TOKYO (AFP, REUTERS) - Japan dropped former Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa from the Samurai Blue's bid to reclaim the Asian Cup, opting instead for a squad filled with young Europe-based talents.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu on Wednesday (Dec 12) selected several players with only a handful of caps for Asia's showcase football tournament in the United Arab Emirates starting in January.
The likes of Ritsu Doan of Groningen, Shoya Nakajima of Portimonense and Takumi Minamino of Salzburg will lead Japan's bid for a record-extending fifth title.
But there was no place for midfielder Kagawa, 29, now struggling for playing time at Borussia Dortmund.
Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki was also omitted but Southampton centre-back Maya Yoshida has been picked.
Kagawa has long been among the leading stars of Blue Samurai and at his German outfit, but the attacking player has found himself unable to get regular first-team football under Dortmund coach Lucien Favre.
He told the Japanese media last month that he wished to move to Spain to take on a new challenge.
Moriyasu suggested he had been tempted to turn to veterans like Kagawa, but said he needed to pick players in their best form.
"Of course, I wanted help from experienced players, those who went to the Russian World Cup and those who have led Japan for years," he told a press conference.
"Many of the players whom we selected at this time have only limited experiences. I have chosen them with hopes that they would take the ownership of the team and build the national team themselves and fight for the title," he said.
The 32-year-old Okazaki is Japan's third-highest scorer but has failed to find the net for either club or country in a year .
However, the young squad will be supported by Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako and Galatasaray defender Yuto Nagatomo, both veterans of past World Cups.
Japan won the Asian Cup in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011, but failed in the last edition, won by Australia in 2015.
"Japan's national team did not win the title last time. We will reclaim the Asian Cup and bring back the title," Moriyasu said.
The Asian Cup, which has been expanded to include 24 teams, will be held from Jan 5 to Feb 1. Japan, who have been drawn in Group F, kick off their campaign against Turkmenistan on Jan 9. Oman and Uzbekistan are the other teams in the group.
Karim Benzema scored his sixth goal in four games as Real Madrid beat Alaves 3-0 on Sunday for a fourth successive LaLiga victory which took the European champions to within eight points of leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid stroll to fourth straight win | TODAY.NG
Pep impressed by toffees. Sergio Aguero, back in training, is set to return to the Manchester City line-up for their next game against Everton. The champions host the Toffees at the Etihad looking
Everton 4-0 Manchester City: Pep's Citizens dismantled by
Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away to neighbours Juventus for 24 years as the two sides drew 1-1 in Serie A on Friday. Sasa Lukic stunned the recently
Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino - ewn.co.za
Dec 13, 2012 · MLS: Former Mexico and Barcelona star Rafael Márquez is to leave the New York Red Bulls, ending a troubled time in MLS. But where does he rank among the league's big-signing flops.
Mohamed Salah wants the Muslim world to treat its women better. Salah is joined by fellow Arab and Muslim celebrities such as Rami Malek and Mahershala Ali, as well as Abu Dhabi's Crown
Salah Calls For More Respect For Women In Muslim World As He
Football: Tampines Rovers stay true to playing style as they
Ikhsan goes for trial in Norway, Football News & Top Stories
Football: MP & Silva's Singapore office in provisional liquidation following London HQ's insolvency. seeking a High Court order to appoint it as provisional liquidator in order to prevent a
Asier Arsuaga :: Txokolarte
Cody can actually use his athletic advantage against centers and his biggest strength, his help D, is more relied on at the 5. Hawes and Frank provide a really unique frontcourt where neither is very good inside but excel at shooting, passing, and up-faking into simple drives to set up dump offs to teammates.
How to Wasp-Proof Your Backyard This Summer
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been fined £8,000 by The Football Association after kicking a bottle at a Brighton fan during the Premier League draw on Boxing Day.
Arsenal's Emery fined for kicking bottle at Brighton fan
Unai Emery launched an impassioned defence of Shkodran Mustafi on the eve of Arsenal's Premier League trip to Wolves - but admits there is room for improvement for the beleaguered centre-back.
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch champions league live stream uk
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch live streaming soccer games
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
watch coppa america live streaming australia
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming match
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch premier league live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch english premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch soccer live streaming kenya
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch live soccer stream android
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch champions league simulcast live stream
watch live soccer game today
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch soccer online free streaming live
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch premier league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming world
soccer tv live net stream
watch coppa america live streaming yify
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming bola
watch coppa america live streaming online free
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
free watch champions league live streaming
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming video
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch soccer live stream links
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer live stream app
#premierleague #londoncity #afcnews #zidane #Celtic #liverpoolcity #meunier #gunners #coutinho #realmadrid #romania #insegreto #panini #fcbarcelona #bayervshoffenheim #liverpool #Vip45 #thomasmeunier #chocolate #coyg #MSport #soccer #juventus #barcelona #vip #americanfootball #copaamerica #liverpool #midnight #hotcoffee #oasis #seriea #visubal #zinedinezidane #nikesoccer #england #champion #footballschedule #manchestercity #cappucino #Sunday #pagani #messi #nutmeg #hoffenhiem #cr7 #leomessi #frasitrap #uefanationsleague #league1 #knuckleball
No comments:
Post a Comment