Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: AFC U23 Championship MVP Shoya Nakajima is one of the standout names in a strong Japan Olympic squad which was announced on Friday.
Nakajima excelled for his country during Japan’s U23 title triumph in January, and the talented FC Tokyo midfielder is expected to shine once again come next month’s global extravaganza in Brazil.
Head coach Makoto Teguramori also opted to include Vissel Kobe defender Takuya Iwanami who is expected to recover in time from a troublesome knee injury.
Japan begin their Group B Olympic campaign with a game against Nigeria on August 4, before taking on Colombia three days later and then Sweden on August 10.
Japan Olympic Squad
Goalkeepers: Masatoshi Kushibiki (Kashima Antlers), Kosuke Nakamura (Kashiwa Reysol)
Defenders: Hiroki Fujiharu (Gamba Osaka), Tsukasa Shiotani (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Masashi Kamekawa (Avispa Fukuoka), Sei Muroya (FC Tokyo), Takuya Iwanami (Vissel Kobe), Naomichi Ueda (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Ryota Oshima (Kawasaki Frontale), Wataru Endo (Urawa Reds), Riki Harakawa (Kawasaki Frontale), Shinya Yajima (Fagiano Okayama), Shoya Nakajima (FC Tokyo), Takumi Minamino (Red Bull Salzburg), Yosuke Ideguchi (Gamba Osaka)
Forwards: Shinzo Koroki (Urawa Red Diamonds), Yuya Kubo (Young Boys), Takuma Asano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Photo: AFC