The U-23 Japan National Team, who are now in process of building up the team for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics , faced Ghana National Team at Best Amenity Stadium in Tosu, Saga in the “MS＆AD CUP 2016 – Charity matches for Kyushu and Kumamoto earthquakes “Ganbarubai Kumamoto”. Midfielder YAJIMA Shinya scored a brace and forward TOGASHI Cayman netted a goal in his first international appearance as Japan beat Ghana 3-0.

In the matchup against the African powerhouse simulating their Olympic counterparts Nigeria, Japan coach TEGURAMORI Makoto brought in KUSHIBIKI Masatoshi as the goalkeeper, ITO Yukitoshi, UEDA Naomichi, NARA Tatsuki and KAMEKAWA Masashi on defensive line, new face HASHIMOTO Kento and OHSHIMA Ryota as anchors and NOTSUDA Gakuto at right midfield and Yajima at left. Togashi and ASANO Takuma were placed upfront.

Japan went aggressive on offence from the start as Yajima opened the scoring with his right foot after receiving a pass from Oshima in the 11th minute.
Four minutes later, Japan connected a pass from a free kick earned at midfield and sent it to the right flank. With Ito providing a right cross, Yajima found the back of the net again with his right-footed volley.....

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