The Japanese national football team is expected to participate in the East Asian Cup with a third-string squad. While their unique approach to international competitions stands out, there are concerns that they may face backlash due to overconfidence.
The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will play their opening match against China in the EAFF E-1 Championship (hereinafter referred to as the East Asian Cup) at 8 p.m. on the 7th at Yongin Mirs Stadium. They will then face Hong Kong at 8 p.m. on July 11 and Japan at 7:24 p.m. on the 15th.
This tournament does not coincide with the FIFA-designated A match week, so there is no obligation to call up overseas players. Accordingly, Korea has summoned a squad primarily consisting of K League players, while Japan is expected to form their roster with J League players, although the specifics are quite different.
Japan's main players will also be absent. It has been officially confirmed that players from Urawa Reds will be excluded from the final roster announcement scheduled for July 3. Urawa recently participated in the FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States, facing River Plate, Inter Milan, and Monterrey consecutively, but lost all matches and were eliminated.
Players who returned home after the tournament are taking a break, but Hajime Moriyasu, the coach of the Japanese national team, has clarified that "I will not select players from Urawa." He explained after watching the Verdy-Kawasaki Frontale match in Tokyo on the 29th, "They are good resources, but they are exhausted physically and mentally due to the Club World Cup. I will consider other individuals."
It is practically a third-string team. The Japanese national team has mostly been composed of players from Europe. Cases like this East Asian Cup, filled only with J League players, are rare, and with key resources from Urawa excluded due to the impact of the Club World Cup, the team's overall strength is expected to decline sharply.
Chinese media is expressing confidence, stating, "This time, Japan is practically a third-string team. China has a chance of winning," attributing their optimism to this situation.
Korea's situation is different. Players who have shown good form in the K League this season, such as Ju Min-kyu, Jo Hyun-woo, and Jeon Jin-woo, are largely included in the national team. Though European players like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are absent, domestic players are being praised for their match sense and teamwork. Their approach stands in stark contrast to Japan's.
Hong Myung-bo's squad aims to test the competitiveness of a K League-based national team through this tournament, with the goal of regaining the top spot in Asia. In contrast, Japan has gambled on a strategy that is not even a second option but a third option.
[OSEN]