Japanese media outlet Gekisaka has predicted Japan's starting lineup for the match against Uruguay.

Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu held a pre-match press conference on the 23rd ahead of the Kirin Challenge Cup fixture against Uruguay (24th, Stadio Q). He revealed his starting lineup concept: "Basically, I want to build the team around the players who arrived by Monday." Based on the training formation from the 22nd, newly called-up midfielder Kuya Matsuki (Southampton) is very likely to start as right winger, making his senior debut.

Japan's squad members gradually joined the team in the order their club seasons ended. For this camp, 16 players had arrived by Monday, the 21st: Matsuki, along with goalkeeper Tomoki Hayakawa, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, defender Ko Itakura, defender Hiroki Ito, defender Ayumu Seko, midfielder Yuki Soma, midfielder Ritsu Doan, midfielder Keito Nakamura, midfielder Shuto Machino, midfielder Kaishu Sano, midfielder Koki Kumamoto, forward Saito Suzuki, forward Kaina Tanimura, forward Kento Shiogai, and forward Keisuke Goto.

The remaining 14 players arrived on Tuesday, the 22nd, so their physical condition will be assessed for the Uruguay match, and their playing time will be managed accordingly. Additionally, Zion Suzuki has been training separately due to flank pain and is expected to miss the Uruguay match.

The team began full-intensity training on the 22nd, including 11-versus-11 formation drills. In the second group that played in attack, 10 of the 11 players were "players who arrived by Monday," which likely reflects the expected starting lineup against Uruguay.

Second Group's Attacking Formation in Training

Forward: Shiogai

Attacking Midfielders: Suzuki, Doan

Wingers: Keito Nakamura, Kuya Matsuki

Defensive Midfielders: Kaishu Sano, Koda Sano

Defenders: Ito, Ko Itakura, Seko

Goalkeeper: Tomoki Hayakawa

Among them, only Koda Sano arrived in Japan on Tuesday, the 22nd; if he starts against Uruguay, it would be an exceptional selection. On the other hand, coach Moriyasu also stated: "In yesterday's training, only the players who arrived on Sunday and Monday underwent high-intensity training, so I wasn't able to see the full condition of the team. I want to finalize the squad after assessing the situation clearly today." If priority is given to players who arrived by the 21st, a strong candidate for the defensive midfield position is Koki Kumamoto (Kashiwa Reysol).

Traduzido por IA.

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