◉ Height :  186cm 

Obi Powell Obinna is superior in physical ability. He is expected to do well as a member of Japan national team in near the future.

◉ Date of birth : 18 December, 1997

◉ Current team : Ryutsu Keizai University

◉ Height :  193cm 

Ryosuke Kojima is superior in physical ability. He is expected to be a  member of Japan national team in near the future.

◉ Date of birth : 30 January, 1997

◉ Current team : Oita Trinita 

◉ Height :  183cm 

In 2017, Hatano was elected  Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. But didn’t play in the match, as he was the team’s reserve goalkeeper.

◉ Date of birth : 25 May, 1998

◉ Current team : FC Tokyo

◉ Height :  197cm 

Riku Hirosue joined  J1 League club FC Tokyo in 2017. In his high school days, he won National High School Soccer Tournament. 

◉ Date of birth : 6 July, 1998

◉ Current team : Renofa Yamaguchi

◉ Height :  183cm 

Louis Yamaguchi has French father and Japanese mother. He plays for Extremadura UD (spain) since 2017. He is expected as a successor of Eiji Kawashima.

◉ Date of birth : 28 May, 1998

◉ Current team : Extremadura UD (spain)

◉ Height :  188cm 

Tomoya Wakahara was promoted to the top team of Kyoto Sanga in 2017. 

◉ Date of birth : 28 December, 1999

◉ Current team  : Kyoto Sanga 

◉ Height :  185cm