Japan's U23 men's national team will face Uzbekistan U23 at Osaka's Nagai Stadium on the 30th, with midfielder Nelson Ishiwatari eager to make an impactful performance and energize the atmosphere.

For Ishiwatari, a product of Cerezo Osaka's youth academy, Nagai Stadium holds special meaning. He has watched Cerezo Osaka's first team play there and made a substitute appearance in a match against Gamba Osaka this February during the "J.League Centennial Cup" special event. Since then, he has gradually established himself, making 17 appearances and providing 3 assists. Speaking about playing in a familiar venue, Ishiwatari said: "I'm really looking forward to it. We must win."

The 21-year-old midfielder, who is of Nigerian descent, stands 1.85 meters tall and is known for using his physical presence defensively while also joining attacks at key moments. This summer, he officially transferred from Cerezo Osaka to Belgian First Division A club Sint-Truidense, where he has made 6 league appearances this season, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist.

Men's football at the Asian Games follows the Olympic age limit of under 23 years old. Uzbekistan, like Japan, has fielded a squad of players aged 21 and under, making this a clash between two teams competing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics generation. The 2028 AFC U-23 Asian Cup will be held in Japan, with the top two teams qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics, making this match crucial preparation. Ishiwatari stated: "Both sides are in very similar situations, so we cannot afford to lose. I want to win through my football. The only goal is the championship. First, we must win tomorrow."

Nelson Ishiwatari was born in Kyoto on May 10, 2005, and is currently 21 years old. He began his football career at Seikyogoku JSC in elementary school and played for Cerezo Osaka West U-15 during middle school. In his first year of high school, he joined Cerezo Osaka's U-18 squad and was registered as a Type 2 player in February 2022, joining the first team. He made his official debut on May 18, 2022, in a League Cup match against Oita Trinita. In 2024, he joined J2 League side Ehime on loan, and in 2025, he was loaned to J2 club Iwaki FC. In 2026, he returned to Cerezo Osaka, appearing 17 times in the "J.League Centennial Cup" special event before officially transferring to Sint-Truidense this summer. Ishiwatari has made 1 appearance in the J1 League and 41 appearances in the J2 League, scoring 5 goals. He is 1.85 meters tall, weighs 78 kg, and is right-footed.

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