In third place with one win and one loss after two matches of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea, U-20 Japan National Team, aiming to advance to the knockout phase with a win or a draw with two goals or more, faced U-20 Italy at Cheonan Sports Complex on Saturday 27 May.

Considering forward OGAWA Koki’s absence due to injury and the players’ fatigue after consecutive games with a two-day break, Japan made some changes to their starting line-ups. While placing tournament debutants SUGIOKA Daiki as left fullback and TAGAWA Kyosuke as forward, Uruguay-match substitutes left fullback HATSUSE Ryo and right wingback ENDO Keita started from the beginning of the game.

In the following tournament, group winners and runners-up along with the four best second-place teams among all the groups qualify for the knock phase of the tournament. Italy with three points were level with Japan on points but placed above the Japanese counterparts on goal difference, and only required a draw to secure their current second place and advance to the knockout phase. On the other hand, Japan would guarantee their qualification with a win or a draw with two or more goals scored, while a scoreless or 1-1 tie would only increase their chance of advancement to the next round. Japanese coach UCHIYAMA Atsushi commented prior to the game, ‘We are looking to win, but more importantly, we cannot lose this game.’.....

＞＞READ MORE "JAPAN FA"